The Sun.
London, England, 1824-03-30 00:00:00

THE TENTH HUSSARS.

The Belfast News-Letter contains the follow-
ing copy of a letter, which had been sent by the
Officer commanding the TENT!' HussLas, now in
Dublin, to_an official quarter in London. It will
be read with-much interest, as it furnishes a coun-
ter statement to that made by Cornet BATTIER,
and serves to explain and remove many of the
charges contained in the latter :
" 'When the 10th Russars were quartered at Cahir, in 1822,
a Cornet of the Regiment joined it for the first time. After re-
maining a day at Cahir, he left the regiment and went to Eng-
land, his leave not being expired ; and not very long after, the
officers heard that he had exchanged with another officer, who
exchanged again with a Mr. Battier, who had been for soma
time in the service, and in two other cavalry regiments. Inqui-
ries were made by officers in London who Mr. Battier was ;
and the reports that came to the regiment were, that his former
brother officers knew nothing against him, but that they had
not seen much of him ; that he had ill health, and had done but
little duty. This certainly did nct create a favourable impres-
sion on the minds of the officers, nor did they look forward to
his relieving them much of disagreeable duty in the South of
Ireland. Nothing that could be collected from some of his
former corps, which we fell in with at Newbridge, tended to do
away the impression of his inefficiency as an officer; though
nothing appeared against his character as a Gentleman. Ott
the 9th of May he joined the Regiment at Dublin and as it
never had been usual or necessary on the part of the Command-
ing Officer to introduce a new Cornet to each officer, it was not
done in this instance. Officers in that situation had usually'
fallen into acquaintance with the others without any ceremoni.
ous introduction.

" The Commanding Officer and I uniformly spoke to Mr.
Battier, as we should have done to any other officer who was
but just joined ; and we had no hesitation in chewing by our
conduct, that we considered him as a fit person to be associated
with. We had also repeatedly expressed our opinion, that
whatever Mr. Battier might be as an officer, he had a right
to be received as a Gentleman. Unfortunately, whatever Ilia
character as a Gentleman might he, Mr. Battier's riding., and
knowledge of his duties as an officer, did not afford. his de-
fenders the support that might have been of use ; and after
having served in two cavalry regiments, Sir G. Quentin did not
consider him, nor should I have done so, as fit to mount a
Castle- guard. I heard constant reports of his exhibitions at
the tiding-school ; his inability to bear a trot without stirrups
—his repeated falls and nervous agitation,occasioned apparently
by constitutional weakness—rendered him an object of ridicule
to those officers who saw hint. I confess that disliking to see
• any one unnecessarily under a stare of exposure and mortifica-
tion, I never did go to see him exhibit.
" At last, circumstances that had come to the knowledge of
the Marquis of Londonderry, occasioned an order to Sir G.
Quentin to report on Mr. Battier's fitness for a cavalry officer,
and Sir G. Quntin made a report that he did not consider him
as 'fit for cavalry service in this or any other regiment. Sir
Herbert Taylor said this formed a just ground of removal, and
that it would be acted upon accordingly.
" At this period Sir G. Quentin had given orders that Mr..
Battier should do no mounted duty in consequence of the
report he had made concerning hint. During that time I
took the Regiment out on the sands to drill e in one of the
first movements I perceived Air. Battier, and adverting to
Sir G. Quentin's order, desired him to fall out. At the time
my feeling was, not to expose him needlessly, but on reflec-
tion, thinking my order might have mortified him,_ I regretted
it, and expressed this to him on my return to barracks. I
mentioned this as a pretty strong proof how much disposed
I was to consider his feelings. After this, when Sir C. Grant
had ordered that he was to do every duty, he was in the
field with the Regiment in the Phoenix Park when some
rapid movements were- performed, by order of Sir Henry
Torrens, combined with infantry. When the Regiment halted
and dismounted, I heard of nothing but Mr. Battier's dis-
tresses; that he had lost all management of his horse, returned
his sword, clung to the mane, and (such was the expression)
had actually screamed or cried out; (this I hear he used to do
in the school.) I did not see it or hear it, but there must hare
been some foundation, I should conceive, for it, or so many
could not have agreed. Even the non-commissioned officers
had spoken to him to encourage him. 1 heard, a Captain
of his squadron saw him at one time out of his place in the
midst of men of another regiment, when the officers slid this
was discreditable to the regiment; and in a man who had
been four years in two cavalry regiments, who could defend
him or contradict it ?
" About this time we heard that the Lieuter ..t-General
commanding the Forces had received
.orders to convey a
severe reprimand to the officers of the 10th Hussars for
their conduct respecting Mr. Battier, but before it arrived,
the officers,• by means of representations made to them k 3,
sir George Quentin and myself front Sir C. Grant, had been
convinced of their error, and it was agreed that Alr. Battier
should dine at the mess, and be received on a proper footing
by all the officers there; which took ,place. He sat next to
me, and I frequently entered into conversation with him, and
the officers who had opposed him in general made a point of
chewing him the usual civilities at table. Henceforward Mr.
Battier continued to dine at the mess.

" Though the public rcpremand was in consequence of this
withheld, Sir G. Quentin thought it proper to make me read
the expression of his Royal Highness's sentiments to the offi-
cers assembled in the mess-room, as at another time he had also
made me read another letter I think from the military secretary
to the officers in the riding-school.
, ln October, in consequence of the approaching inspec-
tion, Mr. Battier was ordered to attend the riding school, to
prepare him to ride before the General, that he might make
his report accordingly. On the day- of inspection, while the
officers were riding, I went out to the school to see if another
parade was ready. .Mr. Battier, who was in waiting, came
up to me, and said, he hoped to be spared the exposure of
riding before the General, which was unnecessary, as he
acknowledged his incapacity for that part- of his duty, and
asked me if I could not arrange to have it dispensed with.
I entered into his feelings, and going into the school, I men-
tioned it to Sir G. Quentin, who did the same with readiness
to Sir C. Grant. The latter agreed to dispense with it; but
said, that as he was not to see it, he must have Mr. Battier's
acknowledgement to ground his report upon. I told Mr. Bat-
tier this, and begged him to keep in the way, intending that he
should have as few witnesses to this mortifying avowal as pos-
sible; therefore, after the inspection was gone through, and
Sir C. Grant was retiring with Sir George Quentin, I brought
Mr. Battier up to them, fell back myself, and called Major
Grame back also, carefully making the whole, as I before ob-
served, as little mortifying as possible. fheard afterwards
that Sir C. Grant had said, that Mr. Battier should have leave
of absence, and might go when lie liked.
" After this we were inspected by Sir C. Grant in marching
order. Mr. Battier did not appear : his leave was notified to
him on the 22d of November, though dated the 29th, with a
notice that he might go immediately.
" On Monday, the 24th, the Regiment was inspected nn

foot in the barrack-yard by its Colonel, the Marquis of
Londonderry. Mr. Battier did not attend. In the evening
his Lordship dined at the mess. On going into the room,
where I was before Sir Q. Quentin, I saw Mr. Battier,
which, I own, surprised me. I asked him how he did, and
remarked that he was incorrectly dressed, having a pouch
belt on. Soon after, the Marquis and party .arrived, and
the circumstance took place of Sir 0. Quentin- calling Mr.
Battier out of the room, and speaking to him, by order of
Lord Londonderry. Mr. Battier, however, returned into the
room, when Lord Londonderry himself went out, accompanied
by Sir G. Quentin and Mr. Battier; what passed at the con-
ference I cannot relate, not having been present; hut I under-
stand that his Lordship strongly advised Mr. Battier's not
dining at the mess, under the circumstances in which he was
placed, but would not order him not to do so, nor place him in
arrest, as Mr. Battier begged might be done, alleging that he
had nothing to say against him which rendered recourse to
such a measure necessary.
" I do not profess, writing as I do in a hurry, to be cor-
rect as to dates. There are some parts of this statement
that others could fill up better than I can ; but from what
adyesciedxeccielpytinwgrong a certain number that did not
in their conduct to Mr.
takeh
Battier;
I have said, I think your conviction will be, that though
wthat when they ascertained the sentiments
teo ffipacretr)s
yet,
weree (tal
of higher authorities, they shewed obedience, by acknow-
ledging they had done wrong, and receiving Mr. Battier on
a proper footing at the mess; and that Mr. Battier's incapacity
as an officer, and the figure he made in the field, furnished
some excuse for the feelings, and rendered it much more dif—
ficult for the Commanditig-officer to put him in his proper
place; and that if he had been an officer fit for his situation,
and able to keep his place by his own merits, nothing could
have mooed him ; but, under the just protection of his Royal
Highness, he would be now in his situation as Cornet of the
regiment, having triumphed over all that first opposed him."
"le* A letter from Sir HERBERT TAYLOR to laCrd
HONHERRY, disapproving, by order of his Royal Highness
the Duke of Yoiue, of the recent conduct of Mr. BATTIV.II ;
as also a letter from Sir HERBERT TAYLOR to Mr. lisvrritit,
shall appear in THE SUN to-morrow.

LONDON JOURNALS.

DAILY

Extracts from the Morning P(Ters, March 30.

[MORNING CERONIGIAC.]
Spanish letters, written by a person who has
recently travelled from Madrid to Cadiz, repre-
sent the country as in a most miserable state. It
is impossible to travel on the roads without a
strong escort, so numerous are the banditti, and
persons undertaking journies generally wait for
and avail themselves of the protection of French
parties of soldiers moving, from one point to an-
other. No man of feeling or intelligence can
now reside in Madrid, so disgusting are the scenes
of Monkish fanaticism he has to witness, and- hit-
millatin,g the outrages he has to endure. Furious
bigots ascend the pulpits, whence they deliver
the most extravagant and blasphemous doctrines,
calculated to inflame and mislead the ignorant
multitude. By them it is proclaimed as a dogma
of the Faith, that a woman pregnant by a hus-
band who is a Constitutionalist, carries about
with her sin and infamy, and is undeserving of
pardon. The spirit of revenge seems to pervade
all the acts of the Government, and if it were not
for the presence of the French its victims would
be still more numerous. The twenty-two mili-
tiamen who were on guard at the prison of
Madrid the night the Curate Vinuesa was mur-
dered by the populace, under an impression
that he had been screened by a corrupt
Judge,have been confined, and very great appre-
hensions are entertained for their personal safety.
it is dangerous for a young man to go out into
the streets in a suit of black, as the rabble are
in the habit of accusing all such of being in
mourning for Riego, and several persons have
run the risk of being torn to pieces by them.—
The mob have been taught to consider free-
masons as mowiters of enormity, and whenever
they seek to wreak their vengeance on ally per-
son hated for his politics, they raise a hue and
cry against him by calling him a free-mpon, and
he is fortunate if Lie escapes without personal
injury. In Cadiz, the fanatic faction have no
ascendancy, and things consequently are on a
more moderate footing. They are overawed by
the garrison of 400 Frenchmen, who maintain
tranquillity, and in the most open manner pro-
tect the liberal party. The same is the case in
Barcelona. Mercantile letters announce with
positive certainty, that the destination of
the Asia, 74, and the two other vessels which
lately left Cadiz, is for the Pacific ; and, among
other reasons, this conclusion is drawn from the
nature of the outfit of the men embarked on
board ; flannels having been provided for them
when they pass round Cape Horn, and other cir-
cumstances connected with their health and com-
fort attended to in a manner unusual with vessels
leaving a Spanish port. As a plea for the Am-
nesty Decree in favour of the Military, and of
which so much has been said, it is stated that no
Officers can be obtained to command the troops
the King is so anxious to assemble and organize
by the time the French are to quit his territory,
unless it is among those who have served under
the banners of the Constitution.

[THE TIMES.]
Among various Estimates of Miscellaneous Ser-
vice,-just laid before Parliament, we find one
entitled, " An Estimate of the Sum which will
be required to defray the charge of purchasing,
44 together with the expences incidental to the
t, preservation and public exhibition of, the late
Mr. Angerstein's Pictures—,6o,oool." Of this
sum the public will see that 57,0001. is the naked
price of the pictures, and the rest into be ap-
plied to the other purposes mentioned in the pre-
ceding extract. The future management of the
Picture Gallery and its contents, is sketched in
a Treasury minute, addressed by Lord Liverpool
to the Board ; in which his Lordship states,
that there ought to he a keeper, with a salary
of 2001. per annum, an assistant keeper with
1501. with some other subordinate agents. The
lovers of the arts, and probably the nation at large,
will have no objection to this plan ; but looking
to the duties iMposed on the first keeper, and the
acquirements which he ought to possess, we
think he is but moderately remunerated. "
" is to have the charge of the collection,• to at-
" tend particularly to the preservation of the pie-
" tures; but he is also to be competent to value,
" and, if called upon, to negotiate the purchase
" of any pictures that may in future be added to
44 the collection." Now it is evident that the
man who shall have these latter duties to per-
form must be 'a connoisseur of the most in-
fallible judgment--one who has spent his
life in the study of pictures—who is ac-
quainted by travel and reading with their his-
tory, and by observation and taste, midi their.
faults and excellencies; and that 2001. per annum
is not an adequate remuneration for the employ-
ment of such talents, is, we think, quite clear.
The Custodi of the great collections of Italy are
persons of the rank of noblesse ; and being end-
nently distinguished by their skill in the fine arts,'
they are adequately remunerated. It must also
be observed further, that'much wore talent is ne-
cessary for the formation of a National Gallery,
than for 'the `Management of a Gallery already
formed. If 2001. a year were sufficient for the
person to whom the latter duty should be con-
fided, twice that sum would be inadequate pay
to one who should have to direct the former ; and,
who, in 'addition to the duty of preserving the
pictures already :possessed, should have the
infi-
lately more difficult task of selecting others for
puretta3e, 'and inatiagitig the negociation. The
collection, it seems, is 'to 'remain for the present
in its old abode in Pall-mall, Lord Liverpool
having made an arrangeMent to that effect,
"4 during the remainder of the term for which it
is held by Mr, Augerstein, and at the same rent."

[MORNING- POST.i
In -the 10tlie Of Commons last night Mr.
Plunkett, by the desire of the Irish Government,
fathered the Bill introduced by Sir John New-
port to allOw the celebration of the funeral rites
of CathOlics to the Protestant church yards of
Ireland. After explaining the exact state of the

law as it had hitherto stood, he showed that it
had never been executed because it was in direct
opposition with the feelings and habits of the
people, and that the present measure would make
that law, which, by the forbearance of the Pro-
testant Parson, was already law in fact. The Bill
was then read a second time, nemine contra-
dicente, and is to be committed this day. In answer
to a question from Mr. Hume, Mr. Wynn stated,
that the Settlement of Bencoolen had been ceded
by his Majesty to the Dutch, who were to give
in return to this country all the establishments of
the. Netherlands on the Continent of India, to-
gether with their claims to Singapore and the
town of Malacca. The treaty to that effect is
expected to be ratified about the month of May,
when it will be laid before Parliament. The
House having then resolved itself into a Com-
mittee of Supply, Mr. Bankes moved that 4,8471.
be voted for the expences of the British Museum
in 1824. Mr. Bennet took that opportunity
of repeating the charges of neglect urged
by the Edinburgh Review against the esta-
blishment, but was ably answered by Sir
Charles Long, who triumphantly proved that
most of the statements of the anonymous writer
were without foundation, and the remainder
grossly exaggerated. Mr. Croker, ever alive to
subjects of literature and of science, urged a
, most reasonable suggestion. The Catalogue of
the Library was well done, but its price was
enormous ; and as it would be necessary to re-
print it on account of the addition of the King's
Library, he hoped that a grant would be made,
so as to enable the Public to purchase that Cate-
Logue at a cheaper rate. In the course of the
conversation that took place, Mr. Bankes stated
that the -number of visitors to the Museum for
„veva] years had exceeded 99,000 annually ; and
that the quadrangle marked out for the new
building was equal in size to Hanover-square.
The motion was then agreed to ; and we
have only to regret that so small a sum should
be voted for the support of an Establishment so
interesting to the arts and sciences, and so neces-
sary in a country which respects and cultivates
them. It will be gratifying to the Literary
World to hear (as announced by Mr. Secretary
Peel) that the undoubted manuscript of a work
from the dictation of the immortal Milton, is
about to be published under Royal auspices.—
This valuable treasure has been rescued from
oblivion by the intelligent and indefatigable
Deputy Keeper of the State Paper Office, Mr.
Lemon. By his knowledge of the hand-writing
of the amanuensis and relation of the blind Poet
in his latter days the real nature of the work in
question was discovered. On the usual Grant
being moved for the Kildare-street Society,
a conversation of some interest arose, in
the course of which Mr. L. Foster made a
very gratifying statement relative to the rapid
progress of education in Ireland, the liberal
principles acted upon in educating the Poor, and
the important reforms already effected, which I
seem well calculated to secure to the whole po-
pulation of Ireland the benefits of scriptural in-
struction. In the House of Peers the Lord Chan-
cellor presented a petition signed by 25,700 Spi-
tallields Weavers against the Silk Duties Bill,
and the Marquis of Lansdown postponed till Fri-
day next the second reading of the 13ii1 for re-
lieving Unitarian Dissenters from the operation
of the Marriage Act, in consequence of the ill-
ness of the Earl of Liverpool, which prevented
his Lordship from attending.