The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-15 00:00:00

PRINCE ARTHUR AT WOOLWICH.

The presentation of prizes awarded by the Science and
Art Department of the Privy Council to the students who
have during the past session been taught in the Royal
Arsenal School by Mr. Thomas Jones, F.G.S., was made
on Tuesday night in the dining-hall of the girls' factory in
the Royal Arsenal, Woolwich, Prince Arthur having con-
sented to award the prizes to the pupils. On the platform
were a large number of distinguished officers and the
heads of the various departments.
His. Royal Highness introduced Professor Ruskin, who,
as announced in the programme, delivered an address on
education. In it he referred to the importance of habits
of obedience and observation, the advantages of free air
and exercise, and the duty of kindness to animals. At,
the end of his address Mr. Ruskin sat down amid loud
cheers.
His. Royal Highness Prince Arthur then rose, and said
that the pleasing task devolved upon him of distributing
the Queen's Prizes to the successful students. He did so
with greater satisfaction because he perceived that the
Woolwich classes this year were remarkable for their
success. Both in the number of papers which had been
worked and in the success which had attended them these
classes stood above the average of the rest of the kingdom•
The present system of Government education had made
great progress since its commencement, and the increase
in the number of schools and students was most
satisfactory. The number of schools was now 810, and
that of classes 2,800, being an increase of 55 per cent. above
the number of 1869, and if they compared the year 1868
with the present the increase was still more remarkable.
The number of schools was then only 300, and of classes
810. At that time the number of students was 15,010,
and now it was 34,282, or more than double. He was
glad to find that in the school-house there were no less
than 152 students receiving instruction, and the examina-
tion papers were very creditable, no less than 27 Queen's
prizes having to be distributed. Before distributing thew
he would allude especially to one name, that of Mr. EL
Smith, who was so fortunate as to obtain the Queen's
Silver Medal for metallurgy, being the only silver medal
for the subject now granted in the kingdom. He must
congratulate Mr. Smith most sincerely upon this, as 4100
the Royal Arsenal Science Schools.
His Royal Highness then presented the prizes to the
successful students.

Votes of thanks having been carried to Professor`
Ruskin and his Royal Highness, the former returned
thanks, and
His Royal Highness said he cordially thanked them
for the manner in which they had alluded to him. HO
could assure them that it had given him sincere satisfae.
tion to be present on that occasion. He only trusted
that the events of that evening would lead to further
exertions on the part of the successful students, as well
as prove something of moment to others.
His Royal Highness was loudly cheered as he loft the
room.

NAVAL AND MILITARY INTELLIGENCE•
Heavy guns are about to be mounted at Standfora
forts.
So large a number of recruits are flowing into Woolwich
that the transfer of some troops to Sheerness has been
rendered necessary.
Three ships of the Channel Squadron have been ordered
to Plymouth immediately—the Agincourt, the North-
umberland, and the Helicon. The ships are to be ready
for sea on the 3rd of January.
It is stated that the whole of the regiments quartered in
the western and South Wales districts have been sukipliea
with the Snider arm, pattern 111., with the exception of
the 2nd Battalion 18th Royal Irish.

.C.RE LONDONDERRY ANNIVERSARY.—ID view Of
disturbances at the approaching anniversary -tt London-
derry, 1,500 infantry, and two troops of cavalry have been
ordered to proceed to that town. The whole will be under
the control of four experienced stipendiary magistrates.
WOMEN'S SUFFRAGE.—The third :annual report
of the Manchester National Society for Women's Suffrage
recently published, shews some remarkable results. Inter
alia, from the list of petitions praying for the extension of
the 'electoral franchise to women and in favour of the
Women's Disabilities Relief Bill, we find that during the
last session of Parliament 180 petitions, containing 2,300
signatures, were presented in favour of the former measure,
and 441 petitions, having appended to them no less than
131,361 signatures, in favour of the latter.
The Royal London Yacht Club held its annual
dinner on. Tuesday at Willis's Rooms. Upwards of one
hundred gentlemenwere present, including Sir Llewellyn
Turner, Mr. D. Straight, M.P., and many yachtsmen;
The commodore said that thirty years ago the club conic!
boast but twenty yachts ; now it had oue hundred
sixty. Mr. Eagle proposed " The• House of Commons,
coupling with it the name of Mr. Douglas Straight, MX-
Mr. Straight replied, and made same allusion to the
present political position of the country.
THE LATE RAILWAY AcciDENTS.—In the recent
collision at Harrow one of the passengers who was un"
fortunately killed, .A.'fr. J. H. Jordan, had taken an insur
ance ticket of the Railway Passengers Assurance Coin'
cost
yofbefore
only
threethreepence,.
commencingencefor which, at tile.
he is
hiLlirsneeglred £l,OOO for hie.
family. In the same accident Mr. G. H. Smith. of gan"
chester, was killed, who held an annual policy for a like
sum with the same company. In the accident at Brockleii
Whine last week, besides many injured, two anunnf
policy-holders for £l,OOO each were also killed, one °
them being the comedian, Mr. Younge,. It is satisfacterl
to find that, if the present season seems fruitful in die'
asters of the kind, the number of those who have the,
wisdom to provide against them by accidental insurane6
policy appears to be on the increase.