The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-15 00:00:00

LORD TRURO'S VOLUNTEER BRIGADE.

The annual distribution of prizes to the successful
competitors last season at Plumstead and Staines in
Lord Truro's volunteer brigade, which. consist of
the Ist Middlesex Light Horse, 3d Middlesex Artil-
lery, and the 4th Middlesex (West London) Rifles,
took place last evening in Westminster-ball, and
passed off .with even a, greater amount of eclat and
enthusiasm than usually attends exhibitions of a
similarly pleasing character. There, was a verylarge
muster of the members of the 3d Middlesex and
West London Rifles underarms, and a goodly attend-
dance of the friends and patrons of the brigade, in-
cluding a considerable number of the fair sex. The
hall, which was brilliantly lighted up, presented a
very gay appearance. At the northern end, on
the dais leading to the statue corridor, were seated
the ladies of Lord Truro and other cfficers, and on
two tables in the front were displayed a formidable
array of prizes, nearly all of silver, comprising cups,
salvers, challenge vases, Enfield .rifles, meerschaum
pipes, field-glasses, and articles for the table.' Alto-
gether the scene was one of great eicitement. Five
bands were in attendance, playing with admirable
effect a selection of marches and overtures.

Lord Truro, accompanied by Col. Erskine, en-
tered the hall about half-past 8 o'clock, and was
received with full military honours. Ile' briefly
addressed the brigade, expressing his unqualified
gratification at• finding so large an assemblage on
such an interesting occasion. He regarded that fact
as an evidence that the brigade had discharged their
duty to the satisfaction of those who knew them
best, and that it had created somewhat of interest
among the public at large. He wished that it were
possible for other countries to witness the array
called together at the giving of prizes to volunteer
corps in this kingdom, for it would satisfy them not
only of the wisdom of the volunteer movement as
a means of defence, but that that movement had
taken deep hold on the affections of the country.
He congratulated the assemblage on the progress
which had been made by the volunteer movement
since its commencement, while be regretted that the
meeting took place at a time of the year when the
Middlesex Light Horse were engaged in hunting, or
other country pursuits ;, and the • same reason must
account for the absence of the volunteer cavalry.
With the 3d Middlesex Artillery he was highly
pleased. It had largely increased in the course of
the year, and he thanked them for their good atten-
dance and the industry they had exhibited this year
both at drill and gun practice: The 4th Middlesex
had also shown not only a great increase in numbers
but marked efficiency, and he thought he was fully
justified in saying that they would bear comparison
with all other corps iu drill or rifle practice. With
these observations he should proceed to the imme-
diate business of the evening.
Previously to distributing the valuable series of
prizes, which amounted to upwards of £5OO, Sur-
geon-Major Rice, in the absence of Captain J.
Johns, on behalf of the officers and members of the
3d Middlesex Artillery, presented Lieut.-Colonel
the Right Hon. Lord Truro with a very beautiful
sword, in silver scabbard, and Major J. F. Woodall,
President .of the Regimental Shooting Committee of
the West London Rifles, offered for his lordship's
acceptance on behalf of the regiment, a handsomely
illuminated album, exquisitely bound in carved oak,
containing an address to the following effect, signed
by between three and four hundred members of the
corps:-- •

" We, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and pri-
vates of the West London Rifle Volunteers, availing our-
selves of the opportunity of the prize distribution, desire
to offer the expression of our sincere respect and esteem to
your lordship as our commanding officer, and our high ap-
preciation of your liberality, courtesy, and constant effort
for the advancement of the interests of the corps, which
has been raised to its present high position by your lord-
ship's laborious and persevering exertions. We are per-
suaded there is not a commanding officer in the service
who is more anxious for the prosperity of the corps under
his command, or who endeavours so constantly to meet the
wishes of all, whether officers or men, consistently with
his duty, and we trust the unanimity and good feeling
which consequently exist in the regiment are to your lord-
ship sources of gratification and pride."

This album was greatly admired, and did in-
finite credit to the taste of the eminent illumina-
tor, Mr. Openheim, of Carey-street. Independent
of its intrinsic merit as the gift of an efficient and
well-disciplined regiment to an amiable and ener-
getic commanding officer, the actual cost of the
volume was somewhat more than £5O.

In the course of Major WOODALL'S brief address
he mentioned the gratifying fact that 157 men of
the corps had fired through the first, second, and
third classes, and only 18 still remained in the third
class.

Lord TRURO, iu returning thanks to the artillery
company, alluded to the singular privilege which
had been conceded to him by the War-office of
commanding no less than three volunteer corps.
He had endeavoured to show his sense of such dis-
tinction by zeal and attention to the interests and
efficiency of the several corps, and lie found his
reward in their present well-disciplined and satisfac-
tory condition. For the splendid sword presented
by the 3d Middlesex Artillery his lordship said he
felt deeply indebted, and he should hold it in re-
many pleasant hours he had
rmaesmsedbraiinl
re-
membrancethe
endeavouring to contribute to the effi-
ciency of the corps.
Nearly two hours were occupied in the distribu-
tion of the prizes. To each successful competitor
Lord Truro addressed words of general encourage-
ment-and approval. - Several of the officers and men
were greeted. with hearty rounds of applause on pre-
senting themselves, more especially Major Woodall,
Sergeant Bingham (late of the 48th Regiment), and
Colour-Sergeant Hayborne. Captain Bay. presi-
dent of the shooting committee of the 3d Middlesex
Artillery, was also presented, on behalf of his
brother officers and men, with a testimonial in the
shape of an album or " pictorial roll call," in re-
cognition of the services which he has so continu-
ously rendered to the corps.
At the termination of the proceedings,
Colonel ERSKINE, inspector of Volunteers, made
a few complimentary observations, making special
allusion to the good feeling which existed between
the artillery and infantry corps in the brigade.

BREAKFAST BEVERAGE. —llornceopftthic practitioners, and
the medical profession generally, recommend COCOA as being
t e most healthful of alt berzrages. When the doctrine of
homeopathy was first introduced into this country, there
were to be obtaiutd no preparations of cocoa either attrac-
tive to the taste or accepts- le to the stomach ; the nut was
either pawned in the crude state, or so unskilfully manu-
factured as to obtain little notice. J. Epps, of London,
homeopathic 'chemist, was induced in the year 1839 to turn
his attention to this subje t, and at length succeeded, with
the as- sisiance of elaborate machinery, in being the first to
produce an article pure in its composition, a id so refined by
the pert et trituration it re:eives in the process it passel
hrougVas to be most acceptable to the delicate stomach.
For general use Ens' cocoa is distin.qiislied as an invigo-
rating:grateful breakfast beverage, with a delLioUs aroma.
Dr. I.lasall in his work, Food
.and its AdulteratiLns,"
says---i, Cocoa contains .a great variety of importan‘ nutritive
wincipies ; every.3ngredient necessary to the growth and
suStenanee of the body." _Again, "As a nutritive, cocoa
stands eery much higher than either coffee or tea." Direc-
tions:— Two teaspoon'uls of the powder in a breakfast cur),
filled up with bitting wat r 9:* milk. Secured in tin=lina
-lb., , and lib. labelled PaoUcts, and 'told at is, Od. per
lb. by grocers, confectioners, as.d. Chemists.