The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-15 00:00:00

ARMY COOKING.

That military affairs are passing through a
" period of transition," and that the transit is
attended with considerable demand on the public
purse, are truths which we need hardly be at the
pains of repeating. The Army Estimates have
impressed the facts very forcibly on the public
mind, and a bill of £15,000,000 for a single year
furnishes a characteristic monument of the crisis.
Among the sundry notable inventions, however,
which have contributed to the efficiency of the
army, there is one which deserves especial
notice, for its object is not the destruction,
but the preservation of life, and its operation
will be, not to absorb money, but to econo
mise it. To the ingenuity of Capt. Grant the soldier
is indebted for a new system of cooking. Those
who know what kind of practices were superseded
by the discovery will be able of themselves to ap-
preciate the magnitude of the 'reform, but ordinary
readers will probaldy be the better for a little in-
formation on this curious subject.
When the health of our troops was taken into
earnest consideration by the authorities a short
time ago it came out that the soldier, among
other gratuitous privations, was debarred from
those salutary changes of diet which instinct
no less than experience is found to suggest.
Regiments lived exclusively upon boiled meat.
Even at home stations, in their own barracks, and
with all the appliances of civilised life around them
our soldiers were confined to the same sodden rations
day after day till the stomach revolted from the
unnatural monotony. There was a good deal spent
upon the army, to be sure, but not enough to give
the soldier the benefit of an oven or a fryingpan.
Hero and there the men would club their pence
together to get a little indulgence by way of pri-
vate subscription. At Woolwich, for instance, the
town baker would do a bit of cooking for the garri-
son, but the annual cost to a body of 400 men was
£lso—a considerable tax to be paid for an occasiona
escape from the everlasting "soup and bouilli." All
this while, too; the expense of the established
system was really very large, and the regulation
" boilers" consumed coal enough in their dreary
work to turn out a good Lord Mayor's dinner.
This was the system on which Captain grant pro-
ceeded to operate, and, after the usual difficulties,
he succeeded not only in devising, but in intro-
ducing, a scheme of great merit.
His invention consisted of a simple cooking
apparatus, or " battery," by means of which the
men, with about a quarter of the usual fuel, could
dress their victuals in the manner most conform-
able to their tastes. His "kitchen" would not
only boil, but would. bake, stew, steam, or fry.
It would turn out meat puddings, suet dumplings,
hot pork, and roast potatoes. It would make good
soup or Irish stew, and connoisseurs even remarked
that its baking was done particularly well, being
attended with a flavour equal to the best " roasts.
As to its economy, we learn from an official report,
dated at Woolwich on the 6th of March, 1838, that
the saving of coals accomplished by Captain Grant's
apparatus would amount to n o 1(13 than 297 tons
per year for every 1,000 men. Testimony was
given also to the excellence of the system in all
other respects, and the summary of the results
was perfectly surprising. The saving in fuel, not
only for cooking, but for kindling, was exceedingly
large. The new methods of dressing placed at the
soldier's discretion were acceptable in the extreme.
The action of the machine allowed of a regular
rotation being established, so that roast, stewed,
boiled, or fried meats, varied with vegetables and
puddings to suit, might be served to the different
rooms in due succession. The men themselves
escaped the tax of the town oven, and the facility,
with which the apparatus was Managed and regu-
lated produced a material economy of labour and
trouble.

After this description of Captain Grant's inven-
tion, it is almost unnecessary to add that it forced
its way into favour. An apparatus was first con-
structed to cook for 1,000 men, and when the plan
had been found perfectly unobjectionable it was in-
troduced at Aldershott, which encampment is
served, we believe, upon Captain Grant's system to
the present day. In October, 18,53, the Secretary
of War pronounced the system to be better than
any of those submitted to him for such purposes,
and he proposed to adopt it generally in barracks
as circumstances allowed. Altogether, "kitchens"
have been established on this plan sufficient for the
wants of 60,000 men, and it is clear that the inven-
tion holds its position still, inasmuch as Captain
Grant was requested to prepare his apparatus for
the use of the expedition to China. What the re-
sults of the discovery must have been in respect to
economy and comfort we need not attempt to com-
pute, but it can hardly be too much to ascribe to
this cause some of that singular improvement in
the health of the troops which Mr. Sidney Her-,
bert himself hardly know how to explain. The
men have now wholesome victuals and appetizing
food. They are, somehow or other, in far better
condition than formerly ; and common sense, we
think, suggests that these two facts must have
some connexion with each other.

This was the case introduced to the House of
Commons by Colonel Lindsay on Friday last. The
fact is that, lige most inventors, Captain Grant has
taken little by his discovery. He has been suc-
cessful, no doubt, and has probably been paid
for his kitchens and kept harmless for his dis-
bursements; but he has received little beyond.
His invention, which really amounts to a public
benefaction, was prosecuted at his even risk, and
established from his own funds. Had it failed to
to approve itself to the authorities the loss would
have been all his own, aild, as the result has been
successful, it does appear as if something beyond
mere purchase-money and reimbursement might
have been conceded to his claims. There is
a :curious antithesis in the two " batteries "
which are supplied to the Chinese expddition,
as representing the latest discoveries of modern
science. One is warranted to mangle and destroy
at distances before unheard of ; the other is
expected to keep men in good condition, and -to
mitigate by its wonderful efficiency the hardships
and privations of life on a campaign. It is some-
thing like the old contrast between Congreve
rockets and vaccination. Unhappily, we depend as
much on one develoyment of science as on the-other,
and nob9dy grudges Sir William Armstrong his
rewards ; but poor Captain Grant is naturally of
opinion that his more peaceful invention might also
have been acknowledged by some substantial kind
of compliment.
We doubt if the public will consider Mr. Sidney
Herbert's explanation in the matter as quite
satisfactory. No doubt, the new kitchens have
been duly preferred, bought, and paid for ; but,
besides all this, there is surely some obligation re-
maining? No doubt, too, other inventors have
deserved well of the State likewise, but Captain
Grant has certainly enabled us to improve the sol-
dier's condition, not only without fresh expense,
but with a positive saving. He has done for us
at no charge at all what we must needs have done
somehow at a considerable charge. He has
been practically successful in a public en-
terprise involving considerable risk, and has
proved himself a true benefactor to the British
army. Are such services sufficiently rewarded by
a gratuity of £5OO P We think not, and we are
moreover of opinion that, while we are so uncom-
monly liberal in every other department we might
well afford a trifle on the score of national gratitude.
—Times.

FREEDOM OF THE CITY TO CAPTAIN M'CLIN-
TOCK, R.N.-!—The Lord Mayor has fixed Satirday, the 19th,
at one o'clock, for the presentation of the freedom of the
City to Sir Le( gold M'Clintock, at the Guildhall. His lord-
ship has invited a large and distinguished company to the
Mansion-house on the evening of that day to meet Lady
Franklin, Captain M'Clintock, and his gallant comrades of
the yacht Fox.— City Press.
AN ADVENTUROUS PADDLE STEAMER.—Advices
from Fernando Po state that the Littleton, of London, a
small paddle wheel steamer of not more than 80 tons bur.
den had put in there, in distress, on her voyage to New
Zealand. She had been five months from England, at-
tempting to make the passage by sail, although a perfectly
fiat bottom. She left Fernando Po on the 16th of March
under steam, her captain purposing to touch at St. Paul de
Loando and at the Cape of Good Hope for:further supplies.
At a meeting of the creditors of John and
Anthony Blaikie, advocates, held last week at Aberdeen,
Mr. Archibald Borthwick, C.A., Edinburgh, was ap
pointed trustee upon the sequestrated estate. Messrs.
Nowall Burnet, advocate, Horn, of Pitmedden, and W.
Adamson, sharebrokor, Aberdeen, were named as the corn •
missioners. Several claims were given in, but no approxi-
mation was made as to the actual state of affairs.

EXTRAORDINARY CIRCUMSTANCE.—OP Friday
last, whilst the workmen employed at the Rainhill Asylum
were pulling down some walls in order to carry out the
improvements going on they found a living toad embedded
in the solid masonry. From the position in which it was
found it is quite evident it mu,t have been built in the wall
at the time the building was erected, now some 15 years
ago. It is alive at the present time, and, indeed, quite
lively.—Liverpool Post.
►SNAhES FROM AUSTRALIA.—In company with a
few black swans, wild duck, pied crows, &e , which have
arrived in Liverpool by the Lightning and Great Britain
from Melbourne, a case of some of the principal snakes from
Australia has been received by Mr. Edward Wilson, for
presentation to the Zoological Gardens, Regent's-park.
They have been placed there in the society's splendid col-
lection of serpents, having arrived in first-rate health and
condition and are interesting as the first Australian snakes
ever introduced into England.—. Australian and New Zea•
land Gazette.

DISEASE AMONG CATTLE IN SCOTLAND:—
Within the last few weeks a disease of a fatal description
has broken out among cattle in the neighbourhood of
Auchterarder, which has deprived aeveral farmers of nearly
all their stock. The epidemic appears to be spreading to
neighbouring parishes, where several animals have already
died after a few days' illness. The malady seems to be
new. After becoming affected they die in a short time.
The epidemic is ascribed to the want of sufficient fodder and
to feeding the animals on rotten and diseased turnips, &c,

.ENGLISH and IRISH CHURCH and
A:4UNI-
VERSITY ASSURANCE SOCIETY, 345, Strand,
London, W.C.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, That the ORDINARY
GENERAL MEETING of the above Society will be held at
the Chief Office, 3.5 Strand, on MONDAY, the 28th day of
May, at One o'clock precisely.
By Order of the Board,
JOHN SHERIDAN, Manager.

THIR D EDITION.

SUN OFFICE, Seven o'clock.

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT.

HOUSE OF LORDS-43MS EVENING.)
The LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack
at five o'clock.

ROYAD ASSENT.
The Royal assent was given by commission to the fol-
lowing bills :
Exchequer Bills (£13,230,000).
Municipal Corporation Mortgages.
Inclosure.
Marriages (England and Ireland).
Dwellings for the Labouring Classes (Ireland).
Pawnbrokers' Act Amendment.
Customs.
South Devon Railway.
Caine Railway.
Liverpool Corporation Water.
Liskeard Water
North London Railway.
Liskeard and Caradon. Railway.
York Improvement.
Leicester Cemetery.
Chesterfield and Worksop Road.
Bagnelstownand Wexford Railway.
Shrewsbury and Welchpool Railway.
Marple Now Mills and Hayfield Junction Roads.
Stockport and Woodley Junction Railway.
Wellington Suspension Bridge.
Brecon and Merthyr Tydvil Junction Railway.
Croydon Gas.
Grundy Fen Drainage and Improvement.
Railway Clearing House (Ireland).
Spalding Water.
Glossop and Marple Bridge-rrad.
Edinburgh Railway Station Access.
Brompton, Chatham, and Gillingham, &c. Water.
Lower Kingsferry Road.
Glasgow Corporation Water.
Norwich Corporation Markets.
Cannock Chase Railway.
Ambergate, Nottingham, and Boston and Eastern
Junction Railway and Canal Company.
Lincoln, Heath, and Market-Deeping Road.
Commercial Docks Act Amendment.
Mirfield Gas.
North Staffordshire Railway.
Sheffield Cutlers' Company.
Hedon Corporation and Borough Improvement.
Finn Valley Railway.
Manchester Improvement.
Great Northern and Western of Ireland Railway.
Belfast and Ballymena Railway.
Stockton and Darlington Railway.
Great Southern of India Railway.
Andover and Redbridge Railway.
Midland Railway (Use of Railways in and near
London).
West Somerset Railway.
Carrickfergus and Larne Railway.
Dublin and Wicklow Railway.
East India Coal Company.
The Royal Commissioners were the Lord Chancellor, the
Earl of St. Germans, and Viseount Sydney.

PRIVATE BUSINESS.
The Daniel Stewart's Hospital Bill was read a second
time.

The following bills were read a third time and passed :
the Everton Drainage; North British Insurance Com-
pany ; Tewkesbury, and Upton .upon-Severn, and Malvern
Junction Railway ; Sirhowey Tramroad, and Sheffield
Water.