The Sun.
London, England, 1860-08-17 00:00:00

which is now being formed, and to which Lord
Elcho has drawn such especial attention.—l am,
arc.. JOHN VILLIERS SHELLEY.
House of Commons, Aug. 16.

Sir,--I have read with much interest the letter on
the above subject from that able and zealous sup-
porter of the Volunteer movement, Lord Elcho,
which appeared in your paper of to-day, together
with the editorial comments which it called forth.
In this, as in most other matters, experience is the
best of all teachers, and this emboldens me to
think that the details I can lay before you may
be useful to others of your readers.
Of the three modes suggested by Lord Eleho I
cannot but consider the first two objectionable, as
perpetuating that distinction between different
classes which I am sure it is the object of his Lord-
ship and of all those who have at heart the per-
manence of the Volunteer movement to do away
with. Any artisan who finds members of the corps
he may join allowed to wear (even off parade) a
"more ornamental and expensive dress," which his
own means preclude him from adopting, must be
constantly reminded thereby of his own inferiority
in social rank—at least, in one of its principal
symbols, the purse. The third mode, that of estab-
lishing corps confined to no class, but with limited
expenses, is much more advisable, and has been
carried out with signal success in various metropo-
litan districts, as well as in some provincial towns.
The corps which I have the honour to command
was organized on this principle in the populous su-
burb of Deptford, and was finally established on
31st of March last. Though intended to afford
facilities to the artisan class to become Volunteers,
and therefore generally recognized as an artisan
corps, it is not exclusively composed of that class,
but enrols in its ranks, side by side with them.
several other classes of the community. The mem-
bers are supplied with tunic, trousers, and cap, of
stout Melton cloth, glazed cap over, patent leather
waist-belt, with white metal ornaments, all after
the battalion pattern, the cost of which is £2 145.,
and can be paid by weekly instalments of ls. 6d.
There is no entrance fee, and the annual subscrip-
tion is only ss. The committee have considered
it inadvisable to offer any pecuniary assistance to
the members in the purchase of their uniforms, be-
lieving that this would trench on the independent
spirit which each true Volunteer ought to possess.
I shall only mention one fact to show how
beneficially such an amalgamated organisation
works. A gentleman in the neighbourhood having
kindly given the corps the use of a loampit on his
property as a short practice range, it was deter-
mined, in order to increase its security, to raise a
wall on the top of the sand cliff (about 30 feet high)
against which the targets will rest. The same
gentleman having liberally allowed the burrs, or
spoilt bricks, from his brickfield adjoining to be
made use of, the members, with thorough Volun-
teer spirit, resolved to do the work .themselves.
The result of seven evenings' work has been the
building of a wall 64 feet long, 6 feet wide at the
base, and averaging 10 feet high, an embankment
at the back, commencing at 20 feet from the base,
being half completed. In this the only assistance
received has been from two or three members of
adjoining companies, and eight or 10 labouring
men in the neighbourhood, who have given their
aid voluntarily and gratuitously. In the progress
of the work, konorary members, privates, and ea-
cers (even including the chaplain), merchants,
clerks, shopkeepers, and artisans laboured cordially
and vigorously, building, digging, and wheeling
together in all weathers, and after, in many cases,
a hard day's work ; end I am certain that the mem-
bers of the company will enter all the more zea-
lously into the musketry practice at the butt when
they have, by the work of their own hands, in-
sured its safety and efficiency.
I may further mention that the company took
part both in the review by her Majesty and in the
sham fight at Chiselhurst, each member paying his
own expenses.
In the hope that these circumstances may afford
encouragement to those meditating the establish-
ment of Artisan Volunteer Corps in London or else-
where.—l remain, sir, your obedient servant,
_ _

H. E. I\IO;TTGOMERIE, Captain,
Commanding 34th Kent Rifle Volunteers.
Deptford, Aug. 15.

TILE VOLUNTEER 1110VEMEATT.