The Sun.
London, England, 1862-08-21 00:00:00

711 E ARMY.

Yesterday a field day, rather unlike the usual
movements of the division at Aldershot, took place
in the presence of his Royal Highness the Duke of
Cambridge, General Commanding-in-Chief, and a
brilliant staff. Shortly after 7 o'clock every regi-
ment—ordered to be as strong as possible—paraded
and marched off to the common facing the South
Camp, where they were formed up, the infantry in
front in contiguous column of brigades with the
cavalry and artillery in close column of squadrons
in rear. His
Royal Highness and staff arrived
shortly after 9 o'clock, and was received with the
customary honours. A grand sham fight, lasting
nearly three hours, followed, the division having a
uppositious enemy to encounter of superior strength
and posted in a highly advantageous position. The
sight was a very fine one, and was witnessed by a
large number of spectators. At the conclusion of
the day's manoeuvres the regiments marched past as
usual, and at half-past 1 o'clock returned to their

quarters, after having been under arms upwards of
six hours. The whole of the movements were under
the command of the Duke in person. There were
present 11 infantry and five cavalry regiments, with
three batteries of Royal Horse Artillery, and four
field batteries—a total of nearly 12,00
The inspection of the Chatham division of Royal
Marines Light Infantry by Major-Gen. Stranebain,
newly-appointed Inspector-General of that branch
of the service, which has extended over three days,
was resumed yesterday. In the morning General
Stransham, attended by his aide-de-camp, and ac-
companied by some members of the divisional staff,
visited. Chatham Barracks, occupied by the troops
of the line, a portion of which has been set apart for
the Royal Marines, in consequence of the crowded
state of the Marine Barracks. The Inspector-Gen.
was shown over the portion of the barracks given
over to the Marines, and spent a short time in the
inspection of the barrack rooms, which were found
in a generally clean and orderly condition. At 10
o'clock the officers and men of the division were
assembled in front of their quarters, under the
command of Col. Lemon, C. 8., when the companies
were formed into three battalions, under the respec-
tive commands of Col. W. H. Marsh, Second Com-
mandant, Lieut.-Col. S. N. Lowder, and Lieut.-Col.
W. F. Foote, with Major Ellis, as Brigade-Major,
the entire division numbering 800 bayonets. The
battalions were then marched to the Great Lines,
where, under the direction of Major-Gen. Stransham,
the officers and men were put through a variety of
movements incidental to a brigade field day by Col.
Lemon. All of these were effected with that stea-
diness and precision which characterise the field
movements of this branch of the service, the Inspec-
tor-General frequently giving expression to com-
mendatory remarks or. the excellent manner in which
the battalions executed the mancevres of the day-
The officers and men returned to their quarters at 5
, o'clock, and the inspection of the Chatham Division
was brought to a close yesterday afternoon-
From
the satisfactory manner in which Major-General
inspec-
tion
Stransham has expressed himself during
h
it is believed the report to the Admiralty will
be flattering.
It is stated that the fort which has been erected
on the Mumbles Rock in Swansea Bay is not in a
condition to withstand the concussion produced
by the firing of the heavy ordnance. This de-
fence has only been completed within the last 18
months. It mounts three 68-pounders and two
10-inch shell guns, and is well supplied with
furnaces and the appliances of war. It
is built on an island, which is insulated at high
tide. It is thought that the action of the waves has
worked a number of caverns and hollows in the
rock, and that these are likely to prove fatal to
the stability of the masonry work ; a large rent
I has already appeared, and it is believed that further
Practice with the great guns would be very un-
advisable.

7HE REMARKABLE BREACH OF PRO-

MISE AND ITS _RESULTS.

THOMAS V. SHIRLEY.

The adjourned sitting under the order of refer-
ence made by Mr. Baron Bramwell, in the action
"Thomas v. Shirley," for necessaries supplied to
the plaintiff and for debts incurred by her under
the authority of General Shirley, for the support
of herself, her child, the offspring of the gallant
officer, and the nurse, was resumed yester-
day afternoon, at the Law Institution, before
William Patchett, Esq., the arbitrator ; Mr.
Lewis, jun. (Lewis and Lewis, Hatton-garden),
again attended on behalf of the plaintiff, Miss
Annie Rosalie Thomas ; Mr. Pawle, of New-
inn, Strand, represented General Shirley, who was
present during the proceedings.
The following letters, having an important bear-
ing on the case, according to the opening state-
ment of the learned gentleman (Mr. Lewis, jun.),
were read during the proceedings on Tuesday, but
not given in the reports that appeared on the fol-
lowing day :
" Brookside Lodge, Rugby, Sunday, June 2, 1861.
"Darling Little Annie,—According to promise I write
you these few lines to say how much I enjoyed myself in
your charming society on Fria..., h.at. and how mach T
should like to live_ themagain. ot
nere yesterday and have been thinking of
_g__
since. Pray write to me here and tell me how you are, and
what you have been doing since we parted, and whether
you were scolded when you got home, and, in fact, all about
yourself, for everything on that subject is now most inte-
resting to me. I have never met any one in whom I have
felt more deeply interested, and the sad and thoughtful
look which I sometimes observed in your pensive mood has
been ever since present to my mind's eye. I long to see
more of you, and to know you better, and to study your
thoughts. Shall I ever be able to do so, and will you ever
admit me to your confidence and friendship? These are
questions I often ask myself, but, of course, am unable to
answer. I think all sorts of things of you ; in many, if not
in all, of which I dare say lam quite —. I picture to
myself your early days, your sufferings at the sad tale of
your mother's neglect of you, &c. ; and when I think you
must have something even more to bear than that ; for un-
less I am greatly deceived in you, there has been a wound
in your heart even more severe and more deep-seated than
grief for a mother or the loss of relatives. I ask you not to
tell me, for time alone brings confidence, and without con-
fidence there can be no warmer and more endearing feeling.
I am as yet nearly a stranger to you, and though 1 told
you something of myself, it was but a very small portion of
all I could tell you of my sufferings, and losses, and disap-
pointments in this world of woe and bitter trial. I send you
something apropos to " the Voice," of which subject I am
reminded by your soft and silvery tones, which still seem
to haunt my ears. Will you read the enclosed extract and
then return it to me, as it is in the handwriting of a very
dear old friend, since dead. I hope to see your dear face
again on Friday next, on which day I shall be in town, and
shall be glad if you can manage to meet me, and if you
could so make your plans with your friends in Aberdeen
Villas as to leave town with me for Saturday and Sunday,
just for a run in the country ; or a trip to the sea side, need
I say how happy and delighted I should be of your society,
and how much good you would be doing me in distracting
me from melancholy thoughts, and in making me forget all
the wretched past in the tranquil pleasures of the present,
with joyous thoughts for the future and autumn of my
existence ? Do this and your kindness and benevolence
will never be forgotton.—Yours most affectionately,

ARTIIIJR
" Brookside, Rugby, Tuesday.

" My darling little Annie,—A thousand thanks for yoir
kind and welcome letter. I shall hope to see you and to
press you again to my heart on Friday next, and pray come
and meet me that afternoon at 4 o'clock, at the address I
gave you, at 22, Charlotte-street, Portland Tlace, and will
take you out in the evening, either to Sydenham or else-
where, and I hope you will arrange to stay with me, as I
previously asked you—till Monday next, at all events, when
I may perhaps persuade you to come and see my little place
in the country. I will object to no conditions which you
may impose upon me, save one, that I may be your con-
stant, constant and faithful companion whilst you are with
me, It is most kind of you to say that you long to know me
better, and to study my thoughts more closely. I live such
a reserved and secluded life here in the country that I feel
at times quite out of this busy world, and really the less I
see of it the happier I feel. Pray, write to me to-morrow,
and tell me not only all about year dear self, but all your
wishes, and all your feelings in regard to me, and then I
shall begin to think you really have some affection for me.
It makes me happy to hear that you will be faithful to me
tilolltht, fori be assured, you have never been out of my
Ptere:l;)ittsvfoor a moment since last we parted, and the sweet
writtraleiiur silvery voice are for ever ringing in my ear.
receive it
prevent
eu a very long letter to-morrow, and I shall
eta. Zsday morning; and let nothing happen
I to
with our spendizetetiong on Friday next, nor to interfere
take you wherever
01,1:tiime together. On Monday I will
; t ian )k! for amusement, in London or
t
)L must not be far away till after
iscd g ule.n °°:
s hh
nothing
town. to keep me longer in
o nn et
yb;h has®
"Adieu, darling, with
erti-
thousands
" remain, dearest Aura,Yoursf kisses,
rd of imp Yours affectionately,
" P.S.-1 am glad to find there Were
no`k‘.ARTHUR S.
nent-remarks Made to you on your return hole,

Adieu."
Mr. Pawle continued his cross-examination or
Miss Thomas as follows : —Gen. Shirley called upon
me at Aberdeen-villas more than once. On the aecollni
d
day of his calling, the 24th or 25th of May, an ap-
pointment was made for us to meet at a music shop
in Oxford-street. It was Kirkman's, and it was
after leaving the shop that he proposed marriage to
me. I did not go to Greenwich to dine with Gen.
Shirley on that day. I went a day or two after,
and reached home about 10 o'clock that night.
Mr. Lewis objected to the course of the exami-
nation, which was merely a repetition of previous
evidence, and

The Arbitrator said a great deal had been brought
on which did not bear upon the records. Mr. Pawle,
however, had better take his own course.
Cross-examination continued—l remember meet-