The Sun.
London, England, 1865-09-06 00:00:00

/ v///4. ;//,6d

0. 22,844.

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 6, 1865.

MISS KING'S NEW NOVEL.
Just ready, in 3 vols.,
THE LADY OF WINBURNE,
By ALICE KING.
Author of "Eveline," dz.".
Burst and Blackett, Publishers, 13, Great Marlborough.
street.

Breech-Loading Firearms.

The expediency of arming our troops with breech
instead of muzzle-loading rifles has, ever since the
success attendant on the use of the breech-loader by
the Prussian soldiers in the late Danish war, occu-
pied the attention of the War Department. They
found it impossible altogether to ignore the results
which were produced in that contest by the Prussian
needle-gun, or the efforts which were being made
by the French and Belgian Governments to secure
for their troops a weapon constructed upon a princi-
ple which had proved so advantageous. A select
committee, consisting not simply of inventors or
scientific men, but of officers who had seen long and
varied service, was accordingly appointed in the early
part of last year to take evidence on the subject of
small arms, and to report on the comparative merits
of breech and muzzle-loading rifles. The members
of that committee were Brigadier-Gen.Lefroy, RA.,
president ; Capt. L. G. Heath, C. 8., R.N., vice-
president ; Col. Rogge, C. 8., R.A., Col. Young-
husband, R.A., Lieut.-Col. R. S. Baynes, Lieut.-
Col. Gallwey, R.E., Lieut. -Col. Conolly, Coldstream
Guards, and Capt. M'Crea, 45th Regiment, the five
lastmentioned officers forming a sub-committee, of
which Lieut.-Col. Baynes officiated as president, the
secretaries of the committee and sub-committee being
Capt. Heyman, R.A., and Capt. Haig, R.A. Having
taken some evidence, and having brought to bear
upon that evidence Itle test of their own experience,
the committee unanimously repqrted in favour of
the use of breech-loaders as a more efficient weapon
than the service Enfield. Bat then the War Depart-
ment had in stock for the use of the regular army,
as well as of the Militia and Volunteers, an enor-
mous number of the latter—something like 800,000
stand of arms, so that their replacements by breech-
loaders became, on economical grounds, a matter
for serious consideration. Under those circumstances
the attention of the department was naturally
directed to ascertaining whether any system could
be discovered by means of which a sufficiently large
number of Enfield rifles might be temporarily con-
verted into breech-loaders, and the necessity of hasty
and, as a consequence, unsatisfactory action in the
matter be thus obviated. Proceeding upon this
view, an invitation was in August last, through the
medium of an advertisement in the public journals,
ssued by the War-office to gunmakers and inven-
tors to send in plans for the conversion of the En-
field rifle into a breech-loader, the only conditions
laid down being that the shooting power of the con-
verted arm should not be inferior to that of the
Enfield, and that the cost of conversion should not
exceed £1 per arm. Fifty different systems were,
in answer to the invitation submitted to the notice
of the committee, and from these eight were chosen
for trial as being, prima facie, the most likely to
secure the object which it was sought to attain. The
plans selected were those of Messrs. Mont-Storm,
Westley Richards, 'Wilson, Green, Snider, Joslyn,
and two plans distinguished as plan A and plan B
sent in by Mr. E. C. Shephard. Of these the last
and the four first-mentioned are systems in which
the charge is ignited by cap and nipple in the ordi-
nary manner, the other three being adapted for
cartridges provided with their own means of ignition.
As soon as this selection had been made, 48 Enfield
rifles—or six rifles for each system—perfectly new,
chosen by the superintendent of the Royal Small
Arms Factories, and previously tested for soundness
as well as for accuracy at 500 yards range, were issued
to the seven competitors already named to be con-
verted into breech-loaders in accordance with their
respective plans, and to be returned so converted
within a period of two months, accompanied by
1,000 rounds of such ammunition as each compe-
titor might deem most suitable to his system. The
committee entered upon the first series of experi-
ments—the results of which they detailed in a report
to the War-office, dated February G--on the 9th of
last January, but owing to the circumstance that it
was found impossible to load the rifles converted on
Mr. Shephard's plan B, inasmuch as the cartridges
supplied by him invariably broke to pieces, the
powder clogging the breech, the trial of the plan
was abandoned without a single shot having been
fired. Neither were any experiments made with Mr.
Shephard's plan A, because of imperfection in the
arms and the dangerous nature of the cartridges. The
detention in America of the six rifles converted on
Mr. Joslyn's system, and the unavoidable exclusion
of the systems of Mr. Shephard from the trials thus
caused the experiments with cartridges containing
their own means of ignition, much to the regret of
the committee, to be confined to a single system—
that of Mr. Snider. There remained only this one
breech-loading system and the four already men-
tioned, in which the charge is ignited in the ordinary
manner by cap and nipple, to be put to the test with
the service Enfield. Of the five systems with which
it actua,lly cameinto competition, the first, Mr. Mont-
Storm's, is described as chamber-loading. In the
case of the Enfield rifle converted by him, 2i inches
of the barrel are cut off, and a chamber capable of
containing the powder and bullet substituted—the
joint between this chamber and the barrel being
closed by an expanding ring, by which the escape of
gas is effectually prevented. The chamber moves on
a hinge at its front, and is secured in firing position
by a bolt worked by the lock. The system of Mr.
Westley Richards is identical with that of his
breech-loading cavalry carbine, with the exception
that there is a hook at the end of the plunger, which
is intended to withdraw the paper case of the
cartridge and the wad at its base after each dis-
charge. In Mr. Wilson's plan, the breech of the
Enfield rifle being removed, the barrel is prolonged
backwards for several inches, the upper part of the
added piece being open at the top to admit of its re-
ceiving the cartridge, and having attached a plunger
by the sliding in of which the breech is closed. The
system of Mr. Green resembles that of Mr. Wilson
as regards the closing of the breech, but the plunger
is secured in a different manner ; while, in the case
of Mr. Snider, who dispenses altogether with the
is:is stopper
a
nipple and percussion cap, the method of conversion
is very simple. In accordance with his plan two
inches of the upper part of the Enfield barrel are
cut away at the breech, and a solid breech stopper
w
placed in the opening
thus m
piston passes,
,causing the other end to
onoerk endfinorgsideways
dd.
whichew Throughasn a hinge
o this
when the breech is closed receives
gement for withdrawing
the old cartridge cases after each discharge. The five
it. There
blowT
h communicatefrome
re
is thealsowithhammeratnhea rcentrer of the cartridge and fire
a n
systems thus briefly described were in the first in-
stance tested with the service Enfield for rapidity of
fire with the following result:.,Themean time oc-
cupied in firing 20 rounds on the Mont-Storm sys-
tem was 3 min. 1 sec. ; on Westley Richards's, 3
min. 29 sec. ; on Wilson's, 2 rain. 44 sec. ; Green's,
2 min. 26 sec. ; Snider's, 2 ruin.
46 sec. ; while in
progress of. the trial the cartridges
readiness close to the hand
the case of the unaltered Enfield it was 6 min. 52
in
nguns were fired, so that the
actual service, where the am-
munition would have to be taken from a pouch,
the relative rapidity of fire would be still in

NEW NOVEL BY LADY GEORGIANA FULLERTON.
Now ready, at ail the Libraries,,
CONSTANCE SHERWOOD. A Novel
By Lady GEORGIAN& FULLERTON.
Author of " Too Strange not to be True," "Ladybird," dec.
Richard Bentley, New Burlington-street

NEW NOVEL BY MORTIMER COLLINS.
On Tuesday next, in 3 vols., at all Libraries,
H 0 IS THE HEIR
If I (Reprinted from the "Dublin University Magazine."
John Maxwell and Co., Publishers, 122, Fleet-street.

Frontispiece and Vignette Titlepage, price 60.,
HAND AND GLOVE.
By the Author of "Barbara's History," &c.
London : John Maxwell and Co., 122, Fleet-street.

NEW NOVEL BY MR. HAZLITT.
This day, in 3 vole., at all Libraries,
SOPHY LAURIE
John Maxwell J 5 Co., 122, Fleet-street.

Sold by Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., price 7d., in cloth 13d.,
a New Work on the Teeth, entitled

PURE DENTISTRY, and WHAT IT DOES
FOR US. By A. ESKELL. Grosvenor-street, W.
"From the great, success of the previous work on Dental
Surgery by the same author, we anticipate the above will be
read with avidity by all classes who are interested in discri-
minating between pure and meretricious dentistry."
John C. Clements, Little Pulteney-street.

Now ready, at all the Libraries, in 8 vols.,

LINE : Its Nature, Varieties, and Phenomena,
By LEO LT. GRINDON.

The Publisher begs to announce the issue of the Third
Edition of the above popular work in sixpenny monthly
parts. Parts I. to IX. now ready.
The work can be had complete, in cloth, price 6s. 6d.

. -
" To those who delight in the exercise of their intellectual
powers, these very thoughtful and beautifully-written reflec-
tions will be a welcome boon, and the source long afterwards,
we may rest assured, of many fruitful meditations and plea-
sant memories. —Sun.

London: F. Pitman, 20, Paternoster-row, E.C.

Cloth, price 2s. 6d.,
AHANDBOOK for the MAN of BUSINESS,
applicable to all Departments of Commercial Engage-
ments.

London : F. Pitman. 20, Paternoster-row, B.C.

Extra cloth, price 55.,
SCEPTICISM AND SPIRITUALISM.
The experiences of a Sceptic. By the Authoress of
" AURELIA."

London Pitman, 20, Paternoster-row, E.C.

SELF-INSTRUCTION IN SPELLING.

THE ESSENTIALS OF SPELLING is
admirably adapted to aid adults whose early education
has been neglected, in mastering the difficulties of English
Orthography, without a teacher. Sent post free for 12
stamps.

GLASS, CHINA, EARTHENWARE, and
• CHANDELIER SHOW ROOMS.
Notice of Removal In consequence of the late Fire.

T DEFRIES and SONS' Temporary SHOW
ty • ROOMS.
16 and 17. COMMERCIAL-STREET, WHITECRAPEL,
Five Minutes' walk from their Late Establishment,
147, HOUNDSDITCH.

CRYSTAL and BRONZED CHANDELIERS, New Designs,
for the Dining and Drawing-room, either ior
Gas or Candle.
T DEFRIES and SONS, 16 and 17,
P., • C031111.-RCIAL-STREET.

PETROLEUM LAMPS and WALL LIGHTS, MIRRORS
(for India).

JDEFIIIES and SONS, 16 and 17
• COMMERCIAL-STREET.

TAVERN AND HOTEL GLASS.
Newest Patterns, Correct Measure.
D EFRIES and SONS,
t-T• 18 and 17, COMMERCIAL-STREET.

ALEXANDRA DINNER SERVICES,
For 12. Persona, £1 18s. 6d.
DEFRIES and SONS,
J • 16 and 17, COMMERCIAL-MEET.

TABLE GLASS, CHINA., and EARTHENWARE.
CLUB, MESS, and FURNISHING ORDERS for the above

------ _____
GOODS promptly executed.
T DEFRIES and SONS supply Designs and
t 1 • Pattern Books Free.
Works—LONDON and BIRMINGHAM.

THIS EVENING.—GREAT DISPLAY o:
FIREWORKS.

THIS EVENING.—PaIace Open for Admission
..1. up to EIGHT o'clock. No extra charge. Oue Shilling
only. Although visitors are advised to come early, those
leaving by trains below will be in time :
London Bridge
Victoria ... 7.23
Kensington _ 640
__. __. .

Victoriii (High Level)
Ludgate-hill (ditto)

iFR EAT ST. JAMES'S-HALL—WORLD of
MAGIC, Second Sight, and " Begone. Dull Care,"
every evening at 8. A Day Performance, Saturday, at 3.
" The most varied entertainment in the metropolis."—Vide
the Press. Admission, is.

PROFESSOR and the Misses ANDERSON.—
Farewell season. —World of Magic. Second Sight, and
the original Indian Basket Trick, in conjunction with Fre-
deric (the great) Maccabe, the unrivalled ventriloquist, mimic,
and character actor.

FREDERIC MACCABE, Ventriloquist, Mimic,
&a, in his original entertainment., "Begone, Dull Care,"
"Miss Mary May, " Early in the Morning." Balcony, 2s. •,
reserved seats, Bs. •, stalls, ss, ; at Mr. Austin's office, St.
James's-hall, 28, Piccadilly.
A. NIMMO, Acting Manager.

QTODARE.-154TH REPRESENTATION.-
THEA VRE OF MYSTERY, EGYPTIAN HALL.

•
MARVELS in MAGIC and VENTRILOQUISM, by Col.
STO DARE. The REAL INDIAN BASKET TRICK, and
INS PANTANEOUS GROWTH of FLOWER TREES, as
introduced for the first time in this country cn Easter Mon-
day, April 17, 1865, by Colonel Stodare, and only performed
by hind and the Indian Magicians.
Every evening at 8 (Saturdays included), also on Wednes-
day and Saturday Afternoons at 3. Stalls at Mitchell's, 33,
Old Bond-street, and Box-office, Egyptian Hall. Admission,
Is., 25., and 3s.
"Almost miraculous."—Vide Times, April 18,1865.

T HE OXFORD.
6, OXFORD STREET, W.
The Oxford and Canterbury Hall Company (limited).
SIXTY-SIX, by J. Offenbach, performed by
Misses Russell, Barrie, Waimea,ley, Tyrell ; Messrs. A. St.
Albyn, Husk, and Green, with full Band and Chorus.
, Conductor Mr. F. Jonghmans.

~.
Balle', Comedy, Burlesque, &c., by the celebrated D'An-
bans, Messrs. Duriah and Davis, and the Misses TESSY
and SARA GIMINISS.

NOTICE —The Oxford has been entirely Redecorated,
Altered, Newly Lighted, and Ventilated, and now is one of
the most agreeable places of resort in the kingdom.—OPEN
EVERY EVENING at Eight o'clock.

The Classical Ballet, entitled TH BRIDAL of BEAUTY,
in which Miss TESSY GUNNISS will make her re appear-
ance THIS EVENING.

Admission—Area, 6d.; stalls and balcony, Is. ; private
boxes, 10s. 6d.

CANTERBURY HALL.
KO KO RI KO.
This wonderful entertainment, having proved the greatest
hit ever made, will be repeated EVERY EVENING, in ad_
dition to the Operatio Selotions, supported by the whole
talent of the establishment.

Comedy, Burlesque, and Ballet by Mrs. and Mr. Randall,
Messrs. Duriah and Davies, the Do 'Aubans, and Arthur
Lloyd.
Director, Mr. F. Jongmans.
All visitors to London at this season should pay a visit to
the above establishment.

MADAME TUSSAUD'S EXHIBITION,__
Established 30 years, at the Bazaar, Baker-street.

NEW ADDITIONS.—In accordance with the season, the
Exhibition has been entirely re-embellished. The whole of
the ancient Court Dresses of the most costly description,
faithfully copied from the most minute pictures, have been
renewed. Modern Court Dresses of the most splendid de-
scription, selected from the first houses in Paris and London.
and probably never equalled or surpassed, are now on view.
Life-size Models of DOCTOR E. W. PRITCHARD and
CONSTANCE KENT are now added.
Open from 11 a.m. till 10 p.m.
Admittance, One Shilling; Extra Rooms, Sixpence.

ARGYLL ROOMS, Great Windmill-street,
Piccadilly. will RE-OPEN for the Season on SATUR-
DAY, Sept. 9. The above Rooms have been entirely re-
decorated by Herr Rubardt and assistants.
Musical Director, M. LUIGI CURTL
Manager, Mons. GRENET.
Doors open at half-past 8 o'clock; close five minutes to 1!
o'clock.

favour of the system m which caps would not
be required. As the matter stands, it may very
fairly be assumed that the repeating power of
breech over muzzle-loading arms is as two to one in

systems in which the percussion cap is used, and as
three to one in systems adapted to cartridges carry-
ing with them their own appliances for ignition.
The ammunition employed by Mr. Westley Richards,
it
thatmay
u s
ebde added,b y te
odthiffereredN'eryconsiderably from
competitors in the form of
the bullet, which has no cavity, but is solid, with a

The power of penetration of the respective sys-
tems was put to the test by firing five rounds from

two rifles of each class at half-inch elm boards,
which had been previously soaked in water, and
which were placed in a frame half an inch apart,
at a range of 30 yards. The result of the ex-
periment is given in the report in the following
form :—Penetration of the Westley Richards
arm, 1.3.:1 planks ; Storm's, 14 ; Wilson's 111 ;
Snider's, 11; Green's, 101. The superior powers of
penetration thus exhibited by the Westley Richards
rifle the committee believe to be due to the heavier
charges of powder used, as well as to the construc-
tion of the bullet. Since the date of their first re-
port the committee have also made a further expe-
riment to test the comparative rapidity of firing of
the five systems under their notice, the arms being
loaded as they would be in actual service, the caps
in the case of the systems which required them
being carried in the service pouch and taken out for
every round in the usual manner. The time taken
to fire 20 rounds under these circumstances was—

with the Snider rifle, 2 min. 35 sec. ; Green's, 3 min
18 see.; Storm's, 4 min. 23 sec. ; Wilson's, 4 min.

34 sec. ; Westley Richards', 4 min. 44 sec. ; and
the service Enfield, 7 min. 20 sec. On the score of

rapidity of firing, therefore, Mr. Snider's system
stands first in order, and the committee while
stating that in point of accuracy it was inferior to

to the unconverted Enfield, express a hope that Mr.
Snider will be able so to perfect his principle as to

rim at its.base which projects beyond the body. In
order, however, to place the different systems on
equality so far as ammunition was concerned, 500
additional rounds of cartridge for each system,
made up in the same way, were supplied, and after
three nights' exposure to the weather, and daily'

design an ammunition that will realise all the ad-
vantages afforded by the form of construction which
he has adopted, as contrasted with that in which
caps are employed. After a careful consideration of

the various experiments which form the subject Of
both their published reports, the committee state

that they have arrived at the following conclu-

SiOllS :--

" That none of the altered arms, except, perhaps, that of
Mr. Westley Richards, come up to the condition, as to ac-
curacy of shooting, of the advertisement of the 25th of
August, 1864—namely, that the shooting of the converted
arm shall not be inferior to that of the unaltered arm. That,
of the systems of conversion in which the ordinary mode of
capping is employed, Storm's is, on the whole, superior to
the others in its general efficiency, its :shooting qualities
being nearly equal to those of the Enfield rifle, and there

being no escape of gas at the breech ; but looking to the
obvious disadvantages which a breech-loader requiring a
cap presents when contrasted with one adapted for a cart-
ridge carrying its own ignition, the committee do not feel
themselves justified in recommending the system of Mr.

Montgomery Storm for the proposed conversion of the En-
field rifle, although it is the one which on other grounds has

most nearly united all the qualifications desired in an arm
to be obtained by conversion, and the committee think that

great credit is due to Mr. Storm for the degree of perfection
to which he has brought it." _ .

The committee having also stated that the systems
of Messrs. Wilson and Green did not approach the
required standard of accuracy, end their report by
making the following observations on the whole
question submitted to them for investigation :
" The ultimate armament of the infantry with breech-
loading weapons is determined upon. It would be done at
a comparatively small cost by conversion; but it is now well
known that the calibre, twist, and form of rifling of the En-
field is not the most favourable for fine shooting, and it is
quite certain that no converted arms can possess the preci-
sion which will bo easily attained in a new breech-loader
of smaller gauge and quicker twist. Nor will the soldier be
able to carry that increased quantity of ammunition which is
so desirable without a reduction of calibre. If under these
circumstances, and notwithstanding the great outlay which
will attend it, the Government adhere to the decision to in-

.roduce a now small-bore breech-loader as soon as there is a

pattern ready, the committee do not think it desirable to

Proceed at present with conversion on a large scale ; but as
there are purposes which may be answered by the converted

arms, and as the experience to be acquired by the conversion
may have some bearing on the larger question, they recom-
mend that Mr. Snider be encouraged to pursue his experi-
ments by the promise that, on the production of a pattern
arm which shall give satisfaction to the committee, 1,000
muskets (or enough to arm one battalion) shall be placed in
his hands for conversion. The extension of the operation
should depend upon the success of the experiments about to
be entered upon with the new small-bore weapons, the pro-
bability of their early introduction, and the reports of the
battalion or battalions to which the converted arms may be
issued. There are certain circumstances in which, notwith-
standing all the inconveniences which will attend the co-
existence of unaltered arms, converted arms, and new arms,
with their different ammunitions, it may still be desirable to
proceed with the conversion, on the ground of its small cost,
and of the less time in which the arms can be turned out,
but the committee do not feel in a position at present to
recommend such a measure."

It may be inferred from these remarks that, al-

7gitt.-
1:44v
4„ A/
- 4.:4J,11 111"
\INF-
ya
,'" ./ 4 /
I 4'
,/ • . .
_ .
.4\ -
r;2' tibl 01 \
~'u, • - •
ti
I DIE • ;i; til,lllNt. •
.aggh •
t
IL/ • tog .V:VA•
4°l'l
ff'e."-41 Dr OIT. .w' 4,1
-

firing in accordance with the programme laid down,
three targets of 20 shots each were ordered to be
made, with the rifles constructed on the several
plans, on fixed rests, at 500 yards range, with a view
to test their relative liability to fouling. The result
showed a mean deviation in the case of the Mont-
Storm plan of 2.58 ; in that of Westley Richard's,
of 1.81 ; Wilson's, of 2.19 ; Green's, 3.59 ; Snider's,
5.00 ; and in that of the service Enfield of 1-64. By
this time 270 rounds had been fired from each rifle
uncleaned, the number of miss-fires being—Westley
Richard's 1; Snider's, 8, some due to the imperfect
manufacture of the rifle used, and others to faulty
caps ; service Enfield, 1. The first series of experi-
ments having been concluded, the rifles were taken
to pieces and carefully inspected by Mr. Gunner,
inspector of small arms at Enfield, who reported
that, while the breech arrangements in all con-
tinued in a sound state, the stocks of Nos. 1 and 2,
those of Mr. Westley Richards ; of No. 7, Mr.
Wilson's ; and No. 9, Mr. Storm's, were broken. A
further examination of the whole of the arms be-
longing to each of the five systems led the commit-
tee, as stated in the report, to the conclusion that
Mr. Snider's plan was that in which the wood of the
original stock was least cut away and weakened ;
Mr. Storm, being placed next in order in this res-
pect, and the remaining three on very much the
same level. Upon the first series of experiments
being concluded. a second soon followed, which had
reference principally to the value of the several sys-
tems tried for range, accuracy, and power of pene-
tration. The details of these experiments are fur-
nished by the committee in second report, which is
dated the 14th of March, and from them it ap-
pears that the mean radial deviation of the dif-
ferent arms at 500 yards range was as follows :
Westley Richards, 1.73 ; Storm, 2.07 ; Wilson,
2.09 ; Snider, 4.63 ; Green, 4-67 ft. while the mean
deviation of the guns as ascertained at Enfield
before the conversion was only Fl 9. Tried at a
range of 800 yards the Westley Richards' system
showed a mean deviation of 2.55 ; Storm's, 4.16 ;
Wilson's, 4.35 ; Snider's, 4.87 ; and Green's, 7-56 ft. ;
the average deviation at the same distance obtained
in practice with the Enfield in 1864 being 3-93. It
will be seen, therefore, that at 800 yards' range
Mr. Westley Richards's system alone gives a result
more favourable than that shown by the uncon-
verted arm, while none of the systems equal the
average shooting of that arm at a range of 500
yards. The bad shooting of the Snider rifles at the
latter range the sub-committee attribute chiefly to
insufficiency of powder, while the comparatively
good results secured at 800 yards they believe to be
due to the use by Mr. Snider of the service charges
and bullet. The superior accuracy of the Westley
Richards system is, in their opinion, considerably
promoted by the ammunition employed, which con-
tained six grains of powder in excess of the service
charge, as well as by the construction of the bullet,
to which reference has already been made. A
further trial of the several systems, they add, at
the same ranges iust mentioned proved that the
service powder cha- ge and bullet could be employed
in the different am ..,except those of Mr. Richards,
which were not meant by him to be used with that
ammunition. The shooting of the Mont-Storm
rifle was found to be nearly the same with the ser-
vice ammunition as that prepared by himself, while
the accuracy of the Snider breech-loader was greater
with the service ammunition at 500 yards than with
its own, although at a range of 800 yards the result
was not so favourable. At both ranges the shoot-
ing of the Wilson and Green rifles exhibited a less
degree of accuracy when tried with the service
ammunition.

~,2'

PRICE 4d.
STAMPED sd.'

though the Enfield rifle might be converted into a
very serviceable breech-loader, yet it could scarcely
be made to comply with those conditions which
would be absolutely requisite in order to secure a
perfect military weapon suited to the requirements
of the British army in every climate. The ultimate
object which the Government, therefore, have in
view is the construction of an entirely new breech-
loader, with a small bore, having a cartridge with
some appliances for ignition. If, in the interim, a
certain number of service Enfields can, at a reason-
able cost, be converted into breech loaders, much
will have been done towards providing for any emer-
gency that may arise, while time will be allowed
for proceeding in the construction of a more efficient
weapon with due care and deliberation.—Times.
Naval and Military Intelligence.

As soon as the work now remaining to be com-
pleted in the iron-cased vessels fitting at Chatham
dockyard, on which every available hand at that es-
tablishment is employed, is finished, relays of ship-
wrights and labourers will commence taking down
the frames of the fine unarmoured screw frigate
Belvidere, originally intended to be completed as a
51-gun screw frigate, of the Constance class, but the
further building of which has been discontinued for
several years past. The Belvidere was ordered to be
taken to pieces some time back, and her name re-
moved from the official Navy List, but the amount
of work remaining to be completed at the dockyard
in the way of completing the iron-clad vessels build-
ing would not allow of the hands being employed
in that undertaking. The fine old-fashioned wooden
two-decker Bulwark, 91, 800 horse-power, with her
square stern and bluff bows, one of the type of ves-
sels which has now passed away, still lies idle on
the stocks at Chatham, the order for discontinuing
operations on her having been given several years
ago. The engines constructed for this vessel are now
on board the Royal Oak, but although powerful
enough for a wooden ship of the Bulwark class they
are scarcely adapted for an iron-clad frigate like the
Royal Oak. The Admiralty are at present undecided
as to the ultimate fate of the Bulwark, but it is
probable that as soon as the exigencies of the
dockyardmay permit she may be taken in handand
completed, either for a store or receiving ship at
one of the foreign ports, for which her great size
renders her well adapted. The only other wooden
vessel now on the stocks at Chatham on which no
hands are employed is the screw gun vessel Myr-
midon, 4, 695 tons, 200-horsepower, which is about
three-fourths completed.

The Reindeer, 250-horse power (unarmoured),
building on No. 2 slip at Chatham dockyard, ori-
ginally designed as a 17 gun corvette, is now being
completed and strengthened throughout by a system
of knees and bolts, in order to enable her to mount
six guns of heavy calibre, including two of the 100-
pounder 63. ton guns. She has but comparatively
few hands employed on her, and according to her
present rate of progress will not be completed for
several months. She is to be fitted with a topgal-
lant forecastle, but the original proposal to supply
her with a poop is not being carried out.
The autumn inspection of the Woolwich division
of Royal Marine Light Infantry by Major-General
Stransham commenced on Monday, and was
brought to a close yesterday afternoon. The bat-
talion, composed of ten companies of 30 files each,
assembled on Woolwich-common for the Inspector-
General's official inspection, and after a very close
inspection of the battalion in line they marched past
in open column of companies, in slow time, in
grand divisions at company distance, in quick time,
and in quarter-distance column. They were after-
wards put through various manoeuvres by Colonel
Maxwell, the commandant, mlder the direction of
the Inspector-General, the whole of which were
executed in a manner which called forth the Gene-
ral's warm commendations and thanks. The firing
and marching in line received his especial approba-
tion also, and after about two hours' active exer-
cises the battalion marched back to quarters, and
were dismissed until the following morning, when the
entire division, including "duty men," servants, ex-
cess of employed, and every available man actually
off duty paraded in three battalions for brigade drill.
They assembled on the common in line of contiguous
quarter-distance columns for the reception of the
Major-General. After marching past in quarter- ,

distance columns by battalions the brigade counter-
marched and marched past in line of contiguous
quarter-distance columns, which movement elicited
the Inspector-General's marked approval. The
brigade afterwards went through a variety of man-
oeuvres, all of which were covered by light infantry,
and were executed with a precision and celerity of
action remarkable even to their ordinarily high state
of drill. At the conclusion the Inspector-General
desired Colonel Maxwell to express to the officers,
non-commissioned officers, and men, his great satis-

as dear. The demand for brown nets was very
inactive, and prices remained without material
change.

ROCHDALE, 4th.—To-day's flannel-market has
been rather more animated than has been usual of
late, the attendance being large of buyers who had
really business purposes in view. The sales have
been in the plain and fancy departments, but espe-
cially in the latter, without any appreciable change
in prices. There is again to-day a pretty good in-
quiry for Yorkshire goods of the best quality, but
the commoner sorts are very difficult of sale, even
after offers of concession by the sellers as to price.
The wool-market is firm, and price compels those
who are driven to make purchases to act with great
caution.

HEALTH OF LONDON.

♦
It appears from the weekly return issued by au-
thority of the Registrar-General, that in the week
that ended on Saturday, Sept. 2, the births regis-
tered in London and 10 other large towns of the
United Kingdom were 3,773 ; the deaths registered,
2,477. The average rate of mortality was 23 per
1,000 persons living.
In London the births of 1,002 boys and 1,017
girls, in all 2,019 children, were registered in the
week. In the corresponding weeks of ten years
1855-64 the average number, corrected for increase
of population, was 1,899.
The deaths registered in London during the week
were 1,131. It was the thirty-fifth, week of the year,
and the average number for that week was, with a
correction for increase of population, 1,248.
In the week 89 deaths by diarrhoea, and four by
cholera were registered. Two men died of cholera ;
one a chairmaker, aged 24 years, is said to have died
of " English cholera;" another, a painter, aged 25
years, of "choleraic diarrhoea," after 24 hours' illness.
Cholera is not a new disease. It is described in
the earliest medical writings ; and cases occur
sporadically every week in summer in every
country of Europe and Asia. During the last ten
weeks 127 deaths from cholera have been registered
in London; and the deaths from the disease in pro-
portion to population have undoubtedly been still
more numerous in the other cities of Europe, where
the causes of death are either unrecorded or unre-
vealed.

This form of cholera, called here English, or more
correctly summer cholera, when fatal, differs little
in appearance from epidemic cholera ; which is,
however, well characterised by the short duration
of fatal cases ; by its attacking and destroying great
numbers in its progress.
The matter of cholera, therefore, exists in nearly
every ill-conditioned population, and under unfa-
vourable circumstances, it assumes periodically the
active form ; which is diffusive, and travels far
from the centre of its origin.

An epidemic of cholera broke out in England in
the years 1831-2 ; another epidemic prevailed 17
years afterwards, or in 1848-9 ; and passing over

1853-4, we are at the end of another cycle-of 17

years in 1865-6, threatened with an epidemic which
has already ravaged some of the unclean cities on
the shores of the Mediterranean.

The epidemic has generally begun in the autumn
of one year, and raged in the autumn of the year
following; but up to the present date there have
been no el-aces of the epidemic in England, which
may escape with a slight visitation.

But against such an enemy no precaution should
be neglected ; an I the defences should be com-
menced, and completed without any delay.
The conditions on which this disease is fatal are
now well known ; and its causes and its progress in
the diarrhceal stage are more completely under con-
trol than those of any other epidemic. A supply of
pure water to every house ; drainage ; the abolition
of cesspools and of all accumulations of dirt ; the
chemical destruction of choleraic matter (cholerine)
—house to house medical treatment—do not exclude
the entrance of the poison into districts, but de-
prive it of nearly all its dangers.
The death of a man, aged 30 years, was caused
by " bronchitis, accelerated by exposure and desti-
tution." He died in the Ratcliff 'Workhouse.

faction at the appearance and discipline of the divi-
sion, and Colonel Maxwell, in consideration of the
General's high approval of the proceedings, gave the
division two days' free holyday.
In the account given on Monday in The Sun of
Mr. Richardson's boiler experiments at Woolwich
with the petroleum and other oils for steam purposes
the word " whale" oil was given, instead of " shale"
oil. Shales, it appears, on reference to a work on
the subject, have been discovered in large quanti-
ties under all the north-western and western dis-
tricts of the American coal measures.

The rate of mortality last week was 20 per 1,000
in London, 27 in Edinburgh, and 21 in Dublin ; 29
in Manchester, 30 in Salford, 21 in Birmingham, 26
in Leeds, 17 in Bristol, 33 in Hull, and 27 in Glas-
gow. The rate in Vienna was 27 per 1,000 during
the week ending the 19th ult., when the tempera-
ture was 4.4 deg. Fahrenheit higher than in the same
week in London, where the rate was 20 per 1,000.
In Manchester the births 232, the deaths 195 ; in
Salford the births 86, the deaths 63 ; in Birming-
ham the births 219, the deaths 132 ; in Leeds the
births 162, the deaths 111 ; in Bristol the births
116 ; the deaths 52 ; in Ilull the births 50, the
deaths 65 ; in Edinburgh the births 112, the deaths
89 ; in Glasgow the births 305, the deaths 216 ;
and in Dublin the births 123, the deaths 130.
There were 289 deaths in Vienna during the week
ending the 19th ult. The return from Liverpool
has not been received.

At the Royal Observatory, Greenwich, the mean
height of the barometer in the week was 29.956 in.
The mean temperature of the air was 61.4 deg.,
which is 2 deg. above the average of the same week
in 50 years (as determined by Mr. Glaisher.) The
mean degree of humidity of the air was 78, com-

plete saturation being represented by 100. Only
the smallest amount of rain fell. But on Monday

there was much in the north of England.

The Herring Fishing.

DUNBAR, shing appears
to be u a
boats that came
t
in this morning had any success. Above sixty
lsr:
A a
R'
close Sept.S
here, 4.—The
none of herringhe
as
boats came in this afternoon from the mackerel
fishing, with from sixteen to thirty dozens each,
which were readily sold to the buyers for the Eng-
lish markets at 3s. 6d. to 4s. per dozen.
WICK, Sept. 2.--The John o'Groat Journal Her-
ring Circular says :—" Our fishing, we regret to
say, has done nothing since our last publication,
and the season's average stands at the same figure
as in the Journal of Thursday-76 crans, making
a total catch for the season among 977 boats of
74,470 crans. This, though a very short fishing at
this advanced period of the season, is not unpa-
ralleled, for we had at this date only 68,000 crans
in 1852 ; 72,000 in 1862 ; and 65,000 in 1863.
There was no encouragement to the fishermen to
prosecute the fishing with spirit this week, owing
to the broken weather and dead tides ; but, as
most of them are engaged to fish till the Bth, we
have still another week with better pro-
spects, as the tides will be - more favourable,
and appearances indicate that there is no
want of fish on the coast. Lybster is in the
same position as regards this week's fishing, not
a cran having been added to the general average,
which still stands at 74 crans for 206 boats. At
ITelmsdale, the state of matters is still worse, the
fishing there being virtually over, and the crews
leaving with not more than half an average fishing.
At the stations on the Banff and Moray coasts the
fishing has proved very unsuccessful this week.
With the exception of Gardenstown , at which there
was a very heavy fishing—the average for Tuesday,
Wednesday, and Thursday being 15, 10 and 18
was absolutely nothing
crans respectively—th ere
cations that the fishing in
done, and there are indications
these districts is about over for the season. Markets.
—On Tuesday and Wednesday last some purchases
were made of full crown brands at 315., and 245.
for crown spents. On Thursday, with the appear-
ance of no fishing, and the break-up on the Latheron
coast and Helmsdale, the price rose to 325. for full,
at which rate, on that and the following day, several
hundred barrels were bought. Offers of 245. for
spent were freely made, but refused, and few would
sell now at either of the above prices. Some un-
branded full were sold at 31s. 6d. per barrel.
Various estimates are made of the quantity for sale
here, and we believe 10,000 barrels may be about
the figure, but there are orders in town to cover the
at reasonable rates.
whole if they are to be had

THE RUSSIAN NAVY.—A Russian steam frigate
has put into Harwich harbour this week short of coal. Tho
frigate, which carries six guns, fell short of fuel when
within a few miles of Harwich, and in order to get up suffi-
cient steam to reach that port was compelled to burn nearly
every available article of furniture on board.