The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-18 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

On Thursday morning a detachment of Indian
engineers, from the depot at Warley, joined the
head-quarters of the Royal Engineer establishment
at Chatham, for the purpose of going through a
course of instruction in sapping and mining, and
other engineering operations, previously to em-
barking for India.

Some extensive fortifications are in progress
at Hartlepool under the superintendence of Lieut -
Colonel Heugh, lt.E. Three batteries are being
erected, one at Fairy Cove, another in front
of the Friaragefleld Town Moor, and the
third at the western base of the commissioners'
lighthouse. The batteries will altogether mount
nine guns, and will be provided with Sir William
Armstrong's long range 6s-pounders.
The new buildings in course of construction in
Woolwich Arsenal, which are intended to afford
more ample scope for the operations of Sir 'William
Armstrong's rifled ordnance department in its
various branches, although erected on a site (in the
proximity of the chief factory) which no longer than
eighteen months ago was an unprofitable swamp,
producing nothing but rank grass and weeds, are
already covered in. The principal portion of the
machinery has arrived, as well as a number of huge
steam hammers from the manufacturers, Messrs.
Condrie, of Glasgow, Morrison, of Newcastle, and
Napier, of Leeds. Some of the forges are nearly
complete, and the anvils belonging to the steam
hammers firmly fixed on a solid stratum of concrete,
and supported by enormous blocks of Portland
rock. These are intended for the manufacture of
the outer covering, termed the " chemise," to render
the cast-iron guns made at Lowmoor and other
contract works serviceable after the process of
rifling, which will be commenced in the early part
of next month, at which time it is proposed to com-
mence the manufacture of the 100-pound cannon on
Sir William's ordinary principle. Upwards of
200 guns of smaller calibre have been turned out
and proved in the short space of time which has
elepsed since the formation of the factory
i at Wool-
wich, and about an equal number is n various
stages approaching completion. An order hes
been received from the Secretary of State for War
directing the final inspection and proof of the guns
to be carried out in future by the department under
the control of Mr. Anderson, the resident superin-
tendent. The usual pro of carried out on Tuesdays
and Thursdays was this week deferred, in conse-
quence of the difficulty of providing, under the
present limited resources of the establishment, the
necessary relay of boring instruments, which will
constitute one of the branches of the establishment
by no meals inconsiderable.

The General Commanding-in-Chief is shortly
expected at Colchester for the purpose of inspecting

71
the old parade ground, on mint. tit is a t
Government propose to erect caviar"' barracks. •
The officers attached to the Staff College, Capt.
P. D. Vigors, 2d battalion 19th Regiment, and
Capt. F. W. Jebb, 67th Regiment, have been occu-
pied for several days at Chatham in inspecting the
localities of that garrison, in older to report on the
advantages or otherwise possessed by the neigh-
bourhood for the encampment of a large body of
troops. The officers are also to report on the capa-
bilities of the district for the erection of small earth
batteries and other works of defence, and will visit
various other localities, .when similar reports will
be made.
The Deputy-Adjutant of the Royal Artillery,
Col, Charles Bingham, and the members of his de-
partment, have removed from Whttehall-yard to
the Horse Guards, where in future all the ba.iness
at head quarters will be conducted. The Council
of Military Education will, by the change, receive
increased facilities for the transaction of matters
belonging to that branch of the service.

STATE OF I'EA DE.

LEICESTER.—As a necessary result of the uncer-
tain state of public affairs, more particularly in a
financial point of view, the 'temporary slackening
of business which we reported last week still con-
tinues. As far as we can gather the opinions of
our manufacturers, without any authoritative enun-
ciation of them, they would regard the commer-
cial treaty with France with considerable favour
if they had more confidence in the stability of
affairs in that country. Several of our staple pro-
ducts, such as elastic webs and cotton goods, might,
it, is thought, be able to compete in the French
market, notwithstanding the duty of 30 per cent.
t :at this prospective and uncertain advantage N• ill
s early purchased by the heavy income tax with
which we are threatened. Worsted spinners eon-
tinue well employed, and the nhoe trade, in which
several new establishments have been lately, or are
about to be opened, is very active. Yarns are a
trifle easier to purchase, and wools remain without
alteration.—Leicester Journal of yesterday.
NOTTINGHAIi.-IVe have no change to note in
the lace trade, business being in all branches pretty
nearly the same as last week, which means, in fact,
that trade continues in the lowest pos,,ible state.
In the hosiery manufacture, which still continues
to exibit a marked contrast to the lace trade, the
orders for goods, both for home and foreign con-
sumption, continue abundant, and in some branches
an advance in the wages of the operatives has taken
place. Yarns remain firm in price, with no appear-
ance of reduction.—Nottingham Journal-of yester-
day.