The Sun.
London, England, 1865-07-28 00:00:00

Naval and Military Intelligence.

VALETTA, July 23.—The Peninsular and Orien-
tal Company's steamer Ripon, which conveys this
letter, arrived to-day from Alexandria. The India
mail not having arrived at Suez, she is proceeding
with all possible despatch to Marseilles, to be in
time to take out the next outward mails. The
Psyche despatch vessel, Lieut.-Commander Blane,
which left port to cruise in the offing prior to the
issue of foul bills of health, received on the 15th
inst., by means of the steamtug Hearty, the de-
spatches to hand that day from England, for the
Naval Commander-in-Chief, and the mails for the
division sailing under him, and immediately pro-
ceeded with them to Barcelona. The mails were
fumigated and secured in tarred boxes, bearing the
Lazarttto seal. For the conveyance of the next
mails due to-night the Tyrian gunboat is reserved,
and proceeds to Port Rosaz to seek the Admiral,
The Wanderer, 4, gun vessel, Commander M. C.
Seymour, left port on the 15th inst., for England,
to be paid off, taking as passengers Capt. Ching
and Serg. Blencoe, 4th Regiment. The Assurance,
4, Commander H. B. Woolcombe, left port on the
17th inst., for Benghazi, Constantinople, and the
Danube. She conveys to Benghazi Mr. Dennis,
British Consul there, who has been spending a few
weeks at Malta for the bens& of his health. The
Chanticleer, 17, Commander Fenwick; having had
one of her crew attacked with cholera, was ordered
to sea on the 16th inst., and rmained cruising in
the offing under canvas until the 19th, when she re-
entered the Marsamuscetti, without any new case.
The other ships of war in port continue perfectly
free from sickness, and I am informed the patients
now in the Naval Hospital from other diseases
do not exceed twenty in all, which is very
satisfactory.. Recent telegrams from Alexan-
dria announce the rapid decrease of the scourge.
The last report brings the figure down to
only seven deaths in that city. It is also said to be
i wearing itself out at Cairo. A rumour, however,
is current, on the strength of a private letter from
Suez, that there had been a case of undoubted
plague there. Bnt if this rumour were true, Her
Majesty's consular authorities would have most
assuredly reported it officially by telegraph. We
are now put to some inconvenience from the Italian
line of steamers having discontinued running to
Malta, Owing to the refusal to Sicilian Boards of
Health to admit them on their return from Malta..
Gibraltar has establish eciseven days' quarantine on
arrivals from Alexandria. Her Majesty's steam-
gun vessel W eser, Commander Johnston, was paid
off on the 19th inst., and her officers and crew been
turned over to the receiving-ship Ilibernia, to await
a conveyance to England. The Weser being rot-
ten and unseaworthy will probably be broken up.
She is one of the two gunboats received from the
Prussian Government in exchange for our sailing
frigate Thetis. 11er Majesty's frigate Phoebe, 35,
and Corvette Pelican, 17, are daily expected here,
the former fram Corfu and the Piraeus, and the lat-
ter from Beyrout. Commander Sterne, R.N., Capt.
Davidson, Lieut. E. L. Kinvan, and Lieut. T. G.
Wilson, left on the 12th instant in the Nyanza for
Gibraltar and Southampton. Lieut. J. Maycock,
R.N., left on t he 19th in the English yacht Petrel,
for Patras. TL to only merchant vessel in the port
which has had a case of cholera on board is an Aus-
trian bark. In th, 3 island generally the disease has
made little head ch. Ting the week; with the excep-
tion of three days, when the total attacks numbered
10 one day, 8 anoth, ,r, And yesterday rose to 17,

with six deaths.

ing the last 48 hours
Yesterday, the Lords Commissioners of the Ad-
miralty commenced their annual inspection of the
ships of war, the dockyard, and other naval esta-
blishments, together with the extensive works now
in progress for the enlargement of the dockyard at
Chatham. They arrived by the mid-day express
train, and on alighting at the station entered the
carriages in waiting, and were driven direct to the
Royal Marine barracks, where they arrived shortly
before noon. The members of the Board present
comprised the Duke of Somerset, K.G., First Lord ;
Admiral the Hon. Sir F. A. Grey, G.C.B. ; Rear-
Admiral C. Eden, C.B. ; Rear-Admiral the Hon.
J. R. Drummond, C. 8., and Mr. H. C. E. Childers,
M.P. ; Rear-Admiral R. S. Robinson, Controller
of the Navy ; Capt. A. Clarke, Royal Engineers,
Director of Admiralty engineering and architectural
works; Capt. R. Bull, private secretary to the Duke
of Somerset ; Sir R. Mayne, Chief Commissioner ;
and Mr. Mallalieu, Chief Superintendent of the
Metropolitan Police, and other officials. On alight-
ing at the Royal Marine barracks their lordships were
received by Major-Gen. A. B. Stransham, Inspec-
tor-Gen. of Royal Marines ; Col. G. C. Langley,
Deputy Adjt.-General ; Col. J. 0. Travers. C. 8.,
Commandant of the division ; Col. H. Marriott,
Second Commandant ; and the other officers of the
staff at head-quarter. The division, which num-
bered 28 companies, formed into two battalions,
were drawn up in the barrack square, where their
lordships were received with the usual honours,
colours lowered, theband playing "Rule Britannia."
After marchidg past in slow and quick time, and
executing a few other manoeuvres which the limited
extent of the present parade ground would admit of,
the battalions were reformed, and officers and
colours called to the front, when the usual general
salute brought the inspection to a close. The
Duke of Somerset and the other members
of the Board then quitted the parade-ground
and proceeded to make an inspection of the new
wing and other buildings of the Royal Marine
Barracks, and completed since the occasion of
their former inspection. The additional block
of buildings, which is a prolongation of the pre-
sent barracks, accommodates between 600 and 700
men. The whole of the works completed and in
progress have been carried out by Messrs. Foord and
Sons, at Rochester, under the superintendence
of Mr. Rivers, the head of the department of works
at Chatham. About an hour was spent in the in-
spection of buildings and other departments of the
barracks, including the handsome reading and re-
creation rooms recently erected at the rear of the
barracks for the sole use of the non-commissioned
officers and men of the division. A visit was also
paid to the works in progress to the eastward of the
Royal Marines, the side on which the new quarters
are being erected forming a portion of the waste
ground at the extremity of the dockyard which has
been taken in for the purpose. After completing
their inspection of the Royal Marine establishments,
their lordships visited the Royal Naval Hospital at
Melville, over which they were conducted by Dr.
Nelson, principal medical officer, and the staff of the
establishment. Only a short time was spent at the
hospital and several of the wards, which sufficed to
show that they were models of cleanliness:and order.
Leaving Melville, the Duke of Somerset and the
other members of the board proceeded to the gun-
shed battery for the purpose of witnessing the prac-
tice made by the gunners of the Royal Marines with
the ship's large guns. The party consisted of about
100 of the non-commissioned officers and men who
happened to be going through their usual gunnery
instruction under the direction of Captain E. A.
Wylde, the gunnery instructor to the division. The
battery is fitted to resemble the main deck of a man-
of-war, and is furnished with the 110-pounder and
49-pounder Armstrongs, and the ordinary 95 cwt.
smoothbore guns. The latter only were used on the
occasion of the inspection, and the rapid manner in
which the guns were cast loose, run in, loaded,
trained, and fired elicited very favourable comments
from the members of the board. Their lordships
arrived at the dockyard shortly before 2 o'clock, and
were received by Capt. W. H. Stewart, C. 8., supe-
rintendent; Capt. E. Tatham, of the Bellerophon ;
Commander Stevens, of the Wellesley; Commander
Stokes, principal master attendant and Queen's har-
bour master; Mr. Thornton, principal master ship-

builder; Mr. Laws, storekeeper; Mr. Baker, chief
inspector of machinery, and various other officials.

They were engaged for some time at first at the
office of the Captain Superintendent in transacting
official business, and in considering the estimate to
be submitted to the new Parliament with regard to
the dockyard. After taking lunch at the official re-

sidence of Capt. Stewart their Lordships were en-
gaged until late in the afternoon in receiving depu-
tations of workmen from the chief trades carried on
in the dockyard, in order to hear from their own
lips the grievances under which it is alleged they
suffer. During the time none of the officials of the
dockyard were present, the Duke of Somerset and
the other members of the Board alone being in the

room, into which the members of each deputation
were ushered. The deputations included workmen
belonging to the ropemakers, sailmakers, plumbers,
joiners, shipwrights, and some other trades, the
various spokesmen urging on the attention of their
Lordships the grievances of which they complained,
relating chiefly to the inadequate rate of pay which
they now receive. As each body of workmen left the
presence of the Board they were assured that the
matters complained of should have every attention.
Shortly after 4 o'clock the last of the deputations had
been heard, and their Lordships then proceeded to
the new spinning establishment, erectedsince the last
visit of the Board. The building appropriated for
this purpose is a portion of the old ropery and hemp
rooms, which have been converted into a spinning-
room 250 ft. in length by 60ft. in width. The whole
of the spinning-jennies, 48 in number, have
been supplied by Messrs. Fairbairn and Co., of
Leeds, and are the largest of the kind yet con-
structed. A new feature in dockyard labour is
that the whole of the machines are managed by
young women, no male hands being employed
in this portion of the establishment. After com-
pleting their inspection of the spinning-rooms their
Lordships proceeded to make a tour of the dock-
yard for the purpose of inspecting the new works
completed and in progress, and the ironclad vessels
in dock fitting. A brief inspection was made of
the screw corvette Reindeer, 17, commenced on No.
2 slip in 1860, but the whole of the hands employed
on it were withdrawn until a few weeks since, when

orders were given that she should be completed.
Owing, however, to the length of time she has been
lying on the stocks she has been attacked with dry
rot, and a considerable portion of her keel is now
in course of removal. She has about 40 hands now
employed on her, who will scarcely complete her in
six months. According to existing orders, she is to

be strengthened throughout, in order to carry seven
heavy guns—four at her broadsides, and three first
guns. She is also to be fitted with a topgallant-
forecastle. The ironclad frigate Lord Warden, 24,
1000-horse power, in No. 2 dock, was next inspected
by their Lordships. Only a few of her broadside
plates have been fitted in their place, but the work
of armour-plating her is being pushed forward as
rapidly as possible. The huge metal-shaped cleaver
intended to be fitted to the stem of the frigate for
offensive purposes has been completed in the foun-
dry, and is ready for fixing in its place. The
Bellerophon, iron-cased frigate, in the adjoining
dock, was next inspected by their Lordships, who
spent some time on board. The work of plating
this frigate is getting well forward. Their Lordships
at the termination of their inspection last evening
went on board the steam yacht Enchantress, lying
off the dockyard, where they slept last night. They
will resume and bring to a close their inspection
this
rrimleofroniiin.
owging
the Admiralty ; _appointmentsLieut.
H havecs
ket h bteoe n
the m
landdeut
sa ;
the Rev. E. S. Powles, chaplain and naval instruc-
tor, to the Octavia; the Rev. E. J. Hitching, chap-
lain and naval instructor, to the Constance ; the
Rev. C. Clark, chaplain, to the Resistance ; Henry
Leah, midshipman, to the Duncan ; Edward F. G.
Creagh, John F. Hayes, and J. P. O'Neil, naval

cadets, to the Constance ; Dudley Court, Edwin J

P. Gallway, William Betts, and Harry C. Kenyon
Slaney, naval cadets, to the Octavia ; Gustave H.
George and Reginald R. IsTiell, naval cadets, to the

Popularly regarded as the last great summer racing fete
of the season, and pre-eminently distinguished by its
attractions, the " Cup Day" has this year been celebrated
with all its usual grandeur and effectiveness. People are
so impressed with the future that they are accustomed to
look with a cold eye on, or depreciate, the past; and by
this reasoning turf reporters are in the habit of describing
each successive Goodwood Meeting as the most brilliant
upon record. Still there can be no question that the
grand day, as celebrated this year, has never been sur-
passed in the annals of the ducal gathering. The weather
was magnificent, and if the air was somewhat oppressive,
the Italian sky, and the vast extent of wooded landscape
and undulating country lit up into such beauty, enlivened
the somewhat jaded senses. The "Ladies' Day" brought
out a charming display of the high-bred daughters
of England in all that luxury of dress which distinguishes
the modern feminine taste. The Brighton platform in the
morning was a perfect promenade of such fashion as is usually
associated with a " show" at Chiswick, and from an early
hour heavily laden trains from the metropolis reached Dray-
ton and Chichester. At these places of debarkation the
scene was most animated, the flys, omnibuses,, and drags,
being speedily filled with visitors to the park. Clouds of
dust were raised by the great traffic through the lanes, and
we would suggest that in future some officer for the Pre-
vention of Cruelty to Animals be stationed at the ascents,
where the gipsy driers to-day inflicted shameful cruelties
on the miserable "bags of bones" which they denominated
"leaders." Few can tell how hard it is to climb these hills
under a broiling sun, and it must detractfrom the pleasures
of refined people to witness the barbarities inflicted on the
half-starved animals, whose only food is an occasional
nibble on a roadside common. It was generally agreed that
the attendance of the company wag immense ; the ringwas
crammed and the roar of speculation was incessant. The
"Lathe's Lawn" presented a most striking appearance, to
which no pen could do justice, and the " Court Newsman"
alone would venture on any description of the toilettes.
The Prince and Princess of Wales, it was anticipated,
would be present ; but their Royal Highnesses, not having
completed their tour in the west'of England, were absent.
The card presented the formidable array of eleven races,
but on dissection it was evident most of the fields would be
very small. The sport commenced at half-past 1 with a
S weepstakerfor two year fillies over the T.Y.C., the three
coloured going to the post. Valeria, although carrying
51b. penalty, was greatly fancied, from the easy
manner in which she won over this course on
Tuesday, and odds of 9 to 4 were heaped on Lord Stam-
ford's filly; but, after lying well in front till within a
couple of hundred yards of the chair, she was passed by
Ischia, who won in a canter by six lengths. Archimedes,
in the Racing Stakes, one mile, was a great favourite with
the gentlemen, who laid the odds of 2 to 1 to very large
amounts on him; and Lord Stamford's colt justified the
confidence of his backers by cutting down his opponents,
Longdown and Pantaloon, and winning in a canter by a
length and a half. For the Molecomb Stakes but three of
the eleven on the card were sent to the post—viz., Student,
Vespasian, and Redan, each penalised 51b for previous vic-
tories ; but Student, with odds of 5 to 2 on him, had no
difficulty in placing this valuable stake to Mr. Merry's ac-
count. The Goodwood Cup was set for 3 o'clock, and at
few minutes past that hour 9 of the 14 numbers on the card
were hoisted on the telegraph board. The absentees were
Blackdown, Moose, Surrey, Archimedes, and Wild Charley;
the latter scratched about an hour before the start. After
the preliminary canter the competitors, walking in Indian
filo, were conducted by Mr. M'George up the course the
whole length of the stand and lawn and back to the starting
post, to enable the occupants of the enclosure to inspect
them. A magnificent start was followed by the usual cry
of " They're off !" and as they went past the stand the first
time every one watched their particular fancy with great
anxiety, and the common impression was that Eltham
did not move with that freedom expected from him, and
that his action was short, or " scratching ;" while Ely,
about whose starting reports had constantly circulated in
the ring, was the very picture of condition, and being an
immensely popular favourite was tho most admired, and
won like a thoroughly great horse, having everything safe
coming down the hill, and winning in a canter by two
lengths from Cambuscan, General Peel never showed in
the race, and for the future public faith in his prowess will
be utterly destroyed. Lord Glasgow has been most unfortu-
nate with him, and the grand looks of " The General" seem
like the voice of the apron, to lead his backers into continual
distress. Privateer ran into a "situation," thus following
up the improved form he has lately displayed. When the
victor of the Ascot and Goodwood Cups returned to weigh
in,owner,trainer, and jockey were enthusiastically cheered,
which was renewed when the certifying ultimatum "All
right!" was pronounced by the clerk of the scales. Imme-
diately after tho decision of the Cup the company began to
disperse, the remainder of the racing being interesting only
to speculators and owners. The Chichester Stakes was a
tremendous blow to the backers, as Belle of the Ball was
scarcely mentioned, and.was only backed by those who fol-
low the fortunate Jemmy Grimshaw. The racing, with re-
maining events of the day, will be found amply detailed
below.

A Sweepstakes of 200 sovs each, for two-yr-olds ; fillies,
Bst 101 b each; certain allowances. T.Y.C. 4 subs.

Duke of Beaufort's Ischia, Bst 101 b (Fordham) 1
Lord Stamford's Valeria, Bst 51b (Carroll) 2
Lord Glasgow's Brown Bess f., Bst 101 b ...(A. Edwards) 3
Betting-9 to 4on Valeria and 100 to 30 agst Ischia.
Valeria held a clear lead into the dip,where the Brown Bess
filly gave way beaten, and Ischia joined Valeria, whom she
headed within the distance, winning easily by six lengths ;
the Barbatus filly beaten off.
The Racing Stakes of 50 sovs each, for three-yr-old ; colts,
Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 41b ; winners extra. 7 subs.
Lord Stamford's Archimedes, Bst 71b (Carroll) 1
Mr. Spencer's Longdown, Bst 71b (Fordham) 2
Marquis of Hastings's Pantaloon, Bst 71b (Cannon) 3
Betting-2 to lon Archimedes and 3to 1 agst Longdown.
The latter took up the running immediately after starting
and soon held a lead of about six lengths, Archimedes going
on second, clear of whom followed Pantaloon to the turn
into the straight, where Archimedes drew up, and at the
commencement of the rails headed Mr. Spencer's horse and
won, pulling double, by a length and a half ; Pantaloon a
bad third.
The Molecomb Stakes of 50 sous each, h ft for two-yr-
olds ; colts, Bst 101 b ; fillies, Bst 71b ; winners extra ; the
second to save his stake. T.Y.C. Twenty-seven subs.
Mr. Merry's Student, 9st llb (in. 51b ex)...(A. Edwards) 1
Mr. Henry's Vespasian, 9st lib (in. 51b ex)...(J. Goater 2
Lord St. Vincent's Redan, 9st 11b (in. 51b ex) (Fordham 3
Betting-5 to 2on Student, and 100 to 30 agst Redan.
The favourite with Redan at .his girths came on clear of

Vespasian to the distance, where Mr. Merry's colt had his
two opponents safe, and taking a clear lead, won, hard held,
by two lengths, Redan, who was eased opposite the stand,
was a head in the rear of Vespasian.
The Goodwood Cup, value 300 sovs, added to a Sweepstakes
of 20 sous each, h ft ; the owner of the second horse to
receive 100 soya out of stakes. Two miles and a half.
Twenty-eight subs.
Mr. W. S. Cartwright's Ely, 4 yrs, 9st 71b ...(Custance) 1
Lord Stamford's Cambuscan, 4 yrs, 9st (CarrOl) 2
Mr. Savile's Privateer, 4 yrs, Bst 101 b (Loates 3
Lord Glasgow's General Peel, 4 yrs, 9st 71b ...(Aldcroft 0
Mr. W. Morris Union Jack, 4 yrs, 9st • (Fordham 0
Baron Rothschild's Breeze, 4 yrs, Bst 101 b (Wells 0
Mr. Pen-37's Hollyfox, 4 yrs, Bst 51b (W. Boyce 0
Duke of Beaufort's Todleben, 3 yrs, 7st 71b ...(Cannon 0
Mr. W. Robinson's Eltham, 3 yrs, 7st 71b (H. Grimshaw 0
Betting-100 to 30 agst Eltham, 4 to 1 agst Ely, 5 to 1
agst General Peel, 6 to 1 agst Cambuscan, 8 to 1 agstUnion
Jack, 15 to 1 each agst Breeze and Privateer, and 20 to 1
agst Todleben. After the nine competitorshad taken their
preliminary canters they.were marshalled in front of the
Stand by Mr. M‘George, who, having got them in a
line, dispatched them at the first attempt to an even start.
Privateer at once went to the front, Todleben being out
of the straight, when Privateer carried on the running
about two lengths in advance of Breeze, in close company
with whom was Union Jack ; Hollyfox at the head of the
others. Descending the hill Hollyfox ran up to Union
Jack,-and took third place, the latter having immediately
in his wake Eltham and Ely, nearly side by side, General
Peel and Cambuscan bringing up the rear. Proceeding
round the turn to "the Clump" General Peel dropped
further astern, and nearing the Plantation Privateer still
showed the way. Breeze having run into second place, was
followed by the others in a cluster to the foot of the hill,
but nearing the T.Y.C. post Hollyfox dropped back, and
General Peel ran through his horses and took a more pro-
minent position to the half-mile post. At this point
Privateer dropped back into fourth place, and Ely came
out and entered the straight with the lead, Cambuscan
lying at his side ; whilst on the left-hand side of the course
were Todleben,Union Jack, and Eltham, Privateer lying in
the centre of the course. Half way up the rails Union
Jack was headed by Privateer, who ran in close company
with Cambuscan to the distance, where Breeze, who had
been running well up, gave way, beaten, and at the com-
mencement of the lawn Eltham, who up to this point was
close up with the leaders, compounded, and, Cambuscan
tiring on the hill, Ely increased his advantage, and with-
out scarcely being roused won easily by two lengths ;
Privateer, third, finished only a neck in the rear of Lord
Stamford's horse ; Union Jack was fourth ; Eltham fifth ;
Todleben, at an interval of several lengths, sixth; followed
by General Peel, Breeze, and Hollyfox, who were stopped,
and walked in with the crowd. Wild Charley was scratched
at half-past two p.m.
The Sussex Stakes of 25 sous each, for two-yr-old colts,
Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 41b ; penalties and allowances. T.Y.C.
Five subs.
Duke of Beaufort's Jack-in-the-Green, Bst 41b(Fordham) 1
Count F. de Lagrange's Simonette, Bst llb (J.(*rimshaw) 2
Betting-8 to 1 on Jack-in-the-Green, who led through-
out and won in a canter by 20 lengths.
Chichester Stakes (Handicap) of 10 sow each, li ft, with

for 4-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 21b. 3 miles 5
furlongs. 37 subs.
Mr. Bowes's Baragah, Bst 71b (Fordham) 1
Mr. G. Bryan's Lady Hylda, Bst 41b (F. French) 2
Betting-3 to lon Baragah. Lady Hylda made play till
half way up the enclosure, where Baragah headed her, and
won easily by three lengths.
The Zetland Stakes of 100 sovs each, h ft, for 3-yr-olds ;
colts, Bst 71b; fillies, Bst 21b; certain allowances. One
mile. 5 subs.
Count F. de Lagrange's Le Mandarin, Bst 71b
(11. Grimshaw) w.o.
A Sweepstakes of 50 sovs each, h ft, for 3-yr-olds; colts,
Bst 101 b ; fillies, Bst 51b: Mile and a half. 6 subs.

Mr. Henry's Wild Agnes, Bst 51b (Deacon) w.o.
The Fifteenth Bentinck Memorial Stakes of 10 sous each,
for 2-yr-olds ; colts, Bst 71b ; fillies, Bst 41b. T.Y.O. 21
subs.

Mr. Merry's Student, Bst 71b (A. Edwards) w.o.

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS.

TIMES.—The current number of the Revue des
Deux Mondes contains an article on the finances of
America which resembles nothing so much as one of
the circulars in which Mr. Jay Cooke, the financial
agent of Pennsylvania, puffs the securities which he
wishes to force upon the market. ,Anything which
finds a place in the Revue is on that account alone
worthy of attention, and the return of peace in
America will naturally attract readers to the article
in question, but we cannot congratulate our con-
temporary on this last contribution to its pages. We
are told that the author, Mr. George Walker, has
been inspector of banks in Massachusetts, and had
thus peculiar opportunities of studying the financial
condition of his country; but we fear that he is but
another of those practical men who have been con-
versant with the details of commercial life without
having mastered the theory of their movement. He
presents the world with a glowing picture of the
United States in their present as well as their future
condition, and would have us believe that a civil
war and an enormous national debt have enriched
his nation. For, the sake of the world we regret
that the picture is too good to be true. The United
States are undoubtedly destined to play a great part
in future history, but we must believe, in spite of
Mr. Walker's arguments to the contrary, that they
will long feel the effects of the great struggle through
which they have passed. Mr. Walker declares that
it is a mistake to suppose that the United States
have been at all impoverished by their four years of
war, and he gives as a reason for his statement the
fact that the greater part of the debt has been raised
within the Union. This in itself would seem to be
insufficient, but he goes on to say that since the out-
break of hostilities the rich have become richer, and
labourers have earned better wages, and this because
the Government has ordered and consumed a consi-
derable mass of commodities, and the withdrawal of
hundreds of thousands of men from industrial pur-
suits to fill the ranks of the army has cleared the labour
market and bettered the fortune of those who were left.
It is scarcely credible that any one pretending to
be an authority can be deceived by such trash as
this. It is strange that the sanguine reasoner does
not see what an easy way it discovers for the world
to become rich. It is not necessary that any one
should be grieved with the fatalities of war: We
could try the experiment and keep at peace with our
neighbours. Let half the artisans of the kingdom be
assembled at Salisbury Plain, and be constantly fur-
nished with all manner of articles, which they shall
be required deliberately to break to pieces and de-
stroy. Surround the island with Bishop Berkeley's
wall of brass, so that no other nation shall interfere
with the experiment. There will then be at the same
time a perpetual demand for labour and a removal
of superfluous competition from the labour-market;
no foreign debt will be created, and we shall be
getting rich amain. Such, at least, is Mr. Walker's
argument, although it must be plain to all men that
if the plan were persevered in we should at last find
ourselves naked, and, it is to be hoped, ashamed of
our folly. After this sample of Mr. Walker's rea-
soning we might be excused if we dismissed his con-
tribution to the Revue without further consideration,
but it is worth while to glance a little at his main
argument. Shortly it is this :—He finds the valua-
tion of the real and personal property of the United
States at the time of the Census of 1850 to have
been about £1,427,000,000, and at the Census of
1860 to have been about £3,232,000,000, showing
an increase in the ten years of 126 per cent. ; the
population in the same time rose from 23,191,876 to
31,445,080. Mr. Walker then assumes that some-
thing like these rates of increase in population and
wealth have continued since 1860, and will continue
during the remainder of the century ; and, assuming
also that the public debt will not be increased, he
compares the burden of it at the several decennial
periods with the-increasing population and wealth,
and shows how small it will be, and how easily it
might be extinguished. Almost every step of this
argument is erroneous. In the first place as to the
assumed Census of the property of the country.
This included in 1860 the value of the slaves,
reckoned, as they then were, as so much tax-
able property of their owners; and, according to
American authorities, something like £400,000,000
must be deducted from the total on account of this
item. Next all the money of English and other
capitalists invested in American undertakings is in-
cluded in the valuation of property in the States.
It would be impossible to
_form an estimate of this
amount, but it is well known that a very consider-
able portion of the railways of America was made
with foreign capital. Lastly, the peculiar way. of
assessing the assets of banks for the purposes of the
Census caused a great deal of property to be enu-
merated twice over. The capital of each bank was
included in the Census, although the capital was, in
fact, lent to customers who had invested it in pro-
perty which was also included. We have had suffi-
cient to show that the estimate of the real and per-
sonal property of the citizens of the United States
in 1860 cannot be taken as accurate ; but the error
of assuming it to be true is slight compared with
the error of supposing that no portion of the na-
tional property has since been destroyed. A national
debt has been created which in round numbers
amounts to six hundred millions. State debts have
been enormously increased, but of these amounts we
have no return. Confining our attention to the debt
of the Union, a very considerable portion of it was,
of course, spent in capital which is either unproduc-
tive or has been absolutely destroyed. It can scarcely
be an exaggeration to suppose that two-thirds of the
capital raised by the Federal debt has in this way
been wholly lost to the world, and we may assume
an amount very nearly as great to have been con-
sumed by the Confederates during their struggle.
There must, of course, be added to this the capital
destroyed in consequence of the operations of the war;
the cities, towns, and homesteads battered to pieces,
and the railroads and canals broken up and rendered
useless. If we estimate the capital thus destroyed to
be half as great as the capital directly consumed
in war, we have £400,000,000, £400,000,000, and
£200,000,000, or £1,000,000,000, absolutely sunk
during the contest. •We are not now considering
whether the money was not well invested—we are
only concerned with the totals, which can scarcely be
questioned. We are driven, then, to the conclusion
that the total property of American citizens has
receded in value since 1860, and cannot very much
exceed what it was in 1850. Nor can it be supposed
that the former rate of increase of national wealth will
henceforth be maintained unchanged. Mr. Walker
ignores the influence of the existing debt and the
taxation to which it must give rise as checks on
production. He ignores the prohibitory duties which
are so successful in preventing American citizens
from buying in the cheapest market that the cus-
toms revenue is dwindling away under their influence,
and he takes no account of the inland taxes which
have been fastened upon every branch of industry,
and must hinder their free development. We who
know nothing of the inverse process, whose wealth
and commerce slowly grew through long years of
restrictive policy, and have since widely expanded
under the influence of free trade, can estimate the
effects of restrictions upon industries which have

hitherto been free. The • last objection to Mr.
Walker's argument is that he antedates the period
of equilibrium between national income and expen-
diture. It is said that the national debt of the
States is still increasing at the rate of £400,000 a
day. This is probably an exaggeration, but the in-
crease is still portentous. Mr. Walker hopes that
the growth of the debt will be arrested in 1867, when
its amount will be £648,000,000, and the annual
interest will be £35,640,000 ; but, as the rate of
increase at present is certainly not less than a hun-
dred millions a year, we must dismiss these estimates
as too sanguine. We do not suppose that the debt
of the United States, great as it is, will crush the
energies of the American people. They have over-

come greater difficulties, and are not likely to be
deterred by the less. It is, however, idle to deny
that the future is serious, and will tax all the finan-
cial ability of the nation ; and it is on that account
that the flourishing statement of Mr. Walker should
be promptly suppressed. It is evident enough that
Mr. Walker, like many more of his countrymen, has
been unable to appreciate the great influence which
the issue of an irredeemable currency has had upon
the financial history of the Federation. In many
parts of his essay he puts forth statements which are
seen to be baseless when the difference between
currency and specie is taken into account. The
issue of irredeemable paper has greatly increased the
capital of the American debt, and has to some
extent undermined the morals of the nation ; but it
made the financial conduct of the was for a short
season comparatively easy. Mr. M'Culloch seems
to have been the first Secretary of the Treasury who
saw the dangers of unlimited issues, and expressed
a desire for their contraction. If he remains in
office long enough, and is adequately supported by
his colleagues, he may in time create a sound public
opinion in America on questions of finance, but the
publication of such an essay as that by Mr. Walker
sufficiently shows the difficulties which await him.

HERALD.—Is it true that the " coming gun" is
really just about to come—if, indeed, it be not come
already ? Must our iron-clads imitate the conduct
of Alexander's soldiers, who, when assailed by red-
hot sand from the ramparts of Tyre, stripped off
their armour and stood defenceless before their foes ?
Something worse than burning silex threatens our
Warriors and Bellerophons. The shield of Hercules
has been held up at Shoeburyness, and beneath its
massive panoply the Lords of the Admiralty have
thought to defend themselves from the mightiest
artillery of modern times--an idea in which Sir
William Armstrong has somewhat humoured them.
But new theories are now afloat, and gunpowder is
being worked after a novel fashion. Bellona is
putting on fresh terrors, and is winging her missiles
with fearfully augmented force. Mr. Mackay, with
a peculiar gun, threatens to hurl a symmetrical
bolt—either as shot or shell—clean through the
substance of the Hercules target, although the
calibre of his ordnance be no more than that of a
68-pounder. If Sir William Armstrong has done
much, Mr. Mackay will do more, and he challenges
the great oracle of modern artillery to bring out his
300-pounder and match it against the 68-pounder
with which the official target is to be forthwith
knocked into splinters. With his comparatively
little gun Mr. Mackay defies the heaviest naval gun
we have yet succeeded in putting afloat ; and such
is this gentleman's confidence in the result that he
promises, in the event of failure, not only to acknow-
ledge himself beaten, but to give up his gun and
sacrifice all further claims to be considered as an
artillerist. The great duel between the Armstrong
300-pounder and the Mackay 68-pounder is to be
the experimentum crucis by which the pretensions
of the Mackay artillery are to be for ever settled.
It is impossible not to admire the rigorous sim-
plicity of the test and the boldness of the chal-
lenge. If General St. George and the Ordnance
Select Committee consent to this tournament of
the guns, there is every probability that some
highly-important results will be practically demon-
strated—unless, indeed, Sir William Armstrong
backs out of the combat, or introduces a gun
which in some important particular shall be
modelled on the Mackay type. It is nothing new
for inventors to have their ideas appropriated by
their competitors. It is just possible that Sir W.
Armstrong may even improve on Mr. Mackay, and
that the basis of the controversy may be altogether
shifted. But, taking things as they are, facts and
figures seem to prove that the Mackay artillery is
decidedly superior to any that has yet been tried in
the Thames marshes. Certainly, whatever Captain
Blakely and Mr. Whitworth may say, Sir William
Armstrong appears to be outdone. In the 12-
pounder field gun competition now going forward
between-Sir W illiam and Mr. Mackay, we find the
latter making 12 hits and 3 misses where the former
accomplishes 6 hits and 9 misses, the range being a
thousand yards. In the matter of velocity the
difference is altogether startling, the rate of the
Mackay projectile being nearly double that of the
Armstrong, thus giving a lower trajectory for the
same range, or a lower range for the same elevation.
In the element of rifling Mr. Mackay appears to
transcend all his competitors, the grooves in his gun
making as many as two complete turns, instead of
the usual half or three-quarter turn. His projec-
tiles are thus made to spin with unexampled
rapidity, giving them precision of flight and insur-
ing greater accuracy of aim. With elongated shot
it is imperatively necessary—in the case of a power-
ful obstacle—that the projectile should strike the
object straight and fair, and not come down upon
it with a sidelong blow. If these conditions are
not complied with it is in vain that enlarged
charges are employed. Sir William Armstrong has
recently proved in his own experience that 60
pounds of powder give him even a worse result
against the Hercules target than 45 pounds, the
increased velocity not being accompanied by an
augmented degree of rotation. The form of the
shot also has much to do with this question, and
in this respect Mr. Mackay seems to have achieved
a decided advantage. It is stated that Captain
Blakely recently received an order from the Rus-
sian Government to provide them with several thou-
sand cannon-shot—they cared not what pattern
was adopted—they simply required the best. C apt.
Blakely, it is asserted, at once adopted the Mackay
model, and the Russian Government accepted the
supply at a cost of many thousands of pounds. Mr.
Mackay, it is reported, now demands a royalty of a
pound per shot on the projectiles so supplied, which
will amount to a very handsome sum if he succeeds
in getting it. Be all this as it may—though we
have reason to believe the story true—the Mackay
projectile is greatly admired for the scientific beauty
of its form, and the practice made with it seems to
justify this degree of appreciation. The particulars
of the 12-pounder competition have recently ap-
peared in our columns, and Mr. Mackay has made
a public profession of his delight in unexpectedly
finding such information given to the world. Mr.
Mackay's claims on our attention are simply depen-
dent on the national value of his experiments.
Should any one transcend Mr. Mackay our atten-
tions are at once transferred to the new artillerist.
The individual is nothing in a matter of this sort—
it is a question of guns and not of men. With per-
sonal feuds and petty squabbles we have nothing to
do; but on behalf of the nation we feel it our duty,
as journalists, to defend anctencourage every inven-
tor who fairly promises to improve the defences of
the kingdom. Of course we are interested in what-
ever Mr. Mackay has to say, as well as in what he
does, so long as he keeps to the main point. Thus
we appreciate the statement that his present 12-
pounder at Shoeburyness is an old hack which has
been altered no less than thirteen times, and has
lost 500 yards of its range in consequence. It has
been bored out twice, grooved four times, cut off
its length four times, and altered in the vent
three times. After all these transformations the
residuary gun is palpably superior to the official
weapon, leaving us to suppose that the Mackay
theory may yet pass through another pro-
cess, and give us the very ne plus ultra of a gun.
One marked peculiarity in the Mackay artillery
is the amount of windage which it tolerates, and
which it seemingly turns to profitable account. It
is this windage which appears to facilitate the rota-
tion of the shot. The perfect combustion of the
powder is also an important adjunct to the success
of the gun. Between the powder and the shot
comes a layer of sawdust, which delays the impact
of the powder during.that infinitesimal period which
allows of the complete evolution of the gases. When
the shot begins to move the full bulk of the powder
is in a state of ignition, and uses the whole of its
exploding power in twisting the projectile and
driving it out. The combustion of the powder,
coupled with the blazing sawdust, is so complete
that scarcely any smoke escapes from the mouth of
the gun—a fact of great importance in connection
with casemates and armaments between decks.
Thus Mr. Mackay has not only studied the best form
to be given to his guns and projectiles, but also the
best use to be made of his gunpowder, and so fully
is he satisfied with the success of his endeavours
that he is confident of his ability to upset both Mr.
Reed and Sir William Armstrong, the Hercules
shield and the official ordnance. The velocity of
the Mackay projectile is already measured at 2,200
feet per second, while the Armstrong stands at
1,230, and the 600-pounder—with 90 pounds of
powder—can do no more than 1,760 feet per second.
When we couple this enormous velocity with the
sharp twist of the Mackay gun, we may understand
how great must be the range and precision, and how
terrible the force of such artillery. With facts like
these before us we look for further and most impor-
tant changes in the art of war, and are more than
ever confident that certain costly theories which
have been extensively adopted will have to be
abandoned.

BREACH OF PROMISE ACTIONS IN IRELAND.—At
the Limerick Assizes a verdict for £6O and costs has
been returned against Mr. Henry Deane Spread, a cousin
of Lord Muskerry, in a broach of promise case. The jilted
fair one was a dairy farmer's daughter, whose personal
attractions had fascinated the swain into writing a variety
of love letters, intermixing sentimentality with business-
like inquiries as to the condition of the cattle. The Cork
Herald refers to another breach of promise case, in which
the plaintiff is of the sterner sex. A. widower of 55, a
professional gentleman sues, and has served notice of trial
on a lady residing on the Great Island, who is a widow
for the second time, and some few years his senior the
cause of action being breach of promise of marriage! De-
fence has been taken, and one shilling lodged in ::.the
court in satisfaction of the claim for damages. Mr. Butt,
Q.C., has been specially retained for the defence. The
case C9l/200 on at the Cork Assizes.

The Oread left London-bridge yesterday morningat half-
past ten o'clock for Gravesend, Southend, and Sheerness.
All went on well till the vessel had almost arrived at Sheer-
ness, when, as she was about turning to land her passengers,
the Admiralty despatch-boat was seen to be bearing down
upon her at full speed. It was evident to all on board that
a fearful collision must occur ; but most fortunately the
captain, perceiving the danger, still kept the Oread going
ahead, or the Sheerness boat must have been literally cut in
two. As it was, the Admiralty yacht struck the after part
of the vessel, and knocked the bulwarks to atoms, tearing
down the awning, and precipitating numbers on their
faces. But, unfortunately, the catastrophe did not end there.
Some ladies and a boy were completely swept off the vessel
into the water. The bowsprit of the yacht took with it all
with which it came in contact, smashed the boat that was
hanging to the side of the steamer to atoms, then took the
bulwarks, and finally the passengers. Two females and the
lad were rescued, but it is impossible to say for certainty
whether there were not others thrown overboard. Various
articles wore found on board after the accident that had no
owners, amongst the rest part of a dress not belonging to
either party who had been rescued. One of the injured
ladies was taken onboard the flag-ship, lying off Sheerness,
the other (her servant) was placed on board the steamer,
and received every attention, and is doing well ; but we are
sorry to say that the state of her mistress is most critical,
as, on being thrown into the river, some hard substance
came in contact with her, and most fearfully wounded her
on the head, At the time of leaving Sheerness (half-past
four) it was stated that she was going on most favourably.
The damage done to the vessel is not material, as it did not
prevent her proceeding on her journey home. .
It is almost a certainty that one lady is drowned, as part
of a dark silk dress was picked up immediately after the
accident, which two or three persons recognise as belong-
ing to a lady who was sitting at the head of the vessel.
The wonder is that the boat did not go down, as the
Admiralty yacht is a most powerful vessel, and was going
at a middling speed.
A great many passengers were left at Sheerness, as they
were fearful the Oread had received such a shock that it
would not be safe to return with her ; but their fears were
groundless.

The man at the wheel had avery narrow escape of being
dashed to pieces, for had he not made a leap the bowsprit
must have come in contact with him. As it was the wheel
was smashed to pieces. The damaged vessel arrived at
Woolwich in the evening, and her passengers were then
transferred to one of the Woolwich boats and conveyed to
London.

COUNTRY MARKETS.