The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-23 00:00:00

FORTIFICATION.

The great improvements which have been
effected within the last few years in the crnstruc•
tion of the engines of war, require a corresponding
advancement in the, science of fortification, and
accordingly the more active-minded members of
the corps of engineers have turned their attention
to the solution of the double problem of how best
to use them for the purposes of offence and de-
fence, and how•to nullify their action in attack.
It is with this view that the directors of the
United Service Institution are now encouraging
the discussion of the question of defensive science
by inducing first-rate officers to come forward
and favour their brethren in arms with their
views upon the subject. Last year Mr. Ferguson
laid before them a new system for the construction
of defensive works which set at defiance the old
rules of Vauban and Coehorn, and on Monday
night Captain Tyler. propounded a scheme of his
own, and in advocating its adoption, attacked that
of Mr. Ferguson as impracticable, both by reason
of the expense it would entail upon those who at-
tempted to put it in practice, and the insecurity for
purposes of defence of the works which he recom-
mended.

Captain Tyler's lecture was listened to through-
out with the liveliest attention, and it was remarked
by Captain Fishbourne, who occupied the chair,
that there was no desire to give one theorist a
triumph over the other, the only object of those
interested in getting up the lectures being to elicit
the truth by enlisting as many members of the pro-
fession as possible in the search for it.

The Countess of Lanesborough had a soiree
dansante last night at her Mansion in Great Stanhope-
street.

The Earl of Wilton received a large circle of
sporting friends at dinner last evening, at his mansion in
Grosvenor-square.

The Earl and Countess of Haddingten and the
Ladies Hamilton have arrived at Wallace's Hotel, Hyde-
park-corner, from Tyningham House, Prestonkirk, Had-
dingtonshire.

The venerable and gallant Earl of Dundonald is,
we are happy to learn, progressing favourably after his re-
cent illness, and is regaining his strength.
Lord and Lady Poltimore have arrived at Wal-
lace's Hotel, Hyde-park-corner, from Poltimore Park, their
seat in Devonshire.

Lady Charlotte Denison gave the first of a series
of receptions at tie Speaker's official residence at the New
Palace, Westminster. The gorgeous suite of _rooms were
thrown open on the occasion, and were brilliantly lighted,
which imparted to the superb decorations additional lustre.
A large company responded to the invitations of her lady-
ship. _ _

Lord and Lady Lyndhurst entertained a la'ge
family circle on Monday evening, at the noble and learned
lord's mansion in George-street, Hanover-sggar®. The
noble and venerable peer, after his eloquent speech to the
House of Lords, returned home to receive his domestic
circle at dinner, on the occasion of his 88th birth-day, his
lordship having been born in 1772. _ _ _

• •
Baron and Baron ess Gustave de Rothschild have
arrived at Wallace's Hotel, Hyde-park-corner, from Paris.
We regret to announce the demise of Mr. Spencer
H. De Horsey, who died on Sunday last at his residence at
Cowes. The decased gentleman, who was w,ll known and
highly-esteemed in leading society, was formerly in the
House of Commons. He married in February, 1824, Lady
Louisa Eons, youngest daughter of John, first Earl of
Stradbroke, and sistr of the present earl, by which mar-
riage he leaves'a son, Captain and Lieut.-Colonel de Horsey,
of the Grenadier Guards, and a daughter, the Countess of
Cardigan.

LINCOLN'S INN-FIELDS,—Great efforts are again
being made to open the enclosure to the public during the
summer evenings.
THE LATE ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE IN
LIVERPOOL.—James Farrell; the young man who recently
attempted to murder his wife at his lodgings, in Fontenoy-
street, Liverpool, and afterwards cut his own throat, whilst
in an unsound state of mind, died on Saturday evening last
at the Northern llospit d, from the effect of his wound.
MURDER AT ALDERSHOTT.—Two men belonging
to the Military Train are at present in custody, charged
with murdering a woman and throwing her into the canal.
MADAME ltts.rom.--This lady has had another
narrow escape. Her physician had ordered her a potion
with 15 drops of laudanum, but the chemist who made up
the prescription put in 30 drops by mistake.
EXTRAORDINARY ACCIDENT.—A somewhat re-
markable accident, attended unfortunately with fatal re-
sults, occurred at Chatham on Monday afternoon to a
private of the lt3yal Marines named James Pattison. The
deceased and a number of other Marines were undergoing
rifle instruction on Chatham lines, under the direction of
Major Rodney, and were being exercised in the judging
distance-drill, when the order was given for them to fall
out for a short time, the day being very hot. Immediately
on receipt of the order the deceased, who was a very active
man, proceeded to throw a somersault on the grass for the
amusement of his comrades, but in doing so his bayonet fell
out of its scabbard to the ground, point upwards. The un-
fortunate deceased fell at the same instant, and the bayonet
entering his left side his whole weight came upon it forcing
the steel into his body to a frightful depth. He was at once
removed in the most intense agony to the garrison hospital,
but he died within a very short time afterwards. The de-
ceased bad been several years in the corps, and was a man
of very good character.