The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-21 00:00:00

THE CAMP AT CIIOBHAM COMMON.

At length a favourable change in the weather has
permitted the troops to depart from that state of inglo-
rious rest in which for several days they had most un-
willingly indulged, and to satisfy their military ardour
in the search for laurels on the bloodless heather of the
plains of Chobham. The four days of repose, damp and
uncomfortable though they have doubtless been, which
the present forces have enjoyed since their arrival, do
not appear to have been lost on them, if we may judge
from the manner in which they went through their evo-
lutions yesterday and the previous day. So far from
their energies having been damped, by the continuous
rain, the showers of Chobham appear only to have invi-
gorated their spirits, and made them, like " giants re-
freshed," ready for the performance of any duty. We
do not pretend to that amount of technical knowledge
in military details which would enable us to form an
accurate critical judgment as to the relative merits of
the present or the former troops, nor would it be fair
to compare the performances yesterday or on the pre-
vious day with the more finished evolutions of the pre-
vious division. The predecessors of the present forces
presented an admirable example of discipline and effi-
ciency, and in the opinion of persons competent to
form an opinion on the subject, the troops now on the
ground are not one whit behind them in any respect.
Certainly, the manner in which the troops went through
their movements yesterday was satisfactory in the ex-
treme, and won the applause and admiration of the
spectators as well professional as non-professional. Apart
from the detailed movements yesterday, the whole plan
of the operations was conceived and carried out with
the ability of a master mind, and with an amount of
strategic, knowledge equal, if not superior, to anything
which Lord Seaton had yet devised. The enemy were
to be driven from a strong position, partially repulsed,
and, forming under cover of a thickly-wooded planta-
tion, they were to beat back the whole of the attacking
forces.

The means by which this feat was accomplished,
we now propose to state. The enemy consisted of a
company of the 23d Fusiliers, forming the left wing ;
oompany of the Scots Fusiliers, in white fatigue dress, in
the centre, and a detachment of the Sappers and Miners
on the right. They were formed in a strong position,
on the verge of tho common, near the site of the old
encampment. The earlier part of the movements was
confined to attacks of the cavalry, several most beautiful
movements being gone through. The brigade of
Guards having commenced the attack, had fallen back,
when the cavalry formed in two lines—the Blues and
Scots Greys in the first, and the Hussars and Light
Dragoons in the second line—moved forward. The
whole body of cavalry pressed forward in most
beautiful order en echelon of regiments, and, re-
tiring, formed line in rear of the infantry. Colonel
Lockyer's brigade, consisting of the 79th, 88th, and
97th, checked the progress of the advancing enemy,
while the cavalry were forming in their rear, and, falling
back, were covered in their retreat by another splendid
movement of cavalry, which advanced en double echelon
of squadrons from the centre. In this movement the
Scots Greys were remarkable for the precision with
which they moved forward, while their scarlet uniforms
and grey horses gave them, not only a military, but an
exceedingly picturesque appearance. The martial and
soldierlike appearance of the Blues was also much ap-
plauded. After this advance, the cavalry retired to
the rear of the infantry, and continued changing
their front, and marching and counter-marching, in
conformity with their movements. At length each
brigade, having formed line, and poured some tremendous
volleys into the enemy, retired and took ground to the
left, for the purpose of attacking the enemy's right, and
of turning their flank, under cover of the plantation
which skirts the edge of the common. The 35th Regi-
ment attempted to penetrate the wood, but the enemy,
extending their right, first obtained possession of the
stronghold, and were enabled to keep the 35th at bay,
who contented themselves with skirting the outside in
single Etc), firing as they advanced. The brigade of
Guards on the left had in the meantime passed along the
Chobhamn road, intending to surprise the enemy at the
rear of the wood, while in the centre a demonstration
was mad.e by the Artillery and Bth Hussars, and posses-
sion take In of a small cottage for the purpose of securing
the retreat. The Hussars had just emerged from the
boundarie of the wood when they surprised the enemy in
the rear, md, attacking them, created a temporary panic
among them. Speedily rallying, however, the uncon-
querable :Fusiliers advanced on the Hussars, who, hav-
ing picketed their horses, were advancing on foot to
meet them, and compelled them to remount after an in-
effectual fire, and protected by the Horse Artillery, to
seek the shelter of the small cottage and garden. While
the enemy were thus successful on their left, the right
and centre emerged from the wood and drove the 35th
before them n in most admired disorder, although protected
in their ref neat by some of the guns of the Horse Artil-
lery, which• were dragged up to the summit of one of the
heights, and brought to bear on the advancing enemy.
On the extreme left of the attacking party, the brigade
of Guards had missed the main body of the enemy, and,
after firing a few shots among the stragglers, fell back.
The whole army was now in full retreat, pursued by the
avenginr, enemy, and covered by the cavalry. Once or
twice the cavalry showed a disposition to charge on the
advancing foe, but, for prudential reasons, no doubt,
declined the task. Col. Lockyer's brigade formed on
one of the ranges of hills, and after vainly attempting to
resist their fate, continued their retreat. The last move-
ments of the cavalry consisted in retiring by columns of
squadrons from the left, covered by the skirmishers of
each regiment, and supported by two squadrons of the
Blues. At length they passed over the hill as though
doggedly not to yield the palm of victory, and the artil-
lery thundering forth a final salute from the flanks of the
2d light brigade permitted the infantry regiments to form
in column and retire from the field. The enemy col-
lected their th reo miniature divisions, and, satisfied with
the honours they had achieved, marched quietly back to
their respective camps, where they arrived about three
o'clock, having been on the ground for upwards of four
hours.
The operations of the previous day were confined to
the same spot of ground as those of yesterday, and
were remarkable for several very splendid charges made
by the cavalry. During one portion of the day the
enemy were posted in considerable strength on the sum-
mit of a steep eminence, from which all previous attempts
to dislodge them had been fruitless. The Horse Guards
and the Scots Greys, however, advancing furiously up
the hill, reached the top, and nearly rode down the
enemy,
sabreing and dispersing them in every direction, to the
great amusement of the spectators, and the no small
alarm of the enemy, who, by the rapidity of their move-
ments, evidently thought their adversaries were carrying
matters beyond a joke. The really effective manner in
which the whole of the cavalry manoeuvred on this their
first trial, and upon ground still wet from the effects of
the recent heavy rains, and unknown to the men,
was matter of considerable surprise to the field
officers.
During the first few days, the horses, as might be
expected, were somewhat restive in their al fresco
stalls ; they are now, however, perfectly reconciled to
their new state of things, and we are not aware of any
accident which has occurred to the animals from
" staking," or from those other causes which interfered
to some extent with the comforts of the former troopers.
Yesterday a corporal in the Bth Hussars, while mounted
on the field, received a severe kick from one of the
horses in the front rank, which broke his leg, and com-
pelled him to be carried off the field on a litter. This is
the only accident which has yet happened to the troops
at present on the ground.
The Sappers and Miners are, we believe, to be relieved
to-morrow. They have now been in camp for upwards
of eight weeks, and the hard and laborious duties which
they have performed, in all weathers, fairly entitle them
to the same relief as has been accorded to the other por-
tions of the troops. The fresh company of engineers
will be employed in throwing pontoon bridges over the
ACCURACY IN PRINTING.-It appears by calculation Thames at Chertsey, every arrangement having been
made by the printer of Stevens's edition of Shakspeare, now completed with the holders of land on each side
of
that every octavo page of that work, text and notes, the river with respect to the temporary occupation I
contains 2,680 distinct piecef of metal, which amount to the ground required for the operations.
42,880, the misplacing of one of which would inevitably The effect of the last two days of fine weather has
cause a blunder. With this curious fact before us, the been most remarkable, and the ground, which
swamp,
buta few
is
accurate state of our printing in general is to be admired, days since was in some places an impassable
and errata ought more freely to be pardoned than the now comparatively dry, and as favourable for the move-
fastidious minuteness of the insect eye of certain critics meats of the troops as at almost any previous period of
has allowed. tho encampment.

First Side.-1. Warriors besieging a castle. 2. King
on the bank of a river, near a tower, accompanied by
warriors wearing curious caps. 3. King sacrificing. 4.
Four-wheeled carriage, drawn by two horses ; a man
dancing in front. 5. Some carriages, followed by men
bearing presents. 6. Man in a chariot, bearing a ban-
ner, and preceded by eunuchs. 7. King seated on a
chair, accompanied by two persons on chairs ; with
waiters and musicians. 8. Much defaced ; part "of a
castle visible.

Second side.-1. King marching in a mountainous
country. 2. King besieging a castle. 3. The same
subject. 4. King with attendants. 5. Man driving
loose horses. 6. Scribes going to a deserted castle. 7.
King on his throne, and a small figure on a stool. 8.
King hunting deer.
Third Side.-1. King besieging a fortress, which
seems on fire. 2. Car drawn by two bullocks. 3. Men
sitting, two and two, on stools. 4. Man driving horses.
5. Man driving bullocks ; some sacred flowers. 6. King
in pursuit of fugitives. 7. Flocks of sheep and atten-
dant slaves ; tents pitched. 8. King hunting the wild
ass.

Fourth Side.-1. King besieging a castle. 2. De-
faced. 3. King on his throne ; idol seated on a stool ;
men driving a bullock for sacrifice. 4. Men carrying
presents. 5, Five figures looking like kings ; one dis-
tinguished from the others. 6. Chariot drawn by two
horses, preceded by king driving alone in another
chariot. 7. King marching. 8. King hunting the
wild bull.

Colonel Rawlinson has seen only a small specimen of
the inscription, but thinks it likely to belong to Assur-
akhpal, the builder of the north-west palace of Nim-
roud • in style and language, however, it seems to re-
semble the inscriptions of Tiglath Pileser I. He defers
pronouncing any confident opinion until he shall have
examined the obelisk itself.

COMMERCIAL TRAVELLERS' NEW SCHOOLS.

The first stone of the edifice intended for schools for
the orphan and necessitous children of commercial tra-
vellers was laid yesterday with the accustomed forms.
The estate purchased for the schools is at Pinner, near
the Pinner station, and the site seems well selected as
regards salubrity and the beauty of the locality. At
about three o'clock the procession entered the tent
where the stone was placed, the band of the Coldstream
Guards, uder the direction of Mr. Godfrey, playing an
inspiriting air. Mr. George Moore, the secretary, came
forward, and, having stated that Prince Albert was pre-
vented by indisposition from performing the ceremony,
as it had been the wish and intention of his Royal High-
ness, said he had to request that Mr. Masterman, the
representative of the banking and commercial interests
of London, would undertake the task. The stone was
then adjusted, the current coins of the realm were
placed in it, Mr. Masterman put in the mortar with
the silver trowel which had been presented to him, and
the stone was lowered amid the cheers of the com-
pany. Mr. Masterman made a brief address. He said
he was not well versed in masonry, but he would do his
part to the best of his ability. He knew that Prince
Albert would have been present if it had been in his
power, for he heard his Royal Highness express his con-
sent to come. Every one knew that whenever there
was an opportunity to do good for the country Prince
Albert was always ready. (Cheers.) The weather that
day was so auspicious that he thought a favourable
augury might be drawn for the success of the institu-
tion, and he trusted that a long period would elapse be-
fore the coins which had that day been deposited should
be disturbed. (Cheers.) Dr. Vaughan, the head-mas-
ter of Harrow School, then offered up a prayer ; a
hymn, written for the occasion, was sung by the chil-
dren, which was followed by "God Save the Queen."
Hearty cheers were given for her Majesty and Prince
Albert, and for the prosperity of the institution. The
company were then invited to partake of a cold colla-
tion. It was supplied by Mr. Holt (Radley's Hotel,
Blackfriars), and was most abundant and excellent in
every respect. After the toasts of " The Queen,"
"Prince Albert," and "The Royal Family" had been
proposed and acknowledged with cheers and cordiality,
Dr. Vaughan, in a very tasteful and feeling speech,
proposed the "Health of the Chairman" (Mr. Master-
man). The chairman acknowledged the compliment
in appropriate terms. The chairman, in pro-
posing " Prosperity to the Commercial Travellers'
Schools," appealed in forcible terms for assist•
ance to the institution, touched upon the ad-
vantages to be derived from the spread of education,
and spoke of the commercial travellers as a most intelli-
gent and respectable class. The body consisted, he said,
of 30,000, and he could not say how ninny children. (A
laugh.) Mr. Cuffiey acknowledged the toast. This
gentleman and his family, it appears, are warm friends
to the institution. The chairman next proposed "The
health of Mr. G. Moore, the treasurer. Mr. Moore
acknowledged the compliment in appropriate terms.
He expressed a hope that the new schools would be
opened in 12 months, when the lease of the school at.
Wanstead would expire. lie expressed the gratificationl
be felt at the educational progress of the children, and
particularly as regarded their advance in Scriptural
knowledge. He then gave a satisfactory account of the
subscription of the day. After some other toasts in con-
nection with the institution, the company left the tent,
every one present being much gratified with the proceed-
ings. One novelty—a beautiful day—added considerably
to the pleasure and interest of the occasion. The archi-
tects of the proposed building are Messrs. Lane and
Ordish. It will no doubt be worthy of their reputation
and of the purpose for which it is to be erected. The
institution, it is to be hoped, will be well supported. A
"nation of shopkeepers" must feel an interest in render-
ing assistance to the children of commercial travellers.