The Sun.
London, England, 1846-07-23 00:00:00

THE SUN,- LONDON, THURSWAY,, EVENING, JULY 23, 1846.

CALEDONIAN ASYLUM

The twenty-ninth anniversary festival of this excellent
Institution took place yesterday, at the Freemasons' Tavern,
Great Queen-street. The Hon. Patrick Maxwell Stuart,
M.P., presided on the occasion.

Among the gentlemen present on this occasion, we ob-
served :—Lieutenant-Colonel Coiquhoun, Lieutenant-Col.
Chalmers, Hector Rose, Esq., J. S. Forbes,Esq., Col. Turner,
G. Anderson, Esq., W. S. Mackenzie Keith, Esq., Captain
J. Lamont, R.N., C. Forbes, Esq., Alexander Gillespie, jun.,
Esq., Robert Hartie, Esq., F. W. Buchan, Esq., Professor
Campbell, Sir W. Ross, Bart., J. Wilson, Esq., Dr. A.
Tweedie, A. B. Chisholm, Esq., Rev. Dr. Canning, Rev. W.
Nicholson, Rev. W. Chalmers, Rev. J. Lorimer, Dr. Archer.
The gallery was filled with ladies. A considerable number
of the guests present were dressed in their rich national cos-
tume. The band of the Fusileer Guards was in attendance,
and enlivened the company by several appropriate national
airs.

The cloth having been removed, the Rev. Dr. Archer re-
turned thanks; the Non Nobis was then sung in excellent
style by the vocalists, under the direction of Mr. Moody.
The CHAIRMAN, in rising to propose the first toast said,
Gentlemen, before I proceed to the discharge of the unex-
pected duty which has devolved upon me, allow me to assure
you that it is not my fault that you are not honoured to-
night with the company of a duke ; for some reason or other
he is absent from that duty, and it has devolved upon
one, whom I hope may be styled your old:friend—at any rate
I may lay claim to that honour which belongs to the adage
that one volunteer is worth two pressed men. Gentlemen,
it needs very little ability for a person to preside upon such
an occasion as the present, supported as I am by friends of
this excellent charity.—(Cheers.) Gentlemen, unprepared.
as I am, however, in head to preside upon the present occa-
sion, I assure you that you shall have the utmost support from
my heart and hand, and I hope that will be sufficient
to induce you to support me in my unexpected po-
sition. I will give you now that toast which is
always first in every list, foremost in every feeling
and in every community in this loyal country. I give
you our beloved Sovereign, under a designation which
will, I am sure, be enough to endear it to every person pre-
sent I give you, " Her Majesty the Queen, the patroness of
the Caledonian Asylum."—Drunk with three times three.

The National Anthem was then sung.
The CHAIRMAN, in proposing the next toast, said, that he
was happy to say, that the most distinguished feature of the
royal personages of this country was, that they were constantly
personally connected with the charitable institutions of this
great country. He had great pleasure in proposing the health
of the "Queen Dowager, the patroness of the Institution."—
The toast was drunk with the usual honours.
GI ee—" Spring's Delights."

The CHAIRMAN said, the next toast he had to propose was
the health of " His Royal Highness Prince Albert, Albert the
Prince of Wales, and the other branches of the Royal Family."
The only remark he had to make on that toast was, that
they did that which in Scotland was considered a great fault
—they separated the " gude man and the gude wife."—
(Cheers). In giving that toast, he wished the royal family
would fill the station they were called to in a manner worthy
of the interests of this great country.—Drunk with three
times three.

Glee—" Long life to the Prince and the Queen."

The next toast which the CHAIRMAN had to propose he
hoped would not be treated as a mere routine toast ; situate
as this country was in its insular state, and dependant as
they were upon their own energies for their existence, he
thought the toast should not be received as a mere matter of
form. He could never give the Army and Navy of England
without feeling his pulse quickened, and he was sure the
company present would feel with him upon that point. He
had great pleasure in proposing " The Army and Navy, our
gallant defenders by sea and land."
Colonel TURNER, R.A., returned thanks for the army, and
Lieutenant T. S. LEAN for the navy.
Song—" Rule Britannia."
The children of the school were here introduced, and
marched round the room, preceded by the pipers, who played
the old and well-known Scottish air, "Bonnie Laddie."
The CHAIRMAN then rose and said—l think you will all
agree with me that this is the most interesting, if not the
best course which has been served up to us during this even-
ing. I consider it a great privilege to be allowed to give you
the simple, the unadorned toast, of the Caledonian Asylum,
and may the offspring of the brave never want a protector.
—(Cheers.) It may sound strange in these fine days of
peace to talk of the offspring of the brave requiring a pro-
tector. But we must keep to our original institution. The in-
stitution was originally projected for the purpose of educating
the children of soldiers, sailors, and marines, natives of Scotland
who have died, or been disabled in the service of their country,
and of indigent Scotch parents residing in London, not en-
entitled to parochial relief. When I recollect our first small
beginning, when some few half-dozen Scotch volunteers
engaged in this work of charity, and when I now look around
me, and see the little phalanx by which I am surrounded, I
ask you if this is not a progressive and progressing work ;
and when the heart is right, I am sure there is no person who
will not join with me in drinking " Prosperity to the Cale-
donian Asylum."—(Cheers.) I can tell you, and my elder
brethren will vouch for it, that those whom we have educated
and brought up in these schools have gone forth into this
wide and busy world, and have been eminently successful.
And if you ask me for these 130 small vouchers which
you see around you, I will tell you that they shall be pre-
served pure as we received them ; and we hope, by the bless-
ing of God, to send them forth distinguished ornaments in
the spheres they may be called to move in.—(Cheers.)
Gentlemen, I am here to-night not only as your passing
chairman, but as your permanent treasurer ; and I am, there-
fore, responsible for the due administration of your revenues ;
and, if you will it, I care not being responsible for your
debts.—(Cheers.) We have here an account which shows
an immense balance against the Company. This balance
has been occasioned by a work of charity, and by our en-
deavours to fill up every niche in the building which we
have erected for the shelter of the helpless and the suffering
offspring of the brave. We have a balance sufficient to turn
out an administration or to sink a nation—(Cheers)—a
balance of 2,8811. for the last year. And yet I feel so
much confidence in your charitable feellngs and Christian
sympathies that I am perfectly willing to become bond for
the debt —(Cheers.) The sum of 4,5001., has been expended
in enlarging our institution, and in affording the means of
relieving those among us who till lately we were excluded
from relieving. I mean the female portion of suffering
humanity, and I cannot fear for the result of this large
debt.—(Cheers.) Well now we are in for it ; we are like
a little nation—we are doing good and getting into debt, and
if we do not rescue ourselves from it all I say is, that we are
not worthy of being called citizens of this country.—
(Cheers.) There is one fact to which I will call your
attention. Last year the Caledonian Ball realised 6951.
The managers of that society generously handed over the
whole amount to this society; this year, owing to the failure
of ,the potato crop or some other cause—(Laughter)—the
proceeds from the ball has been only 430/. I intend
to make application to the society for the whole of that sum,
and I will stand between you and them if they do not give
you the whole of it.—(Cheers.) There have been, I am
aware, several subjects which have marred the unanimity of
our proceedings, but those questions are, I hope, HOW all at
rest—the present meeting is one of peace.—(Cheers.) Let
unity and peace be among us.—(Renewed cheering.) Let
us abandon minor points of difference, and rest satisfied
with what we can accomplish in the cause of charity
and love, in the cause of suffering humanity, and
then our efforts will be commensurate with the founda-
tion of an instituticn worthy of the metropolis of England.
I give you, therefore, with all my heart, "The Caledonian
Association, and may unity and peace prevail among its
members, and may the offspring of the brave in this and
' every clime never need a protector."
. .

would ever be ready to promote the interests of the institu-
tion by all themeans in their power.
The SEC dETARY then read a second formidable list of do-
nations and subscriptions to the society.
Song—" Scots wha ha'e wi' Wallace bled."
The toast was " The Clergy who have kindly taken an in-
terest in the proceedings," which was duly responded to by
the company.
The toast which followed was "The guests who have
honoured us with their company."
Comic song by Mr. Moody.
The remaining toasts were, " The Vice •Presidents and
Directors of the Institution," and " The Stewards of the day."
These having been disposed of, the company broke up at a
late hour.

MILITARY FLOGGING.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR,—Having read your excellent article on the military
flogging at Hounslow, perhaps a few observations from
one who was formerly a light cavalry officer for several
years may not be amiss. Sir, I have witnessed a great
deal of corporeal punishment inflicted on soldiers, and
invariably noticed that it took effect on the chest ! weak
or consumptive men suffering a great deal more. The
wounds on the back were invariably small, compared to
internal suffering. The heavier the instrument of pun-
ishment the greater was the internal injury. And a
lesser number of blows with a heavy instrument, produce
more internal suffering by lesser wounding of the back,
than a vastly greater number of blows with a light wea-
pon, which only affects the skin comparatively. Ten or
one dozen blows with a heavy instrument would do more
internal injury to a weak constitution than one hundred
with a light instrument. Further, I beg to observe, that
in corporealpunishments you cannot ascertain the state
of
the
ema n during
the infliction, but by feeling the pulse.
As the greater severity is felt internally, a man may
walk, aye, or even ride, after flogging, and yet be dan-
gerously affected internally. Further, Sir, it would be
of no disadvantage to the public to inquire what article
of war, or army regulation, allows the substitution of
strong, or any man whatever, for the trumpeter, drum-
mer, or bugler? Trumpeters are not boys—they must
be responsible individuals, as they have to accompany
flags of truce, and are liable to be enticed into conversa-
tion with the enemy. Further, Sir, I would ask, what
regulation or article of war authorises the substitution of
thicker cats for the regulation instrument. Perhaps, Sir,
Mr. Wakley, who is so very eminent a public magistrate,
may not be aware of the above circumstances.
Sir, I do not wish in any way to prejudice the British
army, but, Sir, flogging is not the way to improve
faults. Sir, that man who has been flogged in-
variably becomes an habitual drunkard. I never saw a
case in which he did not, let him be ever so sober
before. Sir, a man who may have been one of the best
in the troop, looked up to by comrades, teaching or
helping others to clean bridles, bits, stirrups, scabbards,
&c., which old hands have a great knack in—such a
man gets by chance into a drunken frolic ; and is con-
demned to be flogged, because, Sir, old hands are seldom
liked by sixteen year old comets; and steady men are
not over apt to be forward in rendering menial service to
officers. Sir, if such a man be the best in the regiment,
he is done for after corporeal punishment ; he is an al-
tered man ; he no longer attempts to lead on his com-
rades by advice or example ; and by degrees the others
lose that involuntary respect they felt before ; because
he himself no longer has the strength of mind necessary.
Sir, even without education (which is so much wanted)
men can be led without flogging. Drunkenness is the
only failing in our service, and by flogging it is rendered
worse. If officers sixteen years old are admitted, they
cannot bet hurt the service. Young men of rich family
—boys in fact—enter a cavalry regiment, that they may
dress in an expensive, useless, foreign national costume.
They see the soldiers only on parade, and until they
become captains have no responsibility. The serjeants
are expected to do and be everything, and the case of
Mathewson may show the advantage of having officers
only for the parade ground. The riding master (risen
from the ranks in general) teaches the men to ride, and
their own troop officers do not ; serjeants teach the foot
exercise, and only the officer on duty attends, to look
on or not, as suits himself. The greater part of the
regimental and squadron drill falls on the adjutant ;
and yet every troop of 43 men has three educated offi-
cers who should do all this ; and should instruct their
own men, and corporals, and serjeants, in the smallest
detail. But nothing of the kind ever is the case; very
few cavalry officers who have seen no service, know
anything of fitting bridles, bits, saddles, baggage, rolling
cloaks, cleaning arms and accoutrements, &c., conse-
quently they care not for the men ; nor do these latter
look up to them. And yet, Sir, this mutual confidence
is absolutely necessary. If it existed, then the
officers would know their men and their faults, and
endeavour to forestall all cause for punishment. As a
proof of this I need only adduce the fact, that the most
showy, gaudy, un-English dressed regiments have the
most shocking punishments. Because your foreign na-
tional costume, useless for all purposes of war, and ex-
tremely expensive, attracts the younger sons of rich
families. You will find, Sir, that the working regiments
have hardly any punishment compared to your Hussar
and Lancer fashionables, fit only for Bond-street pave-
ment strutting.

People talk-of the army as if it were only the officers,
who are merely the handles of the thing. The poor
neglected soldiery, Sir, they are our army, and this
officers feel when they are on outpost duty; when they
are glad if the " common soldiers" will procure them
food and shelter, or make them a bed to keep them from
the soaked ground; then, Sir, officers turn kind to sol-
diers all of a sudden. There, Sir, your bad imitators
of foreigners' costumes learn something besides driving,
dressing, drinking—(vide Captain Maxwell's Stories of
Waterloo, chap. 14,)—t0 which catalogue of cavalry
officers' accomplishments I may add flirting with other
men's wives. Sir, English soldiers are better riders,
better mounted, armed, clothed, fed, and furnished in
every respect than the French; and yet, Sir, in remark-
able contrast to British Infantry, Colonel Napier's Pen-
insular war allows the superiority of the French cavalry.
And why ? Because there every subaltern knows, can
instructin, and does instruct in, every branch of the
service, the platoon of non-commissioned officers and
men committed to his charge. Let our subalterns do
the same; having always the same men and non-com-
missioned officers, and every person always keeping his
own horse, and I will warrant that there shall be no
necessity for corporeal punishment, and our cavalry as
. superior manceuvering and order as it is in everything
else.

Your obedient servant,
A CONSTANT READER.
I produce no facts, nor mention names, as I wish to
render a service to the British cavalry.
N.B. A few years since, several foreign nobles, offi-
cers of cavalry for the most part, visited a British
cavalry barracks near London ; and these foreign offi-
cers were much astonished to find that no English officer
present could explain anything relating to bridling,
blanket laying, saddling, packing, and other accoutre-
ments, when a colonel present, luckily stepped forward
to supply the deficiency. Sir, the foreign prince who
mentioned the case, informed me that all the subalterns
of his regiment could explain anythingknown to corporal
or private, which they themselves also taught to the men.
I could mention names ; also that of the colonel, who
has written a work--I believe it is the author of Hints
on Horsemanship'--who alone knew what was required.

ASSOCIATE INSTITUTE.

On Tuesday a very numerous and highly-respectable
meeting was held at the Hanover-square Rooms, for
improving and enforcing the laws for the protection of
women. The sacred rights and duties of society were
deeply and solemnly brought home to the feelings of all
ladies and gentlemen by the simple yet impressive prayer
of the Lord Bishop of Norwich, who, at the instance of
the Noble Chairman (Lord Robert Grosvenor, M.P.),
prefaced their holy and heartfelt efforts with the sancti-
tying unction of an appeal to the Throne above. After
prayers,

_
The CHAIRMAN expressed his fervent hopes that
their efforts to check vice and crush the vile and insi-
nuating craft of seduction, would be favoured by Al
mighty God, and fostered by the united virtue of man.
He considered that the motives which actuated those
assembled in that room argued well for the advancement
of virtue, and for the suppression, if not the annihilation
of vice. He did not intend to enter into the minute
details on which that society was formed, for such
would be almost an outrage on common decency,
and a grievous offence to the chaste ears of the
delicacy and virtue which favoured the meeting with
coming
emffelt iftoanrpwe ca
ater
dhs
ys at
oroyr
situgopnrpoeormra
tna
csr koe
Hsc
ttoeuwa rs
in
great
tt hh ae it r presenceanand
society
good
. were.—(Hear.)
ae
of the evils. entailed by the abominable system of se-
duction, now so rife, but from a false modesty, which in-
duced them to keep aloof from so necessary a duty.—
(Hear, hear.) It should be remembered that this
society was the offshoot of another, which was esta-
blished for the protection of young females. The
utility of its operations failed, because of the inatten-
tion of those who should rather blush to evade
espousing its cause than to advocate it. The
object of this meeting is to give an account of
stewardship for the last year, during which this
Society had been in existence ; and also to induce
the benevolent and philanthropic to extend their sup-
port, and to identify themselves amongst a body the
most useful and meritorious of any in the land. He
said of the land, because its baneful influence, as was
well known, had extended from one part of the island to
the other. Every man who regards society, who re-
spects his family, who reverences his God, must see the
great and paramount importance of this society. He
hoped that many would speedily advance to acknow-
ledge their ready willingness to support it ; and as-
sured the meeting, that though it may not in celerity
succeed according to the wishes of some, yet, that
it would never go back, but always proceed with the
firmness and precision which ever characterises a virtu-
ous cause. He had many zealous and able supporters,
and without any comparison, he should mention the
name of his Hon. Friend the Member for Birmingham
(Mr. Spooner), who had nobly brought the matter
before the House of Commons, and who was still de-
termined to obtain a remedy at the hands of the Legis-
lature for so baneful a plague-spot on society,—(Hear.)
Mr. NEWMAN, the secretary, then read the report,
which showed that 45C1. had been collected for the last
twelve months, and that different essays had been made
to induce the Government to take the subject in hand.
Lord INGESTRE rose to propose the first resolution;
and said that the clear and perspicuous way in which the
report was made, left it a very easy matter for him to
be a supporter of the cause. Every item was most
accurate, and the crying evil was now so prevalent,
that he wondered how any one could refrain from giving
their mite in accordance with the dictates of virtue and
nature, and more in compliance with the behests of Al
mighty God. He much deplored the evils as being
almost as prevalent in the provincial parts of England
as in the metropolis. He concluded by moving the fol-
lowing resolution:—" That the report now read be
adopted, and that it be printed and circulated, under the
elirection of the Committee."
Mr. HANSARD rose to second the resolution. He ex
pressed himself highly pleased with the object of the
society; for he was fully convinced it had done, and
would do great good to the community at large. To one
part of it, however, he should object—namely, that of
not using every effort for the suppression of prostitu-
tion, which did not appear to him to come within the
pale of their design. They seemed to overlook prosti-
tution, whilst they denounced seduction. He had hoped
that their main object was to put down prostitution
and seduction by every means possible. He thought
the best mode of encountering those evils was by assidu-
ously guarding against the proximate cause, and by en-
deavouring to sustain human nature in the purity of first
principles.
The Noble CHAIRMAN explained the misconception.
Mr. HANSARD felt perfectly satisfied with the ex-
planation, for he remarked that it would be contrary to
all rectitude to abet vice by a connivance at its com-
mission, as he previously understood the matter. He
concluded by seconding the resolution.
The Lord Bishop of NORWICH said that it was to him
a painful matter that necessity obliged him, on the part
of virtue, to allow the words of this, the second, reso-
lution, to escape his lips, as more did he feel that the
chaste hearing of the tender and virtuous females present
should be subject to such an outrage, no less true than
deplorable, in a country such as England, famed
throughout the world for its grandeur and civilisa-
tion. " Well," said he, " may we commence our
morning prayer to the God of Heaven. He alone
can grant that success to this cause of virtue, through
which the human heart can be cleansed ; to Him
are we to look forward for the advancement of purity,
and not to man. By this resolution we have lifted the
veil; but were it lifted higher it would disclose the awful
evils of human nature and its concomitant punishments,
which are by no means seemly, or adapted to the
presence of you my female friends." In the line
they were resolved to pursue he knew of insuper-
able difficulties presenting themselves; yet he trusted
that perseverance in so just a cause would mitigate the
suffering of unfortunate humanity, and ultimately re-
ward the praiseworthy efforts of that society, by the
consciousness of doing right. He knew of many who,
in his own neighbourhood, were forced to flee the so-
' ciety of the virtuous, because of their evil practices, and
he doubted not but man would be much improved were
he aware that his company was objectionable when
stained with any of the practices of this resolution. He
was very much astonished at the receipt of only 4504,
as had been read from the report. He thought
450,0001. should have been acknowledged by the
secretaay. For an opera-box, per annum, or for a
private breakfast 4504 would be given, and must
he be told, that for the promotion of virtue and
the suppression of crime, only 450 L had been obtained
for a whole year from, not the mighty metropolis, but
the entire of England. He deeply regretted such apathy,
and assured those present that none knew the misery
and wretchedness so well as the clergy. To see the
hectic colour burning on the cheek and firing the heart
of many an unfortunate victim, was to him a frequent
scene. He hoped that those whose misery had been oc-
casioned by the procurer and seducer would meet a mer-
ciful judgment, whilst the vile seducer should necessa-
rily suffer here and hereafter.
The CHAIRMAN then read the resolution :—" That

this meeting deeply deplores the existence in this country
of a widely-organised and systematic traffic in seduction
and prostitution, carried on by the agency of the brothel-
keeper and the procurer, which supplies the ranks of
prostitution by a recourse to the most subtle and de-
testable arts directed to ensnare and effect the ruin of
young and unprotected females, and which inflicts upon
its victims all the miseries of a cruel as well as a de-
grading slavery."
Mr. BUCKINGHAM seconded the resolution. He briefly
remarked, that there was a necessity for the protection
of morality—of calling vices by their true names. He
exemplified the sacred scriptures as a corroboration of
his opinions, and hoped that every father and mother
who regarded the virtue of their children would join
them.

Mr. BEGGS (of Leicester), with considerable energy,
and talent of a very high order, pointed out the preva-
lence of profligacy in England. He asserted that no
country in Europe, Asia, or America, was equal to Eng-
land in vice. He hoped that the system of trade in se-
duction would be broken down by this institution, and
promised them, on his return to Leicester, where there
is a population of 50,000, he would use every effort to
check that system. 'When he was chief magistrate there,
he, on inquiry, found that there were 60 brothels ; but
such, he hoped, would not be the case for the future,
relying, as he did, on his excellent friend the Noble
Chairman, and on the zealous advocate of virtue, Mr.
Spooner.—(Hear, hear.) He then read the following
resolution That the system of trading in seduction
and prostitution has grown up and is now carried on with-
out any check, notwithstanding the exertions of societies
for the protection and reformation of women. And the
experience of past efforts proves the cause of their
failure mainly to consist in the want of due facilities for
the execution of the existing law against the brothel
keeper, and in the deficiency of that law itself in not
declaring the procurer to be criminal equally with the
brothel keeper."
Mr. SPOONER seconded the resolution, and promised
his co-operation to the Noble Chairman in support of
so goop a cause. He thought that their political feelings
of difference should be merged when the crying call of
prostrate virtue demands relief.
Mr. EDWARD WEST considered it the duty of every
man in society to lend his assistance to protect female
helplessness, and felt much pleasure in proposing the
fourth resolution:—" That this meeting cordially ap-
proves of the attempt which is now being made by the
Associate Institution to remedy the existing deficiency
in the law, by introducing into Parliament a Bill formed
the principle of rendering the procurer criminally
responsible, and of effectually facilitating legal proceed-
ings against all offenders."
Mr. G. ROPER seconded the resolution.
Mr. ARTILTRY proposed, and Mr. BIICK.I2IGHAISI
seconded, that Lord R. Grosvenor leave the Chair, and
that Mr. Spooner be called thereto.
The thanks of the meeting wore then voted to the
Noble Lord for his zeal and efficiency in the cause of
suffering humanity.
The Noble Lord (GaosvENon) returned thanks; and
several contributions were handed in, amongst which
we noticed that of Luke Hansard, Esq., 251.

W. read in a Swiss paper :—" Professor Schonbein
recently presented to the Society of Natural History of Basle
a specimen of cotton prepared by him, more inflammable
than gunpowder, and exploding with a capsule. Several
trials were made with it. A small quantity, equal to the
sixteenth part of an ounce, placed in a gun, carried the ball
with such force that it perforated two planks at a distance of
fifty-eight paces, and at another time, with the same charge,
and at the same distance, drove a ball into a wall to the
depth of three and three-quarter inches. In some other ex-
periments a dram of cotton sent a ball three-quarters of an
ounce in weight to a distance of 200 paces, where it pene-
trated a deal plank to the depth of two inches. A portion
of this cotton, when placed on an anvil and struck with .a
hammer, caused a loud detonation, without, however, the
cotton taking fire. The cotton is of a very superior quality,
and, what is most extraordinary, its inflammable property is
not destroyed by its being thrown into water and afterwards
dried."

DEATH OF LORD WILLIAM
RUSSELL, G.C.B.
An elder brother of the Premier, and a distinguished
member of the ducal house of Bedford, has ended his days
rather prematurely, for the subject of this notice was only
two years older than Lord John Russell. The deceased
nobleman was the second son of the late Duke of Bedford,
but he was born during the lifetime of the preceding Duke ;
his father, therefore, was then known as Lord John Russell,
because, though he eventually succeeded to the dukedom,
he was not the eldest son of his house. Lord George Wil-
liam Russell, of whose life and character we now propose to
give a brief account, has been usually called Lord William
Russell, ever since the peath of his uncle, who was murdered
by Courvoisier. His Lordship was born in Harley-street,
London, on the Bth of May, 1790, and he had therefore at the
1 time of his lamented death only just completed the 56th year
of his age; his mother was the first wife of the late Duke,
and second daughter of George, fourth Viscount Torrington.
I Being destined for the military profession, a com-
mission was obtained for him at a very early age ;
and he was gazetted as cornet in the Ist Dragoons on the
sth of February, 1806, just three months before he had com-
pleted his 16th year; he was in a few months afterwards
raised to the rank of a lieutenant, and entered upon the duties
of active life some years earlier than the usual age at which
youths go to college. Of his scientific or classical attain-
ments there is therefore little to be related. Bat he pos-
sessed a competent knowledge of modern languages, and he
derived from nature that which is far more valuable than
any information which preceptors can communicate—a sub-
stantial fund of common sense. This quality a large inter-
course with camps and courts did not fail materially to
extend and strengthen. When he had reached the age of 18 he
was entrusted with the command of a troop in the 23d Dras
goons. He served on the staff at the siege of Copenhagen
in 1807, and embarked with the 23d Dragoons for
Lisbon in 1809, where he landed with that regiment,
and accompanied them to the battle of Talavera, on
which occasion he was wounded. At Cadiz he served
as Aide-de-Camp to Lord Lynedoch, and he served
subsequently as Aide-de-Camp to the Duke of Wel-
lington on several occasions ; amongst others, at the
battle of Vittoria. To this enumeration of his services we
may add that he was present at the storming of San Sebas-
tian, and that he accompanied the British army on its en-
trance into France, having been at the battles of Orthes and
Toulouse, for the latter of which he received a medal. The
brevet of November, 1841, raised him to the rank of Major
General. Before the siege of San Sebastian he had ceased to
be a cavalry officer, having obtained a majority in the 102 d
Regiment of Infantry, and he became a Colonel by brevet in
the month of April, 1814. The war being ended, he, of
course, returned with the rest of the army, and continued in
command of his regiment at its various quarters in England
and. Ireland, as well as at Corfu. He continued this some-
what listless sort of life until his political friends got into
power in 1830. Whatever might have been thought
amidst the select circle of his intimate acquaintance, the
world at largo bad no reason to suppose that he pos-
sessed any talents to fit him for diplomatic life; but
Lord John Russell was then Paymaster of the Forces,
and the influence of the house of Bedford, quite in the
ascendant ; Lord W. Russell, therefore, attached himself, with
every prospect of success, to one of our most important
foreign embassies, that of Sir Robert Adair, who represented
England in the Netherlands during that struggle between
Holland and Belgium which ended in placing King Leopold
upon the throne of the latter country. Every one remembers
that there was not only much negotiation, but some fighting
upon that occasion, and the military experience of Lord
William Russell proved a valuable adjunct to the skill in ne-
gotiation for which Sir Robert Adair had been justly cele-
brated. As the results of those proceedings belong more to
the history of Europe than to a personal narrative, we may
proceed to state that this debut of Lord William Russell as a
diplomatist proved so successful that in the following year
he was sent on a special mission to Lisbon, the ob-
ject of which was to assist in arranging the differ-
ences which prevailed among the members of the
house of Braganza, and to endeavour to restore that
public tranquillity, the enjoyment of which is unfor-
tunately often interrupted in Portugal; this mis-
sion was not terminated until the month of March, 1834 ; he
then spent about six months in England. In the month of
September following his return from Portugal he received
the appointment of Minister Plenipotentiary at Wurtemburg,
which he held till November, 1835, when he succeeded Lord
Minto as British Ambassador at Berlia. and at that Court he
represented the British Government till, on the accession of
Sir Robert Peel to power in September, 1841, he resigned,
and was succeeded in that important office by Lord Burg-
hersh, now Earl of Westmoreland. He had received the civil
Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath in 1833 for his diplo-
matic services, and in 1841 the order of Leopold of Belgium
(Ist class). As he had never shown, or at least never culti-
vated, the talents which secure Parliamentary distinction, he
did not, on resigning his embassy, seek to obtain a seat in
the House of Commons; so that, since the close of the last.
Melbourne Ministry, he was not called upon to participate
in public affairs. For some time past he had been very se-
riously indisposed. It was, we believe, at Genoa, whither he '
had gone for the benefit of his health, that the deceased no-
bleman breathed his last.— Times,