The Sun.
London, England, 1869-06-25 00:00:00

SOLDIERS' DRESS.

The present uniform and clothing of our soldiers is,
it is stated, to undergo at once some altera-
tions, which will do much to remove the hitherto just
stigma on our nation as "the worst military tailors in the
world." The present tigbt tunic, which has so recently been
noticed as a source of disease, will gradually fall intodisuse,
beng, according to orders now to be published, reserved
for the Queen's parades and purely special occasions.
A. loose, blouse-like, or " Norfolk," coat is to be issued
to the troops, which will be worn on all duties, fatigues, and
parades usually comprised in the soldier's routine
of duty. A band running on the inside of
the coat will draw it into the figure, and add much to
its appearance. An in provement is also to be made in
another article, the shirt. About twenty specimens
are to be at once issued to each regiment for
trial and report. The material will be a mixture
of cotton and wool in equal proportions, and in
addition to the advantages of cheapness, lightness,
and lessened rouglines, the quality of not
shrinking will be highly appreciated. The present
great-coat, which weighs as much as four pounds, will be
made much lighter, and it is also suggested that a water-
proof cape might be advantageously added, to be used
with, or independently of, the coat itself.

NE TV SILKS.

On Wednesday fourteen barristers were called within the
Bar in the various courts of law. The following are the
names of the learned gentlemen who have thus cast off
the stuff and put on the silk :—Mr. Thomas Hughes,
Mr. 11. E. Lopes, Mr. G. C. Morgan, Mr. H. James,
Mr. A. E. Adams, Mr. W. C. Fooks, Mr. S. Eddis, Mr.
D. Brown, Mr. H. F. Bristowc, Mr. 11. Edlifi, Mr. J.
Kay, Mr. Montagu Bere, Mr. E. Fry, and Mr. Samuel
Pope. Of these, three are members of Parliament, viz.,
Mr. Hughes, Mr. Morgan, and Mr. Henry J.tuies.
Nine, viz., Messrs. Adams, Fools, Brown, Kay, Bere,
James, Lopes, and Pope are members of the common law
Lai., the latter also practising at the parliaxnentary bar.
Messrs. Eddis, Bristowe, Hughes, Moran, and Fry are
equity lawyers. Three of the above, Messrs. Bere, Edlin,
and Lopes go the Western Circuit; Messrs. Kay and Pope
the .Northern ; Mr. Brown the Norfolk ; Mr. James the
Oxford ; and Mr. Feolis the Home Circuit. Several of •
the possessors of the new dignity are the holders of official
positions ; thus. Mr. Adams is Recorder of Birmingham ;
Mr. Kay is Judge of her Majesty's Court of Record for the
Hundred of Salford ; Mr. Bere is Recorder of Southampton;
Mr. Pope is Recorder of Bolton, and Mr. Lopes is Recorder
of Exeter. The youngest of the above list in point of pro-
fessional status is Mr. Pope, and it is rumoured that his
talents have commanded the dignity of a silk gown at an
unusually early period of his career at the bar.

THE EDUCATION REPORT.

The report of the Committee of Council on Education
is published. The committee report in general that the
past year has been marked by sustained progress. The
number of schools in England and Wales receiving annual
grants has increased by 795 on the number of the previous
year, and the number of simply inspected schools by
twenty-five. The increase of scholars in schools receiving
grants is no less than 114,378, and in inspected schools
2,398. The certificated teachers have increased
by 592, the assistant teachers by 99, and the pupil
teacher; by 1,315. A similar increase is shewn in Scotland.
The report remarks that, as soon as a school of a certain
connection and character is produced, annual grants of
public money may be claimed to maintain it, without
opportunity for consideration on the part of the committee
of any circumstance beyond its walls. So far, therefore,
as any common provision for the kingdom at large, or
for any part of it, is accomplished by such a
system, the result is accidental, and proceeds, with all the
irregularity of accident, from a number of partial and
isolated efforts. Of the simply inspected schools, which
receive no annual grants, 748 were visited during the
year, and in these 748 schools there were 42,520 day
scholars.

MR. GLADSTONE AND THE "ROM II
CONSPIRACY."

A few days ago there was a meeting held in Bradford in
opposition to the Irish Church Bill, presided over by Mr. W.
Ferrand. In his opening speech Mr. Fernand made some
statements which were forwarded to Mr. Gladstone. The
following letter was the result:—' 10, Dotvning-street,
Whitehall, Juco 15, 1869.- Sir,- Mr. Gladstone desires me
to acknowledge the receipt of ycur letter of the 11th inst.,
forwarding a report of a meeting held at Bradford, at which
aAlr. W. Fernand is reported to have stated that a pri-
vate meeting some time since took ph ce at Mr. Gladstone's
house, for the purpose of discussing what would be the
best cry at the next general election for uniting the whole
Liberal party, and to enable them to turn out the Conserva-
tive Government, and become possessed of their offices
themselves. It was decided at this meeting that the bond
of union amongst them should be the severance of Church
and State—the destmetion of the Protestant religion in
this country, and the restoration of the Roman Catholic
faith. Mr. Gladstone trusts that this gentleman's speech
may have been inadvertently misrepresented by the re-
porters; but he desires me to inform you that you are quite
at liberty to assert, either publicly or privately, that the
above statement; is entirely without foundation.-1 have
the honour to remain, sir, your obedient servant, W. B.
GUEDON."

All opposition to the establishment of the Lon(lon
tramways is withdrawn.
Mr. Graham, one of the members for Glasgow, has
given notice that on Friday evening he will ask the Pos
master-Gencral when it is the intention of Government to
bring on the money bill necessary kr the purchase of the
telegraphs, and on l&londay Nlr. Grieve will ask the Post-
master-General whether it is his intention this session to
carry cut the provijens cf the Telegraph Act of 1868.

TuE DUKE OF NEWCASTLF. - The case
of the Duke of Newcastle and his creditors is
about to assume another phase. A petition has been pre-
sented to obtain an adjudication in bankruptcy, and notices
have been served on the Sheriff of Middlesex and others. The
sale of the ducal property is being continued at Carlton-
house-terrace, and the application of the proceeds
will become a disputed question—whether the execution
creditors will benefit from the sales, or whether the same
will afterwards be available for all the creditors. In the
event of an adjudication-being overruled) a material alter-
ation will fake place, several isnes, beirg.,(l4ected to
be tried inihtcourtstUcliequer,,'