The Sun.
London, England, 1851-03-14 00:00:00

MARCH 14, lB5l.

THE NAVY ESTIMATES,

TO THE EDITOR CF THE TIKES.

Sir.—l do not agree with Mr. Hume, Mr. Cobden, and
Mr. M‘GregJr, that the vote for men governs the
amount of the ❑avy t stimates. It is the vote for artifi-
cers employed in the dockyardi that ought to rule the

expense.
Lord Joh❑ Rusiell, in a very excellent spPech, has
shown the impolicy of reducing oar seam-in and marines,
and we have a confession from the Primo Minister that
Great Britain can no longer be considered an island, and
that, as we keep up neither a sufficient army or militia
for our defences, we must trust to the navy.
He has told the House of Commons that 70,000 men
were conveyed from Vienna to the frontier of Bohemia
in 48 hours—that many thousand men were transported
from France to Civita Vecchia in an exceedingly short
time; and be admits that, without waiting for the acci-
dent of wind and weather, an army may be transported
in a few hours to our coasts; and that if we parted with
our naval force for the first six months of war we should
be utterly unable to send out an efficient force to meet an
enemy disposed to attack us.
He further stated we might be engaged in war with
Russia and Austria, and in friendly alliance with France,
and in that case we ought to have a sufficient naval force
to meet aggression; but he did not state what would be-
come of us should we have a war with France and
Russia, and, if so, most probably with America to the
bargain. In that case we should have France in our
front with a large force at Cherbourg; Russia on our left
flank with 30 sail of the line always ready, ned 90,000
men disposable at St. Petersburgh, and the 2,000,000
tons of American commercial shipping. capable, as Mr.
Hume says, of being converted for warlike purposes, on
our right flank. Why, Sir, with all this staring us in
the face, would any man in his senses reduce our force
who knows the difficulty of getting them together again,
and who knows that we have no reserve to fall back
upon, and that in a peace of aG years no step has been
taken by any Government to have a reserve? If the
Government fancy they can return to impressment, let
them look to the north, where the seamen have struck
work because they think their rights have been tres-
passed upon. We might just as well attempt to return
to Protection.

Sir, it is on the vote for artifioers and stores for ship-
building that we ought to economise. Strike off a
couple of thousand of them, and that would be followed
by a reduction of stores and materials. We have ships
enough in the water, and all our ships are full. There
let them remain and season, and instead of allowing our
ships afloat to lie and rot, let us keep thorn in repair;
but so badly is that part of our establishment managed
that we never hear of a ship being commissioned and
going to sea without her first going through dockyard
repair, even should she be an advanced ship.
In a former letter I mentioned the case of the Briton-
ells, and I will now show another case. On the 7th of
January the Cumberland was commissioned for the flag
of Sir George Seymour, and did not arrive at Spithead
till the beginning of March, a new ship—an advanced
ship, and yet she required all this time to get ready.
fhe Powerful arrived at the same time from the Medi-
terranean, after an absence of only two years and three
months, is splendid order, well manned and fit for any
service. With proper management, why could not the
Powerful have been re-commissioned for the flag of Sir.
George Seymour, and thus have saved the expense of
fitting out one ship and dismantling another?
Sir, the system of paying off our ships after three
years' service is one of the causes of dockyard extrava-
gance. The seamen's pay does not increased till they
have served five years. No ship should be paid off till
they have been at least four years and a halt' in COMILDiII-
Ilion; the rigging, stores, &0., would lest that time.
After three years they are not considered fit for a second
commission, and the whole is condemned and turned
over to the lot yard, and the ship is sent up the harbour
to deteriorate for half-a-doyen years or more, as may be.
Should she not be a favourite, and should the otry
rot appear, it is allowed to spread till the ship becomes
too expensive to repair. She is then turned into a hulk
or broken up.
Lord John admits that there has been a great deal
of wastefulness and abuse; but he thinks it has been
corrected of late years. I have been tolerably
watchful of how naval affairs bare been conducted
fur many years, but I can see no improvement; and
unless we change our system of governing the navy,
it will never be better. The three last steamers
built, the Argus, the Tigre, and Magioienne, are so badly
arranged, that before they aro fit for service they must
go through groat alterations at a considerable expense.
It is, however, just to say the present Surveyor had no-
thing to do with theist, and it would be difficult So And a
father for them.

The Penelope, which has been under repair for up-
wards of a year, is again commissioned for the coast of
Africa. During her last commission her guns were re-
moved to allow her people to be berthed, the between
decks being so low that it was, I suppose, considered
dangerous to keep them there. The same thing is to
happen grata, so that we shall have a red pennant com-
modore in a ship without guns, while the Sidon has been
lying at Portsmouth for eighteen months ready for com-
mission, her rigging rotting, her boats and spars decay-
ing, and, if kept in that state much longer, will respire
refitting before she can go to sea.
Another system of store destruction it is high time to
put a stop to the flag ships' at the ports and the guard
ships are rigged, and at the beginning of winter their
topmasts are struck. To put their topmast rigging
down below would not occupy two hours ; but there
they remain with their rigging rotting on their mast-
heads like a parcel of Portuguese. Nine votes have
been carried ; it is not yet too late. Let the House of
Commons strike or two hundred thousand pounds from,
the 10th vote, and that will toseh the Admiralty eco.-
nomy. Colonel Sibthorp proposed a moderate reduction
of the salaries of the First Lord, two secretaries, and a
reduction of the lay Lord, the latter reduction was
supported by his predecessor, and who would pro-
bably be his successor ; yet the economists supported
the Government on this occasion. Sir, I do think
0,5004 a year is a sufficient salary for the First Lord.
I presume when a large house and a large salary
were first granted it was intended to enable the First
Lord to entertain naval officers ; but I have not heard
much of their hospitalities. I have been 51 years in the
service, and have only been three times in the large
house, and few of my brother officers have been so for-
tunate. As to the secretaries, I cannot understand why
they should be higher paid than their masters ; yet the
Radical and the economical talkers in the House think
differently. I wes happy to hear the First Lord was in
consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer to
.remove the Surveyor's department to WhitehalL How
long the consultation will last I know not, but, as the
committee have recommended that two Lords' houses
shall be given up, I see no necessity for a consultation,
unless it is to remove the whole establishment, and the
sooner that is done the better; but the House may rely
upon it unless the screw is applied the two Lords will
remain till their successors are appointed.
I am, Sir, your obedient servant,
CHARLES NAPIER.
• The Sag ships have jury tepruuts.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.
TATTERSALL'S, THUUSDAY.
Tempted by cheap trains, a strong list, and fine wea-
ther, the majority of the " working" members of the
room started yesterday for Doncaster, causin; the mus-
ter here to be so small as to put regular business out of
the question. The only blows struck were 1,000 to 40
agat Marlborough Buck, 900 to 100 ag3t Rhesus, 2
,000
to 100 agst Montague, 500 to 25 aget Wallflower, and
GO to 25 agst Lady Evelyn.
DONCASTER SPRING MEETING—THURSDAY.
A Free Handicap Hurdle Stakes of 5 son. with 30
added; the second to save his stake; a winner once
after the weights are published to carry 41b; twice or
more, 71b extra. Twe miles, over five flights of hurdles.
(9 Subs.)
Mr. Button's Psyche, 4 yrs, 9st 41b
Mr. Phillip's Tally -ho (k b). lOst 2ib (11 Bradley) 2
Mr. LiNtsr's Whatfdale Maid, aged, llst...(Frisby) 0
Mr. G. Lsmplugh's The Wild Hero, aged, 9st lOib 0
Mr. Godson's John Lawrence (h b), 5 yrs, 9st 6lb
Mr. Foster's Fanny (h b), aged,Bst 12Ib (lierkenabaw) 0
Betting-7 to 4 agst Psyche and 2to 1 agat Tally-ho.
Tally-ho made nearly the whole of the running, but
was caught by Nolte at half-way up the distance, and
beaten by a neck; Wherldale Maid a bad third. Ruu in
4 min. 15 see.
Betting-room Stakes of 5 move. each, with 50 added; for
two years old, 7st; three, 9.t; fillies and geldings
allowed 31b; winners extra; the second to save the
stakes, and the winner to pay 5 saes. to the fund.
Red House in. (9 Subs.)
Mr. Lister'. Nancy, 3 yrs, 9.1 21b (Masson) 1
Mr. H. Stebbing's Knook Knoll, Bst 9i13 (Bumby) 2
Mr. Walker's Merlin, 2 yrs, Est Illb (lrving) 3
Mr. J. Armstrong na Paddy Bird 9dt ... (Charlton) 0
Mr. B. Eddisou's oby John O'Gauut, (Whitehouse) 0
Mr. W. E. liobion's Babette, 2 yrs, 64 111 b( Wells) 0
Mr. W. Neale na Little Fawn, list 6lb ...(G. Oates) 0
Mr. J. Osborne's King of Troy, 2 yrs, 7st (Osborne) 0
Mr. P. Reed's Mona's Pride, 3 yrs, 9st (Templeman) 0
Betting-7 to 4 each agst Nancy and Knook Knoll,
and 6 to 1 agst King of Troy.
Knook Knoll jumped off with the lead, Nancy, Mona's
Pride, Babette, and Merlin well up; at the distance
Nanny took the lead, had it all herself, and won easily
by two lengths ; the same between Knook Knoll and
Merlin. Babette a bad fourth. Run in 1 min. 17 sec.
The Grand National Steeplechase Handicap of 15 son.
each. 10 ft, and only 5 it declared, &c., with 100 added.
A winner of 100 son. clear after the weights are pub-
lished, once 71b, twice 121 b extra; the second to alive
his stake, and the winner to pay 20 son. towards ex-
penses. About three miles and a half. (38 Subs., 15 of
whom declared.)
Lord Airlie na Chieftain (h b), 9st 81b (Harrison) 1
Mr. Elmore's Mulligan, aged, 9st 12Ib ... (Archer) 2
Mr. Donkin na Quadruped, aged, lOst 61b (Darling) 0
Mr. J. H. Kemp's Hope (h b), aged, 9st 111 b (Green) 0
Mr. P. Barling's Bedford hb, 5 yrs, 9at 91b (Higgins) 0
Mr. J. Lamplugh's Standard, aged, Itst 81b( Lamplugh) 0
Mr. Walker's Cadeby, hb, aged, 9st 41b(Moorbouse) 0
Betting-5 to 4 eget Mulligan, 4to 1 agst Quadruped,
7 to 1 agst Hope, 8 t) 1 eget Chieftain, and 10 to 1 eget
any other. Won by nearly a distance, the two placed
only having past the winning post. Run in 8 min. 55 secs.
The Municipal Stakes of 5 sovd. each, with 30 added for
three yrs old, 7st 71b; tour, 9dt 51b; five, lost; six and
aged, 104 51b. Half bred horses allowed 71b; mares
and geldings, 31b; and maiden horses, 51b. The winner
to be sold for 150 soya., and allowance if to be sold for
less; the second
.to save his stake, and the winner
to pay 5 sovs. towards expenses. St. Leger Course.
(7 Subs.)
Mr. Ddwaon's True Blue, 3 yrs, sst 61b, 401 (Aldcroft) 1
Mr. Baldock's bc by Red Deer, sst 610, 401 (Well.) 2
Mr. H. Stebbing's Guardsman, 5.1 121 b, 501 (Barker) 3
Mr. J. Skips worth's Gimcrack, Est 111 b, 30/(Osborne) 0
Mr. Lawson's Kelesht a, hb, Set 1 Ilb, 75/( Mr. Gsman) 0
Mr. I'. Ilesseltinea Louisa, 751 6lb 301(W. Sharpe) 0
Mr. J. Marson's Lady of the Grove, 3 yrs, 4st 131 b, 301 0
Betting-5 to 2 agst Keleshea, sto 2 agst Red Deer
colt, 3 to 1 agst Louisa, and 4 to 1 agst True Blue. Won
by a head; three lengths between second and third. Run
in 3 min. 27 sec.
The Sheffield and Rotherham Stakes (handicap) of six
soya, each, h ft, with 40 added; for horses that before
the entry never won at any one time 1001. clear. The
winner to pay 5 says. towards expenses. One mile.
(17 Subs.)
Mr. Harrison's bl c by Prince Caradoc, out of Miss
Julia Bennett, 3 yrs, Get 131 b (llarrison) 1
Mr. Hslford's The Deceitful (late Mr. Merryman),
3 yrs, Tat llb (W. Sharpe) 2
Mr. G. Barton's The Little Fawn. Est ...(Mayhoe) :s
Mr. Holtby's The Shareholder, lit 111 b (Cooper) 0
Mr. Foster's Osbaldwick, 4 yrs, 7st 61b ...(Charlton) 0
Mr.. Goodison's Maid of Kent, 7st 4lb ...(Wheatley) 0
Mr. T. Taylor's fby Birdcatcher, 7st 21b ...(Wells) 0
Mr. Wright's Miss Flyaway, 6st 101 b (Barker) 0
Mr. G. Barton's Madame Wharton, 3 yrs, 6st 101 b... 0
Mr. Jones's Goldfinder, 3 yrs. 6st 71b ...(Knott) 0
Betting-2 to 1 agst Deceitful, 4to 1 agst Goldfinder,
5 to 1 apt Madame Wharton, and 6 to 1 each agst Miss
Flyaway and Osbaldwick.
Osbaldwick with Deceitful, Goldfinder, Miss Fly-
away, well up, cut out the work tilt within the distance,
where he was passed by Prince Caradoc colt, who went
in an easy winner by a length, Little Fawn a bad third.
Run in 1 min. 48 secs.
BETTING ON THE COURSE.
100 to 6 apt Nancy
DERBY.
21; to 1 apt Storm 1 33 to 1 sgst Confessor

SPORTING NOTES.

No. XIX.

WARWICK SPRING MEETING.

"Consider what you venture, weigh discreetly
The dangers of your project. Ask yourself
If you are steel'd and proof against its perils ;
Dauntless and daring ; if thou fear'st not Daum DOW=
/TWO. by LADY FL()RA HASTIIQS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
SlR.—This week has produced s couple of
steeplechase capers of the ordinary class, i. e., the
horses that could have won, for the usual golden
reasons, have not even started for them; it is, however,

form the lot from tvtich I oi ine th

giving the preference Sir J..siTh's kuitu..l mid Unity.
A more dk cisive opinion en Monday.
The meeting concludes, so far as the fiat racing por-
tion of it is concerned, with the Two-year-old Stakes,
which has fourteen nominations, all dark of course; the
most attractive in my el es b.ing the coupe of Slane
L zay and Poetess, end pnbaps the last named
two may be the first in the race.

I lUD, Sir. Bpc ,
THE SPIRIT THE UHF.

March 14, 1851.

MARLBRO'-STREE I—(THIS DAY).
A MISCREANT.—WiIIiam Row, au ill-locking fellow,
was brought bef•ra Mr. Hurdwlck chargod with in-
decent!), exposing his person to several young ladies, in
Kensington lardt.os.

Cath;rii.e-Mitchell, an intelligent child, eleven years
of age, residing with her pare-nts at Nu. 4, Hinton-
street, K.nsing:on, depoe.d, th4t about cix o'clock the
previous evening, she, and another young lady named
crosbie, were walking ire Kensington-gardens, near the
round pond, lookipg at the ducks; and, ore turning round
to leave the spot, she saw the prisoner, who wu
standing about six yards from them, leaning
against the r4ings with his person ex-
posed. Directly' she sew the prisoner she
turned round to go away, and having called thee attention
of her friend to the circumstance, she went to the lodge
and informed one of the park keepers of what she had
163 -

Mary Ann Crosbie, 13 years of age, residing at No.
1, Newland-street, corroborated the above evidence.
Several other young ladies also proved that the prisoner
had acted in a similar manner towards them.

Dunn, one of the park constables, said he took the
prisoner into custody at the instigation of the young la-
dies. On conveying him to the station he found his
dress in great disorder, and his trousers unbuttoned.
The prisoner, who most solemnly denied the charge,
was committed to the House of Correction for three
mouths, with hard labour.