The Sun.
London, England, 1865-05-31 00:00:00

Trial of Rifles at Woolwich.

A premium of £lOO was some time since offered
by the National Rifle Association to gunmakers and
others, for " the most efficient and serviceable
breech-loading rifle," and yesterday having been
fixed upon as the day on which the competition
should take place, the locality being the Govern-
ment practice range, at Woolwich Arsenal, many
gentlemen connected with the association, or inte-
rested in the subject, assembled at the range. The
principal conditions were that the minimum bore of
each rifle should be .450, and that it should take the
gauge plug provided by the council from muzzle to
breech. The minimum length of the barrel was
fixed at 2ft. 9in., and 3ft. Sin. as maximum, but
makers were at liberty to choose their own form and
material. The pull of the trigger was fixed at a
minimum of 61b. ; and the weight at 91b., full
stocked, with metal ramrods and military sights.
Mechanically-fitting ramrods were prohibited. The
cartridges were to contain their own means of igni-
tion, and it was also intimated that, as far as pos-
sible, cartridges should not occupy greater space in
bulk than the present Enfield ammunition.

Yesterday only three rifles complying with these
conditions were produced ; one by Mr. Henry, one
by Mr. Westley Richards, and a third, by Mr.
Joslyn, an American. A Mount Storm rifle, one by
Mr. Daws, and another by a German maker were
withdrawn, or at least were not competed with.
The weather was as unfavourable for accurate
shooting as could possibly be conceived, for the wind
blew half a gale across the marsh ; bftt as the gun-
makers did not object to compete under the circum-
stances, of course no opposition was offered by the
representatives of the National Rifle Association.
The force of the wind was, however, so great
that on firing the first trial shots (five being allowed
to each competitor), the bullets hit the wrong target,
although the rifles were laid with great accuracy,
and were fired from fixed mechanical rests. Shoot-
ing began about noon, and by the conditions which
regulated the trials 20 rounds were fired from each
rifle at 800 yards as a test of accuracy, and after-
wards 100 from the shoulder as fast as the rifle could
be loaded and discharged. The tests were repeated
until each competitor had fired 60 rounds for accu-
racy and 300 rounds for rapidity.
The Joslyn rifle is .510 in bore, and takes a charge
of 70 grains of powder. It has seven grooves, with
one turn in 3ft. The bullet is 480 grains in weight.
In the trial of this rifle for accuracy of firing, the
first 20 shots all fell short, and did not reach the
target, probably from a want of proper elevation.
Of the second 20 10 hit, but were all to the left and
high. In the third round the whole of the 20 were
hits, but were widely scattered about. In the trials
for rapid firing, the first 100 rounds were fired in 9
min. 7 sec., the second 100 in 8 min., and the third
in 7 min. 20 sec.—a gradual diminution of time
attributable to the man who fired becoming more
and more accustomed to the weapon. It is to be
remarked in favour of this rifle that there was no
missfire throughout the 360 rounds. The powder
and ball are contained in a copper tube, the ignit-
ing medium being at the end, and on being struck
by the hammer the explosion ensues. The copper
tube is pre muted from entering the rifle by a rim at
the base, and is withdrawn previous to reloading.
The Westley Richards rifle has a bore of .450,
and is fired with 70 grains of powder. The 60 shots
for accuracy were well aimed, and in each case there
was a good diagram. The first 100 shots for rapi-
dity were fired in 11 min. 43 sec., and there were
two misses. The second 100 rounds occupied 12
min. 28 sec., with three missfires and one broken
cartridge. The third 100 rounds occupied 15 min.
35 sec., with 14 misses, which accounts for the long

The machinery department of the Exhibition
occupies the extreme right of the building, and is
divided into the "at rest" and "in motion" courts,
in neither of which are the arrangements as com-
plete as could be desired, some English and Scotch
machinists being late in fulfilling their agreements.
A few weeks may elapse before the machines now
in course of erection are fitted up. Although a large
space was devoted to machinery it was found not at
all equal to the requirements of exhibitors, and, in
consequence, all the agricultural and horticultural
implements are exhibited on the premises of the
Royal Dublin Society in Kildare-street. These com-
prise a numerous and interesting collection, but
they excite comparatively little attention, partly in
consequence of their isolation from the Exhibition
itself. The "in motion" court presents the most
attractive features. It.is for the most part connected
with cotton, linen, and woollen manufactures, and
is generally of the most improved kind. Immedi-
ately within the left entrance the workmen are still
busy erecting the large pumping engine for supply-
ing the building with water, working the fountains
in the gardens, and sending hot air through the flues.
The work is still very backward. The engine is be-
ing erected by Messrs. Easton, Amos, and Co., of
London, and will be worked by Mesors. Grendon
and Co., of Balbriggan. One of the great wants of
this country in connection with the extension of
manufactures—namely, cheap fuel, is sought to be
provided for by a firm who exhibit their models
here. Mr. John Hackworth, of Darlington, whose
name is well known in connection with locomotives,
exhibits a high-pressure horizontal engine, with
models of the sections, the peculiar property of
which is to expand the steam on a principle of its
own, and thus acquire greater power at a decreased
consumption of fuel. Mr. Jas. C. Kay, of Bury, Lan-
cashire, also exhibits, in the next section, a horizon-
tal condensing steam engine, in which the same re-
sult is sought to be obtained. It works with patent
safety valves, and the result is greater durability and
freedom from accidents, economy in fuel, and a re-
duction in the amount of labour required to keep
the engines in working condition from the smaller
liability to friction. These improvemen t s are obtained
by the patented valves, which are adapted to any
construction of engine, whether beam, horizontal, or
vertical, or with high or low pressure or steam. En-
gines possessing desiderata such as these will receive
the attention they deserve from all manufacturers
using steam power. The woollen manufacture of
Ireland is represented by Messrs. F. and R. Scott,
of Island-buidge Mills, who exhibit a perfect set of
improved carding machines at work, constructed by
Mr. J. Tatham, of Rochdale. All the processes
undergone by wool, from its raw state until it passes
out of the weaver's hands, are here illustrated prac-
tically, and attract much attention, a considerable
space being allotted to the firm, which carries on a
large export trade in connexion with the manufac-
ture of this texture.

The linen goods, the staple commodity of Ulster,
next demand attention. There are several machines
exhibited in connexion with its manufacture. Messrs.
Robert Hay and Sons (late Mr. Wm. Dargan), of
Chapelizod Mills, in the vicinity of this city, have a
complete set of machines for the preparing and
spinning of flax, in full work, the preparing ma-
chines being supplied by Messrs. Fairbairn, of
Leeds, and Farmer and Broughton, of Salford ; the
spinning machines being manufactured by Messrs.
Boyd and Co., of Belfast. Though the Ulster spin-
ners have sent in large quantities of linen goods for
exhibition, there are but few machines exhibited
by them. Mr. W. Friedlander, of Londonderry,
and Messrs. Rowan and Sons, of Belfast, have sent
in rival scutching machines, the respective merits of
which will be tested, probably, in the course of the
summer. They are made by Messrs. Dobson and
Barlow, of Bolton, and Messrs. Rowan. Last year,
at the exhibition of Irish manufactures, a trial match
took place between five scutching machines by diffe-
rent makers ; but the result was unsatisfactory, the
Ulster men appointed as umpires deciding that none
of them met all the requirements of the growers.
This year the trial will be made on somewhat diffe.
rent terms, and is looked forward to with much in-
terest, the agriculturists of the south and west of
Ireland, who are endeavouring to extend the growth
of flax, being anxious to secure the best machine.

A large space has been very judiciously allotted
to the improved cotton machines exhibited and
worked by Messrs. Dobson and Barlow, of Bolton,
and which form aninterosting feature in this depart-
ment. Several newly patented improvements are
here shown, for the first time, to the public. By a
new arrangement in the self-acting mule afar better
quality of yarn is produced. This firm exhibit their
" patent improved cotton gin," which turns out very
considerably more work with much less labour than
the ordinary gins. It is adapted for long or short
stapled cotton, and constructed so as to suit parti-
cularly the fibre grown in India. It is expected that
an important trial will be made during the summer
with the cotton gins with a view to ascertain the
best fitted for the Indian growers, the experiment to
take place under Government superintendence. The
object sought for is a machine that will best clear
the cotton of India of seed and waste matter before
exportation, and thus lower the cost of transit as
much as possible in order to enable Indian cultiva-
tors to compete with 'growers nearer home.
The other machines include a very miscellaneous
collection. Mr. Sturgeon, of Leeds, exhibits a
patent steam-hammer with a self-acting and self-
adjusting valve motion and embracing several im-
provements. The hammer itself weighs 1 cwt.,but
strikes a blow equal to 21 tons. Mr. William D.
Grimshaw, of Mitcham, has among other articles
an " improved atmospheric hammer," simple in its
contrivance, and cheap, and completely under the
control of the worker as to speed and weight of
blow. It is worked at a considerably less consump-
tion of power than the ordinary steam-hammer.
Mr. Robinson, of Bridgewater, has a neat and effec-
tive cask-cleaner, capable of thoroughly cleansing

. .
two barrels in a short space of time, A model of a
cask-cleaner, equal to the cleansing of ten barrels, is .
exhibited by Messrs. DavisOn and SAllamei, of Lou- 2'7;
don, who also show a patent therMatiter
-io- or
peller of heated air. Messrs. Pim, liratt6r—nrittn:
Co., of Dublin, have a silk winding nihthinaat S
work. The only manufacturer of linen checks in
Ireland, Mr. S. S. Moss, of Balbriggan, has a power.
loom at work, and a number of looms of a some-
what similar description are worked by the Green-
mount Spinning Company,having been manufactured
by Messrs. Dugdale and Sons, of Blackburn. A
novel self-acting machine, constructed by Messrs.
Southell and Heap, of Staleybride, for securing
the soles and paring and glazing the heels of boots
and shoes, is worked by Messrs. M'Dowell and Son,
of this city, who have purchased it. It works with
rapidity and success, and is regarded with much .
interest. " Sketchley's universal joiner," worked
by Messrs. Beardwood and Son, and the wood-
working machines shown by Noble and Collier, and
Charles Powis and Co., of London, possess many
commendable features. Letterpress and lithograph
printing is represented by two firms, the Official -
Printing Company of Dublin, and Messrs.
Hughes and Kimber, the latter firm working
Huguet's patent French lithographic gripper. All
the machines used are small and neat, adapted to
general work, but possessing no very remarkable
features. Messrs. Smythe and Co., of Balbriggan,
have two stocking-weaving machines at work—
hosiery, a trade for which Balbriggan has acquired
no little fame. The machines are an old and an
improved one, illustrating the advances made in this
manufacture. The new machine weaves two, while
the old only produces one stocking at a time. They
were manufactured by Messrs. S. and J. Ward, of
Nottingham. Messrs. Edmundson and Co., of
Capel-street, Dublin, exhibit an interesting lot of
novel machinery, including Lenoir's Gas Engine,'
with a newmotive power, in whichgas anda.galvanie „_
battery are the chief agents. They have also their
portable apparatus for the manufacture of gas in
isolated buildings, and Handcock's Butter Puri-
fier,' for restoring butter preserved with salt to its
original freshness. The latte,r is simple; and appears
to effect its object without much difficulty. Messrs.
Courtney and Stephens, of Dublin, exhibit a large
and powerful punching machine, specimens of rail-
way materials, and a large slide valve pump and
engine, which work very successfully.
In the Machinery (at rest) Court are a large num-
ber of specimens of railway materials in various
stages of manufacture, shown by a number of exhi-
bitors. Fried Krupp, of Essen, Rhenish Prussia,
has a very interesting collection of cast-steel rails,
plates, and wheels, and two rifled cannon, one of
which is of large calibre. The toughness of one of
the rails has been tested by having it completely
doubled over twice without snapping. The
Rotheram Ironworks Company, Yorkshire, have
also sent railway wheels, tires, and axles ;
and improved permanent ways are exhibited by
Mr. G. E. Dering, of Welwyn, Hertfordshire. The
Dublin and Wicklow Railway Company exhibit
a very fine locomotive manufactured by Messrs.
Neilson and Co., of Glasgow. All the railway
materials seem excellent.

Messrs. William Muir and Co., of Glasgow, ex-
hibit foot lathes, slotting machines, and an im-
proved driller, and D. and J. Greig several admira-
ble machines in connexion with printing and book-
binding. One stand in this court deserves notice,
that of Mr. W. H. Ward, of New York, who ex-
hibits several neat models of inventions in con-
nection with railways and steamboats that have
recently been the subject of some discussion. They
include a patent safety saloon and air-spring car-
riage, supplied with hand and self-acting brakes,
ventilators, and alarm-bell arrangements, contrived
on an ingenious plan. Ward's system of fog and
flag signals at sea are illustrated, and appear fea-
sible. The same exhibitor shows a patent bullet
machine, " capable of delivering 60,000 bullets per
hour of any serviceable pattern." Models of a
simple and effective railway turn-table and of a
shell moulding machine are also exhibited, and
attract considerable notice. Some of these inven-
tions have already had substantial recognition of
their merits, and all deserve consideration.
The most remarkable works of art from Rome
and Italy have been already noticed in their places
in the general , collections of statues and pictures.
There are many other things in the Roman and
Italian Courts that will arrest and repay the atten-
tion of the visitor by the pleasure and instruction
which the examination of them will impart.
Cardinal Antonelli has sent a cameo, in white
pietra dura on a dark ground, representing St.
George and the Dragon, by Lanzy. From the
Government establishment of chromo-lithography
we have chromo-lithographic reproductions of the
early Christian monuments, with plates of the
universal history of the Church, and a reliquary
executed in 1864 from the design of Commendatori
Poletti. Earnesto Pieret exhibits a collection of
cameos, intaglios, &c., by Girometti Martini and
other eminent artists, contained in three frames.
The Minister of Finance and Treasurer-General of
his Holiness has sent a portfolio containing 68 proofs
of the best engravings, executed by the chief Roman
engravers, after the most celebrated paintings of
the great masters ; seventeen proofs of outline en-
gravings from paintings in the chapel of Pope
Nicholas V., with several other collections, among
which is a volume containing 45 engravings in out-
line of the most admired fragments of Greek, Roman,
and 15th century sculpture. There is also in this
department an album containing portraits of all the
Popes, from St. Peter to the present Pontiff, from
the basilica of St. Paul's, beyond the walls ; also ihe
flowers of antique sculpture album, containing
55 photographs, with descriptions by Commenda-
tori, with several minor collections. The Secretary
of the building of St. Peter's sends some of the
mosaic works of the Vatican. There is a large mosaic
picture of St. Peter, after the original by Guido ;
also a representation of the Madonna ; a statuette
representing Nydnia, the blind girl of Pompei ; a
small mosaic picture of the Roman Forum, another
of the Pantheon, and a third of the Temple of Vesta.
The Kingdom of Italy bears a very distinguished
part in the Exhibition. She has furnished no less
than 80 statues, from 40 of her best artists. It is
needless to add that the names of Lombardi, Ben-
zoni, Jacometti, Giacomo, Salvatori, Galletti, and
a dozen more Italian names, belong to Italy, though
their productions are exhibited in the Roman de-
partment; so that the whole of the Central Court
may be regarded as an illustration of Italian genius,
which still leads Europe in the fine arts. The statue
of " the Reading Girl," by Professor Kugeri, of
Milan, is the admiration of every visitor. Pan-
diani's " "the Governess," by Rigamonti,
Lazzorini's three statues —" the Teacher," " the
Nymph going to Bathe," and " Vanity "—are ad-
mirably- executed, the marble being of the most
costly description. Verdes " Spring" is a very fine
specimen of the professor's skill, and Cocchi's
Young Michael Angelo carving the Head of a
Faun," his first work, is considered a masterpiece in
statuary. Among the Italian contributions there is
some deficiency in oil and watercolour painting, but
I am assured that about ninety pictures, both of the
old and modern painters, are expected in a few days.
There are, however, some gems of the old masters.
There is a fine collection of bronzes, coins, and
medals, exhibited by Signor Joet, a gentleman from
Reggio del l'Amelia, who spent a large fortune and
many years of his life in forming a museum, such
as is seldom possessed by a private individual, and
which is a credit to the country to which the exhi-
bitor belongs.
In the lower part of the Italian Court the splen-
did mosaics, both in marble and wood, from Flo-
rence, attract the attention of every visitor. Signor
Bazzanti's tables in pietra dura arc jewels that can-
not be easily surpassed. Fortuna's ebony cabinet,
inlaid with ivory, with a copy of the " Dance of
Cupids," painted by Albano ; Gargiulo's inlaid
mosaic table in wood, Gatti's inlaid furniture, Mon -
teneri's mosaics in wood, and Severia's ebony table
and ebony cabinet inlaid with ivory, representing
Middle-age costumes, are all highly-finished works,
showing to what a degree of perfection this art has
been carried in Italy. Boni's frames, chimney-
pieces; statues, busts, and ornaments deserve par-
ticular attention. The Royal Mining Institution of
Italy exhibits a collection of minerals, among
which there is some gold from the Valley of Aosta.
The Minister of Public Instruction has sent a col-
lection of educational books, forming a complete set,
from the primary instruction to the highest branches
of literature and science.

The Hibernian brings us no very startling intel-
ligence from New York, excepting that the war is
not yet finally extinguished. There is still life
enough left in the smouldering *embers to break
out into a blaze with very little kindling, and Texas
at least, with its rich natural resources, is not very
willing to resign itself to the re-establishment of
Northern supremacy. The North may look with
some uneasiness on the indications of martial spirit
now visible in the West, for the possibility of a junc-
tion between the Southern troops still in the field
and the forces of the Emperor of MEXICO compli-
cates very much the prospects of the future. It
might be supposed that in view of this contingency
the Washington Cabinet would carefully avoid any
subject of dispute with Mexico, but, in accordance
with their recklessness in other respects, they have
suffered the recruiting of JUAREZ'S forces to be
openly carried on in their cities, and have taken
every opportunity of loudly proclaiming the MON-
ROE doctrine, which is directly aimed at the throne
of MAXIMILIAN. The South, aided by Mexico,
and with France in the background, would occupy
a very different position from the South, scattered
and defeated, with its President captured, and
its chief General disarmed. There are still
elements of strife in the American system,
which a very little aggravation would call
forth into prominence. The Washington
Government admits that there remains something to
be done in Texas, for SIIERIDAN has been despatched
thither " to extinguish the rebellion."
Meanwhile we learn that President D Avis, with
his family and several of his associates, has reached
Fort Monroe in safety, and has been confined there,
awaiting his trial, which it is now said will take
place before a civil tribunal. It is very much to be
regretted that the Southern President did not carry
out his escape with a little more caution. If the
party had dispersed, and each hurried secretly and
swiftly to the coast, JEFFERSON DAVIS, at least,
might be out of reach of Federal garrisons, and the
South would have preserved its most enlightened
champion, while the North would have been saved
from a painful dilemma.

Our Reformers in the Midland Counties are de-
termined not to suffer the charge of inaction or
indifference to be brought against them. Meetings
are being got up and every effort made to excite the
interest of the working classes in their own political
enfranchisement. It is not very likely, whatever
may be the effect of these assemblies, that they will
succeed in extorting a Reform Bill from the present
Government, nor that the moribund House of Com-
mons will trouble itself, in its last session, to enter-
tain the idea of any great political change. Two
or three of the standard topics of debate have
indeed been brought forward from time to time
but no great energy has been shown in their discus-
sion on the last occasion ; indeed the members of
the Cabinet so carefully avoided the awkward and
compromising topic that their caution attracted the
notice of the House, and their ingenious endeavour
to postpone the debate indefinitely entirely defeated
itself. But the question of Reform will naturally
come upon the hustings, and it ought in fact to bo
made a prominent condition in any terms made be-
tween representatives and electors. The consti-
tuencies themselves have undoubtedly been
somewhat to blame for the very half-hearted
and insincere Reformers whom they have sent
to represent their interests and to fight
the battle of an amended Constitution within the
walls of Parliament. Elected nominally on a Re-
form question, the House, which is now creeping
through its last dull days, has been of as little service
to the cause of Reform as it Was possible for an
assembly of enlightened Englishmen to be. If we
have another
.such representative body sent to St.
Stephens, it will not certainly speak much for the
political intelligence of the electors. The meeting
held at Birmingham on Monday evening, by the
members of the Reform League, advocated a wide
extension of the suffrage, and vote by ballot. One
of the gentlemen who addressed the assembly,
expressed a hope that they would obtain the assist-
ance of the middle classes in the enfranchisement of
the working men, since the former had been much
indebted to them for their aid in 1832 ; but this
help they have never been able to obtain. The
middle classes have never given a cordial encourage-
ment to those below them to rise to the same level,

Mr. MOFFATT last night called the attention of
the House to the Bankruptcy Laws, and the hon.
gentleman truly observed that the manner in which
this subject was treated by Parliament was most
unfortunate, and affected the mercantile community
very disadvantageously. He moved that "in the
opinion of this House the report of the Select Com-
mittee on the Bankruptcy Act of 1861 deserves the
prompt and serious consideration of her MAJESTY'S
Government." The motion was agreed to, which
was so far satisfactory, and it is to be hoped that
some good results will ensue therefrom. Mr.
MOFFATT showed that the Act of 1861 had not suc-
ceded at all, and in fact had been a failure.
Before its passing the number of bankruptcies was
not more than twelve hundred, and under the pre-
sent system it had increased to seven thousand five
hundred, and the consequence of the inability of
creditors to recover any of their losses makes the
whole transaction a stereotyped system which de-
feats the ends of justice. The committee very
wisely recommended a very extensive scheme of
reform, and there is not wanting abundant proofs
that such is necessary. The estates that yield at
the commencement ten and fifteen shillings in the
pound, finally can offer only a dividend of two,
three, or four shillings. In conclusion, the
hon. member urged the Government to adopt
measures that would " remedy a position of
affairs deplorable to the mercantile community, and
not honourable to the Legislature of the country.'.
Mr. BEECROFT ably exposed the inconsistent course
pursued by the Government respecting the Bank-
ruptcy Laws. They prepared a very good measure
in 1860, but to the astonishment of every one they
abandoned it, and next year brought in a most
unsatisfactory bill, which they insisted on passing.
The Leeds Chamber of Commerce are wise in
their view of the matter when they wish
that the winding up of the insolvent estates
should not be left in the hands of the
court, or of any body of officials. The Scotch
system is infinitely preferable to ours in these
banbruptcy details, and the sooner the magnates
of our law consent to take a lesson from their
northern brethren the better. Prejudice has too
long prevailed in respect to this unfortunate ques-
tion, but the common sense of the community is
arrayed against the judgment of those who pervert
reason to their own ends, and trifle with important
interests in order to gain their own objects. It is too
bad that all this confusion should arise in conse-
quence of want of proper care and caution being
paid to the subject by those who should know better,
and experience has shown that all the parade and
fuss which were made about the change in the laws
of bankruptcy might as well not have been made, for
no one at all competent to judge of the matter ap-
proves of them. The Attorney- General declared that
the Government would recognise the duty of taking
the recommendations of the committee into serious
and prompt consideration. Some of the sugges-
tions of the committee are very good—as, for in-
stance, the abolition of imprisonment for debt, and
the removal from the Bankruptcy Courts of all
cognisance of fraudulent acts, and transferring
such matters to the ordinary courts. It is
to be hoped that the Government will realise
the expectation held out last night by their legal
representative in the Commons, and that thus some
of the anomalies which so perplex our commercial
community and disgrace our legislative skill may be
abolished.

The deputation that waited upon Mr. VILLIERS
yesterday on the subject of Medical Inspection of
Workhouse Hospitals treated of a question that
has lately assumed great importance. The deputa-
tion came from the Workhouse Visiting Society, and
set before the right hon. gentleman, the President of
the Poor-law Board, substantial reasons in support
of their proposal. Mr. BUXTON, M.P., said that,
at any rate, there was no doubt as to the necessity
of improvement in workhouse hospitals. If medical
inspectors were appointed, the sick poor would re-
ceive many great advantages in the way of "advice,
medicine, and other comforts." It seems strange,
indeed, that something of this kind has not
been thought of before, but no one can now
take upon themselves to say that there have not
been striking instances adduced to show the neces-
sity of some change being introduced. The details
of the sufferings of the victims of Union treatment
have horrified and scandalised the community, and
aroused the indignation of right-thinking persons.
Some of the statements drawn up were particu-
larly excellent, and especially that one which
sets forth that " the united service of advice and
medicines is not calculated to obtain the best of
either." This is, indeed, one of the greatest
stumbling-blocks in the whole affair, and creates a
great deal of mischief and misery. Another
admirable one is that which condemns the
system of paupers nursing the paupers being
often morally and physically unfit for the duties
imposed upon them. Dr. GOODFELLOW said that he
regretted to notice that lunatics and criminals were
much better treated than the poor, and the salaries of
union surgeons were often such as to prevent any
respectable surgeon from taking the employment.
Mr. VILLIERS agreed so far with the proposal of
the deputation as to state that there would be
propriety in at least occasional visits to work-
houses by physicians of eminence, and he hoped
to bring in a bill to remedy a serious obstacle in
theth e
"localwa yo
of such reforms being introduced—namely,
acts," which gave the guardians the
power to resist the authority of the Board. So far
all seems satisfactory., and wo must hope that this
excellent suggestion will ultimately receive the
attention which it merits.

ACTS or PARLIAMENT.—The present session has
produced $0 public Acts of Parliament a 41 51. local Acts.

'IYS.

Cash. Acct.
Orleans
Northern lO6B 75 1065
Lyons and Mediterranean B9l 25 ... 891 25
Southern 595 593 75
Western 527 50 ... 525
Eastern
Sardinian
Austrian
Lombard 490 ... 490
North of Spain '227 50 230
Saragossa
Ditto to Barcelona 155 ... 150

TURKEY.
CONSTANTINOPLE, May 22.

The submission of the Taurus chiefs turns out to
have been a feint, either to gain time for measures
of resistance, or to delay the proposed expedition
till the sweltering heats of July and August should
have rendered any effective operations impossible.
The two Derebeys who were to have come to the
capital a month ago to tender their subjection and
receive investiture from the Porte, have made no
sign of doing so, and information from the neigh-
bouring pashalic of Adama, making it clear that
nothing of the kind was really intended, the Go-
vernment has lost no time in sending off the first
detachments of the expeditionary force on the scale
originally proposed. On Friday last Dervish Pasha
and Djerided Effendi, respectively the Commander-
in- C hief of the force and the Imperial Commissioner
to be attached to it, had their audience of the Sul-
tan, and sailed the following afternoon for Alex-
andretta on board a screw liner, accompanied
by a ,couple of heavy frigates and two corvettes,
carrying the quota of troops furnished to the expe-
dition by the army of the capital. Another frigate
has at the same time been telegraphed to proceed
from Alexandria to Candia to embark two bat-
talions from the garrison of that island. With the
detachments to be supplied from Aleppo the whole
" regular" strength of the force will thus be raised
to 15,000 men, exclusive of 2,000 Bashi-bazouks
furnished from Erzingham. With such a force it
can hardly be doubted that a month or six weeks'
campaign will bring the recalcritant Derebeys effec-
tually to their senses.

Abd-el-Kader continues to be the object of the
most flattering attention on the part of the Sultan
and the Government generally. On Wednesday
last the Grand Vizier personally carried to him the
decoration of the first class of the Oswaine, with
the large star in brilliants. This is the very highest
class of the order, which is itself the highest in
Turkey, and, besides the Sultan himself, is only
worn by two or three of the chief dignitaries of the
Empire.

During the past ten days the Emir has paid re-
peated visits to all the legations, except those of
Austria and Spain, as also the local agency of the
Pope. These three Governments are, it is said,
the only ones in Europe which does not express
gratitude for his protecting services to the Christians
during the Damascus massacres, and he accordingly
now repays their neglect in kind. He is remain
hero for another six weeks, when he will proceed:to
Paris in accordance with the invitation of the
Emperor.
A negotiation is spoken of between Mr. Laing
and the Ottoman Societe Generale, which is likely
to result in the latter taking part in the forthcoming
conversion of the home debt. Though the Ottoman
bank is a large constituent of the Societe its antago-
nism to the measure is said not to be shared by the
chief local members of the latter Company, whose
estimate of the scheme, it is alleged, differs widely
from that expressed in the pamphlet put
forth by the Paris and London boards of the bank.
The adherence of the Societe to the measure would
effectually insure at least its loca: success.
Surfet l'asha, the new ambassador to Paris, pro-
ceeds to his post by the Kustendjee mail of Thursday
next.

Sir henry Bulwer's trip to the Suez Canal has,
it seems, convinced him that as a mere matter of
construction the work is quite practicable, but at the
same time his opinion as to the political impolicy,
if not actual peril, of permitting M. Lesseps to carry
out his little game in the collateral—but really most
important—matters of the fresh water canals and
the belts of territory claimed by the Compagnie
Universelle has deepened into a conviction
that for the sake of the Porte and of
all otker interests concerned—except those of
M. Lesseps, and those whose work he is doing—
prompt and resolute action hhould be taken. Such

Mr. Brodrick, in offering himself to the electors
in conjunction with Mr. Peek, remarks :
" I solicit your suffrages as a firm supporter of that con-
stitution under which England has enjoyed so large a share
of freedom, prosperity, and happiness. At the same time, I
am not insensible to the fact that, like all other human in-
stitution; it is susceptible of improvements, provided the
changes made in it are judiciously planned and not of a
sweeping character, so that the original flame of the fabric
should be, as far as possible, preserved. On this ground I
shall offer an uncompromising opposition to any attempts
which may be made to substitute a system of secret for open
voting—the old and constitutional method of eliciting the
sense of the constituencies. If returned as your represen-
tative, I am willing to support such alterations in our re-
presentative system as would extend without lowering the
franchise. A member of the Church of England by convic-
tion, and feeling strongly that she is emphatically the
Church of the poor, I can be a party to no scheme for the
settlement of the church rate question which does not pro-
vide for the due celebration of public worship, and for
the preservation of the venerable fabrics which have
been bequeathed to us by the munificent piety of our
forefathers. I should, however, give my hearty support
to any well-considered measure for the adjustment of a con-
troversy the prolongation of which I regard as an evil. I
am in favour of the exercise of as rigid an economy, with
respect to the national finances, as is consistent with duo
provision being made for the maintenance.of the national
defences and for the support of the honour of our country.
I am, therefore, opposed to all demonstrations which tend
to embroil us with foreign Powers when British interests
are not at stake and British honour has not to be vindicated.
Whenever the circumstances of the Empire admit of a re-
duction being made in the present rate of indirect taxation,
I think that a careful revision of the malt-tax should be,
upon the principles of free trade, among the first of those
points to which the attention of the Legislature should be
directed. Looking to the exceptional burdens which are
imposed upon many ;parishes forming a part or in the
neighbourhood of the metropolis, by the operation of the
present poor-law system, I should be prepared to support
such modifications in it as would spread exceptional taxa-
tion over a wider area than at present. As there are many
fields of action common to individuals differing in religious
creeds and in political opinions I shall always be ready,
while holding my own views firmly and conscientiously, to
co-operate with those who may differ from me on minor
points in every movement for the social and religious ame-
lioration of the condition of the people."