The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-09 00:00:00

. _
Last Wednesday, at the Birmingham To•'vn 11a1),, RUSSELL is characterised by the same hasty, super-
an interesting ceremony took place on the occaf;ion ficial, and manifestly unfair accusations which have
of prizes being presented to the successf al, mem- been already brought against Governor EYRE and
bers of the Birmingham Rifle Volunteers . The his associates, by speakers and writers of their
most notable event of the evening was the pre- ways of thinking. Picking out a few sentences
sentation to Col. M‘Mußpo of his sworls which from the despatches which state that there
were injured by the fire at his residence. some time was no organization among the blacks, that
ago. They have been restored at the expense of no casualty had befallen the troops, &c.,
the battalion, and were then offered as a grateful they add to them the most random statements,
tribute of esteem and regard to the gallant Colo- which nothing in the official information warrants
nel. Col. MASON, on presenting these-trophies, re- in the slightest degree. Can any one, not abso-
marked that many incidents of his distinguished lutely blinded by prejudice, believe that the
career were connected with these 4-words. Since Governor, and those acting with him, " have given
the unfortunate event of the fire deprived Colonel unlimited permission and encouragement to soldiers
M‘Mt: en° of many mementoes of his Indian life, and sailors, and Volunteers and Maroons, to seize,
it is the more satisfactory to fi-ud that some and flog, and shoot, and hang at their own dis-
at least have been preserved. The Colonel cretion, any coloured persons who might fall into
thanked the battalion for the " beautiful their hands, men, women, and children?" Yet
act of friendship to an old soldier." He this statement is deliberately put forward by gen-
declared that he rejoiced to meet with such proofs tlemen of standing, and they do not scruple to
of kindness, and his children would appreciate them. address it to a Minister of the Crown. A
Such a circumstance is, indeed, creditable alike to special paragraph is devoted to the apprehension
the givers and receiver, and it is interesting and im- and execution of Mr. G. W. GORDON, which they
pressive that the hero of a hundred fights should consider " admits of no justification whatever."
thus be reminded in the evening of his days of the The inconvenient fact of the written evidence
memorable events of long past times, perhaps over- showing GORDON to have been mainly instrumental
looked and forgotten by the busy generation spring- in organising a scheme for converting Jamaica into
ing up around him, but written in lasting characters another Hayti seems to have been totally over-
in the chronicle of Anglo-Indian renown. looked by these gentlemen, and they get over the
Colonel M'Munno presented the prizes to the cruelties practised by the coloured men at Morant
successful candidates. This was an appropriate Bay by asserting that the Volunteers provoked
arrangement, and the gallant Colonel took care to them by firing at them when they were assembled
improve the occasion by bestowing some advice "to vindicate certain of their rights," the right to
upon those around him. Coming from one of his massacre and plunder being, we suppose, included.
experience and proficiency this counsel must have " The whole civilised world," according to
been valuable. He said to the officers " Don't get Messrs. PEASE and Co., is filled with horror and
tired of your work." There was no excuse for their indignation at the " wholesale and indiscriminate
getting weary, because they have not the discipline slaughter in Jamaica." We should think the in-
of the army to keep up, and their men came to them dignation would rather be directed against those
voluntarily impressed with the necessity that exists who planned and partly executed such barbarous
for their striving to defend their country. The schemes, while a little of it may assuredly be spared
Colonel declared that the Volunteers wen e brave for those Englishmen who, without waiting for full
men, who behaved as " gloriously" as and authentic evidence, prejudge and condemn men
the regular soldiers, when in action. "A of character and known humanity for having, in a
glorious captain and his glorious men were time of terrible risk, rescued a British colony from
hardly cold in their graves, who died the other day becoming the scene cf wholesale anarchy and
biting their last cartridges in defence of the civil bloodshed.
authorities in Jamaica ;" and, continued he, " our In contrast to this comes the news from Jamaica
volunteers in Canada are enrolling and preparing itself assuring us that all is tranquil and no further
to meet the Fenians, ay, even America herself, if executions or trials were reported. The conflagra-
she should dare to attack them." The Colonel tion, which might otherwise have been the ruin of
gave a very good hint to the Peace Society, by blacks as well as whites, is therefore crushed out, and
stating that the Volunteer Force was a Peace we hope that the terrible experience of the past will
Society itself, with this exception, that whereas the serve to inaugurate a new and more prosperous
original institution had not been successful, the future for both races in the island.
Volunteer Movement had been most fortunate.
Referring to the work achieved by Mr. BRIGHT and
his friends, the gallant Colonel declared that
the Peace Congress had not produced any of the
results at which they aimed. They said they could
not expect to affect the course of events in the far
East. "But what good have they done near home?"
asked the earnest and eloquent old soldier. " Had
the Peace Society prevented in one single instance
any of the most outrageous robberies that was ever
committed on a small state by her big brother—
there never was a greater robbery than that
committed by Prussia and Austria in the spoliation
of Denmark." As for the prizes, the Colonel said
that they showed the Volunteers that they were ap-
preciated by their friends and society outside.
The Right Hon. C. ADDERLEY, M.P., proposed
a vote of thanks to the donors of prizes. The right
hon. gentleman declared that there was one danger
connected with the Volunteer force, and that arose
from its success, for in time they might flag. Those
who address from time to time large assemblies of
Volunteers do well to remind them of this fact, for
it is indeed a reality and not a theory, llappily,
however, for the present at any rate, we may
affirm that there seems no likelihood of this misfor-
tune befalling the noble band who have sacrificed
so much to serve their country and protect the
rights of nations. Their energy has equalled their
enthusiasm, and thus they have carried out their
designs moi.e successfully and completely than their
best friends and most sanguine supporters dared to
hope at the outset. Of course, all this could not
have been done without the sympathy they met with
from all ranks and classes of their countrymen, but
still the chief meed of praise is due to themselves.
It was truly said by the great poet that—
" In native swords and native ranks
The only hope of freedom dwells."
And the spirit that sustains such a force as our
Volunteers must be innate, and can never be
infused by any outward influence or ad-
ventitious aid. Mr. ADDERLEY very truly
declared that it was right and fitting for a nation
like England to partake of the interest of the
people and in its pastimes; " and thus in the same
way that in old times the bow, which won for Eng-
land the victories of Cressy and Agincourt, was the
weapon of the nation, the ' rifle' should be the
weapon of the nation in these days ; and not least
among the great national holidays should be the
assembling of Volunteers on such occasions as the
present."

" The storms of wintry time" have lately been
particularly active, bringing even to those on shore
some dangerous and even fatal consequences. Such
a season is therefore especially appropriate for a
meeting of the managers of that admirable Institu-
tion which has done so much to lessen, if it cannot
altogether remove, the perils of our storm-lashed
coast. There are few of the benevolent associations
of the day that are better or more efficiently
managed, or that can show more practical service
done at the close of the year. The task undertaken
by it is so momentous in its nature that when it is
successfully accomplished the result is most striking.
It is not the difference between sickness and possible
recovery ; between destitution and temporary relief ;
but it is the contrast of life with death, of a desolated
home with a rejoicing family, of the mourning of the
widow and orphan with the joyous welcome of the
returning voyager. The result of course rests in
higher hands, and no vigilance or daring can ensure
life against the inevitable dangers of storm :and
shipwreck, but at least so much as men can do is
done, and the means adopted have, in the vast
majority of instances, proved eminently suc-
cessful. Hundreds of lives, which, without :the
existence of the Lifeboat Institution, would cer-
tainly have swelled the ranks of those who have gone
down into the deep waters and come back no more,
have been preserved, and property of immense value
has been saved from destruction by the agency of
the lifeboats and their brave crews. It is indeed
scarcely to be called a charitable institution, for its
existence in a country like ours is surely no work of
supererogation, but rather an imperative national
duty, incumbent on each one of us who shares or
profits (and who does not ?) in the traffic of the
seas. The Institution is especially commendable
in its single-minded earnestness to get the work
done, whether by its own means or by those of
others; and, in accordance with this feeling, it gives'
prizes and medals to persons totally unconnected
with it, when they have been instrumental in saving
life, or in assisting endangered vessels. The ter-
rible gales of last month must be fresh in every
one's recollection, and it is a gratifying fact that in
the month of November the lifeboats saved no less
than 124 shipwrecked persons, in addition to bring-
ing two vessels safely into port. Altogether, the
boats of the Institution have, during the last eleven
months, saved 421 lives, besides bringing
fourteen vessels safely into harbour. When
we look at the number in the aggre-
gate we shall be better able to realise the
extent of the public service rendered by these
boats. A whole ship's company, or a regiment
of soldiers, saved at once would produce a striking
effect on the public mind, yet, in reality, this
feat has been accomplished by the agents of the
Institution in the present year. The instances
cited as usual give evidence of the most daring
and self-sacrificing courage on the part of the
crews; and it is a very gratifying fact, and one that
testifies to the substantial character of the lifeboats,
that out of the 18,000 persons who have manned them
during the last three years only three lives have been
lost. General Sir GEORGE BOWLES, the donor of the
Howth lifeboat, was so much pleased with its re-
cent services in saving five lives that he has gene-
-1 rously promised to defray the cost of another boat.
His example might be very profitably followed by our
wealthier classes, since the cost of maintaining the
various establishments is naturally very heavy.
At yesterday's meeting it was found necessary to
make arrangements for payments amounting to
more than £3,000. We cannot doubt that the
public will continue to come readily forward on
behalf of so valuable an association, and among
the kindly gifts so appropriate to the coming general
season, we hope that the claims of the National
Lifeboat Institution will be neither overlooked nor
neglected.

Mr. NEWDEGATE, in seconding the motion, ob-
served that it would be strange if the Volunteers of
Birmingham, who made arms, did not know how to
use them. The hon. member remarked upon the
advantages that accrued to them from hearing the
speech of Col. M‘Mumpo, who was such an able and
efficient guide, and so unquestionable an authority.
He was a pupil of Sir CHARLES NAPIER, no narrow
politician, a genuine Radical, and a genuine
Englishman also, from whom he was proud, as
a Tory, to borrow the spirit of nationality. Mr.
NEWDEGATE also referred to Denmark, and expressed
indignation on the subje3t. It was, as he said, a
warning to wealthy England, and he was sorry that
England did not say to France and other mar-
tial Powers, " You have declared what
you conceive to be right, and you should
join with us in enforcing it." The English nation,
observed the hon. member, has a regular army of
1.10,000 men, and
empire on with these it has to guard an
which the sun never sets, and if they
are to be at the extremities of that how will it be
with those at home. The " old spirit" of England
cannot be too much cherished in those days when
commercial enterprise
is apt to entail injurious
effects, and deaden the independent feelings and
self-sacrificing impulses which characterised the
days that are gone by, and in some measure com-
pensated for many deficiencies. The hon. member
declared that lie rejoiced in every manifestatior, of
the old spirit, and trusting that the children of the
present generation should not have reason to
lament any defalcation in their fathers, he rejoiced
in ",witimising in that hall the spirit that when
the Bulldog was on a reef fought her to the
last, and when the hull was useless blew her up."
This is a correct interpretration of the meaning
of the Volunteer Movement, and describes the
feeling wiaich will bestow on it a permanent and
honoured existence.

SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS FOP. THE ENSUING WEEK.
—Monday—Geographical, at 81 : " Ankova, Ma-
dagascar,
and the Royal or Sacred Cities," Rev. W. Ellis ;
"Boat Journey along Coast Lakes, East Madagascar,"
Captain Rooke. Tuesday—Syro-Egyptian, at 71 "Pil-
grimage of Autoninus of Placentia, A.D. 570," Rev. A. 11.
Canape!. Photographic. at 8 : " Photo-Relievo Printing,"
Ur, Woodbury. Lngineers, at 8 : Strength of Cements
"
used in South Main Drainage Works," Mr. Grant. Eth-
nologioal, at 8. Zoological, at : "Fossil Birds from
Zebbug CaTe, Malta," Mr. Parker ; New Species of Spider
Monkey in Society's Gardens," Drs. Gray and Murie ;
"Pi.esb
Mr. Flower.esAlbigella'" Dr. Murie ; " Gular Pouch of Great
Bustard," Wednesday—Society of Arts, at 8:
" London Milk," Mr. Morton. Microscopical, at 8: " Cell_
Mounting," Mr. Smith. British Archaeological Associa-
tion, at 81. Thursday—Numismatic, at 7. Royal, at 81.
Antiquaries,
at 8.: " Anglo-Saxon Civil and Criminal
Procedure," Mr. Coote. Friday—Philological, at 8:
"Origin of Language," Mr. Wedgwood. Saturday—
Horticultural, at 2: International Show of Fruit.—
henxurn.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

SPAIN.

AUSTRIA.

Considering the excitement which a certain sec-
tion of persons have got up in different parts of the
country respecting the recent outbreak in Jamaica
and the means adopted for suppressing it, it is cer-
tainly not surpr;sing that the Committee of the Peace
Society should have come prominently forward.
The memorial which they have preidtnted to Earl

nu SUN, LONDON, SATURDAY EVENING, DECEMBER 9, lE€.

LA TEST INTELLIGENCE.

The Insurrection in Jamaica.

LIVERPOOL, Friday.
The steamer Californian, which arrived here this
evening, brings news from Jamaica to Nov. 21.
Some of the late Mr. Gordon's property had been
seized at the suit of an English firm.
The Governor had visited Admiral Hope at Port
Royal. No further executions or trials were re-
ported. The newspapers contain no intelligence
relative to the late insurrection. The Kingston
Morning Journal of the 21st ult. says :—" Let the
constitution be amended by all means if it is per-
ceived that to its unsuitableness the rebellion is in
part to be attributed, but do not destroy the con-
stitution altogether ; do not, above all, deprive her
Majesty's subjects in this island of their freedom of
speech and freedom of religious worship. It is ab-
solutely necessary for the good of society that there
should be a strong Government to deal with that
large class in the country among whom the late re-
bellion occurred ; but the measures that are passing
the Legislature seem to us to be aimed, not at the
rebellion, but at the well-affected and loyal section
of the community."
The Jamaica Guardian gives the following as a
draught of the proposed new Constitution for the
island :
VIENNA, DEC. 8. I
"1. That there should be one Chamber.

MADRID, DEC. 8 (Evening).

The Espanol of to-day says :—" The present
Ministry would even jeopardise the dynasty in order
to remain in power."
The Politica, alluding to the protests of the
Spanish bishops against the recognition of Italy,
states that they have rendered themselves amenable

to the penal law, and that should they persist in
the attitude they have taken up, the Government

would ask the Cortes to suspend the constitutional
guarantees protecting the bishops, and claim the
right to exile those who have protested.
It is asserted in political circles that the real
motive for which there will be no speech from the
Throne at the opening of the Cates is, that the
Queen does not wish to speak of the recognition
of Italy.

A notification issued by the Minister of Finance
states that, in consequence of the excessive number
of applications received for bonds of the New Aus-
trian Loan, a reduction of 20 per cent. will be
made in the amount of subscriptions.
The Diets of Linz, Klagenfurt, and Troppau
have, by a large majority, voted addresses to the
Emperor, against the September Patent.

" 2. That such Chamber should be composed
partly of the nominees of the Crown and partly of
members elected.
" 3. That the elections should be made for coun-
ties in equal proportions.
4. That the qualification of members should be
raised.

" 5. That the franchise should be raised.
" 6. That it should be lawful for her Majesty to
appoint two commissioners from England to act in
lieu of an executive committee.

" 7. That no person, except one to be nominated
by the Governor, should be nominated or elected
who held any office of emolument payable out of
the public taxes."
The Guardian says that these principles were
eventually submitted to a large number of members
and acceded to. The Government would intro-
duce amendments to their Bill in order to carry
out these principles.
A. Bill to Regulate Places of Public Worship,
abounding in pains and penalties, was before the
House of Assembly of Jamaica, and was causing
co-asideralsle excitement among the Dissenters.
The Jamaica Guardian says :
" It is anticipated that on the Bill becoming law

(should it become so) the action will be unani-
mous throughout the island, and every Dissenting
chapel on Sunday and day school will be closed in
obedience to it, and the whole responsibility will be
thrown on the Government, without whose sanction
the measure cannot become law, while several of
the most effective speakers from each denomination
will be prepared to proceed to England, and de-
nounce the interference with religious liberty
throughout the length and breadth of the land."

A Bill to Provide for the Expenses of Extin-
guishing the Rebellion had been discussed in the
House of Assembly, and agreed to, and ordered to
be engrossed.

A very stringent Alien Bill had also occupied the
House of Assembly.

The following letter has been addressed to the
Editor of The Times:—

Sir,—Pray excuse my troubling you. I wish to
show you the class of people who attack Governor
Eyre, and enclose you one of two anonymous letters
received by me to-day, and a telegram informing
me my brother ought to be hanged. I thank you
sincerely and heartily for defending his character,
and think you will agree with me that even if my
brother were all the writers say, instead of a brave
defender of the government intrusted to his care, it
is mean and cowardly in his enemies to attack his
sister. I attacked no one.—l remain, Sir. yours
very obediently,

MARY EYRE.
44, Bernard-street, Russell-square,
W.C., Dec. 6.

"Doe. 6.

"Madam,—You have done a smart thing, no doubt, try-
ing to defend your bloody, murderous brother, who deserves
a rope if any one ever did, and I hope he will get it. That
.£5O you speak of makes his character the blacker. It is
stolen goods : plunder from the poor blacks. A greater
scoundrel nover walked the earth, and to help him he got
the bloody Nelson and others to work and runi'd' the
sailors that they might cut up the poor, because they are
black and coloured. The curse of the nation and the world
will ever rest upon your family for those bloody crimes.
Bloody cries for vengeance upon you all."

" Madam,—l have just read your silly letter, and just as
sure, as your dastard of a brother murdered poor Mr. Gor-
don he shall swing for it at the Old Bailey."

Sir Henry Storks is now on his way to England,
having been summoned by telegraphic instructions which
reached him at Malta on Thursday. At Malta it was sup-
posed that his presence is required with reference to the
affairs of Greece. It is, however, supposed hero that he is
likely to be sent out to Jamaica.
LORD BYRON'S COUNTESS GUICCIOLL now
Madame de Boissy, is said to have given M. Lamartine ac-
cess to her correspondence with the poet, which will be
used by him in his Life of Byron, now appearing in the
feuilleton of the Constitutionnel.
THE BROMPTON HOSPITAL PATIENTS AT MA-
DEIRA.—This time last month considerable interest
was elicited by the departure of 20 consumptive invalids
selected to winter in the genial climate of Madeira. The
news of their safe arrival in the island, and a few parti-
culars afforded by the letters received by this mail from
Copt. Erskine (H.B.M. Consul), and from the superinten-
dent, will be scarcely less interesting. The steamer Maria
Pia, whose second cabin was filled by the patients, sailed
from London at 2 a.m. on the Bth November, arriving at
Lisbon at 10 a.m. on the 13th. having had a fair wind and
fine weather the whole way, though a rough sea. In cross-
ing the Bay of Biscay they experienced a heavy gale. To
enable the invalids to recover from the effects of this, the
superintendent thought it advisable to give them leave to
go on shore at Lisbon for a short time, which did them a
great deal of good. They left the Tagus on the 15th, at 11
a.m., and arrived at Madeira on the 17th, at 5 35 p.m.
During the passage from Lisbon they had continued fine
weather, and no sea. On the arrival of the steamer Captain
Erskine and Dr. Brandt came on board, received the pa-
tients with all possible kindness, and accompanied them to
the Sanatorium, where they were comfortably quartered
by 6.30 p.m. The invalids were visited the same evening
by the Bishop of Sierra Leone, who read a portion of Scrip-
ture, and offered up a beautiful thanksgiving prayer for
their safe arrival in Madeira. The accounts of the patients'
health were favourable. Although there had been the ave-
rage amount of sea sickness, no spitting of blood had re-
sulted from it; but, on the contrary, it was considered that
the voyage had done them all good, and cleared their
complexions. They appeared to have been well cared
for on board, and spoke of the kindness of the two
stewards who attended upon them. At the close of his
letter the superintendent says :—" I am given to under-
stand that the British inhabitants in general, of Madeira
have contributed in furnishing the Sanatorium. The walls
of the rooms are hung with most beautiful paintings; the
furniture is first class, and nothing is wanted in that line.
I consider, jointly with my fellow patients, that our Sana-
torium would not disgrace any merchant in London as a
residence. We all feel truly grateful to Almighty God for
His bountiful goodness to us ; and for placing it in the
hearts of those who have contributed towards our
earthly comforts." Mr. Graves was re-appointed by the
Local Committee as Superintendent at the Sanatorium,
jointly with the Matron, whose kindness and constant
anxiety for the patients' comforts were alluded to in
grateful terms. The following pleasant expression
of feeling was signed by his fellow patients, and
presented to the Superintendent at the end of the voyage.
"We, the undersigned, desire to express our heartfelt
thanks to Mr. Graves, for the kind and impartial manner
in which he has discharged the responsible duty of super-
intendent during our voyage. We feel that he has done
everything he possibly could for our comfort and enjoy-
s ment whilst on board, and he has drawn our hearts closer
to him by his solicitous and almost parental anxiety for
our welfare. •Wo therefore take this opportunity, before
leaving the ship, of thus expressing to him our sincere
gratitude and appreciation of his kindness." Prince Alfred
' was in the island when the mail left, and it was expected
L that his royal highness Would visit the Sanatorium during
his stay.

MILITARY BALL AT WINDSOR.—On Wednesday
evening a grand ball, under the patronage of Lieut.-
Colonel the Earl of Mountcharles, Lieut.-Colonel Sawyer,
Lieut.-Colonel Sir Charles Russell, M.P., and the officers
of the Ist Life Guards, Grenadier Guards, and Gth Dragoon
Guards, Lady Mary Hood, Lady Mary Berkeley, Lady
Emily Seymour, Mrs. Coleman, &c., was given at the
Guildhall, Windsor. The fine hall was 'crowded with a
brilliant and fashionable assemblage, comprising the prin-
cipal residents of the district and the officers of the Windsor
garrison. The stringed band of the Life Guards played
during the evening.