The Sun.
London, England, 1870-06-10 00:00:00

TURRET SHIPS.

The Times examines the results of the trial be-
tween the rival turret ships Monarch and Captain,
in which naval constructors take so keen an interest,

It will be remembered that these two vessels repre-
sent the designs of Captain Coles and
the Admiralty in respect to the turret prin-
ciple. The chief difference is that the
freeboard of the Monarch, Mr. Reed's ship, is very
much higher than that of Captain Coles's Captai n
while the all-round fire of the guns is limited in the
Admiralty vessel. Even now, however, when this long
talked of experiment has actually been made, the Cap-
tain has been at a disadvantage. By some unexplained
error in her construction, she is smaller than she
should have been by 800 tons, and, being newly-
commissioned, neither her officers nor her men knew
her capabilities, whereas the Monarch had already
taken a trip across the Atlantic. Each vessel
has its advantages and its drawbacks. The Captain
is calculated to inflict more injury on an enemy,
and to suffer less, while the Monarch is faster,handier,
and cheaper, consuming less fuel, and
making her coal go further. The Admiralty
ship is moreover the better cruiser, but
she would require some time to prepare for action,
and the Captain is at all hours in fighting trim. AIL
Reed's ship has an advantage from the height of her
guns, which would command an enemy's decli,
but in a broadside fight the Captain would
be safer and stronger. The Monarch has
better accommodation for her crew, and the
verdict is on the whole in her favour, but the main
result of the trial is that where either vessel has an
advantage, it has been obtained by a surrender of
some opposite qualifications. Where the Monarch
gains as a cruiser she loses as a fighting ship, and
where the Captain excels in her capacities for action
she fails as a sea boat.

THE EDUCATION BILL.

The Northern Association of Baptist churches, is
holding its annual meetings in Darlington. Respect-
ing the Government Education Bill, it was
resolved that the Association regretted the Govern-
ment amendments failed to remove the objections
of the Nonconformists. Furthermore, the Association
believed that the only way to get out of the religious
difficulty was for the State to restrict its functions to
civil and secular things, and leave religious matters to
the Churches. A Catholic writes to the Times on

the subject of an Education Rate. He says that
the most vigorous supporters of the League have
declared in favour of Bible instruction, when the
majority in a parish affirm that such is their desire.
He lays great stress upon the argument that if there
is no injustice in permitting the establishment of a
secular school when it is the wish of the

majority, there can be no injustice in allow-
ing the majority to establish schools in which
a catechism and formularies are taught the chil-

dren of parents who prefer that form of religion to
the Bible views of the schoolmaster. "For my part,"
he concludes, "I see no justice in depriving Roman
Catholics when they happen to be in the majority
in a parish, of the privilege which will undoubtedly
be claimed by the Wesleyans or the Congrega-
tionalists when they happen to be in a majority."

CLERGY AND LAITY.

How best to secure the practical co-operation of
clergy and laity in Church work, and the furtherance

HER MAJESTY.

BALMORAL CAnTLE, June 8.

The C4ueen, with Princess Beatrice, drove to the Glas
salt Shiel yesterday afternoon, attended by the Hon. Hat.
riot Phipps.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, attended by the
Hon. Mrs. Coke, Colonel Kingicote, and Lieut.-Col. Kep-
pel, went yesterday to the Horse Show, at the Agricultural
Hall, Islington.

FASHIONABLE ARRANGEMENTS TO-DAT.
The Earl of Fortescue's ball.
Lady Cairns' eveningparty at 5, Cromwell Houses, South
Kensington.
Lady Eleanor Heneage's dance at 10, Grosvenor-gardens.
The Hon. Mrs. Magniac's ball at Chesterfield House.
Mrs. Allsopp's dance at 36, Raglan-square.