The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-13 00:00:00

RUSSIAN PREPARATIONS.

The following letter from the St. Petersburg
correspondent of the National Zcitung puts the
extensive preparations of Russia in a clear light
before us :

" OCT. 31.—Since the first manifesto orderincs levies
for the present war, and still more since the declaration
made by this Government of its intention to confine itself
to a defence of Russian territory, the universal conviction
has taken root here that Russia will strain every nerve,
even up to exhaustion, before she descends from her ori-
ginal demands to the level of the Four Points. It is tree
that a firm and tenacious occupation of the 'pledge' was
expected with similar confidence, but on e that has not been
justified. It was found impossible to retain possession of the
principalities in the presence of Austria's attitude, and
so, not to be compelled next spring to any more retiring
en `strategic grounds,' it has been found desirable not
only to form an army of reserve in addition to the active
army that has been put on war footing, by calling in all
absent on furlough, the reserves, and those who had re-
tired, but also to make preparations for a second army of
reserve, by constructing its cadres, which the levies of next
spring are to to fill up. This will be the 13th levy. The ex-
emption of some Governments from the 12th levy, that has
very recently been ordered, will occasion a considerable
deficiency. For instance, the Taurian Government was
a few days back exempted by the Emperor from this 12th
partial levy. The military authorities will therefore be
obliged to make up the deficiency out of other Govern-
ments of thewest, and institute supplementary levies. Be-
side the active army, the Guards, and the Grenadiers, the
two cavalry corps, and the corps of Dragoons, there are
to be not only the sth and 6th, but also the 7th and Bth
battalions; that is to say, with the exception of the reserve,
the entire supplementary force is to be put on war footing.
This indicates that preparations are being made to
bold out against even au European coalition, and is fact
against any possible combination ; and that peace does
not enter into the calculations bore. As to the possible
duration of the war, it is felt that it depends solely on
the length of the attack on Russia's defensive position.
There is a strong feeling of hatred here against Austria,
dating as far back as from the period of the Hunga-
rian war, and this feeling has become still mere
embittered since the retreat from the Danubian Prin-
cipalities. It is only respect for the Emperor's will
expressed on this head that prevents this feeling from
breaking out into open manifestations. For the pre-
sent the Government organs, by all sorts of extracts from
the Russia-loving press in Germany, impress on their
readers that Austria is not the champion of German in-
terests in the present conflict. At the best it is hoped to
keep Germany a little longer inactive, but as regards
Austria this expectation has already been given up,"

CRYSTAL PALACE, Nov. 11.—(Fme SHILLING DAY.)
—Admission at the doors, 126 ; admission by season
tickets, 389 ; total, 515.
[AuvEuTisxusNT.J—A Lieutenant of Dragoons Cured
of Rheumatism by Holloway's Ointment and Pills.-
-This officer, who is in the Dutch army, states that Hol-
loway's pills and ointment have cured him of rheuma-
tism, which appeared to be incurable, as neither sea
bathing, vapour baths, nor preparations vaunted as sure
remedies, did him any good, and the treatment of the
doctor, after several months' trial, was without success.
At this juncture be commenced taking these pills, and
rubbing the ointment into the complaining parts twice a
day, which effectually cured him in the course of six
weeks. The truth of this statement can be vouched for
by Mr. J. B. Stratman, of Bois-le-Due.—Sold by all
druggists, and at Professor Holloway's establishments,
244, Strand, London, and SO, Maiden-lane,York,

r ~=

[PRICE SD.

" LANCASTER'S GUNS" AND "OVAL

SHELLS."

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Liverpool, Nov. 8, 1854.
SIR,—As you are aware, we have recently heard a great
deal about certain wonderful things, called " Lancaster's
guu ;" also termed an "oval gun" (a sheer impossibility);
and likewise of "Lancaster's oval shell."
Now, I beg leave to ask —Does anybody know this "Mr.
Lancaster" or his "oval gun," or where they are either of
them to be found? Or what are the peculiarities of the
gun, so celebrated by his name ? Because I have caused
inquiries to be made on the subject, and can gain no in-
formation whatever respecting them ; and where, too, if
they exist, they must of necessity be known. But as re-
gards the "oval shell," I happen to know a great deal, as
will presently be seen.
You will doubtless remember that in your publication
of the beginning and latter end of August, and the end of
September last, and also is the daily papers of the same
period, there appeared the reports of trials at Shoebury-
ness and the Isle of Wight, of " Lancaster's oval guns and
shells," and of an elongated cannon ball, i.e., oval at one
and, and cup-shaped or hollow at the other—so it was de-
scribed.
Now it happens that these " wonderful, things" have
made " their first appearance on any stage" during the
present year, and, indeed, within the last few months of it;
and how is this to be accounted for? Why, sir, I think I
can tell you. And, dismissing at once the absurdity of an
"oval gun," which it is not possible to bore, I come to the
oval, or egg-shaped shell, and the elongated cannon ball
(the only actual inventions), and which may be disposed of
together. The following are the facts :
At the last session of the Society of Arts (1853-4), I ex-
hibited original models of the aforesaid " oval" or egg-
shaped shell, and cannon and musket balls, of my own ex-
clusive invention, of which I had neither seen nor heard of

tie like before, nor have I since.
At the close of the exhibition in February last, I
had to apply several times before the models were re-
turned, and throe weeks elapsed before they reached me,
and then it was minus the•anuaket balls. They were also
entirely omitted from the first catalogue I received; and
on complaining of the omission they were inserted in the
next.
I mention these circumstances as having some connection
with what follows.
On returning back the models (which I still possess) no-
thing more was heard of them or their merits until " Lan-
caster's oval gun" suddenly came to light, and, of course,
hie " oval shell," at the same time, to fit it.
The'experiments above alluded to succeeded, with which
all the world is now acquainted ; and upon the strength of
these I addressed the Board of Ordnance on the 30th
August and 13th September (but without effect); and
again by memorial on the 3d October, claiming the inven-
tion as mine, and the usual consideration in virtue thereof.
To the latter I received letters of invitation to meet the
select committee at Woolwich (to whom the memorial was
referred) on Tuesday, the 17th October, with my models.
I accordingly attended at the appointed time ; and what do
you think, sir, was the result ? Why, I was actually sent for
(for I happen to know that I was expected) from Liverpool
to Woolwich, at the sacrifice of so much time, trouble,
and expense, only to be told that " ray nwdels had nothing
whatever to do with it." And after a few unimportant
questions, which indicated that I knew nothing about it,
and had no business with it, the interview ended, and I
was left to return home with as much consolation as I
could under such circumstances. But this is not all.
The select committee had to "report" to the Ordnance-
office the result of their interview with me and my models;
and here it is as I received it :
" The committee have stated that they do not consider
the projectiles, of which you produced models before them,
to be of any value for military purposes; and that in sup-
posing that experiments have been carried on at Shoebury-
ness and the Isle of Wight with your projectiles, you have
been misled by newspaper paragraphs, there being BO foun-
dation for such a supposition." (The italics aro my own.)
Now, sir, you will see there is abundance of mystifica-
tion in all this. But, without stopping to discuss it, what
are the facts? The shell adopted is an " oval or egg-
shaped shell:" mine is also an "oval or egg-shaped shell."
The oannon-ball tried is " oval at one end and hollow or
cup-shaped at the other ;" mine is precisely the same. Be-
sides which, they were never heard of until after my mo-
dels had appeared; and yet I am told at first sight, and
the only interview, that mine are not "of any value for
military purposes," and that I " have been misled by news-
paper paragiaphs." I confess that lam quite unable to
reconcile these statements. But be this as it may, one
thing is certain : that no attempt was made, neither then
nor since, to prove that soy models had " nothing whatever
to do withl it, nor the slightest reference to any other in-
vention or inventor, and which, had such been the case,
nothing could have been more easily done than at the time
and on the spot, which they ought to have done.
I therefore consider that I may safely challenge a com-
parison of the projectiles in proof that the inventions ori-
ginated with me, and that I am entitled to the credit and
other advantages properly appertaining thereto.
No doubt some more favoured party (but certainly not

"Mr. Lancaster") has forestalled me, aud ebtaiuea the
benefit of my inventions. But that is no reason why I
should be put to the cost, trouble, and annoyance of a
journey of nearly SUO miles in order to be told so, and
when a letter would have done as well, and been just as
satisfactory.
However, I could have- suggested some important im-
provements in the aforesaid shells, which would have been
of great service in the coining spring, and which I have
now by me ; but I certainly shall not lay myself open to a
"second edition" of such consequences, from, home, at all

events.
Apologising for thai trespassing upon you,
I remain, sir, your obedient survant,
R B. FEATHER,

THE HIGHLAND BRIGADE AT ALMA.

//// G
-7K-

V

ASSAULTING HIS ROYAL BIGHNESS
PRINCE ALBERT.

- -
On Friday evening last his Royal Highness Prince
Albert was returning to the Castle, attended by Captain
Du Plat, 'after hutting with the Royal harriers in the
neighbourhood of Slough and Salt-hill, when just after
the Prince had -passed Eton College, and was proceeding
through the High-street, a ferocious looking fellow, with
a stick in his hand, rushed out of the shop of Mr. Thum-
woad, where he had been purchasing- some beef, into the
road, and made use of some most insulting and abusive
language towards his Royal Highness, following the
Prince for some distance up the street, when Captain
Pu Plat promptly rode his horse between the fellow and
the Prince, and the scoundrel returned, flourishing his
stick in a menacing manner, and continuing his offen-
sive observations towards his Royal Highness.
The assault was witnessed by a young lady who was
passing at the time, the daughter of Mr. Sanders, who
resides near where the disgraceful transaction took place,
and Mr. Sanders, on learning the fact, lost no time in
communicating the whole of the particulars to Mr. Per-
kins, tl,-3. intelligent and active superintendent of the
Eton police, and to whom much credit is due for the
prompt manner in which he caused the fellow to be ap-
prehended and locked up in the station-house for the
night.
On the following morning (Saturday), Mr. Perkins
waited on the Rev. W. G. Cookesley, the senior assistant
master of Eton, and a county magistrate, to determine on
what steps should be taken in reference to this disgrace-
ful outrage, when the worthy magistrate, knowing full
well the indignation which would be necessarily created
throughout the school on its becoming known that an
insult had been offered to Prince Albert, their kind
friend and liberal patron, and fearing the consequences
which !night ensue by bringing the prisoner to the ma-
gistrates' chamber at the time the students were out of
school, the justices' room being situated nearly oppo-
site to the college, very wisely deferred the hearing of
the case until three o'clock in the afternoon, at which
time the whole of the students would be in church.
Accordingly the matter was kept as secret as possible,
and when the prisoner was brought before the bench In
custody of police-constable Simms, there were only pre-
sent the magistrate, Mr. Sanders, the magistrate's
clerk, a correspondent, and a few of the Eton police.
Mr. Sanders narrated the facts above stated, and as no
parties at this time were present-from the Castle the
worthy magistrate went into the charge preferred
against the prisoner by Henry Simms, the polioemarb for
violence used by the prisoner towards him in attempting
to get out of his custody, and also for obtaining money
from the Etonians on the previous Thursday.
The prisoner at once acknowledged the truth of the
charge, ai=d in reference to his disgraceful conduct to-
wards the Prince said that as he had not seen any of the
Royal family for many years, and hearing that Prince
Albert was passing, he merely ran into the road to
salute his Royal Highness. He denied having made
use of abusive and disgraceful language at the time, but
would acknowledge that he had been drinking a little,
and he might have flourished his stick, but he meant no
harm. He further stated that he came to Windsor
with the intention of enlisting into one of the regi-
ments in garrison there, he did not care which. That
he had seen a serjeant of the 18th Loyal Irish, and
also a sergeant of the Welsh Fusiliers, who both con-
sidered his age (38 years) too old for the service. He
also said he had served under Lord Gough, and had been
in India 21 years in the Ist troop of Bombay Horse
Artillery, and had gained three medals, two of which he
had pawned, that he got 211. on his discharge, which
he spent in a week on a spree. He had got a wife and
two children somewhere, but he lid not know where.
He was a native of Ireland ; his name was Mislich,
and he had three brothers respectably settled in America,
where he was anxious to go.
The worthy magistrate, after a severe reproof, sen-
tenced the prisoner to one month's hard labour at Ayles-
bury gaol as a rogue and vagabond.
It is not yet -ascertained what steps will be taken
against the prisoner in the meantime, with reference to
his assault on the Prince.

HE AT RE-ROYA L, DRURY-LANE,
JULLIEN'S CONCERTS.
(FOR ONE MONTH ONLY.)
LAST WEEK BUT TWO.
The Programme is changed Every Evening.
PROGRAMME for THIS EVENING (Monday, Nov. 13) :
PART I.
Overture, " Tanhanser," (first time)
Quadrille, Prom Herold's Opera, " Ramps" Jullien.
Symphony, the Alec) and Storm, from the" Pas-
toral Symphony " Beethoven.
Polka, " The Cossack," (by desire) Jullien.
Solo, Oboe, from Bellini's Opera " La Sonnambnia,"
performed by Mons. Lavigne, (his third appear-
ance)
Yalse, "Valle D'Adien," with solo for cornet-a-
pistons, by Herr Keenig • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Rondo Bohemienne, from " l'Etoile do Nord," sung
by Madame Anna Thiilon
Meyerbeer.
Quadrille, " The British Army," assisted by the
military bands . ......
" God save the Queen." Patent pour la Syrie."

PART 11.
Grand Operatic Selection and Fantasia, from Meyer-
beer's Opera, "Lee Huguenots," arranged ex-
prersly by M. Jullien, with Solos by M. Pros-
pere Herr Koenig, M. Baumann, M. Wuille, M. .
..... Meyerbeer.
Lavigne,'and Herr Schreurs ...... • •
Schottische, " 'Nhe Moldavian Schottische" •••• • . Haydn.
Symphony, the tndante from the *4 Surprise Sym
phony '' .. ........................ ..
Song, " Th4;;lld Friends at Home," (American
melody), sung by Madame Anna Thillon
Quadrille, "The American Quadrille"— ...... .. • • JulP.en.
Solo, Violin, Finale to Donizetti's Opera, " Lucia di
Lammermoor," performed by Signor Robbio. Donizetti.
Galop, " The Charge Galop" (first time) .. •• • •
Pamirs of Anxismos —Promenade, boxes, and galleries, Is.
dress circle, 23. 6d. ; private boxes 1/. Is. and U. He. 6d.
The Concerts on each evening will commence at Eight and termi-
nate at Eleven o'clock.
M. JULLIFIN'S GRAND ESL MASQUE will take place on
MONDAY, Dec. 11.

THEATRE ROYAL HAYMARKET.
Under the management at Mr. Ruckatone.
THIS EVENING, Nov. 13,

Will pe performed JOHN BULL. Characters by Messrs. Chip-
pendale. W. Farren, and Hudson ; Mis E. Chaplin, Miss Martin-
dale, and Mrs. Poynter.
To which will be added THE SPANISH DANCERS.
Followed by HOW TO PAT THE RENT.
To conclude with the FLOWER OF THE PORT.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE, OXFORD-STREET.
under the Management of Mr. Camila. Kw.
THIS EVENING, Nov. 13,
After which, THE COURIER OF LYONS. Principal characters
by Mr. C. Kean, Messrs. J. Vining. Addison, Graham, D. Fisher,
Ca'hcart, and Baker; Misses C. Leclercq, Heath, rental', and K.
Terry.
After which will be presented a new Melo-dramatic Spectacle, in
three acts, entitled SCHAMYL, the Warrior Prophet.

THEATRE ROYAL ADELPHI.
Proprietor, Mr. B. Webster.—Directress, Madame Celesta.
THIS EVENING, Nov. 13,

Will be perfbrmed Talc SERIOUS FAMILY. Characters by
Messrs. C. Selby, Leigh Murray, and Keeley; Miss Woolgar, and
Mrs. Keeley.
Followed by BONA FIDE TRAVELLERS.
After which MEPHISTOPHELES.
To conclude with THE FIFTH OF NOVEMBER.

ASTLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITIIZA.TRE.
Lessee and Manager, Mr. William Cooke.
Indescribable Attraction, and success beyond all precelent I

THIS ETENING,

A GRAND MILITARY SPECTACLE, by J. H. SToccgraLlaszi
Esq., called THE BATTLE OF THE ALMA

After which, those PREMIERES SCENES in the CIRCLE, for
which this Theatre is so renowned.

To conclude with an interesting PIECE DERNIERE.
N.B.—An early attendance is respectfully suggested, in consequence
Of the numbers who nightly throng the doors of the Theatre.
Box-office open front Eleven till Four. Stage Manager, Mr..W.
West. Acting Manager, Mr. W. H. Cooke. Equestrian Director,
Mr. Wm. Cooke, jun.

This DAT —Morning 7 min.after 7 Evening 45 min.aft. 7
To Moaftow - Morning 26 min.after 8 Evening 8 min.aft. 9

THE WEATHER.—Eux Orrice, Nov. 12.

TEBBNOMITEB, THB SHADE.
80—highest since noon yesterday.
41—lowest this morning and during the night.
46—this day, at noon.
13satomETER, 30.33—rising.
WIND, N.—Light, with fine cold weather.
NOVEMBER 13.
48 —highest since noon yesterday.
37—lowest this morning and during the night.
50 —this day at noon.

BAROMETER, 30'0T—falling.
WIND, S.S.W.—Fresh, with dull weather.

THE "COMING" CAPTURE