The Sun.
London, England, 1862-12-15 00:00:00

7HE VOL UN7EERS.

The prizes of the London Volunteer Rifle Brigade
were distributed by the Lady Mayoress on Satur-
day at the Crystal Palace. The attendance of spec-
tators was more numerous than might have been
anticipated, from the wretched weather which pre-
vai ed, but the muster of the corps was not so strong
as it ought to have been upon such an occasion.

The ceremony of handing Over the prizes took
place in the transept, upon a dais erected in front
of the Handel orchestra, before which the corps was
drawn up, the cadet company lining
the stairs lead-
ing to the dais. The prizes were arranged upon
tables on either side of the platform, and were cer-
tainly not few in number nor insignificant in value.
Still, however, as the London Rifle Brigade is the
especial representative in the Volunteer army of
the wealthiest commercial city in the world, it
might have been expected that a more liberal
amount of encouragement to its efficiency would
have been extended by the merchants and traders
of the city of London. With the exception of
prizes given by the late Lord Mayor and by
Messrs. Silver and Co., and by the patrons
(comprising 18 or 20 ladies and gentlemen,
some of whom are in no way locally connected
with the city), no single prize has been offered by
any individual or firm in the city of London, and
to the officers and members of the corps it has been
almost entirely left to provide those rewards which
are found to be useful, if not necessary, as stimu-
lants to efficiency. This state of things contrasts
very unfavourably with that which exists to the
west of the city boundary; but it would be unjust,
we hope, to attribute this apathy to any disapproval
of, or desire to discourage, the great national Volun-
teer movement. Certain it is, however, that more
substantial support is given by manufacturing firma
and tradesmen to the westward of Temple-bar than
has yet been accorded by the merchant princes and
commercial firms of the city of London to the efforts
of our citizen soldiers to fitly qualify themselves for
the duties they have patriotically taken upon them-
selves to perform.

Lieut.-Colonel WARDS, in a brief preliminary ad-
dress, congratulated the brigade upon the state of
efficiency to which it had attained. It was one of
the largest Volunteer corps in the country, and no
other corps had attended more large parades than
the London Rifle Brigade, or had acquitted itself
with greater credit. The shooting thislyear had been
greatly superior to that of last year, but he must
impress upon the members, as upon all Volunteers,to
bear in mind that good shooting was not the only
requisite for a soldier, but that efficiency in drill
and discipline was of the first necessity. He re-
gretted that the Honorary Colonel, the Duke of
Cambridge, who took a warm interest in their pro-
gress, was not present, but he was informed by his
Royal Highness that it was the pressure of public
business alone which caused his absence upon that
occasion. (Cheers.) There was reason to believe
that next year Government aid would be extended
to the Volunteers, not indiscrirnately, but in propor-
tion to efficiency, in the shape of an allowance to
the corps for each man who had gone through a
certain amount of drill, and had proved himself a
proficient in the use of his rifle. It was, therefore,
the duty of every member towards his corps to
qualify himself for the grant. (Hear, bear.)
The prizes were then awarded—one, given by the
Lieut.-Colonel, being presented to the winner by
the donor's wife—Lady Harriet Warde.
The LORD MAYOR (Major in the corps), on be-
half of the Lady
Mayoress, expressed the pleasure
she felt at taking part in the interesting ceremony,
and his own pride at being a member of the Lon-
don Rifle Brigade. (Cheers.)
He had obtained
leave of absence during the year of his mayoralty,
but when that term expired he hoped to rejoin his
comrades, the Volunteers of the city of London.
Colonel LINDSAY, of the St. George's Rifles, said
he accepted the incitation to address the brigade
with much pleasure, because he was able to offer
them his congratulations upon their wonderful pro-
gress towards efficiency. He also congratulated
them upon having so excellent a Lieutenant-Colonel
—(cheers)—and upon including among the field
officers the Lord Mayor of London. (Cheers.) He
was glad to believe that the Volunteer movement
was in a healthy condition—that the prospects of
next year were encouraging. He hoped they would
then have the Queen once more among them—(loud
cheers)—and that ample opportunities would be
afforded to the London Rifle Brigade to display the
state of efficiency at which it had arrived. Refer-
ring to the recommendations of the Volunteer Com-
mission, he thought some objections urged against
accepting allowances, as destructive of the indepen-
dence of the service, were unfounded. The move-
ment had never been self-supporting; the Govern-
ment supplied arms, instruction, and ammunition,
and it was not reasonable that Volunteers who gave
their personal services should also be required to
pay from their own purses. (Hear.)
Colonel ERSKINE, Deputy Ihnespect
, wmobvuerninent, would be pleased
assumed t o
of
Vbuleuaull
friends
srauifd him ttbheoslisteautipeurnehstiees enrt
ability to give a most favour-
able report upon its present condition. It was true
between the dates at
members were made up
showed a falling o g
disposed to agree that
wthhaitnthh ereatun
returns
aal
opfereinordn(i,ileedpsin
off' of 4,000 from a total of 162,000,
exceptional one. The
0. distress in large districts f
the country could
presenth he t h o u
yeargh t all
il a
dw
been
eu
el
nd
an
ne
not have failed to affect Classes largely represented
theet
in the Volunteer army. ii
--0 was happy to say that
the reports of all the inspectors gave very satisfac-
tory accounts of the spirit with which the Volunteer
movement was still sustained, and all agreed in re-
presenting the increased efficiency which was dis-
iplayed by all the corps that had been inspected.
Under such circumstances, they were warranted in

" From the commencement of the war, an armed
force was set on foot by the belligerents, which,
since then, has almost constantly been kept up.
After so much bloodshed they are now, in that re-
spect, nearly in the same position."
Is this the fact P Let as consider.

The Southern Confederacy claims to be composed
of the fifteen Slave States, Delaware and Maryland
excepted. It professes also to include the Indian
territory, New Mexico, and Arizona.

Let us—for the end of the year approaches—take
a hurried account of stock, and see just where
we stand :

1. The Confederates, though they recently in-
vaded Maryland in force, and have made petty raids
into Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, &c., do not hold
at this hour a single foot of territory outside of
what they claim as their own, nor do they seriously
threaten to acquire any. 2. After having for
months desperately contested the great State of
Missouri, fought many important battles therein—
some of them successfully—they have been driven
out of it, so that only two or three guerilla bands
of no importance now lurk in its swamps or forests
and occasionally steal out to commit depredations.
3. Kentucky has in like manner been in good part
under rebel domination, not only last winter but
again two months ago. Now they are wholly ex-
pelled from it, and likely to remain so. 4. Ten-
nessee is one of the States most important to the
slaveholders' Confederacy. Half of it, including the
two most important cities, Nashville and Memphis,
have been held for the Union throughout the last
six months, and we are on the point of trying to re-
claim the residue. 5. Virginia is the most populous
State belonging to Jeff's Confederacy, and inc.udes
his metropolis. Very nearly half of it is now in
Union hands, including the cities of Norfolk and
Wheeling, while its chief fortress, Monroe, has
never yet seen a rebel flag floating from its walls.
e expect to have agood deal m roof it before the
year is out. 6. Of North Carolina, the Union has
held Albermarle and the connected sounds, with
their islands and the beach outside, forts Hatteras
and Macon, the cities of Newbern and Washington,
with a considerable strip of the main land, for
several months, almost without resistance. We
hold also the water line of transit thence to Hamp-
ton Roads through the Dismal Swamp Canal. 7.
Of South Carolina, we hold the Sea Islands, imclud-
ing the forts built by the rebels to guard the
entrance to Port Royal inlet or sound. 8. Of Georgia
we have long held Fort Pulaski commanding
the water way to Savannah, and the islands of Ty-
bee, St. Simons, &c., are actually or virtally in our
possession. The whole coast, with its inlets and
mouths of rivers, is in our possession, 9. Nearly
all the seaports of Florida (Pensacola, St. Augus-
tine, &c.) have long been in Union bands. All the
fortifications also (Fort Pickens, Fort Taylor, the
Tortugas) are and ever have been Union. 10. Of
Texas we have Galveston and most of the seaports.
We can take the residue when we choose with
little effort. 11. Of Louisiana we hold Forts St.
Philip and Jackson, which guard the ascent of the
Mississippi, with New Orleans, the chief mart of
the south-west, and a large area of the adjacent
sugar-growing region: And we have held the city
and the forts more than half a year undisputedly.
12. We hold a considerable strip of Northern Mis-
sissippi, and have a victorious army there ready to
fight all comers, only the rebels insist on being
goers instead. 13. Ditto as to Arkansas. 14. We
have quiet possession of all New Mexico and Ari-
zona, which, one year since, were mainly in the
possession of a triumphant rebel force. 15. This
is also the fact as to the Indian territory.
It thus appears that nearly one-third of the popu-
lation, and more than a third the area claimed by
the Confederacy, are to-day under Union control;
most of it won by hard fighting within the past
year. Now Orleans, St. Louis, Louisville, Memphis,
Galveston, Santa Fe, Lexington, Norfolk, Newbern,
Pensacola—all these are claimed as belonging
to the Confederacy, and most of them have been
held by it, but they are now all Union. More than
1,000,000 people who were under .the Confederate
flag a year ago, now peacefully repose under the
Union eagles. And we are just on the point of
marching on with larger and better disciplined
armies than ever before.

With what justice, then, with what fairness, does
M. Drouyn de Lhuys assert that the belligerents
" stand nearly in the same position" as they did a
year ago ? Where is the square foot of ground we
have lost ? Where is the Confederate offset for
Kentucky, half of Tennessee, Missouri, New Mexico,
New Orleans, Memphis, &c. ? Why should he who
proposes friendly mediation between the contend-
ing parties introduce the subject by assertions
which prove him alike hostile to the Union and
singularly inconsiderate of truth ?

FIRES ON BOARD SHlP.—Yesterday morning
between 3 and 4 o'clock, a fire broke out on board tho ship
Adelphi, of South Shields, lying off Bell-wharf, Lower
Shadwell. The discovery was made by some persons on
board ships lying in the same tier, who saw smoke issuing
from the atter cabin. They at once raised an alarm, and
after some time succeeded in making those on board the
Adelphi sensible of their danger, excepting the mate, who
was sleeping near the place where the fire broke out, so
soundly that he could not be awakened. The lower steam
floating engine by Shand and Mason was quickly brought
to spot. The crews of the surrounding ships, having
scaled the bulwarks, succeeded in cutting away the deck,
and by pouring copious streams of water upon the blazing
cabin they were enabled, with the aid of the firemen, to get
the flames extinguished, but not until the vessel was much
injured. As soon as the ship was sufficiently cooled the
firemen entered. They found the dead body of the unfor-
tunate mate, Thompson, who had been burnt in a frightful
manner. As to the origin of the misfortune not the least
reliable information could be obtained beyond the mere fact
that it commenced in the cabin before spoken of. The ship
was insured in the Blyth Club. The body of the deceased
remains until an inquest is held, which it is expected will
take place on Wednesday next.

LOOL
S OF THE ROYAL MAIL dairAlcijY
THE L -LT STEAMER AVON. fit- *•.%
(I
my SSCAPE OF THE STE/O1ER"-
ALABAYA
The Royal Mail Comc.anr
• Sou'i2-lAMPTON, SUNDAY.
(No. 290).
8 tattner Atrato, Cap-
tain Weller, with the West India m,sllBf anchored
off ;Tetley Hospital at 1.30 this mor7ling, and
arrived at the docks about midday. She brit',gs 18
passengers, specie in gold 9,010 dols., in silcer
5,122 dole., copper coin £l4O, jewellery £l5O, and
the following cargo :-35 serons cochineal, 1 case
cigars, 304 casks coffee, 30 casks ginger, 7 packages
bees-wax, 60 packages cane fibre, 3 cases shell, 51
cases succader:, and 21 packages sundries.
The Atrato experienced fine weather and light
winds (atter runntug out of the trades) from the
eastward ; subsequently north-west winds and sea,
and the last two days Otrong westerly winds and
thick weather.
Her Majesty's ships Aboukir and Medea v.ere at
Jamaica, the Immortalite Pt Bermuda, an 6 the
Challenger at Barbadoes.
The Royal Mail Company's steamer Avon, while
lying alongside the wharf at Colon, wial two
anchors down, was driven ashore on the morn-
ing of the 22d ult. by a norther and the heavy
rollers setting into the bay. At the time of going
ashore the Avon hate not received any of the cargo
waiting at Colon to be shipped by her, but she had
received the bullion from San Fraw:isco, about
78 bars of silver, and 100 c&ses of spec le, value
about £200,000. She also had about 300 packages
of cargo from Grey Town principally indiarubber,
all of which, it is expected, will be recovered. The
crew were landed by means of a warp from the ship
" The violent are always discouraged by .
tion, and this is why the Bourbon faction, as well -to the shore, and so passed along it through the
Piedmontese, showed i.x.-..13. hpav, The latter fear that I surf' .which was running over the railway up to the
public hatred will be aggravated by time; and the former housti. On the 25th, when the Tamar left Colon
affect not to know that their triumph will cause the full for St. ILomas, the Avon was settling down aft ;
cup of reaction to overflow. her rudder-popt wasigone, and it was expected she
"As for us, let us enjoy the advantages of time; let us would become a te.tal wreck.
not complain of the delay which permits us not to make of The Unites States
brig of war Bainbridge also
our Government the monopoly of a clique, and which may
dragged her anchorZ durilig the gale and drove to-
exempt you from having to pay the recompense promised
to those who would present themselves for it with their wards the shore. Having thrown. overboard her guns
hands still stained with our blood. By triumphing with us and stores, and cut away hek- masts, she made sig-
our Government will be open to all, and it is thus that the nals of distress, and Mr. Dix, chief officer; Mr.
supreme wish of my heart will be realised—namely, a Hodgson, second officer ; Mr. Garratt, fifth officer ;
radical, political, and social reconciliation. Mr. Milne, fifth engineer; and Mr. Olsen, fireman,
" The man is wrong to speak of clemency who from
Rome urges on the conflicts of civil war and encourages all belonging to the Avon, volunteered and 'pit off
to her assistance in a boat, and ultimately succeeded
massacre. He is wrong, too, to speak of liberty, the man
how-
wholaimromulgated and maintainrd so long theatate of siege in rescuing the crew.
" The Bainbridge did not,
e, however, will unmask those lies. Let us have ever, go ashore, as her anchors brought her up close
confidence in the future, and, above all, in the morality to the reef after her crew had left her.
of our system, which aims at defending by legal means, the Her Maj's ship Jason, lying at Colon when
rights and the interests of the Two Sicilies.
the alf Id, succeeded in getting safely out

" Let us form no compact with any man of blood. We
will enter into no engagement with the theories of revolu-
tion, or with the vengeance of reaction.
" Let us remain what we are, and we shall conquer.
" Receive, &c., "L. MURAT."

If this letter, or " manifesto," as it 15 headed, be
genuine, it shows that the Muratist movement is
going on in Italy. It coincides in point of date
ith the reports that the partisans of Prince Murat
are as active in Southern Italy as ever.

A SUBSTANCE FOR QUININE-APIOL.

Drs. Joret and liomolle have laid before the Society of
Pharmacy, at Paris, a new remedy to which they have
given the name of Apiol, and which they claim to have the
medicinal properties of Peruvian bark. The new product
is obtained from common parsley seeds. The method is as
follows :

"Powdered parsley seeds are to be exhausted with
alcohol of sp. gr. 890 to 864 ; the tincture ob-
tained is to be treated with animal charcoal and
then evaporated in a water-bath until three-fourths
of the alcohol have been recovered. The residue
is to be treated with ether or chloroform, and
the solution so obtained is to be evaporated (finally by a
stove-heat) until all trace of either menstruum has been
expelled. A liquid remains which is to be triturated with
an eighth of its weight of litharge and then allowed to sub-
side during forty-eight hours. Finally it is to be filtered
through a thin laybr of charcoal, which will render it nearly
colourless. The product so obtaiued is called apiol."

Apiol retains the odour of parsley seeds, and has an
acrid and pungent taste ; it is allied to a fixed oil in cha-
racter : it does not contain nitrogen. It is given in doses
of five drops in any mucilaginous fluid or in form of a
syrup. So far, all looks well for apiol ; but before we place
it by the side, or in the place of quinine, we must hear its
virtues more widely acknowledged, and learn something of
its price as compared with its rival.—Abcial Science Review.

A QUIXOTIC EXPEDITION TO PATAGONIA.—A
person representing a Welsh emigration society left Eng,
land by the November mail steamer on his way to Buenos
Ayres, with a view, in the first place, to find the beat spot for
a settlement on the Patagonian coast ; and, in the second
place, to conclude negotiations already entered into with
the Government of the Argentine Confederation for the
cession, on conditions of a merely nominal allegiance, of a
portion of territory to be colonized by W elshmen. exclu-
sively. A very small section of Welsh enthusiasts has for
many years expressed its apprehensions that the Welsh
language is speedily dying out, that with it the most
valuable national peculiarities and virtues will be lost,
and that the only way to preserve it as a living tongue
is to establish a colony governed by Welshmen and
having its affairs conducted in the Welsh language. These
men have of late been exceedingly active. They have fixed
on the peninsula of Valdes or its neighbourhood, in Pata-
gonia, about 43 deg. of south latitude, as the only place in
the world suited for their purpose. No spot in the British
empire, however remote from other settlements, can meet
their views, for contact with the English and their. lan-
guage is the very thing they want to avoid. The project is
generally pooh-poohed in the Welsh press, which has
drawn attention to the fact that Patagonia is generally re-
presented as a country not at all adapted for civilised set-
tlements. Though the promoters of the schemes are almost
all of them'working men, they have been by no means de-
ficient in energy in replying to these animadver-
sions. They have published a " Handbook to Pata-
gonia," in which they pretend to quote the testimony of
voyagers, from Magellan downwards, to the salubrity of the
climate and the fertility of the soil, Being excluded from
the Welsh newspapers, they have established an organ of
their own, and by these means, together with lectures and
deputations, have secured the deposit money of a few in-
tending emigrants. No one doubts the integrity of their
intentions, although even the agent sent to Buenos Ayres
is himself but an artisan.

;e gale commence,
of the bay.
The brig Bolivar, of Dundee, laden with coals,
was driven ashore and became a total wreck.
The Tamar, with the English. mails, arrived at

Colon on the 23d, but was unable to communicate
in consequence of the boisterous weather and heavy
sea running. She then bore up for and anchored
at Rift() Bello, and there found the Ocean Queen,
which ressel had succeeded in getting out of the bay
when the commenced. Both vessels left on the
24th. The Tam:.
r succeeded in landing her mails
and passengers on the morning of the 25th, but was
unable to land any portim; of her cargo. After re-
ceiving the Colon, Greytown, and Blewfields mails
she returned to St. Thomas.
In consequence of the heavy fall of rain and accu-
mulation of water on the railway from Panama to
Colon there are no mails, passengers, or cargo, from
the Pacific ports or Panama, by the Atrato. The
line across the Isthmus was quite impassable, in
many places covered with several feet of water, and
it was expected to remain so for some days. The
telegraph, also, was injured, and not working.
A French brig from Martinique arrived at St.
Thomas on the 24th. She had on board 42 men,
being prisoners, landed at Martinique by the Con-
federate screw steamer Alabama (No. 290) ; the
42 men were taken from American ships captured
by the Alabama. One, an East indiamon, laden
with a valuable cargo, and having tiie American
consul, his wife and family, from Mauritius, on
board. The vessel was burnt, and the consul, his
family, and the crew taken on board and landed at
Martinique. While the Alabama was lying there
the Federal war steamer San Jacinto arrived, and
ran in near her, but was ordered by the Governor
to come to an anchor or go some distance outside.
She went outside the harbour and waited, watching
the Alabama. The latter, however, went out in the
night unseen by ale San Jacinto, who at daylight
went in search of her, but without success, The
San Jacinto arrived at St. Thomas on the 25th of
November. After coaling she proceeded to sea to
windward on the morning of the 30th. The re-
leased consul, wife, and family proceeded to St.
Thomas by the Royal mill steam:4r Solent. They
stated they were well treated onboard the Alabama
while the two ships were at Martinique. The cap-
tain of an American vessel in that port fired some
signals to the San Jacinto regarding the movements
of the Alabama. The Governor of Martinique had
him arrested for so doing, and up to the time of
the ship's departure he was still detained.
The brig John and Richard, belonging to Guern.
sey, bound from Demerara to Queenstown, with a
cargo of timber, encountered a heavy gale from the
north-west, on the Ist ult., the weather increasing
and having sprung a leak she sunk at eleven a.m.
on the following day. The master and crew took
to their boats, and in a very exhausted state they
arrived at the Island of Canduan, one of the depen-
dencies of St. Vincent, on the 25th. They were for-
warded from St. Vincent to St. Thomas by the Royal
mail steamer, and thence to Southampton by the
Atrato.

THE INDIAN NAVY.—Our announcement some
tisae since that the Indian Navy was to be abolished is now
proved to be correct. A circular has this day been issued
to the officers at home, giving the full particulars of the re-
tiring scheme. The difficulty which arose in consequence
of the refusal of the Admiralty to receive Indian officers
into the Royal Navy has been overcome by the formation of
a Bombay marine, for the transport of troops and stores and
other civil duties, on the same footing as the Bengal marine,
and not under martial law. Indian navy officers may also
volunteer for any other service in India ; in case of employ-
ment their pensions will for the time be held in abeyance. An
offer is made to capitalize the pensions by the payment down
of the value thereof, according to the Carlisle table, interest
being allowed at 5 per cent. Captains of seven years' stand -
ing, and all officers who have completed 30 years' service
according to the old, or 26 years in India under the new
furlough regulations, can retire upon a pension of £450, re-
taining their right to succeed to the Senior List Pension of
£BOO in their turn, or upon a present pension of £550, giv-
ing up their right to the higher annuity. Captains of less
standing are offered £4OO, with the right to succeed to the
higher pension, or £450, waiving that right. Commanders
whose appointments date prior to 1831 are offered £450,
with nothing in prospect; after 1831 the amount is £4OO,
all officers thus retiring to have the honorary rank of cap-
tain in the Indian navy. The 24 senior lieutenants to re-
tire with the rank of commander, and to receive £3OO per
annum:; the neat 24 lieutenants £250 ; and the remaining
20 lieutenants £2OO. The 12 senior mates £l5O each. All
mates who have been three years on the list, £125;
these officers to rank as lieutenants. All other mates
£lOO each. Each midshipman £6O. The six senior
pursers to retire on £3OO ; the next six on £250 ; and the
remaining 11 on £2OO. Each captain's clerk to receive a
pension of £6O. All the acting masters who have completed
15 years' actual service in India to receive a gratuity of two
months' pay for every complete year of service. All acting
masters, and all acting second masters, whether first or
second class, of lees than 15 years' actual service in India,
to receive one month's pay for every year ; the gratuity in
no case to be less than three months' pay. Homeward pas-
sage money is granted, and those officersymaototunthhi ho
have sinthins octnurencteriyv eadret hrequired
aar et toon do re a
two tnho et iaf
Under-
Secretary of State for India whether they volunteer for the
marine or any other service in India ; and if as surveyors,
they will not be considered as commissioned officers or
under martial law. Officers are also requested to state if
they desire to Capitalize their pension.—From Grindlay's
Home News.

Exchange on London :—Bank bills at 90 days
ruled at 4871 dols ; 60 days, 490 dols ; 30 days,
4921 dols ; private bills at 90 days, 4821 dols ; 60
days, 4831 dole; 30 days, 4841 dols.

The late Mrs. Ann Cutts, of the Old Kent-road,
has left the National Lifeboat Institution a legacy of
£l,OOO, free of duty. At the present period, when the de-
mands on the society are so heavy that it has just been
compelled to sell out £5OO from its small funded capital,
this legacy will greatly strengthen the hands of the com-
mittee to carry out the national and philanthropic objects
of the Lifeboat Institution.