The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-10 00:00:00

IMPOR7ANT FRENCTI CIRCULAR ON

THE GREBE QUESTION,

In order to remove all dcubt as to the policy
which France is resolved to pursue in reference to
Greece, M. Drouyn de Lhuys has just sent round a
circular to each of the representatives of the French
Government in foreign countries. The substance
of the note is as follows :

After having acknowledged the moderation which
the Greek nation has exhibited in the presence of
the grave circumstances arising out of recent events,
the Minister declares that the Government of his
Imperial Majesty has not remained an indifferent
spectator of what has passed, but did not think it
right to offer any opposition.
Two considerations presented themselves—on the
one side the treaties that established Greece, to
which France was a party ; on the other the una-
nimous movement of a people desirous of modifying
its Government. Between these two opposite facts
France had but one line to follow—to leave the
Greek people free to elect the assembly represent-
ing the nation, and to adhere, in accord with the
co -protecting powers, to the engagements jointly
signed by them. This is the line the Emperor has
taithfnlly followed.

The note adds, that requested to point out a can-
didate for the throne of Greece, the Government of
his Majesty the Emperor of the French did not feel
itself at liberty to comply, convinced that in acting
thus it would cause a moral pressure, restricting
the full liberty of the Greeks, and violating treaties.

The crown of Greece could not, in fact, be consi-
dered -vacant by France any more than by England
or Russia, until the Hellenic nation had designated
a new sovereign and the three protecting powers
had agreed to recognise him. Up to that time the
existing engagements would preserve all their

force.
M. Drouyn de Lhuys then goes on to state with
regret that whilst the Government of his Imperial
Majesty followed in perfect good faith the line it
had traced for itself, the name of a Prince belonging
to one of the three powers was brought forward,
and that this candidature was supported rather than
discouraged in Greece. Whilst rendering full
justice to the eminent qualities of Prince Alfred,
and appreciating the lively sympathies of which he
is the object in Greece, the French government is
not disposed to admit that his elevation to the throne
will assure the security and happiness of the coun-
try. Would not Europe accept with reluctance the
increase of influence which would result therefrom
to England ? Would not the two other powers see
in it a violation of treaties ? Finally, would not the
overthrow of the balance of power in the East and
in the Mediterranean bring about inevitable com-
plications ?
M. Drouyn de Lhuys thinks that, under these
circumstances, the government of Great Britain has
perhaps occupied itself too much with a candidature
which it believed it had reason to fear, and has been
desirous of obtaining guarantees which were not
necessary. He trusts that the uneasiness to which
these circumstances have given rise will soon be

terminated.
Relying on the wisdom of the British government,
and informed by its representative at Paris that
England is ready to disavow the candidature of
Prince Alfred if Russia on her side will consent to
the exclusion of any Prince belonging to the Im-
perial family of Russia; convinced, moreover, that
the latter power is ready to make this declaration,
the French Minister sees no further obstacle to an
understanding between the three powers, and con-
cludes with the expression of a hope that the three
powers will agree to point out for the choice of
Greece a Prince who will be able to ensure her
prosperity without compromising that of Europe.

71IE VOLUNTEERS.

The annual regimental prize meeting of the 28th Middle-
sex (London Irish) Rifle Volunteers commenced on Wed-

nesday last at the rifle range of the corps, Child's-hill,
Hampstead. Captain M'Swiney, musketry instructor of
the corps, was in command. The weather was favourable,

with a strong wind to the right, and occasional showers.

Notwithstanding this, the shooting was very good. The
contest commenced at 11 o'clock, the prizes on the list for
the day's competition being as follows :—A silver cup, given
by the Marquis of Donegal, colonel of the corps; a silver

flask, the gift of Captain and Adjutant Daubeney; a prize

given by Lord Ashley, M.P., for competition by members
of No. 1 company ; and three money prizes, presented by
Lieut. Cusack. The silver cup given by Mrs. M'Swiney
will be shot for to-day by members of the 3d company,
which is considered the crack shooting company of the
corps, and an exciting contest may be expected. The
Marquis of Donegal's prize was well contested at 500 yards,

seven shots, and was restricted to members who had at-
tended 15 Saturday parades. Private R. Y. Chattock
(winner) made 16 marks; Sergeant Aylmer 15 ; and Dr.

Godfrey and Sergeant Sylvester 14 each. Captain and Ad-
jutant Daubeney's silver cup was shot for at 200 yards, five

shots, and was won by Sergeant Aylmer, who made 14
marks. Sergeants Andrews and Sylvester scored 12 each,
and Sergeant G. C. Wood 9. The prize given by Lord
Ashley, M.P., was shot for by members of the Ist company
at 400 yards, five shots, and was won by private Walters,
who made 13 marks. The two next best scores were made

by private Slater, 10, r.nd private Chattock, 10. Lieuten-
ant Cusack's money prize, shot for at 200 yards, five shots,

was won by private R. V. Chattock, 15 marks ; private It,
0. Eavans, 11 marks, and private C. Howse, 11 marks,

The shooting was resumed this morning.

The second annual presentation of prizes to the successful
members of the 29th (North) Middlesex Rifle Volunteers

took place on Saturday evening at the Vestry-hall, Old St.
Pancras-road, in the presence of a large number of specta-
tors. Some of the prizes were very costly, a large time-
piece, surmounted with the figure of St. George and the
. .

Dragon, and a silver tazza, with the figure of Britannia.
attracting much attention. Lord Enfield distributed the fol
lowing prizes : ---A. prize of £lO 10s., presented by Viscount
Enfield (hon. Colonel of the Corps), to Colour Sergeant
Frazer, No. 1 Company, 38 points; a prize of £lO 10s., pre-
sented by Lieutenant-Colonel Whitehead, to Corporal J.
Wells, No. 1 Company, 27 points; Major Peter's prize, a
leis. t;mopi.oo, slay v cau.o .0 12 su.luvo.ro, LO Ptiv ate Derry,
No. 2 Company, 40 points. A silver tazza, presented by
Private Berry, of the value of 14 guineas, to Sergeant Eedes,
No. 2 Company, 19 points. The Ladies' Cup, won by Cap-
tain and Adjutant Wallen Jones, 36 points. Company
prizes were also presented to Colour-Sergeant Frazer and
Corporal Harrison, No. 1 Company; Sergeant Legge and
Private Kennedy, No. 2 Company ; Private Joyce and
Corporal Jackson, No. 3 Company ; Corporals Humphry
and Pavey, No. 4 Company; Sergeant Male and Private
Burker, N 0.7 Company ; and a Lord Bury telescope (pre-
sented by the officers) to Corporal Humphry, No. 4 Com-
pany. His lordship having called Private Joyce, of No 3
Company (the winner of the Battalion Medal), and Corporal
Humphry, of No. 4 Company (the late holder) to the front,
said that, although Private Joyce had won the Battalion
Medal by making the highest score-31 points—Corporal
Humphry had only lost it by one point. He believed it was
the wish of the regiment, and one in which ho heartily
concurred, that Corporal Humphrey should retain the old
Battalion Medal,land that there should be another made
and given to private Joyce.
The rifle match for £l2O, open to all the world, which has
been looked forward to during the past month with the
greatest interest, commenced on Friday last, at the butts of
the 30th Middlesex (Ealing) Rifles and was concluded on
Saturday. Upwards of 200 competitors from nearly every
county in England entered the lists, and the appearance
which the various uniforms presented gave a very pleas-
ing effect to the contest. On the first day (Fri-
day) the shooting commenced at a quarter before 10
o'clock precisely, and was continued throughout the day till
dusk. The weather was all that could be desired for shoot-
ing. All doubts as to the, splendid score for the £5O prize
made by Private Stewart, of the 23d Middlesex (Inns of
Court) Rifles, being excelled were on Saturday set at rest
by the weather, which was most unfavourable. The wind
during the morning blew a perfect gale, and in the after-
noon the rain fell in torrents. The ranges for all the prizes
were 200 and 500 yards, seven shots at each. Wimbledon
scoring. The following are the winners :-Ist prize £5O,
Private Stewart (Inns of Court) Rifles, 42 marks-2d prize,
£2O, Mr. Huntingdon, 12th Middlesex (Barnet) Rifles, 41
marks-3d prize, £l5, Mr. Whiffin (Windsor), 41 marks-
4th prize, £lO, Mr. Blagrove, 38th Middlesex (Artists)
Rifles, 40 marks-sth prize, £5, Mr. Wiskar (Ilford), 40
marks-6th prize, £5, Mr. Dynes (Knightsbridge), 39
marks-7th prize, £5, Mr. Millard, 11th Middlesex (St.
George's) Rifles, 39 marks-Bth prize, £5, Corporal May,
sth (Sussex) Rifles, 39 marks—and 9th prize, £5, Mr.Wal-
liker, 21st Middlesex (Civil Service) Rifles, 39 marks.
The following are the results of the competition on the
fourth day for the prizes of the 36th Middlesex(Paddington)
Rifles :—The prizes consisted of a silver goblet or a Turner
small-bore rifle (at the option of the winner), the gift of the
officers ; a silver tankard, presented by Lieut,-Colonel
Wood, the commandant of the corps ; and a London Ar-
moury Company's rifle, given for competition by a member
of the 4th company. For the officers' prize there were 37
competitors. The ranges were 200, 500, and 600 yards;
five rounds at each, and the following are the best scores
(5ee........e), s 9 marlro.--Caracia nt Vielserman,29
—Sergeant Adams, 37—and private Lissenden, e 7. Lieut.-
Colon el Wood's prize, was contested for by 41 eompetiteree
at 500 and 600 yards, five rounds at each, and was also won
by Sergeant Hill, who made 22 marks, but it being one of
the 'conditions that "no member would be permitted to
take more than one of the prizes offered for general com-
petition and one of the company's prizes," it fell to
Sergeant Kempson, who made the next highest score—
viz., 22 marks. For the London Armoury Company's
rifle, presented by a'member of the 4th Company,there were
35 competitors. The ranges were 150 and 200 yards, 5
rounds at each. Sergeant Hill again made the highest
score, but being disqualified from taking the prize on the
condition already mentioned, it lay between Sergeant Brad-
ley and Private Murphy, who scored 30 each, and who will
have to shoot off the tie at the 200 yards' range. The ar-
rangements were carried out by Captain Lockner, who also
fulfilled the duties of umpire.
A match between 10 of the 19th Middlesex Rifle Volun-
teers, and 10 of the 38th Middlesex (Artists) was shot at
Ealing on Thursday the 4th inst. The day was most un-
favourable, a thick fog rendering the targets almost in-
visible, save at the 500 yards' range, when it became rather
clearer. Tho ranges were 200, 500, and 600 yards, five
shots at each range. The total score, hits and points added,
was, Artists, 297, and 19th, 265. The Artists won by 32.
In Essex a match has taken place between four non-com-
missioned officers of the 2d County Battery of Artillery and
a corresponding number of the Ist Kent Artillery. The
ranges were 100, 200, and 300 yards, five shots each, and
the Essex side won by 28 points, scoring 118 to 90. The
weapon used was the Artillery carbine. The Essex compe-
petitors were Sergeant-Biddell, Sergeant Sackett, Corporal
Spitty, and Corporal Ash ; while Kent was represented by
Sergeant-Major Inwood, Sergeant Wright, Sergeant
Currie, and Corporal Sandford. The highest individual
score was made by Sergeant Sackett.
The members of the Norwich battalion paraded in St.
Andrew's-hall on Thursday evening, and were inspected by
Lieutenant-Colonel Brett. After a minute examination of
the arms and accoutrements the corps marched to the New-
market-road, where they were exercised in battalion drill.
On Friday a bronze medal offered by the National Rifle
Association to the Norfolk Volunteer Service Association
was again competed for on Mousehold-heath, having been
resigned by the gentleman who won it in September in
consequence of a dispute which arose in reference to the
shooting on that occasion. There were 33 competitors, who
were divided into two squads, the left comprising 16 and the
right 17. The shooting was at ranges of 200, 500, and 600
yards, five rounds each, and the left squad made altogether
287 points and 167 hits, or 451 nfarks, while the right
squad obtained 267 points and 161 hits, or 428 marks.
Some of the competitors did not complete their shooting,
but the average per man of those who persevered to the end
was as follows :—Left squad, 29'49 points and 11 92 hits, or
32'41 marks ; right squad, 19.06 points and 11.50 hits, or
30.56 marks. The highest personal score was that of Pri-
vate Breeze, of the Ist Norwich Company, who made 34
points and 15 hits, or 49 marks; he was therefore declared
the winner of the medal.
The Louth Artillery and Rifle Corps made a night march
one evening last week to a field fronting the house of Mr.
F. Allison. A camp was formed, sentries thrown out, and
a bivouac organised. The night was fine but damp, and a
plentiful supply of warm ale and bread and cheese, given by
Mr. Allison, proved highly acceptable.
The 16th North York Volunteers had a field day at
Pickering on Thursday, after which they held their annual
banquet, at which the prizes won in the late contest were
presented to the claimants by Capt. the Rev. J. R. Hill.
A friendly rivalry has sprung up between the Bristol and
Glocester City Volunteer Rifle corps. At the annual dinner
of the Glocester corps, held a short time since, Ensign Red-
diford, the musketry instructor, read some statistics, con-
trasting the shooting of his company with that of the other
volunteers of the county, especially the i4th Bristol Com-
pany, and claiming for the Glocester corps pre-eminence as
the best shots in the county. Captain and Adjutant Jones,
of the Bristol corps, responded last week, contending that
Ensign Reddiford's statistics were fallacious; that the 4th
Bristol Company were entitled to the place of honour, and
challenging the Glocester men to a trial of skill, The chal-
lenge has been accepted, and the match will come off at
Glocester on the 19th inst. with 25 men aside at 200, 300,
500, and 600 yards, five shots at each range.
The 3d 'West York Artillery Volunteers held their prize
shooting on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, when three
and 300 yards, adding hits and points, and
five silver caps and other prizes were shot for. The distances
were
The Challenge Cup,
presented by Captain Hellen, was won by Gunner Parkin-
sonea shotsl OO, 20
per 0,
man
at each range.
with a score of 34. The cup, also presented by the
captain, was won by Trumpet-Major Osborne -with a score
of 24. The cup presented by Lieut. Hargrove was won by
Bombardier Ferguson with a score of 23. The other con-
tests were shot at 150 and 200 yards, and resulted in the
prize presented by Surgeon Roberts being won by Gunner