The Sun.
London, England, 1862-11-17 00:00:00

TILE VOLUNTEERS.

37TH MIDDLESEX.—On Saturday evening the
ceremony of presenting the prizes to the successful
competitors in the prize shooting of this corps took
plc.ou ILA the Muslu flint, etore-street, in MO pi.
sence of a large number of spectators. About eight
o'clock Col. M'Murdo entered the hall, and was
received with loud cheers. The gallant colonel said
he had received an invitation to preaont the prizes
to the differcut successful competitors of the 37th
Middlesex Volunteers, and although he had accepted
that invitation, still he did not think that he was
the proper person to distribute these prizes ; for he
thought, as inspector-general of volunteers, it was
more his province to tell them when they were
wrong in their drill, and to point out to them the
importance of handling their rifles in a proper man-
ner. He had been looking at the returns of volun-
teers, and he was happy to find that there was a
slight increase on those of last year—(cheers)—but
although there was an increase on those of lastyear,
still he was compelled to admit that there had been
a falling off in the volunteer force. He was of
opinion that the volunteers should be self-support-
ing. The force was not alone composed of working
classes, but of all classes; and he certainly did not
think that friends.of volunteers should be called upon
to assist in maintaining the force, but that it would
be better that Government should make up all short-
comings. He could not say, notwithstanding the
recommendation of the commission, of which he him-
self was a member, whether Government would
carry out their recommendation, for just at this
moment, it must be remembered, it had many pulls
upon it ; but whether it did or not, he could empha-
tically assure them that their services were fully
appreciated by the Government. He had not yet
inspected the 37th Volunteers, but he intended to
do so next summer, when he trusted he should find
them able to us© the arms which had been placed
at their service. He felt assured that out of the non-
effectives of the 37th there would be found many
good soldiers, and if the commission were carried out
another mode would be adopted to make volunteers
thoroughly efficient. (Cheers.) He was sorry to find
that the number who had passed through class firing
was very small, and hehoped that in the long summer
days they would practise at their butts and make up
I for what he feared they had omitted to acquire in their
drill-shed. Many men who had won prizes were gun-
smiths ; and why ? Simply because they were in the
habit of handling guns and presenting-at a mark,
and consequently they became thoroughly au fait
in bringing the. fon to their shoulder in an efficient
manner. He contended that it was as easy to be-
come a good marksman by practising in a room as
it was at the butts. The gallant colonel then de-
livered the prizes to the different recipients with
appropriate compliments, and at the conclusion of
the presentation, Major Corrie briefly thanked him
for the honourhe had done to his corps in de4ver-
ing the prizei, and the good advice he had giien,
them, and the proceedings shortly after terminated.
SOUTH MIDDLESEX RIFLES.--PRIZE PRESEN-
TATION.—On Saturday evening the presentation of
the regimental and company prizes of the South
Middlesex Rifles took place at Beaufort House.
Lieut.-Colonel Viscount Ranelagh presided, and was
supported by Colonel Vereker, Hon. Mr. Curzon,
Captains Turner, Hawker, Hammersley, Wylde,
Lumley, Boyle, and other officers, and ladies and
gentlemen. Lord Ranelagh, in presenting the
prizes, congratulated the corps on the efficiency it
had attained during the past year in drill, discip-
line, and marksmanship. Although there might be
its equal, he believed there was no other regiment
in the country that surpassed the South Middlesex.
While he said this, he had the highest respect and
consideration for other Corm and he believed he and
his corps were respected equally by others. (Hear.)
As a proof of this, he (Lord Ranelagh)
in informing his had pleasure
corps that he had received an in-
vitation from the 29th (North Middlesex) to be pre-
sent at their entertainment at the Colosseum on the
24th instant. He need not say he should have the
greatest pleasure in complying with the request,
but hoped to see many of his own corps there also,
as he liked to support the efforts of other regiments
of the service. (Hear, hear.) The South Middle-
sex had nothing but the best feeling towards other
regiments, and ho hoped to see many of .the ladies
cheers.) there also. (Laughter and The prizes were
then distributed, the battalionprizes by Lord Rane-
lagh, and the company prizes by the captains, and
after three cheers for Lord Ranelagh, the proceed-
ings closed.!
19TH SURREY RIFLES.—_A numerous meeting
of members of the above corps was held on Satur-
day at their drill -shed, South-place, Kennington
Park, to give effect to a resolution declaring it
desirable to have a military officer as commandant,
and that the vacant appointment of major should
be filled up. Captain Pre wett occupied the chair,
and on the motion of Dr. Ladd, seconded by Lieu-
tenant Brown, it was resolved " That it was essential
to the well-being of the corps that a previous reso-
lution passed at a general meeting, that the com-
manding officer should be a military man, be carried
into effect; and, with a view of promoting it, that
the intermediate rank of major be filled up forth-
with." A further resolution, expressing the satis-
faction which Captain Fowel Watkins had given as
acting major, and at once recommending him to
the lord lieutenant for the appointment, was also
unanimously carried, and, after a vote of thanks to
the chairman, a parade was formed, and the corps
marched out to Brixton.

FOREIGN MAIL PACKET LIST.

MAILS DUE.

Aus'tralis and Mauritius, via Southampton. ...... Nov. 18.
via Marseilles
.. . ..Nov. 13.
Brasil and Cape Verds, by British packet.
....
Dec. 4.
Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Helena.. Dec. 2.
China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton. Nov. 19.
via Marseilles ...Nov. 13.
Falkland Islands
Gibraltar, via Southampton .. ! ............... Nov. 10.
India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton.. Nov. 19.
via Marseilles.... Nov. 13.
India (Bombay), via Southampton ............ Nov. 25.
via Marseilles ................ Nov. 20.

Lisbon
Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton ...... Nov. 18.
via Marseilles ........ Nov. 13.
Newfoundland
Oporto and Vigo ............
packet....
U. S. and British N. Amarica, ........................Nov.b Brit packet.... ov. 12.
by y j.S
CanadianP ••••
_
packet. Nov. 14.
W.C. of Africa, Madeira, and Teneriffe .......... Dec. 10.
Bahamas, via New York ........ Nov. 20.
Mexico.. ..
_. . .... ....Nov. 28.
All parts of West Indies, including Chili, peru.
California, and British Columbia.. ........... 1 Nov. 13.

We have received Constantinople journals to the
sth, but they do not say a word of the mental infirmity of
the Sultan mentioned in the telegraphic despatch from Mar-
seilles.