The Sun.
London, England, 1862-04-11 00:00:00

THE SUN LOSDON, FRIDAY EVENING, APRIL 11, 1862.

The house then divided on the mo tion for the second
reading—
Ayes
Noes

Before the division-paper was handed to Mr. Brand it
became known that the numbers were equal, and there were
cries of " A tie, a tie I" and loud cheers from the Opponents
of the bill.

The SPEAKER—The house having given leave that
this bill should be introduced—

The right hon. gentleman was here interrupted, for a
murmur ran through the house that the vote of the hon.
member had not been recorded ; at the same time there were
cries of " The tellers are agreed."
Mr. BRAND then came to the table and said,—l under-
stand, Sir, that the hon. member for Rochester, who would
have voted with "the Ayes," was not numbered. (Cries
of " Divide again," and "The tellers are agreed.")
31r. W. MARTIN having come to the table,
The SPEAKER said—Did you hear the question put ?
Mr. W. MARTIN—I did; I was in the house, but did
not pass through the lobby.
The SPEAKER--If the hon. member heard the ques-
tion put and stopped in the lobby, he would be excluded
from voting. Did the hon. member intend to vote ?

Mr. W. MARTIN—I did.
The SPEAKER—Which way did the hon. member wish
to vote ?

Mr. W. MARTIN—With the "Ayes " (Loud cheers.)
The SPEAKER having then put the question that the
bill be now read a second time, the house again divided.
Ayes
Noes B3
_ _

Majority against the second reading 2
When the division-paper was handed to Mr. Selwyn
there were loud cheers from the Opposition, and some mo-
ments elapsed before silence was restored. When the num-
bers were at length announced the result was received with
renewed cheering.

SUPPLY. •
The house then went into Committee of Supply, when a
resolution was agreed to granting a sum of £1,000,000 to
pay off Exchequer Bonds.
Certain bills were forwarded a stage.
Sir G. GREY obtained leave to bring in a bill to amend
the law relating to Corrupt Practices at Elections of Mem-
bers of Parliament, after explaining its provisions.
In a committee of the whole house, _ .

The_ SOLICITOR-GENERAL obtained leave to bring
in a bill for the incorporation, regulation, and winding .up
of trading companies and other associations.
Leave was likewiee given to Mr. HUNT to introduce a
bill to give greater facilities for summoning persons on
juries.

Mr. HUNT moved- for a select committee to inquire
into the operation of the present system of payment of the
expenses of prosecutions, and to report whether it is desir-
able that any alteration should be made in that system.
The motion was agreed to, after some remarks and expla-
nations by Sir G. Grey, Mr. Deedes, and Mr. S. Booth.
Leave was given to introduce a bill to provide for the
education and maintenance of pauper children in certain
schools and institutions ; and a bill to provide for the better
assessing and collecting the poor-rates in Scotland in re-
spect of subjects of small annual value.
On the motion of Mr. COWPER to nominate the select
committee on the Thames Embankment Bill,

Mr. CRAWFORD protested against the constitution of
the committee.

After some discussion, the committee was nominated.

The remaining business having been disposed of, the
house adjourned at half-past one o'clock.

SPORTING IN7ELLIGENCE.

EPSOM SPRING MEETING-THURSDAY.

The dreariness of the morning had doubtless some effect
on the attendance at this meeting on its opening day, yet
the Stand was filled nearly as well as usual, although the
sides of the course and " The Hill " showed but a scanty
array of carriages. Our remarks last summer on the dun-
geon allotted to the officials, the jockeys, and the Press for
the transaction of business have, it seems, been partially at.
tended to. The black boards, still used for a telegraph, no
longer obstruct the narrow entrance of the weighing place,
but the present progress of racing arrangements ought to
induce the managers of a place of sport, such as Epsom is,
not to miter their popular meeting to remain the most in-
convenient in England. They are unable, or unwilling, to
see the proper site for a trainers' stand, which ought to be
behind the judge's box, and might be above a model weigh-
ing house.

The day's sport had sufficient interest to amuse the spec-
tators, and good fields started for every race. In the chief
event, Sawcutter, the winner, appearing not to have pleased
his friends at home, was by no means a favourite, but he
won in a common canter. The2-yr-olds do not seem to be
a very formidable lot, but we expect to hear again of more
than one of the older horses.

The Trial titakes of 60 Boys, added to a sweepstakes of 6
soya each; 3-yr-olds 7st 11b, 4-yr-olds Bst 71b, 6-yr-olds
Bst 131 b, 6 and aged 9st, mares allowed 61b, and geldings

- -
31b. One mile. 16 subs.
Count Lagrange's Arcadia, 3 yrs, 6st lib (Hunter) 1
Mr. Merry's Costa, 3 yrs, 7st 111 (H. Covey) 2
Mr. Saxon's Brown Duchess, 4 yrs, Bst 31b (Midgeley) 3
Lord Ailesbury's Cantine, 6 yrs, 9st (J. Goater) 4

The following also ran :—Disappointment, The Sage,
Equator, Blackcoek, Beseventum, Rosabella, Necromancer,
Mystery filly, Amalthea, Commerce, The Saxon, and
Rapture.
Betting-7 to 4 agal Brown Duchess, sto 1 agst Cantine,
6 to 1 etch apt Arcadia and Costa, 7 to 1 agst Blackcock,
and 10 to 1 agst any other.
After one slight failure a capital start was effected. Can-
tine, next the rails, jumped off with a slight lead, followed
by the favourite, Equator, Blackcock, Arcadia, and Costa,
the others lying in a cluster at their heels, the last of all
being Amalthea. On entering the old course Brown
Duchess took the command, and with Cantine and Equator
came on with the running some two or three lengths in ad-
vance of the next division, at the bead of which were Rosa-
belle, Costa, Arcadia, and Blackcock, in which way they
ran to half way down the hill, where Mr. Parr's colt was
disposed of, and his place was taken by Blackcock, closely
followed by Arcadia and Costa. Crossing the tanroad Can-
tine gave way, and was passed in succession by Blackcock,
the French representative, and Costa, to which lot the race
was confined. Half way in the distance Blackcock was
beaten and dropped into the rear, Arcadia at the same
time, in company with Costa, joined Brown Duchess, the
former getting her head in front at the Stand, and won very
cleverly by two lengths. Brown Duchess finished a bad
'third ; Cantine fourth ; Necromancer was fifth ; Commerce
sixth; and Blackcock next; the others were widely distri-
buted, and were pulling up as they passed the Stand, the
last being Rapture.

The Heathcote Plato of 50 soya (handicap) for all ages.
New T.Y.C. ; three-quarters of a mile. Winners to

carry blb extra.
Mr. Payne's Rockley, 5 yrs, bet 121 b (Drew) 1
Mr. Saxon's Hopeful Duchess,3 yrs,6st 21b(J.Grimshaw) 2
Capt. Coates's Hesper, 4 yrs, Bst 131 b.... (G. Fordham) 3

The following also ran :—Lord of the Manor, Cantab,
Overton, Dux, Reprieve, Hartington, Prince Frederick,
Freestone, and Chrysalis.

Betting-2 to 1 agst Rockley, 6to 1 agst Dux, and Bto
1 each agst Beeper and Lord of the Manor.
Immediately the flag was lowered Hopeful Duchess rushed
to the front, and made the running at a good pace, having
Reprieve next the rails, Reaper, Rockley, and Lord of the
Manor in close attendance. Crossing the road the leading
horses got close together, but, on reaching the distance,
Reprieve fell back, and Rockley, with Hesper at its girths,
joined Mr. Saxon's filly, the three running in company to
the stand enclosure, where they were joined by the heavy
weight, but in a few strides further the latter was disposed
of, the three placed finishing the race home, Rockley, who
got up a few strides from the chair, winning, with nothing
to spare, by three parts of a length ; Hopeful Duchess
finished two lengths in advance of Hesper, who was third,
Lord of the Manor fourth, Dux fifth, and Reprieve next ;
the others were beaten off a long way.
The City and Suburban Handicap of 15 sovs each, 10 ft
and only 5 if declared, with 100 added; winners extra;
the second to receive 25 soya out of the stakes ; the last

mile ; 149 subs, 50 of whom pay 5 Boys each.
Mr. R. C. Naylor's Sawcutter, 4 yrs, 7st 121 b (Challoner) 1
Mr. Merry's Vest colt, 3 yrs, 6st 61b (H. Covey) 2
'Mr. J. 11. Smith's Fitz-Avon, 5 yrs, 7st 71b (J. Adams) 3
Mr. J. Smith's VancJuver (51b extra), 4 yrs, 7st llb
(Clement) 4
The following also ran :—Palestro, Camerino, General
Hess, Nemesis, Croagh Patrick, Suburban, Confectioner,
Astarte, Phantom, Highflyer, Grey Hen colt, Entremet,
Ducat, Tuberose, Oberon, Brighton, Lord Stanley, Bosh,
Limosina, and Olive Branch.

Betting-4 to 1 each agst Vancouver and Ducat, 100 to
12 agst Phantom, 9 to 1 agst Suburban, 11 to 1 agst Pales-
tro, 100 to 6 agst the Vest colt, 25 to 1 each agst Olive
Branch, Camerino, and Sawcutter, 1,000 to 30 agst Nemesis,
and 60 to 1 agst Entremet.
Little or no time was lost in the weighing out, and shortly
after the hour set down the two dozen left the paddock,
followed the started to the post, and were despatched,
after a short delay, in a compact body. On settling into
their places, Vancouver was seen to head the van, but be-
fore he had proceeded many stt ides he was passed by Astarte,
who came on with a clear lead, having for immediate fol-
lowest Confectioner, Olive Branch, Croagh Patrick, Ducat,
and Suburban, Vancouver, who headed the rear division,
lying in the centre some two or three lengths away, the last
three being Fttz-Avon, Sawcutter, and Phantom. On
rounding the turn into the old course Astarte gave way, and
was passed by the Vest colt, who, in company with Ducat,
Croagh Patrick, Suburban, and Olive Branch, came on in
a body, the others headed by Fitz-Avon, the Gray Hen
colt, and Sawcutter, lying close in their wake, the pace
mending considerably as they descended the hill. On fairly
entering the straight the colours of the Vest colt were still
' seen in advance, Olive Branch lying on his whip hand, with
. whom were Suburban, Confectioner on the lower side, Fitz-
Avon, and the favourite, the severity of the pace having
disposed of the rear division. On reaching the distance,
Challoner, who had bided his time, brought Sawcutter
through his horses, and halfway in the rails he took the
command, followed by Mr. Merry's colt and Fitz-Avon.
Vancouver and Suburban at the same time disappeared from
the contest, leaving Sawcutter, who was never approached,
to canter In a winner by three lengths, Vest colt obtaining

the second money from Fitz-Avon by two lengths, a like
distance separating the third and fourth ;,...!041.,and Ducat
finished together on the lower side, close up witifthe favour-
ite; then came Camerino, Suburban, Lord Stanley, and
Confectioner; the others passed the post at wide intervals,
the last three being Astarte, Phantom, and Tuberose.

The Two-yr-Old Stakes of 10 sovs each, with 60 added ; for
colts Bst 101 b, and fillies Bst 71b. The second horse to save

his stake. Half a mile. 41subs.
Lord St. Vincent's The Orphan (Hibberd) 1
Mr. Whittaker's King of Utopia (J. Goater) 2
Mr. Gratwicke's Side • saddle filly (H. Bell) 3

The following also ran :—Golden Dust, Tramper, Bats-
man, The Royal Stag, Persigny, Gentilhomme, Wyon,
Lady Superior, and Oscar.
Betting-7 to 4 agst Royal Stag, 6to 1 agst The Orphan,
7 to 1 agst Gentilhomme, and 10 tto 1 each agst Batsman,
Oscar, and King of Utopia.

The favourite was very fractious at the post, and got
badly off when the flag fell. Mr. Ten Broeck's two, The
Orphan, and King of Utopia were quickly in front, with
Wyon and the Side-saddle filly at their girths. Before they
had reached the distance, The Orphan took a clear lead,
and finally won in a canter by four lengths, the Side-saddle
filly being a bad third. Lady Superior, Gentilhomme, and
Wyon were the next three, and Tramper last of all.
The London-bridge Stakes of 5 sovs each, with 50 soya
added. Weights for age, with optional selling weights
Three-quarters of a mile. Nine subs.
Mr. Saxon's Douche, 2 yrs, (£3O), sst 71b (J. Grimshaw) 1
Lord Coventry's Event, 2 yrs (£3O), sst 12Ib (J. Plumb) 2
Capt. Coates's Tiney, 2 yrs (£3O), sst 71b (car. sst 91b)
(Hunter) 3
The following also ran :—Ceres, Saline filly, Ruth, Ross-
more, Passion, and Rupert's dam colt.

Betting-2 to 1 agst Douche, 3to 1 agst Rossmore, and
6to 1 agst Event. Nothing else was backed. Copia was
weighed for by Smith, and her number exhibited on the
telegraph, but she did not get to the post in time to start.
Ruth, Event, and Ceres ran in front until they crossed the
road, when the favourite closed with them, and soon after-
wards had her head before Event. She then cams away,
and won very cleverly by a length, a similar distance sepa-
rating the third from the second. Ruth finished fourth,
close up. The winner was bought in for 165 guineas.
The Inkerman Plate of 60 soya (handicap), for all ages.

Half a mile. Winners extra.

Mr. G. Hodgman's Shillelagh, 4 yrs, Bst 21b (Challoner) 1
Captain Coates's Hesper, 4 yrs, Bst 101 b (Custanee) 2
Mr. Saxon's Paresseuse, 3 yrs, sst 101 b.. (J, Grimshaw) 3
The following also ran :—Miss Julia, Fravola, Woman
in Red, Antwerp, Miss Emma, Gaberdine, Santa Claus,
Francatelli, Tarragona, Castor Oil, Miss Newlands, Hope
filly, Tom Sayers, and Cairncastle.
Betting-4 to 1 agst Tom Sayers, 7to 1 each agst Shil
lelagh and Hesper, 8 to 1 each agst Miss Julia and Miss
Emma, 10 to 1 each agst Woman in Red and Paresseuse,
and 12 to 1 agst Fravola.
After two or three breaks away the flag was lowered to a
scrambling start. The front rank was compossd of Miss
Julia, Shillelagh, Hesper, and Paresseuse ; the favourite
and one or two others getting badly off, were left some dis-
tance in their rear. In this way they ran to the half dis •
tance, where Miss Julia was in trouble, and the lead left
with Hesper who appeared, to have the best of it, to the
Stand, where Challoner called upon his horse, and got up in
the last few strides, and won very cleverly by a length ; two
lengths separating the second and third; Miss Julia was
fourth; the others were beaten off.

THE BA77LE OF THE TARGETS AT
SHOEB URY NESS.

Tuesday was a grand field day at Shoeburyness.
The annihilation of two first-class wooden men-of-
war, of the United States
_navy,
by an armour-
plated ship, has agitated society in this country,
from the lowest to the highest rank. We are sud-
denly awakened to the consciousness that we no
longer possess a navy, and royalty even is aroused.
A numerous and distinguished assemblage, includ-
ing H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge, the Duke of
Sutherland, the Duke of Somerset, and other Lords
of the Admiralty, a large number of naval and mili-
tary officers and high officials, Sir John Hay, )LP.,
and Mr. W. Fairbairn, with their colleagues of the
Iron Plate Committee, several eminent shipbuilders,
engineers, and gentlemen interested in the great
question of the day, including Sir William Arm-
strong, were on the ground as spectators of a trial
of strength between the Warrior and Fairbairn
targets, as well as of experiments with the new
Armstrong shunt gun. S 6 intense was the interest
excited by this remarkable contest that fancy might
picture the sensation as something akin to that
experienced by the crowds who gazed on the fight
between the Monitor and the Merrimac, on the
banks of the James river and Hampton Roads.
On a late occasion we recorded the damage suf-
fered by Mr. Fairbairn's target, from the screw
bolts with which the plates were fastened breaking
off at the nuts, inside the skin, from the effect of
vibration. To render the description which follows
clear we will remind our readers that this target
consists of armour plates in close contiguity with
the plates representing the skin of a ship, without
any backing, whilst the Warrior target, which
is a fan-simile section of the Warrior herself, is
provided with eighteen inches of teak between
the armour plates and the skin. Since this last
trial, when the former target had to draw off like
the Merrimac for repairs, the broken bolts were re-
placed by others more securely fastened, some by
means of screws and nuts, others by riveting and
counter-sinking the bolts at both ends. The nuts
were screwed up against washers of iron and vari-
ous soft or elastic materials, as wood, india-rubber,
and spun yarn, and thin sheets of india-rubber or
felt were interposed between the armour plates and
the skin, the object of these arrangements being to
prevent the vibration which had been so disastrous
at the last trial. Not to disturb our narrative, it
may here be mentioned that the india-rubber and
felt packing between the iron surfaces answered
their purpose, as the screw and rivet bolts stood
admirably the most tremendous shocks, but the in-
sertion of yielding material between the nuts and
the skin turned out to be a mistake, the bolts which
broke being some of those so provided, but of the
other bolts and counter-sunk rivets not one was
broken.

The Fairbaiin target, thus refitted, we may say
figuratively, came out of port, and challenged the
Warrior section, which may be supposed, looked on
contemptuously proud of her former victory—at all
events, her constructors did. The two targets stand
side by side, are of the same dimensions, 20 feet by
10 feet, and with the difference before mentioned,
similar in construction. As regards the backing to
the armour plates, it was a contest between iron
and wood. For five hours, like the American iron-
sides, these targets encountered a continuous bat-
tery of projectiles. The Warrior having in her trial
in October received a large amount of punishment,
was on this occasion fired at only by solid shot,
weight 1561b5, with the Armstrong successive charges
of 40 lbs and 50 lbs of gunpowder. The Fairbairn
was hammered at incessantly with rounds of shell,
and 68-pounder round shot from smooth bores, and
110 mad 140-pounder solid shot from Armstrongs,
the last from a shunt gun. We will not ettempt
to give a detailed account of this remarkable feat
of arms, in which the antagonist forces suffered
heavy damage, and were both so much disabled as
to be rendered hors de combat. The technical de-
tails would occupy too much time, and not be so
interesting or instructive to the public as a descrip-
tion of the most noticeable features and general
results.

The Warrior was attacked by the Armstrong
guns, intended, when rifled, to fire 300-lb. bolts,
but now, being a smooth bore, firing 150-lbs. round
shot, four of which formidable missiles were hurled
against the representative of the noble ship, two
with 40-lb., two with 50-lb. charges, each shot sepa-
rately. No description can give an adequate con-
ception of the destructive power of these iron globes
propelled with such heavy charges of powder. At
a nrannthgeaogfai2noaot yards, they tiffheeyrernut points of the target,shed from the cannon's
mand with wonderful precision, struck the points
aimed at, and sweeping destruction followed each
impact. The armour Plates, 41 inches thick, were
sh P;erced through and through. The shot
theswmitahed o
smallerr charges (40 lb.) split and crushed
the iron a
e over
ve
deep
p a surface of three or four square feet,
and n
cracks 18 inches to 3 feet in length,
the teak backing
being splintered into match-wood.
na e
e
The 50-Ib. charges carried the two projectiles
throughun-
the armour plate and 18 inches
nrefstiesatikb,lyan
dbu
bursting through the ship's skin and
itselfi
foundationronnh
ribs,it
of the target, one
Which struck a bottom plate buried
e thick balks of timber which form the
and may be considered as
the gun-deck ; the other, which struck the upper
plate, made a monstrous ragged hole
through the
thick iron and teak, and hurtled away
h air out to sea as if rejoicing at the
tphaarvrotoug fnolh at
tophad
the
done. Evidently, if the Warrior
in action had been penetrated by these four
shots, unless she had inflicted equal damage on her

adversary, must have struck her colours. She re •
ceived. one wound betwee9.,.wind and water of so
lacerated' and ugly a charatter—which a bystander
appropriately termed a compound fracture, smash-
ing skin and bone and muscle and sinew—that the
healing of that wound under fire would have been
impossible. The others were so far fatal that they
opened windows in the armour plates through which
those formidable explosive shells which made the
decks of the Cumberland and Congress charnel
houses, could be poured into the ship by the enemy.
So much for the boasted prowess of the W arrior.
But do we from this catastrophe conclude that iron
armour cannot be made invulnerable ? Far from
it. A reference to our report of the first trial of
this target will show that from the defective con
struction of the armour plates its speedy destruction
might be anticipated.
We are. sorry to report that the rival mailed
structure, the child of the Iron Plate Committee,
fared no better or rather worse than the Warrior
section. At the close of the day, after suffering the
assault of 10 distinct rounds, including 49 heavy
projectiles of every kind before mentioned, except
the terrible 1501 b Armstrong solid round shot, the
Fairbairn was left in so miserably maitred and
crippled a condition, that had she been a vessel en-
gaged in deadly strife with artillery she must have
been in a sinking condition. But the Iron Com
mittee gallantly fought their ship to the last, deter-
mined to ascertain her defensive properties with
the view of determining the weak as well as the
strong points of the system of armour plating which
this specimen illustrates.

In an experimental point of view too much praise
cannot be given to the members of the special com-
mittee for the energy, perseverance, and intelli-
gence they displayed in conducting the day's pro-
cedings. In spite of wretched weather, and tramp-
ling in mud and slush, they were engaged in their
useful labours from ten to past five o'clock. Mr.
Fairbairn, who took the command, being the most
active and persevering up to the last moment, con-
tinually urging the artillery to new trials of
strength in this remarkable combat.
The Lords of the Admiralty, as w ell as the Duke
of Cambridge, evinced a laudable anxiety in watch-
ing and examining the effects produced. At the
sound of " cease firing," they took the lead is the
throng which rushed from the cover of casemates,
and observed attentively the effect of every shot.
Many of them were seen mounting by a ladder to
a giddy height on the timber which represented
the upper deck of the Warrior, to scrutinise the
extent of internal damage caused by that destroy-
ing missile which fled away seawards, leaving a
round hole bigger than a man's head. We will not
vouch for the Royal Duke having gone aloft, but
certainly the Duke of Somerset was at the post of
danger.
These experimental trials have been most in-
structive, and in that sense successful. They were
carried out in the way so strongly urged by the
Mechanics' Magazine. The targets were attacked
a outrance, and the results were invaluable. Many
minor points are decisively settled. It would be an
elaborate work not suited to a hebdomidal survey of
scientific and mechanical events, to enter into a
minute analysis of the practical results of this really
effective artillery practice on iron armour-plated
structures, but we will briefly describe the facts
which seam to be definitely determined.
Ist. The little dependence to be placed on
through bolts, or any kind of fastening exposed at
the surface to the impact of projectiles; indeed, we
may say, their self-destroying character was clearly
proved. Five or six of the bolts, of which the
heads were struck by shot, were instantaneously
converted into powerful wedges, which taking up
the momentum were driven through the 41 inch
plate, and split the iron asunder. One bolt, after
performing this destructive exploit most effectively,
by literally dividing a massive plate into two parts,
escaped through the target,. whizzing away to sea.
2. Bolt holes were positively proved to be a source
of weakness, for in a dozen places long and deep
cracks were caused in zig-zag lines from one hole to
another. It was, in fact, demonstrated that the
through bolts and their holes greatly aggravated
the damaging effects of the artillery fire, which un-
questionably would have been less destructive if
more secure modes of fastening had been adopted.
3. Wood as a backing is utterly condemned ;
whatever its advantage to prevent vibration and
protect the ship's skin, it undoubtedly facilitates
the demolition of the plates and the rupture of the
fastenings. This is the case of the Warrior, and
applies to the wooden ships intended to be armour-
plated. _ _ _

4. The arrangement of armour-plates close to the
skin of an iron ship without an intermediate back-
ing is exemplified by the Fairbairn target to be
wrong in principle.
We will make no further commentary, leaving
facts to speak for themselves.
The performances of the day were brought to a
close by a little interlude, both interesting and in-
structive. A system of backing plates with plaited
iron wire and wood on the plan of an inventor
whose name we did not learn, was submitted to trial
by the Iron Plate Committee. Four small targets,
ingeniously constructed for comparative trials, were
fired upon with a 6-lb. conical ball from a small
piece with the same charge. Each target was of
the same dimensions, and contained the same weight
of materials. No. 1 was all iron ; No. 2 and 3,
iron and plaited wire of different thickness; and
No. 4, iron, wood, and wire in layers one over the
other, the iron in every case outside. No. 1 repelled
the shot, receiving only a slight indentation ; No.
2 and 3 were penetrated through the iron plate, and
nearly through the wire backing ; and No. 4 was
pierced through and through, showing conclusively
the total inefficiency of wood or any yielding sub-
stance as a backing.

Another system of armour-plating, the invention
of Captain Inglis, of the Rayal Engineers, was to
have been experimented upon ; but no time was left
for the trial of his plan, which consists of wrought-
iron planks crossing each other in alternate layers,
and secured by screw bolts. We understand this
trial will come off in a few days. We also observed
that active preparations are in progress on the
ground for the erection of Mr. Scott Russell's and
Mr. Samuda's targets, which are in a forward state,
and will be subjected to the searching test of artil-
lery as soon as possible.

THE INTE.RN TION A L X HIBITIO.N.

The eastern annexe has made considerable pro-
gress during the last few days ; but all the exer.•
tins of Mr. Robert Hunt, Mr. E. V. Liddon, Mr.
Quin, and Mr. Thomas will be required in order to
have the goods arranged. The goods shown in this
portion of the building are those which form the
basis of our trade and commerce, and the source of
nearly all the wealth of the country. These pro-
ducts of the soil, and of the forest, and of the mine,
the machines for tilling the land, for sowing the
seed, and gathering the harvest, for working the
mines, or the models for smelting the ores of iron
and copper and tin, may not be so attractive to the
eye as pictures that glow on the walls of the long
galleries, or the wares that glitter in the depart-
ment of the silversmiths and jewellers; but they
nevertheless possess undoubted interest, and must
prove highly instructive. There is, for instance,
a monster iron rail, rolled in one piece by the But-
terley Company. It is 117 feet in length, and is
rather more than one ton in weight, or very nearly
601 b. to the yard. But it was fashioned into its pre-
sent form by one enormous rolling mill. When first
taken in hand by the huge machine it was a rough
block of glowing
metal, and it was pressed, and
compressed, and squeezed at the top and bottom
and at the sides, by powerful rollers that compelled
it to pass through gradually decreasing openings
until the block of six feet in length was attenuated
into the bar of 117 feet, being the largest bar of
railway iron which the world has yet produced.
Near this monster bar is an iron plate not less won-
drous as a curiosity of metallurgic industry. It is
and thick. This slab of
14ft. long, sft. wide,
iron has been smoothed out into its present form by
a succession of massive rollers, just as linen is
smoothed in the press or mangle. In these gigantic
specimens we see manufacturing process applied in
the first stage to the produce of the mine. If the
visitor will turn aside he will see that nature her-
self, as though determined not to be outdone by the