The Sun.
London, England, 1865-08-12 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

The Duke of Somerset, K.G., and other members
of the Board of Admiralty at present engaged in
their annual visit to Portsmouth, its dockyard, and
other naval establishments, yesterday morning com-
menced their second day's duties at the port by
visiting the Royal Clarence Victualling-yard at
Gosport, the Royal Naval Hospital at Haslar, and
the headquarters of the Royal Marine Light Infan-
try ; after which their lordships embarked on board
their yacht Enchantress and partook of luncheon.
In the afternoon their lordships disembarked again
from the yacht, and, entering carriages provided for
their accommodation, proceeded out to Fort Cum-
berland, the headquarters of the Royal Marine Ar-
tillery, where the usual form of an inspection was
gone through. They visited the new and extensive
barracks now completing at Eastney, near Fort
Cumberland, for the reception of the officers and
men of the Royal Marine Artillery. A combined in-
spection under arms of the artillery and light infan-
try marine forces was appointed to take place on
Southsea-common by their lordships, but a partial
inspection of each force at its headquarters
was substituted, owing to the inclement state of
the weather. In the evening the Board were enter-
tained at dinner by Port Admiral Sir M. Seymour,
G.C.8., and afterwards their Lordships patronised
the ball given at the King's Rooms, Southsea, for
the benefit of the Seamen's and Marines' Orphans'
Schools. Owing to the absence of the Channel Fleet
and the Experimental Steam Squadron from Spit-
head, the receipts of the ball are expected to be much
below the average. This morning the First Lord
will hold a levee at the Royal Naval College at
Portsmouth dockyard, and the Board are expected
to leave Portsmouth for London in the evening.
During the recentvisit of the Lords of the Admi-
ralty to Plymouth the deficient accommodation for
the crew of the Scorpion came under the considera-
tion of their Lordships, who directed the master
shipwrights of Devonport dockyard to survey her
and ascertain her exact internal dimensions. The
Scorpion was originally called the El Toussin, and
was built by Messrs. Laird, of Birkenhead, ostensibly
for the Turkish squadron. She is sister to the Wivern,
4, first named El Monassir. She has a burden of
1,857 tons, has engines of 350-horse power, is iron-
cased, and has an iron deck. She carries two revolv-
ing cupolas, each with two 300-pounder guns. The
cupolas are on Capt. Coles's plan, their diameter is
24 ft., and they rise only 5 ft. above the level of the
deck. It will thus be seen that they occupy a con-
siderable space below. The cook house for the offi-
cers is just in front of the after cupola, and there-
fore conveniently near the cabins. Capt. Commerell,
V.C. (borne on the books of the Indus), was placed
in command on May 14th. It is probable that the
Scorpion will be sent to Portsmouth to undergo ex-
tensive alterations.

Admiralty instructions were received a few days
ago at Woolwich by Commodore Dunlop ordering
a reduction of 50 mechanics and artisans in the fac-
tory department of the yard. Among those who
were appointed to be discharged there were some
men who had passed the best portion of their lives
in the service—that is to say, between 20 and 30 years.
The men were yesterday well pleased to learn that
the order had been that day cancelled, and that no
reduction would take place. By. some extraordinary
regulation, the factory, although a legitimate and
recognised branch of the dockyard, is not subject to
the dockyard rules as regards the " establishment"
and length of service ; and men who would be per-
manently on the books of the establishment in the
yard are liable in the factory to be dismissed at a
week's notice. This is seriously complained of,
and appeals have in consequence been made, but
without redress.

The Channel fleet, including the Octavia, Con-
stance, and Liverpool, screw wooden frigates, under
the command of Rear-Admiral Sir S. C. Dacres,
K.C.8., will sail from Portland Roads early on
Monday morning for Cherbourg. The Royal Sove-
reign, 5, turret ship, Capt. Herbert, a ill not accom-
pany the fleet across the Channel, but will proceed
direct to Cherbourg from Spithead. Capt. Cowper
Coles, RN., goes over to Cherbourg in the Royal
Sovereign with the sanction of the Admiralty. We
have been requested to state that her Majesty's
screw troopship Urgent, Capt. Samuel H. Hender-
son, which has been selected by the Admiralty to
convey naval officers on half-pay to and from Cher-
bourg will sail from Portsmouth for Cherbourg at
11 a.m. on Monday next. Until her time for sail-
ing the Urgent will lie alongside the Sheer jetty of
Portsmouth dockyard. The Enchantress and Os-
borne paddle yachts will convey the Lords of the
Admiralty and their friends across to the French
waters.

The Research, 4, ironcased sloop, Capt. Arthur
Wilmshurst, sailed from Spithead yesterday for
Portland. She is expected to remain at Portland
during the absence of the Channel fleet at Cherbourg.
Instructions have been sent to Devonport dock-
yard to prepare estimates of the expense of refitting
the screw steamship Nile, 78, 2,622 tons, which has
engines of 500-horse power. The estimate is for a
service of four years, and it is said that she will re-
lieve the screw steamship Hastings, 50, Capt. John
Corbett, which bears the flag of Rear-Admiral
Charles Frederick at Queenstown.
The service ball, at which the officers of the
French fleet will be entertained by the British Ad-
miralty, on the arrival of the combined fleets at
Spithead from Cherbourg, will be given in the quad-
rangle of the Royal Naval College in Portsmouth
dockyard. The site is a very suitable one, as ad-
joining the covered in quadrangle, which we pre-
sume will form the ball-room, are large rooms in
the college available for promenade and supper

rooms,

The troops brought to England froth India by
the hired sailing transports Daphne and Sultana,
whose arrival at Spithead was reported in The Sun
of yesterday, were disembarked from those ships
yesterday, under the superintendence of the mili-
tary authorities of the port, and forwarded to their
respective destinations. The troops brought home
by the Daphne comprised—Capt. D. V. Stuart, 51st
Regiment; Capt. H. W. L. Carew, 89th Regiment ;
Quartermaster W. M'Gill, 79th Regiment ; Quar-
termaster Daniel Jackson, 89th Regiment. For
Netley Hospital—invalids, 146 non-commissioned
officers and men, various regiments, 4 soldiers'
wives, 22 soldiers' children. For regimental depots
—time-expired men, 52 men, 3 women, and 2 chil-
dren. The Sultana's troop list consisted of the
headquarters and five companies of the Blst 'Loyal
Lincoln Regiment and detaehnaents, as follows :-
81st Regiment—Major J. A. Gildra ; Capts. C. J.
Skerry, G. Betts, and R. G. Charlton ; Lieuts. W.
J. Macdonnell, 11. F. Jackson, and D. G. Gardner;
Ensigns J. Wilson, 11. C. 11. Man, and E. Ditmas;
Quartermaster S. Rogers; Surgeon G. Auchenbeck,
M.D.; two officers' wives and four children ; 285
non-commissioned officers and men, 14 women, and
29 children, and five sick soldiers. Three soldiers
died on the voyage.
The Himalaya, screw troopship, Capt. Thomas
B. Lethbridge, is hourly expected at Spithead with
the following troops on board, which she embarked
at Quebec on the Ist inst.:-63d Regiment—Lieut.-
Col. W. F. Carter, Major R. P. Harrison, Capts.
A. Wilbergh, E. J. Hunt, A. M. oDumaresq, W. S.
W. B.
Marson, and A. M. Armstrong ; Lieuts.
Crowther, W. L. Knowles, T. Atkinson, T. I/
T. Sl. C.
covel,
i
C. G. Terrott, M. D. Hill, J. Thacker, and
Smith ; Ensigns T. Foster, J. Burne, J. 11. Ed-
wards, W. S. Ward, R. C. F. Burton, and W. F.
Way ; Paymaster 11. Ingram ; Quartermaster J.
Linford, Lieut. and Adjutant G. H. Kinahan, Sur-
geon J. H. Hanbury ; 47 sergeants, 17 drummers,
471 rank and file, 77 women, 116 children. Detach-
ments—Major J. M. Clayhills, Ist -Battalion 7th
Foot ; Capt. T. E. A. Hall, 49th Regiment ; Surg.
C. Fairfield, Ist Battalion Rifle Brigade. Invalids
for Netley Hospital, 30 men, with three women and
three children. Time-expired men for depots-77
men, with 16 women and 22 children, six military
convicts, and two men fordischarge from the service.
The K battery 4th Brigade Field Artillery yes-
terday marched into Woolwich garrison from Alder-
shot in command of Capt. Whinyates, and were in-
spected on parade by Major-Gen. E. C. Warde,
commandant. They had encamped the preceding
night at Hounalow.
The A, B, and C batteries, C. Brigade, Royal

Horse Artillery, took their departure from head-
quarters, Woolwich, on Thursday morning, for em-
barkation on board the chartered steamship
Hydaspes, for passage to Bengal. The batteries,
consisting of 400 non-commissioned officers and men,
were in command of Capt. and Brevet-Col. the
lion. E. T. Gage, Capt. and Brevet-Lieut.-Col.
the Hon. G. le M. Tupper, Capt. Tredcroft, in the
absence on leave of Capt. and Brevet-Major Paget,
commanding the B battery, and Capt. Ruck Keene.
There waslikewise a proportionate number of women
and children.

The following appointments have been made at
the Admiralty :—Henry Piers, staff surgeon, to the
Wellesley ; Edward N. Price, naval cadet, to
the Arethusa ; Arthur H. D. Beaver, nominated to
a naval cadetship; C. W. King, assist.-paymaster,
to the Royal Adelaide ; F. A. Carter, assist.-pay-
master, to the Achilles ; W. Crosbie, engineer, to
the Blenheim, for service in her tenders ; E. Taylor,
engineer, to the Blenheim, for service in the Julia ;
Matthew Barker, engineer, to the Aboukir, vice
Jack ; F. Skelton, engineer, to the St. George, vice
Barker ; G. T. Ludlow, first class assist.-engineer,
to the Research ; and Jas. Redgrave, promoted to
the rank of first-class assist-engineer ; W. M‘K.
Saunders, staff-surgeon, to the Victory, for Haslar
Hospital ; E. A. Birch, acting assist.-surg., to the
Donegal ; J. Ellis, engineer, to the Linnet ; J. V.
B. Thompson and C. W. Lewis, first-class assist.-
engineers, to the Linnet ; and J. Multar, first-class
assist.-engineer, to the Dauntless, for service in the
tenders.

THE APPALLING MURDER IN RED
LION-STREET, HOLBORN. .

The following appeared in successive editions of The Sun
of last evening:
The coroner's inquiry into the circumstances connected
with the death of William Henry, Thomas, and Alexander
White, who were found murdered at the Temperance
Coffee-house, Red Lion-street, was held this afternoon at
the Queen's Arms, Red Lion-passage.
The jury having been sworn,
The Coroner said that it would be:their duty to-day to
make a rigid scrutiny into this very horrible tragedy ; but
a man who had murdered another woman and child
was now in custody in another place, and it would be
necessary to have him present before they could conclude
their inquiry.
The jury having viewed the bodies,
William Stanwood White said—l reside at 4, Feather-
stone-buildings, Holborn, and am a schoolmaster. I am the
reputed father of the three deceased children. lam not
certain of the names of the boys, but I think the name of the
eldest boy is William Henry or Henry William; Thomas
William, the second, was ten years of age, and Alexander
was eight. I last saw them alive and well on Monday
evening, at my own house in Featherstone-buildings.
They were living with me up to that time. Tho
two younger children were in their ordinary
state of health, but the eldest had been suffer-
ing from diarrhoea, for three weeks. They were taken
away from me on Monday night by my son, Josiah White,
to deliver them into the hands of Southey. I don't know
where he was. I did not see them again until Wednes-
day morning, when an inspector of police called to
make inquiries about my children. I answered their
questions, and I afterwards accompanied them to the
Temperance Coffee-house in Red Lion-street. I went up
stairs, and there I saw two in one bed in the upper
room. They were quite dead. From there I went to
fetch my son with the police, and on my re-
turn I was told of the other death. But I
knew all three were dead when I saw the two bodies.
My son resides at 22, Bedford-terrace, Old Ford-road. On
my return from them I went to Hunter-street police-
station. As I went home, I wont, by the desire
of Inspector Pearce, and saw the third body. I
recognised all three children. I was very much surprised
at the smell that had taken place in the room within so
short a time. I also noticed the livid and spotted appear-
ance of the arms and other extremities. I did not notice
anything about their dress. They looked as if they had
died by violent means. The bodies seen by the jury are
the same that I speak of.
Josiah White—l reside at 22, Bedford-terrace, Old Ford-
road, and am a clerk. I saw the deceased children on
Monday evening when I was at my father's house in Fea-
therstone-buildings. The children were there when I
went. My father delivered the three children to me to bo
taken to Southey. I took them to the end of the build-
ings, but I had engaged to meet him at the corner of Bed-
ford-row at nine in the evening. I was there to time, but
I had to wait for him for 20 minutes. Ho came running
up in a great hurry, and he was very sorry for
being late, but that he had missed the train from
Clapham junction. Ire said the missing the train had
thrown his arrangements out. I said "Are you going to
take the children to-night, or not ; I've spoke to my father
about them, and he'll think you're humbugging him ?" I
asked if he could not make some temporary arrangement
for the children. He then went over to the public-house,
and shortly after returned and said they had not got a bed.
After having some ale, we went to the Star coffee-house,
and whilst he went in I waited outside. On
his return he said it was all right. They would
accommodate him with a bed for the children. I then
went home, got the children, and on my handing them to
him he shook hands with each. My mother was under
the impression that they were going direct to their
mother. I told him not to let my father know that the
children were so near to him. I understood the children
were going with their mother to Australia. I saw Southey
in the end of Gray's-inn-passage, and then I returned to
my father. I was not intimate with Southey. I had not
seen him more than twice before the Monday I speak of.
Coroner—You know nothing about the deaths of the
children.
Witness—No.
A Juror—We have not had the beginning of the affair.
Witness—Very well, I will begin at the beginning. On
Saturday morning he called at my office in the City, say-
ing mother wanted to have the children back again as
they were .going abroad. He asked to see if Mr. White
was willing to give them up. I was to take them
to the Opera Hotel in Bow-street.
A Juror—That was the Saturday before the Monday.

Witness—Yes. I told him that was too far. I told him
if he would meet me at the corner of Bedford-row on
Sunday evening I would see my father, and talk to him
about it, and then I would let him know. I afterwards
told him I would take the matter upon my own shoulders,
and that he should have the children. At 9 o'clock I went
with them to the corner of Bedford-row, and then fol-
lowed what I have just said.
Maria Beale—l live at the Star Coffeehouse, Red Lion-
street, and am tea-room maid. I saw Southey on Monday
morning at about, half-past eight in the tea-room.
The Coroner—You seem confused ; just think for a
short time. What day was it?

Witness—On Tuesday morning. He had breakfast with
the children. He also took dinner with them that day.
After tea, about six o'clock, he took them up to bed. I did
not not go with them. I did not see the children after
that till next morning, when they were dead. I did not
talk much with the children. On Wednesday morning,
at about half-past eight o'clock, I went up to Miss Clifford
to see if she would have a little tea or coffee. Miss Clif-
ford told me to go and see how the little boy was in No. 8
room, as he was unwell. I went to the door, but found it
locked. I then turned to No. 6 room, the door of which
was open, and said to the children, "Ain't you going to
get up," and when I put my hands on their arms and found
the children were dead I weut and told Mrs. Clifford im-
medialely.
A Juror—When was the last time you saw the children
out of doors ?

Witness—On Tuesday morning. They wore out about
half an hour at seven in the morning. They said they
were going to their mother, but that they did not know
where she was.

Henry Clifford said—l keep the Star coffeehouse, Red
Lion-street. I saw the children on Tuesday morning. I
did not see them on the Monday night, but I first saw them
in the coffee-room on Tuesday morning. They were play-
ing about. I did not speak much to them. On Wednesday
morning last witness came and told me one of the children
was dead. I went to the room No. 6, and there I found
two
of the children dead, and on going to the other room,
No. 8, I found the other little boy dead. They had the
usual bedclothes on them. The countenances
struck me
as being very livid. I immediately sent for a surgeon and a
policeman. I saw Southey on
h
Tuesday night. The children
had gone to bed. He asked mhos s for the key of the room in
twhhieychwtehree
aichlilridgreh. nt
were,He asw aunpt esctlairtos
abouts whetherthreo
my remained-
quarters of an hour. One of
servants,as Elizabeths
Maidman, was upstairs at the same time
When he came down stairs he said the children
werteheL
right and asleep. Ho returned me the key of No 6 room,
and wished me good night. There was no lock on the,
door of No. 8, so he could not fasten that door. I should
not be able to identify Southey if I were to see him.
Elizabeth Clifford said, I am daughter of the last witness.
I assist at the coffee-house. Southey first came there on
Saturday night, and asked if he could have a bed'for three
little boys, if ho should want it. I told him if he wanted
it be must let them know early. He came on Monday
night and took No. 8 room at about a quarter to nine.
He came in about ten o'clock, with the three
children, and they all slept in that, room that night. On
Tuesday Southey asked me if the children could remain
up stairs. I told him they could not, but that they could
have the coffee room. They had breakfast, dinner, and
tea on Tuesday. I was not in the way when Southey put
the children to bed. On that day he asked me if he could
have another room, and I told him he could. I saw him
after ho had been up stairs on Tuesday night.
Police Constable 100 E said—l was called by the waiter
to the Star Coffeehone, but before I went up stairs I sent
off for the nearest doctor. He arrived very shortly after,