The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-04 00:00:00

THE LATE RIFLE SHOOTING AT

WIMBLEDON.

The Yoniteur de l'Armee publishes the following
remarks on the late rifle shooting at Wimbledon :
" The annual shooting match has just taken
place at Wimbledon, under the direction of Lord
Elcho. The preparations were made, at a small
cost, on a common sufficiently extensive to permit
the Volunteers to fire at a distance of from 200
to 1,000 yards. Once all that was necessary
was procured the agreeable was not thought of.
The competitors had not a roof to shelter them, to
rest themselves after the fatigue of the contest, to
wait their turn, or, in plain terms, to take refuge
from the wind or sun. Everything strictly neces-
sary for the contest was alone provided in order
that the chances should be equal and the result
better. The shooters place themselves under a tent
which protects them from the wind while they are
taking aim. The shot fired they withdraw into the
open air. The Government is perfectly indifferent
as to the weather. That fact proves that it knows
it may rely on British stoicism, which is not to be
alarmed by torrents of rain or by srorms,and which
will not give up sport for any caprice of weather.
It calculated correctly so far as the receipts were
concerned, for there was a crowd of amateur volun-
teers and spectators as if it had taken place at the
Crystal Palace at Sydenham. Although the baro-
meter, infallible on that occasion, marked rain and
storm during the match, there were never less than
1,000 rifles in the arena, and frequently more. The
competitors were always good-humoured, and it is
to be remarked that notwithstanding the violent
wind the firing was never bad_ What proves, more-
over, the confidence which the English volunteer
feels in himself and inspires in others is that the
markers remove the marks on one target while the
firing is going on against another close by. Every-
body admits that there can be no great deviation of
the ball when fired by an English hand and from
an English firearm. Tne greatest deviation is cal-
culated, and it is never exceeded. The English aris-
tocracy have adopted national shooting; it covers
it with its powerful protection. Several members,
of the House of Lords thought it not derogatory to
learn the exercise from a non-commissioned officer,
and they complete their instruction by the applica-
tion of the principles they have been taught. Be-
sides, it is a kind of sport, and that would be
quite sufficient, exclusive of the inspirations of
patriotism. Lords Elcho, Bury, Bolton, Ducie,
Grosvenor, and Vernon are mentioned among the
most ccomplished marksmen. The rifi,s whits,
produced the best effect are those made by Whit-
worth, Turner, and Henry. The Enfield rifle was
found to be middling, and even bad beyond 600
yards. The Volunteers arrived at their own ex-
pense, and for many the expense was considerable,
but nobody was stopped by such a consideration,
and the honour of being aistinguished was ardently
sought for. It was asserted formerly that except
regular troops none of the English were acquainted
with the use of firearms. That was true, perhaps,
50 years since, but things are much changed since
then. It is asserted that the Wimbledon shooting
produced an Effect which was not expected. That
mixing of the commercial classes and operatives
with the nobility for a common object destroys
prejudices and gives Elace to warm sympathy and
general confraternity. Every root of Socialism has
disappeared. Even the most violent Chartists have
become as mild as lambs, so much so that Mr.
Bright is menaced with being left the only one of his
party. Thus the institution of the Wimbledon rifle
shooting will make England stronger both against
her enemies at home and abroad. One cannot im.
mediately understand the influence the rifle may
exercise on the pacification and the fusion of par-
ties, but even if the anticipated result be only half
obtained the English will not have to regret either
their time or their money.

[ADVERTISEMENT.]
(From the London gazette of August 1, 1862.)
Whitehall, July 30, 1862.

• ,
The Queen has been pleased to give and to grant to Sir
John Maxwell Steele, of Mickleton Manor, in the parish of
Mickleton, in the county of Gloucester, Baronet (of that
part of the United Kingdom of Great Br,tain and Iraland
called Ireland), and to Dame Elizabeth Anne, his wife,
eldest daughter of John Graves, of Mickleton atorcsaidy
deceased, second and only son who left issue, of Richard
Morgan Graves, of Mickleton Manor aforesaid, D.D., also
deceased, her Majesty's royal license and authority that
they and their issue may assume and take the surname of
Graves in addition to and a ter that of Steele.

And also tt command that the said Royal concession
and declaration be recorded in her Majesty's College of
Arms, or otherwise the license to be void and of none
effect.

A court of inquiry has been sitting for the last
few days (says the Army and Navy Gazette) in the Royal
Barracks, Dublin, to investigate imp, rtant matters eon'
nected with the commissariat department at the Curragil
Camp. Several contractors have, we understand, been er
amined as witnesses. The proceedings are as yet strictlf
HeryEhl eaPbdoAnt
the
private, but their publicat on ia looked forward to with great
interest by ad who are connected with this branch of the
public service.
/sit
that
rayt 1
ae bone-
benevolentl an e, the
llady,
y. Rev.
wishing
C
HANDiOME BEQUEST
LEBONE.--At athmeeeittieuegtoort:
elVSgeHrs
et
ar°y go ni‘raiStAiafint Cr, I-
day, at the Court-house,
Phipps Eyre,
to pay a tribute to the memory of her deceased father, had
tiun of apprising the vestry
t shTaeiOamTh.
contributed, for the Boys' National School Building, the
handsome eon' of £4,000 ; and on the same day the Duke
of Portland had generously given a freehold site in High"
street, Marylebone. The building would, therefore, be
forthwith erected to afford every convenience, and would
become an ornament to the churchyard. On the motion c't.
Bechh,ffner, it was unanimously resolve i that the best
thanks of the vestry be tendered to Miss Bennett, the DUkS
of Portland, and the Rector, for the handsome bequest.
NEW CRIMINAL ACT —On Friday a new criminal
act was issued for the trial oi certain cases of homicide 139
ito
persons subject to the Mutiny Act. The object of the act
bring p reons charged with murder or manslaughter to
trial without waiting for the assizes. It is considered 010-
dient, and that it would contribute to the more speed)"
punishment of persons guilty, and to the maintenance °C
good order and military discipline, if, when charged with
tnurder or manslaughter committed in England and Wales
and out of the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court,
such t emus were rendered liable to be indicted and tried
at the Central Criminal Court, and if when charged
Wtth
murder or manslaughter committed in Ireland, and else"
where than in Dublin, such persons were rendered liable to Do
indicted and tried in Dublin. By virtue of this act a judgecan order a removal as stated, and the proceedings
.8r
~
to be carried on in the same manner as in ordinary ca°L
With the view of preventing a prisoner being injured n,
:
the removal, the expenses of his witnesses may be ordere
and facilities given for his defence. A prisoner ma} be re-
moved to and front the Central Criminal Court as often a:
necessary. The act has immediate operation, and in sae
ral schedules the forms to be used arse sot forth,

1