The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-22 00:00:00

IHE NAVY.

The Admiralty paddlewheel yacht Osborn, Capt.
Bower, arrived in the Mersey on Wednesday morn-
ing, having on board three of the Lords of the Ad-
miralty, who proceeded at once to visit the ship-
building and engine works of Messrs. Laird
Brothers, at Birkenhead, where they inspected the
iron-cased frigate Agincourt, of 7,000 tons, and the
troopship Orontes, of 3,000 tons, now building at
that establishment for her Majesty's service. They
also made a minute inspection of the graving docks,
and other parts of these works. Their Lordships
then proceeded to inspect the Birkenhead Dock
works accompanied by Mr. Laird, M.P. ; they first
visited the Morpeth and Egerton Docks, and the
Low-water basin ; then proceeded to the upper end
of the great float, to see the new graving-docks,
returning down the Wallasey side to the new iron
bridge and chain-testing machine, crossed to Liver-
pool,ti calling
theup workso n t h
of the Merseye Mayor at the
i o whrhd, afterelLo proceeded
Steel and Iron Company, over which they were
taken by Mr. Clay, and shown the armour plates
for the iron-plated ship Agincourt, which are being
made at that establishment, several shafts for
engines of the largest class, and other descriptions
of manufacture in iron for which these works are
famous. After leaving these works
they proceeded
to the Osborne, which vessel is to be got ready at
Portsmouth for ea • rrying the Royal Family to the
Continent. One of their Lordships, we are in-
formed, proceeded to Scotland, another to London ;
Mr. Whitbread remaining on board their Lordships'
yacht. This is, we believe, the first official visit of
the Lords of the Admiralty to the Mersey on their
annual tour of inspection.
About 500 tons weight of armour plating for the
sides of the Caledonia were yesterday landed at
Woolwich Dockyard from the factory of Mr. Brown
of Sheffield, together with one sample slab of ,iron
7 feet in length, 4 feet broad, and 4 inches thick,
manufactured at the Thames Ironworks at Black-
wall, to be tested at Shoeburyness for target
practice. A huge floating baattery is in course
of construction at Woolwich, to carry a number of
110-pounder Armstrong guns, for the purpose of the
experiments at sea. The floating battery Trusty,
fitted with Capt. Coles'e cupola, and destined for
experiments with the 300-pounder Armstrong gun,
to fire a 150-pounder cylinder, still remains in basin
at Woolwich, under a protest of Capt. Coles, as not
having been fitted in accordance with his design,
nor under his supervision.
The iron frigate Resistance, 18, 600-horse power,
Capt. Chamberlain, still remains at the Nore,where
she is being completed for sea, the fitting out of this
vessel having already occupied nearly three months.
During the last few days increased energy has been
used by those employed on board to have her com-
pleted and ready for sea, but it seems probable that
it will be some days yet before she can take her de-
parture from the Nore. Like her sister ship the
Defence, the Resistance is described as a most un-
comfortable ship, the berths of the men being
always damp, from the oozing of the water through
the iron. This, perhaps, might be in a manner re-
medied by means being adopted for obtaining in-
creased ventilation between the decks.

The Fire Queen, steam yacht, Master-Commander
Paul, sailed from Spithead at 8 a.m. yesterday for
the Channel Islands, with Vice-Admiral Sir H. W.
Bruce, who, accompanied by his flag officer, has left
Portsmouth to make his annual tour of inspection.
The Black Prince, 40, screw iron frigate, Capt.
Wainwright, went out of Portsmouth harbour yes-
terday morning and anchored at Spithead, saluting
the flag of the Commander-in Chief as she rounded
the Spit buoy. It had been feared, owing to the
unusual slackness of the tides, that there would not
be sufficient water for the ship to leave the harbour,
but by the skilful management of the captain and
pilot she was passed out through the harbour chan-
nel in perfect safety. She has begun to take in her
powder and shell, and if the weather proves favour-
able will commence her trials of speed on Monday
next.

The following appointments were made yester-
day at the Admiralty :—James W. Ashton, acting
second master, additional, to the Fisgard ; Frederick
T. Robins, paymaster, additional, to the F.xcellent ;
John E. Marlton, assist.-paymaster, to the Formid-
able ; F. North and C. H. Collings, assist.-paymas-
ter, additional, to the Rattlesnake.

7HE ARMY.

A regimental order was yesterday issued to the
Royal Artillery in garrison at Woolwich, from the
Deputy Adjutant-General at the Horse Guards,
announcing that gratuities amounting to £9lO
will shortly be distributed among 131 non-com-
missioned officers and men of the regiment, who
will also receive good conduct medals for long and
meritorious services.

The 22d company of Royal Engineers stationed
at head-quarters, Chatham, has been augmented to
its proper strength of 100 non- commissioned officers
and men from the depot companies at the Royal
Engineer establishment, preparatory to its quitting
England for China, where it will relieve the Bth
company duty at Hongkong, Previous to its de-
parture from Chatham the 22d company, in con-
junction also with the 26th company of Royal
Engineers will go through a course of rifle instruc-
tion at the new rifle range.

In cmsequence of the highly satisfactory result
of the three days' inspection of the Chatham division
of Royal Marine Light Infantry, by Major-General
Stransham, the Inspector General, previous to his
quitting the garrison, requested Col. Lemon, C. 8.,
the commandant of the division, to release the non-
commissioned officers and men from all drills during
the remainder of the week, and to grant them three
days' ho]yday—a request which was at once com-
plied with. Major-General Stransham left Chat-
ham yesterday morning, to proceed on his tour of
inspection of the other divisions of Royal Marines.
Orders were yesterday received at the head-
quarters of the Royal Engineer Establishment,
Chatham, for the wives and families of those non-
commissioned officers and men of the 4th and 15th
companies of the Royal Engineers, despatched a
few months since to Canada, to embark next week
to join their husbands, the Government having
chartered a vessel to convey them to Canada.
Since the reduction of the standard to 5 feet 51
inches for growing lads, and 5 feet 7 inches for
recruits above 20 years of age, recruiting for the
Royal Marines has proceeded very briskly, and at
the present rate the several divisions will shortly
be up to their required strength.

NEAPOLITAN SUPERSTITION.—As might be ex-
pected, ignorance, prejudice, and superstition, darken the
minds of the Neapolitans to a lamentable degree. In the
land of Sen Gennaro, the saints are worshipped with extra-
vagant devotion, varied at times with downright abuse
when they do not perform all that is required of them. The
fisherman will not put to sea should a gust of wind quench
the light of the oil-lamp burning before the Madonna of
the house ; the lazzarone pauses in unreasoning dread at
the door of the wine•shop, if a dog and a cat are fighting
there together ; and all classes stand in awe of the Evil
Eye. The last named superstition is one of the most widely
to be trans
dtiiffouns. edmine
itahte world. It is found in the extreme north of
Europe, and among the Oriental races, as readers of Beck-
ford's Vathek are aware; but in Naples it is extremely preva-
lent.. Even the educated believe in this occult and malignant
which cumin: 1(1
J;tiuxtenee ; and those who have the unlucky credit of exer-
-1 git are universally shunned. The power is thought
mated in some families from generation to genera-
tion•
Ferdinand, with the weakness of mind
ono, no matter h:.;a!id.
in this suPersttL""l'3panies cruelty, was a firm believer
refused to receive at the palace any
jehttlgh his rank, who had the reputa-
are called. One da
tion of being ,
ball at haot4re, UR these Suspected persons
a prince who was popularly
accused of
to a royal at Caserta. viol Eye got admission
and, as the king was Everyoneta fled from his pre-
sence;to him, a chandelier
T% fastenings, and se-
almost over their heads fell fromaft
was of course never allowed to come an unfortunate prince
injured some of the gusts•
ar the court again,
and was even shunned by his most •
ntimate friends.— " the Year Round."
verely