The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-01 00:00:00

TIIE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 1, 1862.

pounds of powder and a hollow shot. After the gun
was run out to the side of the turret and all was
ready it was fired, the ball ricochetting along the
water a few times, then striking the rocks, causing
them to fly like so many chaff, followed by a terrible
echo, which in its force resembled the explosion of
a powder-mill. The noise outside of the turret was
terrible while inside there was no concussion of any
account, and the noise certainly did not exceed that
which would have been produced by the firing of ma
ordinary pistol.
Every one was surprised, and unwilling at the
trial to say much; all were anxious to see the effect
of a full service charge of 34 lbs. of powder. The
gun only recoiled 27 inches. The second time the
gun was loaded with 35 lbs. of powder and a hollow
shot. It was fired, recoiling three feet ten inches,
producing no unpleasant concussion, and as before
there was scarcely any smoke in the turret. Several
of the spectators who were inside the turret at the
first firing were outside this time to see the working
of the shot, but the noise was so unpleasant that
they preferred to be inside the next time the gun
was fired, and accordingly they went in and re-
mained there during the remainder of the firing.
" The third time the gun was fired it was charged
with 351bs. of powder and a hollow shot. The recoil
was only 2ft. Bin. The same results were obtained
without trouble; in fact, it was much pleasanter
inside than outside the turret. No noise was per-
ceptible tending to discomfort either on the berth
deck or in the engine room.
" The fourth and last time the gun was fired it
was charged with 351bs of powder and a solid shot,
the first one fired from a gun of this size with a full
service charge. The result was precisely the same,
the recoil being only 2ft. Bin., and no noise or smoke
inside the turret.

" Thus ended the experiment with the gun,
which was in every respect satisfactory. _ _ _

"We refrain from giving our, foreign friends or
the rebels the slightest cue as to how this matter has
been accomplished, but suffice it to say that it is the
plan of Capt. Ericsson, and it is now believed to be as
near perfection as anything mortal man can make.

"We will, however, give some of the general
points in the workings of these new Monitors,
showing their most prominent features.
"In the first place their speed will be sufficient
for the purposes for which they were designed.
There is no dubt that they will go at the very least
nine knots; secondly, at no time will the guns of
the vessel be liable to any damage from the projectiles
of the enemy—for the muzzles will not protrude
outside of their shields ; thirdly, the number of
men to work one of these enormous guns is less than
to work an ordinary 11-inch gun on a Marsilly car-
riage. Three men will run out the 15-inch gun,
weighing 42,0001b5. (nearly 21 tons), as easily as
19 men work an 11-inch pivot. The English in-
__

tended to put a 14-ton gun in a cupola, but Sir H.
Douglas strenuously opposed such a step, as he be-
lieved they would not be able to get men enough
inside to work it; therefore it never was attempted.
One strong person can run out the 15-inch gun,
while he runs out the 11-inch one with perfect ease.
" In these new Monitor batteries we give not only
protection to the men but to the guns, which, when
the vessel has but two, it is very desirable should
be protected. The appliance to carry off the con-
cussion and the smoke is simple and ingenious, and
the government should take care not to let this
secret get out, so as to be used by other Powers. It
is a success only second to the conception of the
original Monitor. Europe will again be astonished
and int to thinking, while America not only has the
work done, but will ere long test the working on
her enemies. The success of firing a monster 15-inch
gun inside of a turret adds another wreath of laurels
already won by the genius of Ericsson. Our cdun-
try should be proud of his talents and his successes.
"All who witnessed the trials yesterday were
highly delighted."

terms of the despatch, saying that as it related only
to the guilty, the innocent could not be affected by
it. The arrest was a measure of necessity, demanded
by circumstances. The minister might, it had been
said, have convoked Parliament at that time; he
would to do it ; his interest
commanded have
bhei emn
tvoe rdyo hi at p; phye
would have been on
the morrow of the events which had taken place
more favourably judged ; but could the Chamber
have Lumediately replied to his appeal, and should

its decisions have been waited for P If the amnesty
was not immediately accorded it was because he
wished public opinion to declare in its favour. The
speaker, postponing until the_following day the re-
mainder of his explanations, succinctly reviewed
the acts of his administration, and begged that they
should be judged without passion and without pre-
judice. " Let the interests of the country be consi-
dered above a►l things," he exclaimed, in conclusion.

the exercise and drill had had such excellent sanitary
results that the Volunteers were not only the finest'
body of men in the kingdom, but were also the healthiest.
(Cheers.) The hon. baronet then presented the vase to Sir
J. Y. Scarlett, the honorary colonel of the regiment, who
received the handsome gift amid the cheers of the battalion.
Sir J. Y. SCARLETT, in the name of the corps, returned
thanks. He said he concurred in every word that had fallen
from Sir M. Peto, and could even say more than that gentle-
man had done in praise of the Volunteer movement. He ac-
cepted the handsome vase with pleasure, not only because of
its beauty and intrinsic value, but because it would excite a
wholesome emulation of the corps, and ho trusted that it
would in turn be held by each company in the corps. The
gift, however, was still more valuable as a substantial proof
of the approbation with which their fellow citizens regarded
the motives that had induced the members of the corps to
enrol themselves in its ranks. (Hear.) There could
be no mistake about those motives. There might be stern
moralists or philanthropists so averse from war that they
disliked the idea of placing weapons in the hands of any
men ; but however objectionable might have been the con-
duct of some conquerors who were led on to war by an in-
ordinate love of glory the objection could not be imputad to
the volunteers. They were actuated by a sacred motive, for
when could they more confidently hope for the blessing of
Providence upon their efforts than when those efforts were
made in the defence of their liberties, their homes, their
families and their country ? (Hear, hear.) He had not
been of those who were apprehensive of invasion when
strong suspicions of that danger prevailed in this
country. He did not think a neighbouring potentate
was so blind to his own interests as co wish to attack this
country, but that potentate was in such a position that
he might have been forced to do so against his will by a
power which he could not resist. But the moment that
suspicion arose, then there also arose, as it were, from the
ground a large armed force of Volunteers. He remembered
the astonishment evinced by foreigners upon the occasion
of the Volunteer Review in Hyde-park, and also the im-
pression caused by the review in Edinburgh ; but that was
only the beginning. Since those events the movement had
been so rapid and well-sustained that those who once
thought England might be invaded now held a different
opinion. The gallant General then referred to the condi-
tion of the corps, which he said was remarkably satisfac-
tory. In barely two years the total strength of the bat-
talion had reached 650 members, and it could bring 450
effactives into the field at any time. Eighty recruits had
joined in the present year. He had seen the corps reviewed
at various times, and had heard the highest approbation be-
stowed upon it by the commanding officers upon those occa•
sions. He therefore felt proud of filling the post of hono-
rary colonel of the 40th Middlesex Volunteers, as he did not
believe there was a more efficient corps in London. (Hear,

hear.) He then proceeded to distribute the regimental
prizes to the several winners, and finally entrusted the In-
habitants' Challenge Cup to the keeping of Company C, the
winners of this year.
Thanks were voted to the donors of prizes, to Sir M. Peto,
and to Sir J. Y. Scarlett, who, in returning thanks, said he
hoped next year, in the name of Lady Scarlett, to induce
the corps to accept another challenge cup ; and he also sug-
gested that a most acceptable prize would be one offered by
unmarried ladies, to be contended for by bachelor members
of the regiment, a suggestion that was received with loud
applause.