The Sun.
London, England, 1865-06-29 00:00:00

rendering of the recitative " I rage, I melt,
I burn," and its sequent air, " 0 Ruddier
than the Cherry"—in his matchless delivery of
which noble solo Santley achieved to-day a
triumph exceptional in its brilliancy even for him,
great and successful artist 'as he is. The
lullaby chorus, " May no Rash Intruder,"
though vociferously encored to-day, hardly
seemed to "go " as well this afternoon
as it went upon the occasion of Friday's
Grand Full Rehearsal. From the same oratorio
(Solomon) there was given, as if in especial honour
of the royal anniversary of to-day—the, glorious
" Coronation Anthem." Completing the
.day's
performance, came the ten Selections from
Judas Maccabeus—ten, we say, counting as
two the Trio and the Chorus of that grandest of
all pceans of triumph, " See the Conquering. Hero
Comes"7—a chorus that brought the whole day's per-
formance to a majestic and magnificently effective
conclusion.

The Lords of the Admiralty in Liverpool

- .01.-

The half-yearly distribution of prizes to the pupils
of the school frigate Conway, lying in the Mersey,
took place yesterday; the Mayor of Liverpool (Mr.

- •
E. Laurence), presided, and among those present
_ _

were Admiral the Hon. Sir F. W. Grey, K.C.8.,
Admiral Eden, the members of the Conway Com-

mittee of Management, Dir. John Laird, ALP., Mr.

J. C. Ewart, ALP., and other gentlemen. The pupils
in their neat uniform stood to the right of the chair-

man, and the remainder of the deck was occupied
by a large assembly of the boys.
The MAYOR said that as that was a Queen's ship,
and as, that was the anniversary of her Majesty's

coronation, he did not think they could open their

proceeding& better than by commencing with three
cheers for the Queen.

The cheers having been given with enthusiasm,
The CHAIRMAN spoke of the great advantages

which such an institution possessed in training
youths for the sea service, and some of them for
that profession which we in this country were accus-
tomed to regard with so much honour. It was, per-
haps, difficult for any but those who had had expe-
rience in the matter to know the advantage of having
educated men on board a ship. It was quite true
that a man who had really no education might learn
to understand his profession thoroughly ; but the
absence of that culture which stored a man with
useful information, which developed the reasoning
faculties, and enabled a man to apply to present
emergencies the information which not only he him-
self, but others had acquired, was lamentably and
painfully felt, especially in our mercantile marine.

This had been the case in days gone by, but he
was happy that the advantages of an institution
like this were gradually putting an end to it. But,
in addition to this, it was not perhaps generally
known that the general education which was given
on board this ship was such as would fit a boy in
after life for any ordinary sphere he might be called
upon to occupy. He was glad to see that the insti-
tution had been recognised in high official quarters.
They had had the special pleasure and honour of
the visits of the Lords of the Admiralty on these
occasions of late, and knowing that they had had
under their own notice practical proof of the good
work on board this vessel, he thought they might
fairly come to the conclusion that a permanent pre-
cedent had been established. (Cheers.) One more
subject he would refer to which was more than all a
subject for congratulation, and that was the patron-
age which her most gracious Majesty the Queen had
been most pleased to accord to them. He thought
they would all be gratified at the honour which she
had conferred upon Liverpool and upon those en-
gaged in the management of this institution by pro-
mising to give annually two prizes to successful
candidates. (Cheers.)

The Secretary (Mr. Clarke Aspinall) read letters
of apology for non-attendance from Admirals Ro-
binson and Kingcome, the Chancellor of the Ex-
chequer, Mr. Horsfall, M.P., Mr, Charles Turner,
M.P., Mr. W. Jackson, M.P., and other gentlemen.
He also read highly favourable reports from Messrs.
Norman M`Leod, F.R.S., and H. W. Jeans,
F.R.A.S., on their examination of the pupils. The
latter gentleman stated that he had given to the boys
he examined in nautical astronomy and navigation
many of the same questions asked of candidates for
sub-lieutenants and he had found them able to
answer these questions readily. (Cheers.) Both
examiners complimented Captain Moull and the
other officers upon the proficiency of their pupils.
The Secretary next read a lengthy letter from
Colonel Sir Charles Phipps, dated the 27th inst.,
addressed to Mr. Beazley, the chairman of the com-
mittee of management, stating that he had received
the letter informing him that the Queen's medal had
been awarded by vote to Mr. Oswald Hillkirk, and
that Mr. Henry Sandford had been selected to re-
ceive the binocular glass and £35 towards the ex-
penses of his outfit as a naval cadet. He had had
the honour to submit these announcements to her
Majesty the Queen, and her Majesty had com-
manded him to inform the committee of her sanction
to the selection thus made. The Queen had heard
with great satisfaction that the manner in which the
votes were given by the pupils had proved that they
were not unworthy of the trust reposed in them by
her Majesty, and her Majesty hoped that the pupils
who had been thus distinguished might through life
remember the success which had accompanied their
commendable efforts to distinguish themselves, and
that a continued course of good conduct might
secure to them happiness and distinction in the
honourable profession which they had chosen.
Admiral GREY then made a few remarks prior to
distributing the prizes. lie reminded the boys of
the excellent advice given to them last year by the
Duke of Somerset.
prizes that they would be worth nothing unless their
holders continued He told those who had gained
to exert themselves hereafter.
Those who had not
gained prizes he told not to be
disheartened, but still to work manfully, remember-
ing that many would rise to the highest positions
who had begun with
every disadvantage ; and,
finally, he reminded them all that they were English
gentlemen, and, whatever position they were placed
in, they should never lose sight of that. He would
only add to this excellent advice that, as the life of
a sailor was one of more than ordinary temptation,
which no human power might be able to resist, they
should remember that they were always under the
eye of the all-seeing God, and that He would give
them strength to resist. The distribution of prizes
was then proceeded with.

Her Majesty's Gold Medal—Prize pupil, Oswald
Hillkirk. " Her Majesty's wish in the establishment
of this prize is to encourage the boys to acquire and
maintain the qualities which will make the finest
sailor. These consist of cheerful submission to supe-
riors, self-respect and independence of character,
kindness and protection to the weak, readiness to
forgive offence, desire to conciliate the differences of
others, and, above all, fearless devotion to duty and
unflinching truthfulness." The mode of selecting
the prize pupil consists not only in the testimony of
the commander and head-masters as to his possession
of the necessary qualifications, but also has the in-
dorsement of the boys themselves, the regulation ap-
mogrueir:llhagn five boys shall be
tri r uy
pbi lys'themselves.
that the names of
npe
submittedrao ap-
proved vd ee
candidate
sa by
than
ey bteo heret
chosen
orh
eseaeej
neons
other
hy re
nr e
and the successful
His Grace the Duke of Somerset's Nomination to
a Naval Cadetship—Prize pupil, Henry Sandford.
Her Majesty's Second Prize, consisting of a
binocular glass and £35, is also presented to Henry
Sandford, subject to his passing his examination at
Portsmouth, the desire of her Majesty being to faci-
litate the entry into the royal navy of the boy who
is fortunate enough in honourable , competition, to
obtain this cadetship.
Gold Medal of the Mercantile Marine Service
Association—For the greatest general proficiency in
all branches of training and education, John H.
Warren.
The Mayor's (Mr. Edward Lawrence) Prize—For
proficiency in practical seamanship, Henry Fowler
—prize, brass quadrant.
The Brocklebank Prize (presented by Mr. Ralph
Brocklebank), for Proficiency in Nautical Astro-
nomy—Jocelyn F. Ruthven—prize, brass quadrant.
in the use of Nautical Instruments, &c.—John H.
'Warren, prize, sextant.
Capt. Paynter'e Prize, for Proficiency in Gunnery