The Sun.
London, England, 1860-09-26 00:00:00

ROYAL NATIONAL RIFLES,

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN

is very desirable that the sentiments of
the honorary colonel of this brigade, Lieut.-General
Sir De Lacy Evans, G.C.8., in reference to the
proceedings of the corps, and which are embodied
in a letter to me, a copy of which I have the fionour
to :enclose, should be made public. May I once
again trespass on your kindness by requesting the
publication in your colums of the general's letter ?
I am sure the public will cordially concur with
the general and the committee in feelings of warm
obligation to the anonymous donor for the generous
and public spirited gift mentioned in Sir De Lacy
Evans' communication, and also in the expression
of Sir De Lacy Evans' own opinions respecting the
unexpected species of controversy which has oc-
curred, and which I hope is now happily disposed
of. If the public could only be initiated into the
military mysteries within the enciente of the Wel-
lington Barracks, and could witness the orderly
conduct and discipline and military bearing of the
recruits of the (First Western) Battalion of the
Royal National Rites, not only would their admi-
ration be excited, but their confidence and satisfac-
tion be increased by a knowledge of the fact, that
they form the nucleus of a strong volunteer force
of strong men in aid of the defences of this great
metropolis.—l am, Sir, yours, &c.
JOHN It. L. WALMI SLEY.
5, Victoria-street, Westminster Abbey,
Sept. 21, 1860.

Bryanston-square, Sept. 20, 1860.
MY DEAR SIR,—Two days ago I was favoured
with a note having only for signature the letters
Z. A. It contained bank notes amounting to £5O,
with a request that they should be applied for the
benefit of the London Battalion of the Royal Na-
tional Rifle Brigade, towards the formation of
which you have contributed and are contributing,
in my opinion, with so much efficiency and useful-
ness, that I cannot but feel desirous of taking this
opportunity of offering you my hearty acknowledg-
ments.

I have this day deposited these bank notes in
Drummond's Bank tTobtehe creditl of the London bat-
It ic gsnnitailtitoendatlhluisdepdatt
donationt gentleman who who has trans-
taisn Ito.
thinkits a appropriation Ili at
bestion so obliging
to my discre-
efunitfiiriehlyieen
intentions by
directing that it shall be speciallys reserved for
prizes in rifle practice for the London Battalion of
the corps.
I request, therefore, that you will be so good, as
one of the vice-presidents, to acquaint the commit-
tee of which you are a member of the above par-
ticulars, and I have no doubt that the committee
will concur with me in feelings of warm m!'es
obligation
for this generous and public-spirited gift.
When I accepted the provisional nomlllati* •
on of
Honorary Colonel of this corps, my colleague, Sir
John Shelley, informed me that he would willingly
undertake all the duties of its actual command.
Ire
was for some years in the army, and I know no one
more smauitable
of volfor, or munteers.ore likely to prove an efficient
comndant
An unexpected species of controversy has been
imposed on him. I have his last letter, which was I
inserted in the l'imes, now before me. I most and
ost cor-
dially concur in its purport. I sincerely
feel certain that no obstructions or unkind dis-
paragements of this corps can have been intended,
such as may have been d
raistakenly imagined in
some of the remarks of that corresponence.
Anxiously hoping, therefore, that waiving small
differences of opinion, we may each of us in future
we
co-operate in generous rivalry for the objects
all have in view.
I remain very faithfully, DE dear sir, yours,
LACY EVANS.
Ulu Walmisley, Esq., &c., 5, Victoria street.