The Sun.
London, England, 1853-07-19 00:00:00

THE CAMP AT CHOBHAM COMMON.

It is scarcely possible to imagine a more deplorable I
or more uncomfortable scene than that which the camp
presented yesterday. Each sticcessive day appears to
add something-to the discomforts of the 9,000 men who,
in damp tenth, surrounded with trenches filled with
water, or knee-deep in mud and swamp when they ven-
ture out of their circular houses, still go through a round
of semi-military. duties at Chobham. To such a pitch
had matters arrived even on Saturday that detachments
of the Bth Hussars and the 2d Dragoons were mounted
to march in search of billet accommodation for the regi-
ment in the neighbouring towns. In consequence, how-
ever, of the weather clearing up, the order was counter-
manded, in the hope that a favourable change would
take place. Sunday showed a slight improvement upon
the previous day, and orders were issued for a field-day,
to take place yesterday. All the troops were accordingly
under arms shortly after nine, but the rain commenced
falling in torrents, which, with slight intervals, con-
tinued throughout the whole of the day till, at two,
o'clock, an intimation was given to the men that they
would not be required to turn out. It was gene-
rally expected that one or more of the cavalry and some
of the infantry regiments would leave the camp yester-
day, billeting parties having been ordered to be in readi-
ness. Any attempt to go through a regular field day in
the present state of the ground would be absurd. The
horses, on going to water, sink above knee deep in the
swamps, and the gallant Greys, on their return to stables,
are scarcely distinguishable from the black chargers of
the Horse Guards. The men, and especially the Guards,
complain sadly of the injury which their clothes sustain,
the more so as they are wearing their own clothes, their
new uniforms having been kept in barracks. It is re-
ported that, should the present rainy weather continue
over the present week, the whole of the troops will leave
their present quarters, and the camp would be broken up.
Some cork mattresses, supplied by Messrs. Taylor and
Son, have just been served out, on trial, to each of the
regiments ; probably it is thought that their buoyant
character renders them well _adapted for the present state
of the ground. A new description of camp kettle, with
bottoms formed of -block tin, has also been supplied.
Every practical suggestion which is made for increasing
the comforts and improving the condition of the soldiers
' appears to receive prompt attention at head quarters,
and every person with an inventive genius, desirous of
reducing the ills and inconveniences to which the British
soldier is subjected to its lowest minimum, has now an
opportunity of having the value of his panacea fully
tested in the present experimental campaign.
The following is the number of letters sent to and
from the camp from the first day of the establishment of
the office up to the change of troops on Thursday
last :--

Inwards, from June 14 to July 14 34,493
Outwards, ditto

Total ....

.. 63,277

The number of letters to the camp show but little
variation through the course of the month, but those
from it are much affected by the field-days, sinking from
about 1,500, the usual number when the forces were not
out, to about 600 on days when field manoeuvres took
place. Among the unclaimed letters is one directed to
"His Eminence Cardinal Antonelli, Secretary to his
Holiness the Pope." Another also bears the laconic
superscription of to "Mr. Cox Cook, Militia Cam."
p The last-named person has been found, but that to the
cardinal remains at the post-office, and is likely to do so
for some considerable length of time, as it is to be left
until his eminence calls for it.

In one of our previous reports we stated that in the
athletic games of the household troops the Grenadier
Guards were victors over their competitors in the
Fusiliers and Coldstream. This was an error ; what we
meant to have said was that the Scots Fusilier Guards
were victors over the Grenadier and Coldstream. We
are very willing to correct this mistake, and give the
honour where the honour is due.
His Royal Highness Prince Alfred visited the camp
during the course of yesterday afternoon. His Royal
Highness did not make any long stay, merely passing
along the lines. He was vehemently cheered during his
progress by the men of the different regiments.

STRIKE AMONG THE POLICEMEN.—The police force has
a strike, like many other classes.
grounds of complaint-Ist, that they They assert two
are compelled to
go to church in uniform, and
_,.y' that their pay is i-
n
obliged to sit in a particu-
lar 2
part of the church ; anuy
sufficient. There are three classes in the force—the
highest receiving 21s. p er week ; the second, 18s. 4d. ;
and
the third, 16s. 7d. ; there being a small deduction
each
week from each man. Various meetings have taken
among the men on the subject of the strike and 30
m
place
ui.leirn
nfom.ioftleß division refused to go to church in their
The agitation is still going on, and a large
number of the men threaten to resign.
PROFESSORSHIPS IN THE UNIVERSITIES OF SCOT-
LAND.—The bill to regulate the admission of professors
to the lay chairs in the Universities of Scotland as
amended in committee was yesterday printed. From
the passing of the act professors are not to be required
to subscribe to the confession of faith prescribed by the
statute of Anne. A new declaration has been formed,
the substance of which is that they will not teach or in-
culcate any opinions opposed to the Divine authoritiy of
the 11oly Scripture or the Westminster Confession of
Faith, as ratified by law in 1690, and that they will not
exercise the functions of the offices to the prejudice of
the Church of Scotland as by law established, or the
doctrines and privileges thereof. Two new clauses have
been added in committee—one, that a professor sued for
non-compliance with the act may offer in defence to take
the declaration to be provided ; and the other, that the
Lord Advocate may present a complaint against any
professor violating the declaration, and her Majesty may
issue a commission to inquire, and may censure or
suspend.