The Sun.
London, England, 1854-06-22 00:00:00

THE LOSS OF THE .RU.ROPA.

The following communication has been addressed to
Lord Raglan, by direction of Lord Handinge :
" Horse Guards, June 17.

"My Lord,—l have received the directions of the General
Commanding-in-Chief to acquaint your lordship with the
lamentable loss of the troopship Europa by fire on the night
of the 31st ult., about 200 miles from Plymouth, in which
were embarked the head-quarters of the 6th Dragoons, un-
der Lieutenant-Colonel Willoughby Moore, and a detachment
of that regiment, the strength of which is stated below.*
" It is with the deepest concern that Lord Hardinge has to
inform your lordship that Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, Veteri-
nary-Surgeon Kelly, four serjeants,twelve rank and file, and
one woman perished on this occasion; and the whole of the
horses, baggage, and equipment of the troops on board were
lost.
" The conduct of the officers and men in the trying situa-
tion in which they suddenly found themselves is represented
to have been most praiseworthy.
" Lieutenant-Colonel Moore remained on board the burn-
ing vessel to the last, making the best arrangements in his
power for removing the men, and is stated to have been at
last-driven into the mizen chains by the violence of the flames,
and to have there perished.
" His noble conduct on this occasion must add to the sor-
row which the loss of such an officer would at any time have
excited, and Viscount Hardinge is anxious to record his sense
of it. The attention of this excellent officer was at all times
devoted to the performance of his duties, and the universal
regret which his death has occasioned will afford to the regi-
ment the strongest proof that their late leader, in every act;
of his life, was always ready to set an example, in his own
person, of that high 'sense of duty and of discipline which he's.
enforced upon every officer and soldier under his command.
" The surviving officers and men were saved in the boats,
and picked up by three different. vassals, whence they were
removed to her Majesty's ship Tribune, which met them at
sea, and has, it is understood, conveyed them to Gibraltar or
Malta.
" I have only to add that Viscount Hardinge will not fail
to recommend to her Majesty that the Major of the regiment
be promoted to the Second Lieutenant-Colonelcy, and that
the promotion consequent on this sad event should be given
in the regiment.—l have, dtc.,

" C. YORKE.

4 General Lord Raglan, G.C.8., (Sze."

* " 1 Lieutenant-Colonel, 1 subaltern, 3 staff, 5 sergeants,
54 rank and file, 2 women, 13- officers' horses, 44 troop
horses.

THE BOTANICAL SOCIETY'S GARDENS

Although yesterday was anything but 'a favourable day for
seeing flowers to advantage, though not a peep of sun through,
out the afternoon illumined the brilliancy of the ladies' sum-
mer dresses, and although indeed a deluge seemed all day im-
pending, yet we have never seen a greater or more splendid
company than that which gathered yesterday in the Botanic
Gardens. Such an array of butterfly costume, such lace, such
tiny bonnets, such graceful flounces—the predoininatinglues
of all being white and pink and light blue. Lace over rich silk
seemed a costume a good deal adopted; but really the variety
was so great that it was impossible to generalise. As a neces-
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thevt
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aos
vu soe
fndutehessec itpiopa
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ate
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sary sequel to the great multitude present, the number of car-
rs
iflooamwg
The music consisted of three bands—the band of the Ist Life
Guards, conducted by Mr. Waddel, that of the 2d by Mr. G.
Cooke, and that of the Horse Guards Blue by Mr. J. F.Tutton.
The selection of music, performed alternately, was chosen with
great taste, and so as to introduce a great variety of morceaux,
each of a distinctly different character. After the alternate
programme had been played, the bands played together, the
effect being, as might be expected, extremely brilliant.
In the early part of the afternoon' her Majesty and Prince
Albert, accompanied by their Royal Highnesses the Prince of
Wales and Prince Alfred, and attended by the Hon. Miss Byng,
maid of honour in waiting, and General Buckley, M.P., and
Captain the Hon. D. de Ros, equerries in waiting, honoured
the occasion, with their presence. Their Royal Highnesses
the Duchess of Cambridge and the Princess Mary also visited
the gardens.
The following is a list of the prizes awarded :
EXTRA GrOLD....TO Mr. J. May, gardener to Mr. H. Colyer,
Dartford, for 16 stove and 'greenhouse plants ; Mr. B. S.
Williams, gardener to Mr. 0. B. Warner, Hoddesden, Herts,
for 20 exotic orchids.
LARGE GOLD.—To Mr. Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus,
Lower Cheam, Surrey, for 16 stove and greenhouse plants ;
Mr. S. Wooley, gardener to Mr. H. B. Kerr, for 20 exotic
orchids.
Mzimum GOLD.—Tolir. Speed, Edmonton, for 16 stove and
greenhouse plants; Mr. Fraser, Lea-bridge Road, Leyton,
for 12 stove and greenhouse plants ; Mr. Frost, gardener to
Mr. E. L. Betts, Preston Hall, Maidstone, for 10 stove and
greenhouse plants ; Mr. Blake, gardener to Mr. J. H. Schwabe,
Stratford-green, for 20 exotic orchids ; Mr. Hume, gardener
to Mr. R. Hanbury, Poles, Ware, Herts, for 12 exotic orchids ;
Messrs. Lane, Berkhampstead, for 10 roses in 15-inch pots.
Gone.—Messrs. Rollison and Son, Tooting, Surrey, for 12
stove and greenhouse plants ; Mr. Q. Barter, gardener to Mr.
E. Bassett, Stamford-hill, fer 10 stove and greenhouse plants;
Messrs. Frazer, Lea Bridge-road,
for 10 Cape heaths ; Mr.
J. May, gardener to Mr. H. Colyer, fo 18 (ape heaths ; Mr.
Gedney, gardener to Mrs. Ellis, Hoddesden, Herta, for 19
exotic orchids ; Mr. Turner, nurseryman, Slough, for 12 po-
largoninms in 8-inch pots; Mr. Nye, gardener to Mr. L
Foster, Clew Manor, Windsor, for 10 pelargoniums ; Mr.
Francis, nurseryman, Hertford', for 10 roses in pots ; Mr.
MacEwin gardener to the Duke of Norfolk, Arundel, for
miscellaneous fruit.
LARGE SILVER. GILT.—Mr. Gilham, gardener to Mr. J. R.
Scott, Stamford-hill, for 16 stove and greenhouse plants;
Mr. Clarke, Streatham-Place, Brixton-hill, for 12 stove and
greenhouse plants; Mr. T. Williams, gardener to Miss Trail,
Bromley, Kent, for 10 stove and greenhouse plants ; Mr.
Taylor, gardener to Mr. J. Coster, Hill-house, Streatham, for
6 stove and greenhouse plants ; Mr. Clarke, gardener to Mrs.
Webb, Hoddesden, for 12 exotic orchids ; Mr. Green, gardener
to Sir E. Antrobus, Cheam, for 6 exotic orchids; Mr.Dobson,
Woodlands Nursery, Isleworth, for 12 pelargoniums ; Mr.
Holder, gardener to the Rev. E. Coleridge, for 10 pelar-
goniums ; gardener to Mr. A. Rowland, Lewisham, for 6 roses
in pots.
LARGE SILVER.-.—Mr. 0. Rhodes, gardener to Mr. A. J. Phil-
pot, Stamford-hill, for 6 stove and greenhouse plants; Mr.
Green, gardener to Sir E. Antrobus, for 6 tall Cacti; Mr.
Clarke., Brixton-hill, for 10 Cape heaths ; Mr. F. Williams,
gardener to Miss Trail, for 8 Cape heaths ; Mr. Rosser, gar-
dener to Mr. J. Bradby, Streatham, for 6 Cape heaths ; Mr.
Ivison, Sion-house, for 6 exotic orchids ; Mr. Turner, nursery.
' man, Slough, for 6 fancy pelargoniums; Mr. Robinson,
' Thames-bank, Pimlico, for fancy pelargoniums ; Mr. Turner,
Slough, for 6 fancy pelargoniums.
'a-

STATE OF THE CROPS IN LEICESTERSHIRE.—The late
sown wheats look remarkably well in this county, and,
should fine warm weather set in, we shall have an
abundant harvest, as this description of wheat never
looked better,
and a much greater breadth of land than
usual has been sown. Spring-sown corn, although in
some cases looking tender, on the whole may be said to
be progressing favourably. Barley is not looking so well
as could be desired ; the straw will be very short. Peas
and beans are going on well. The late moisture has
been favourable for the pasturages, but the grass crops
will, we think, hardly be an average.
THE REV. W. J. E. BENNETT.-Mr. Pete has given
notice of a motion for a select committee of the House
of - Commons to inquire into the allegations in the
Frome petition, complaining of the conduct of Mr.
Bennett, the vicar, and of Mr. Luff, his curate, in re
ference to the re-marriage of two persons who were
already married. The motion stands for the 11th of
July.