The Sun.
London, England, 1865-01-26 00:00:00

the destruction of arm4.:l-6-',..A7440ak1ve
been known earlier than trils;7-ailidilvhiiiiC;it, "w as
evident that
guns and gunpovideaweOknown
85 years before Christ. When he was in India he
recollected that when the soldiers were digging they
came across some statues • in marble, at which they
were much amused. They had the figures washed,
and the first was a Jupiter, which had nothing else
than a pair of boots on. (Laughter.) There was also
a Venus and an undoubted Diana, and they all had
a certain mark on the forehead which showed that
they had been made by the Greeks. He had spoken
of Sparks as the inventor of gunpowder ; he might
I also say that he was the originator of the mortar,
for on one occasion he was grinding gunpowder in
! a mortar (supposed to be iron) and it threw him on
i his back, teaching him the law of projectiles.
(Laughter.) He promised them that if they pro-
gressed in their efficiency they should have a mortar
or two. He could not impress upon the gunners too
much the necessity of their learning their duties, and
the officers would do well to make themselves
acquainted with mathematics, surveying, levelling,
the attack and defence of places, and the law of
projectiles and motion. They must not only know
how to fight with their guns, but also to repair them
if they became damaged. The gallant colonel con-
cluded by saying that discipline was of the first im-
portance, and that he hoped on field-days artillery-
men would abstain from smoking.
Colonel 111‘Murdo then proceeded with the delivery
of the prizes, which amounted in the aggregate to
the value of 162 guineas.

At the conclusion of the ceremony,
Major DURNFORD briefly thanked Col. M'Murdo
for his attendance, arid Captain Jenkins proposed a
vote of thanks to Colonel Erskine for attending,
which was heartily responded to.
Colonel ERSKINE, in responding, said that he was
not altogether a stranger to them, for he had seen
them at reviews, &c. Their corps was first formed
in 18G0. In August, 1861, they had 121 enrolled
members. The next year they had 185 members.
On the Ist December, 1863, they had 227 members,
140 of them were efficients, which was 61 per cent.,
and on the Ist December they had 370 members,
thereby exhibiting the same re-
-228 being efficients,
sult. He saw from the report of the inspection that
it was very satisfactory. Three officers had attached
themselves to the army, and this was to be com-
mended, as they would learn more than from mere
volunteer drill. He was pleased they had not been
exempted from big gun drill, particularly when the
difficulty of obtaining ranges was taken into con-
sideration. The gallant concluded by wishing them
every prosperity for the future, and resumed his seat
amidst vociferous applause.
Mr. BURT spoke in highly eulogistic terms of
Major Durnford, the commanding officer, who, he
said, had not only given great time to them, but also
much pecuniary aid.
Major DURNFORD, in returning thanks, said that
he had to announce a great addition in the prizes for
next year. The object of their corps was to work
and be efficient, and in accordance with Colonel
M'Murdo's advice the prizes next year would be re-
stricted to big guns.
The proceedings of the distribution, after a vote
\
of thanks to the chairman, then closed to give way
, , to Terpsichorean exercises.