The Sun.
London, England, 1867-10-23 00:00:00

0, OCTOBER 23, 1867.

Naval and Military Intelligence.

His Royal Ilighness the Duke of Cambridge,
Commander-in-Chief, is expected to arrive at Ply-
mouth this afternoon uu an official visit.

Yesterday Major-Gen. F. Murray, commanding
the division at Chatham, attended by Capt. F. S.
}ferries, 65th Regiment, aide-de-camp, and Brigade
Major W. W. Lynch, 2d Royals, proceeded from
headquarters for the purpose of making the half-
yearly inspection of the Ist division of the Depot
Brigade, Royal Artillery, under the command of
Cul. F. G. Nuthall. On his arrival at headquarters
he was received by Col. R. H. Crofton and other
officers, the officers, non-commissioned officers, and
men of the six field batteries forming the division
being drawn up on the parade ground, near the
Half-moon battery, in heavy marching order. After
the inspection of the arms, kits, and accoutrements
of the men forming the division, the batteries were

dismissed to their quarters. Gen. Murray inspected
the officers and non-commissioned officers in the
sword drill, and subsequently inspecting the whole
of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and men
in battalion and company drill, when a variety of
manoeuvres were executed by the batteries with
great steadiness and precision. At the close of the
inspection of the officers and men of the division in
their outdoor movements, Gen. Murray was con-
ducted over the men's quarters and barrack rooms,
and he subsequently visited and inspected the milin
tary canteen, libraries, schools, recreation rooms,
gymnasium, hospital, and the books and accounts
relating to the division. In the afternoon General
Murray proceeded to the fortifications commanding
the entrance to the Medway, where he witnessed
the non-commissioned officers and men of the Royal
Artillery go through a course of practice with shot
and shell, with the heavy guns mounted on the
defences. This brought the inspection to a close,
and the General and the staff afterwards returned
to headquarters.

Yesterday the Ist Battalion Grenadier Guards,
now in garrison at Windsor, were inspected in the
Home Park, opposite Windsor Castle, byMajor-Gen.
Lindsay, the General commanding the Brigade of
Foot Guards. The troops paraded at 9 o'clock in
the Sheet-street barracks, under the command of
Col. Burnaby, the officers present including Col.
Stucley, Col. Phillips, Capt. and Adjt. Seymour,
Capt. the Hon. W. Carington, Capt. Trotter, Capt.
Fox, Capt. Cusance, Lieuts. Reynardson, Eaton,
Allix, Thornton, Balfour, Wellesley, and Corkrau ;
Quartermaster Hockey, and Surgeon Elkington.
The battalion, accoutred for the field, marched to
the Houle Park, where, drawn up in line, they
awaited the arrival of the inspecting officer ; Major
General Lindsay was accompanied by his aide•de-
camp, Capt. Eliot, and Capt. Seymour as brigade
major. On reaching the review ground, at half-
past 9 o'clock, the inspecting officer was received
with a general salute. After Gen. Lindsay had
minutely inspected the men (who for the purpose
were drawn up in column of companies), the
Guards marched past in quick and slow time
with great steadiness. When the line was re-
formed an imaginary volley at 400 yards was fired
kneeling. They then went through the bayonet
exercise. The other battalion movements were of
the usual character, and, with the firing, which was
excellent, were extremely well executed. The in-
spection was a decidedly trying one, and lasted till
about noon, the evolutions having been continuous
for two hours and a half, the time occupied by the
review. At its close the battalion marched back to
barracks.

SLITE OF PUDE.

The Royal Engineer Works department in Wool-
wich Arsenal have received final orders from the
Secretary of State for War to select a site and com-
mence the erection forthwith of the long desired in-
firmary demanded by the Medical Department of
the Arsenal, so that it may be ready for use, in case
of need, within six months. The quarters at pre-
sent held by Major Scratchley and Lieut. Grover,
lt.E., Inspector and Assist.-luspector of Works,
adjoining the dispensary, will, as at present ar-
ranged, be appropriated for that purpose, and as the
entire charge of the local fire bigade has been in-
trusted to the Board of Works, it is necessary that
the commanding officers should be quartered in the
Arsenal. The quarters occupied by Staff-officer
Parkyn will, in that case, have to be given over to
the Royal Engineer officers above named.
A court of inquiry was held at Aldershot on Mon-
day afternoon to investigate the cause of a fire which
broke out on Sunday evening in the straw barn in
rear of the centre block of the infantry barracks, and
which totally destroyed the building. The proceed-
ings of the board have not been made public, but it
has transpired that the fire originated from some
children playing with lucifer matches in the vicinity
of the building—in fact, close to one of the air
bricks used for ventilating purposes. The building
and contents are valued at over £l,OOO, and but for
the exertions of the troops and a strong detachment
of the fire brigade the adjoining stables and the
gymnasium would probably have been destroyed.

The 72d Highlanders, under the command of
Major Hunter, is under orders to march from Alder-
shot camp this evening, at 5.30, to the North Camp
station of tho South-Eastern Railway, and proceed
by special train at 7 p.m. to Manchester. The 72d
has been held in readiness to move for the last ten
days, the baggage being packed and the route ex-
pected hourly.
C battery 4th Brigade Royal Artillery marched
into camp at Aldershot yesterday from Woolwich.
The battery is under command of Capt. Peile, and
the strength six officers, 185 non-commissioned offi-
cers and men, 17 women, 40 children, and 90 horses.
The dismounted party arrived on Monday to take
over the quarters, the Royal Artillery barracks.
Lieut.-Col. Stewart, commanding the Woolwich
division of Royal Marines (actingin the absence, on
sick leave, of Col. Slither, C. 8.), received instruc-
tions on Sunday evening from the Marine-office in
London, ordering him to hold in readiness for im-
mediate departure a strong draught of the corps to
reinforce the detachment serving on board H.M. 81
gun Coastguard service ship Donegal, Capt. Payn-
ter, stationed at Liverpool. The draught was yester-
day inspected by Col. Stewart, on parade, at an
early hour, and left Woolwich by the nine o'clock
train for Liverpool. The strength was as follows :
Capt. Hore, Lieuts. Spalding and Armstrong, four
sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, and 84 pri-
vates Light Infantry. This precaution, it is stated,
was rendered necessary by the increasing number of
American Irish, or suspicious-looking men, who are
constantly observed in certain localities in the town.

Admiral Farragut left the Franklin in Plymouth
Sound yesterday morning in the Admiralty yacht
and proceeded to Mount Wise to visit Port-Admiral
Sir W. F. Martyn, K.C.B. Rea: Admiral the lion.
James R. Drummond, C. 8., Admiral Superintendent
of Devonport dockyard, and other officers, were pre-
sent. It is understood that the Franklin will leave
Plymouth on Friday for Lisbon and the Mediter-
ranean.

The members of the Royal Naval Club dined
together at Willis's Rooms, King-street, St. James's,
on Monday evening. The Earl of Hardwicke pre-
sided, and above 30 officers were present, among
whom were Admiral Anson, Admiral Ominanney,
Admiral Stanley, Admiral Sir W. 11. hall ; Capt.
Cox, Capt. F. Campbell, Capt. Reeve, Capt. J. J.
Keeling, Capt. T. Woods, Capt. W. Morris, Com-
modore Tarlaw', Capt. Westbrook, Capt. Yule,
Capt. C. G. Robinson, Capt. Fairman, Capt. Greet,
Capt. N. Robertson, Capt. John Geary, Capt. E.
Burnstal, Capt. G. Booker, Capt. G. Howes, Capt.
F. Stirling, Capt. Edwards, Capt. Pengelley, Capt.
Montagu Pasco, Capt. W. 11. Seymour, Capt. T.
Bullock, Capt. It. 11. Mowbray, Capt. Bedford C.
T. Phu, and Mr. 11. J. Kelly, secretary to the club.
Several of the above officers had participated in the
great battle of Trafalgar, the fild anniversary of
which they had assembled to commemorate.

The armour-plated iron ship Black Prince, 41,
was removed yestprday from Keyham Steam-yard
and placed under' the sheer hulk in Ilamoaze to have
her masts removed.

A Prussian ship of war, apparentlyarmour plated,
arrived in Plymouth Sound yesterday afternoon.
ller foremast and mainmast are gone ; they have
apparently been rolled out of her. The mizenmast
is standing.

Messrs. Maudslay and Sons, of East Greenwich,
are engaged in making a number of pontoon rafts,

after the system introduced by Capt. Mends, C.t.,
Director of Transports, and naval aide-de-camp to
the Queen, to be attached to the new screw steam-
ships Serapis, Crocodile, Euphrates, Jumna, and
Malabar, built for the Indian relief service. One
of the rafts, marked " Serapis," is now lying at
Woolwich for experiments. It consists of four pon-
toons, forming a raft 36ft long and 26ft broad, with
a moveable deck capable of transporting a sub-
divisional battery of Royal Artillery across the rivers
and lakes to be met with in India. The upper plates
are of wrought iron, and those immersed are of steel,
strongly united with hammered rivets. The guard
against the effect of the spray washing over the raft
it is provided with side rails and sail cloth, and is
Supplied with four oars.
An anonymous letter was received on Sunday
evening by Captain-Superintendent P. E. Wilmot,
Deptford Dockyard, purporting to have
been written by an Irish labourer employed in the
yard, and warning the Capt.-Superintendent that a
Fenian attack would be made that evening on the
yard to his certain knowledge. The writer added
that as his own livelihood and that of his wife and
family depended on his work there he felt it his duty
to make the disclosure. Capt. Wilmot immediately
sent for the storekeeper, and issued an order for de-
livery of 45 of the old rifles—one to each constable
in the yard—and ten rounds of ball cartridge per
man. Nothing more has been heard of the matter.

COURT OF ALDERMEY.

THE NEWLY-ELECTED ALDERMAN.

THE CITY GAOLS.

The military store department in Woolwich
Arsenal was engaged yesterday and Sunday in ship-
ping at Gravesend, on board the steamship St.
Lawrence, 400 tons of ammunition, contained in
upwards of 13,300 barrels, for transport to Quebec
and Montreal.

The following appointments have been made at
the Admiralty :—Capt. U. T. Burgoyne, V.C., of
the Wivern, to the Constance, vice Capt. Barnard ;
Capt. G. A. C. Brooker, to the Wivern, vice Bur-
goyne ; Navigating Lieut. Ettrick W. Creak, to the
Dasher; Sub-Lieut. Llewellyn S. Dawson, to the
Sylvia; Valentine Duke, acting-assist.-surg., to the
Rattlesnake ; Frederick C. M. Sadler, assist.-pay-
master in charge, to the Plover ; Frank Pittman,
assist.-paymaster, to the St. George ; Peter Gran-
tham and William E. Pasgrave, engineer, to the
Plover.

MANCHESTER, Oct. 22.—The large business done
at the close of last week in cloths suitable to the
markets of India has not been followed up to-day
by operations of any moment, nor are buyers dis-
posed to endorse the enhanced quotations which
those large operations entailed. This market gene-
rally sympathises with the depression in Liverpool
to-day, and the uneasy feeling arising from the
failures there has spread a gloom over business circles
generally. In the extensive operations referred to as
taking place last week no doubt buyers supplied their
wants pretty freely. On the other hand makers of
cloth are not desirous of entering into further con-
tracts under present circumstances. For these reasons
we have had but a limited business in shirtings and
other Indian classes of goods, and sellers have to
quote prices decidedly lower. There is some business
doing in printing cloths, but the home trade con-
tinues without much movement, and this branch of
the market may be characterised as languid. The
high prices which have to be paid by the working
classes and thegreater portion of our home consumers
for food—especially for bread and fleshmeat—absorb
too much of the incomes that should go towards the
clothing fund to encourage much enterprise on the
part of our country houses. The reports given by
drapers in all parts of the three kingdoms are dis-
couraging. Some of our large houses are withhold-
ing their travellers from this cause, and the prudence
which has so long induced them to keep their stocks
low still points to a continuance of this policy as
desirable. The yarn market has been quiet, but
steady. In shipping yarns all qualities made of good
cotton and the spinners of many counts are well
under contract. People here to-day have taken a
more favourable view of the state of things with
regard to Italy, and this has caused buyers of yarn
for the Continent to operate more freely than of late.
In home trade yarns we should have had a better
market but for the Liverpool failures, but though
there has not bee❑ much business prices have given
way but little. Messrs. John Slazg and Co. report
of this day's cloth market :—" The large business
done at the end of the week has naturally resulted
in enhanced quotations, but we find no disposition
to continue operations at the advance. As makers aro
now well engaged, and buyers have for the moment
satisfied their wants, we have to report but little
doing to-day, and a weakening tendency in prices."
CARDIFF, 21st.—The satisfactory position which
the steam coal trade was said last week to have
attained has not been materially altered, the exports
still being something considerable, especially to
Aden and Bombay. Proprietors and merchants
believe that Government will require con-
siderably larger quantities if the Abyssinian expedi-
tion is prosecuted with vigour, and at any moment
a rise may take place iu freights to the mail packet
stations. Fresh contracts will probably be given
out at an early date for the Cape of Good Hope,
Galle, and Singapore, and although the exports are
at present in excess of the corresponding period of
last year, the opening of new colleries, and facilities
afforded at nearly all the pits for a large output,
have enabled proprietors to meet the increased de-
mand with promptitude and despatch. For house
qualities about an average quantity is being shipped
for West of England and Irish houses, but there is
room for considerable improvement in this branch
of industry. In the iron trade the reports received
from the various works are hopeful, and a belief is
entertained that the demand both on home and
foreign account will considerably increase before
long. The plates are in tolerably fair request.
LEEDS, 22d.—It is seldom that the autumn gets
so near its close without more clear manifestations
of what is likely to be the peculiarity of the trade
whose turn next comes round. From day to day
this is looked for, but only to meet with disappoint-
ment, though there was a pretty general feeling to-
day that if the corn trade at home continues to be
less alarming, and warlike prospects abroad col-
lapse, there will be yet, before the end of the year,
a good stroke of business done in spring goods.
Manufacturers are all in readiness to execute
orders to any extent, and the more eager are they
to be doing so, inasmuch as to-day's woollen-
market has shown that there is less chance than
ever of any repeat orders. Neither in the
coloured nor white cloth-hall has there been much
animation, but tweeds have sold as well as
usual. The kinds which are made up of
orange warps are most favoured by buyers, when
those having a good finish can be met with. That,
however, is only rare, as experience shows that the
dyeing process they are submitted to is a difficult
and critical one. Coatings and plain cloths have
been quiet, but for beavers and thick witneys there
has been fully an average demand.
ROCHDALE, 21st.—The flannel market has im-
proved a little, and for several days there have been
indications of a better demand. To-day manufac-
turers have had more occasion to be brisk than for a
long time past, and purchases from stock as well as
orders in anticipation have been fairly numerous.
It is, however, only the plain goods department
which has thus suddenly become animated, and a
good deal no doubt is done on speculation, while
some slight advantage can be had in prices, as the
greater part of most recent orders have conic by post.
The appearance of the market, therefore, was quieter
than the real state of the case warranted; and, fancy
flannels being out of favour, provincial houses were
for the most part unrepresented. There is a remark-
able falling off in this department as compared with
last autumn. The Yorkshire woollen branch is in a
miserable state, notwithstanding the season. S:ocks
are not heavy, owing to the cautious conduct of
manufacturers, who still continue to do little more
than work from hand to mouth. Wool seems to
have gone as low as it possibly can do, hence there
is likely soon to be a reaction. At present more
business is doing, on favourable terms to the buyer.

News from Berlin last Monday informs us that
Herr Dellbruck proposed that the Federal President should
be authorised to conclude a treaty of friendship, commerce,
and navigation with the Republic of Lib ria.

A Court of Aldermen was holden yesterday at
Guildhall, at which the Lord Mayor (Alderman Sir
Thomas Gabriel) presided.

Mr. ORTON, the attorney-in-waiting, brought up
a report of the election of the new alderman, Joseph
Causton, Esq., for the Ward of Bridge in place of
Alderman Abbiss, who has resigned that office.

Mr. Causton was then introduced with the usual
formality by Messrs. Kealing and Thornton, his
proposer and seconder.

Mr. KEALING, in introducing the alderman, said
that he had been elected unanimously by the electors
of the Ward of Bridge. He believed that they had
chosen a good citizen to fill the important office of
alderman, and he also believed that Mr. Causton
would exert himself to the utmost to preserve the
rights and privileges of the citizens of London.

Mr. CAUSTON then took the usual oath and de-
claration, and having been introduced to his brother
aldermen, received their congratulations on his ap-
pointment, and afterwards took his seat upon the
bench.

On the motion of Alderman Wilson,
Mr. Sheriff M'Arthur was invited to take his seat
in the court with the aldermen.

Mr. Alderman and Sheriff STONE made a return of
the state of the City gaol; by which it appeared
that there are at present confined in Newgate 89
prisoners ; at the Debtors' Prison, Whitecross-
street, 186 ; and at Holloway, 331.

THE SW IT. tiONDoIsT WEDNESDAY EVENJN.

recommended that the improvement should be car-
ried out under their superintendence.
The question gave rise to some discussion, in the
course of which Mr. Murrell suggested that it should
be for the present postponed, in order that an ap-
plication might be made to the Court of Common
Council for a contribution towards the cost of
carrying out this improvement.
Ultimately, however, upon the motion of Mr.
John T. Bedford, the report was adopted, and the
improvement will be at once proceeded with.

secret of happiness." The owl said, "Do your
duty." " But," said the cat, " what is my duty?"
The owl's idea of duty was philosophy. " But
what is philosophy ?" said the cat. "Speculative
thought." "And what now do you think?" " Well,"
said the owl, " for many years past my mind has
been completely absorbed in the solution of the great
problem which concerns our race, namely, the
origin of the owl"—(great laughter) —" which
came first, the owl or the egg? It is true that
the owl comes from the egg, but, then again,
the egg came from the owl." (Great laughter.)
Well, the cat did not, like myself, consider that
these abstruse and speculative considerations were
worthy of her attention ; nor do I consider them
even worthy of yours. (Applause.) I would only
ask you to give your minds p:actic.dly to the ques-
tions which I have ventured to set before you, and
to produce a plan by which you think best the
whole nation, or as nearly the whole nation as
may be, may be educated by an unsectariau State
machinery. (Applause.) If you should do this, and
if you should give your minds to this great work,
which I am certain will be the work of the country
now for some time to come, you—most of you—
the young, will live to see your labours bring a rich
and early fruit ; and even I, who may see at least
the beginning of the end, shall feel that the few
observations I have ventured to-night to suggest to
you have not been wholly unprofitable. (Great
applause.)
Mr. NoawooD also spoke on the same subject.

TO PAI?,LIAMENT.

EARL CLARENDON AT COVENTRY.

+ -----

The Coventry and Midland Counties Industrial,
Manufacturing, and Fine Art Exhibition, which
was opened by Earl Granville on the 19th of June,
was formally closed on Monday. The number of
visitors, notwithstanding the unpropitious weather,
was large, and the proceedings passed off with
great success. The ceremonial in the Market
Hall, in which the exhibition has been held, com-
menced at one o'clock ; Lord Leigh, president of
the committee, presided, and congratulated the
promoters of the undertaking on their success. His
lordship then read the report of the committee,
which, after alluding to the great success and ()e-
-jects of the exhibition, stated that the number of
exhibitors was 311, some of whom were from Lon-
don. The total number of visitors had been 98,569,
exclusive of repeated visits of season ticket holders
and schools. 6,000 children had been admitted. The
committee had reason to hope that the attention of
men of capital had been drawn to the capabilities of
Coventry.
The Earl of CLARENDON was cordially received
lle said--In a spirit of wise beneficence it was de-
termined that, before that building became a great
market, it should become a great school, to which
not only the inhabitants of Coventry, but of the
surrounding districts, should be attracted, not
merely by curiosity, but by the higher motives of
studying by the eye of minute examination and
cotnparieon, to be followed by subsequent reflection,
improvement, and advantage. He deprecated any
idea of the citizens of Coventry being deficient in
pluck, as insinuated in the report, and with all his
heart he hoped that the new trades spoken of would
be established in their midst and flourish, and that
the exhibition would be the commencement of a new
era, and the town would enter on a period of
renaissance after the dark ages. Ile expressed a
hope that similar good results would ensue from
that exhibition to those which, he hoped, would
follow from the French Exhibition, though in
a lesser proportion. Englishmen must not de-
ceive themselves. Flattery, which was always
injurious, was at the present time most deceitful.
We must—in a period when competition is so active
and universal, if we intend to keep our position
among our competitors, and what is more, to win—
we must improve. Improvement was absolutely
necessary, and no improvement was real, solid, or to
be relied on but that which proceeded from the
exertions of the working glasses, not by their un-
aided exertions, for great assistance they would re-
quire ; but in affording them that indispensable
assistance, and in putting our shoulders to the wheel
of progress, we were all alike interested, because the
interests of all chases wore identical. If the interests
of landlord and tenant, of manufacturer and artisan,
or, generally speaking, of those who provide the
capital and those who furnish the labour were sup-
posed to be antagonistic, it was the result of preju-
dice and ignorance. No work was greater or more
worthy of the philanthropist and well wisher of his
country than to endeavour to dispel that prejudice
and banish that ignorance by showing that all classes
were fellow workers, and that we were all, though
in different degrees, partners in the same concern.
(Cheers.) Far be it from him to deny that rank,
and wealth, and social position created distinctions
enviable and enjoyable, but not unattainable dis-
tinctions between classes, but that which really con-
stituted the difference between classes was educa-
tion, the mainspring of progress and success. The
day was gone by when a man of wealth and posi-
tion could afford to be uneducated and illiterate.
Such an one would be looked upon as an object of
contempt, and as one who, having neglected the
opportunities of his position, had also unfitted him-
self for its obligations. On the other hand, a man
might bo born in the very lowest ranks, without
friends, or money, or advantages of that kind, or
hope of any ; and yet it had often been the case that
he managed to educate himself, or obtain an educa-
tion which enabled him to turn to the best account
the genius or talents with which ho had been
endowed. He ascended through the different strata
of society, by a self-acting machine, until he
stood in the light of his own eminence, amid the
eulogy of the world. Such instances were not nume-
rous in our country, yet were numerous enough to
forbid any to despair, and induce all to take as their
motto " Excelsior." The value and dignity of
labour were never more fully recognised than now.
The working man was about to be entrusted with
a power which he never before possessed—an enor-
mous power for good or evil. He believed the great
majority of working men would desire to use that
power, pot mischievously, but judiciously, and for
good ; but they must be fitted to use it. When
they did use it, and found themselves raised in the
scale of political life, and indirectly taking part in
the management of the nation's affairs, working
men would also desire to raise themselves in their
own sphere, and to obtain to a greater command,
not only over the material, but also over the intel-
lectual enjoyments of life. For that they would
require political education as much as they required
industrial education, and to a large extent scientific
education ; and no education would be sufficient or
complete which did not embrace religion. That
must be provided. It was not a matter on which
we could sit still and merely talk, any more than
we could content ourselves with simply talking of
the national defences. It must be provided if our
prosperity was not to slacken—if our institutions
were to maintain their excellence and equilibrium—
if our manufactures were to be supported—and if
the great bulk of the population was to consist of
good citizens and Christians. How it was to be
effected was a serious problem, involving many
vexed questions to which it would be then inappro-
priate to allude. It was a satisfaction to know, as
all must do, that the minds of some of the most
thoughtful men were earnestly directed to this sub-
ject. If it were recognised that education in Eng-
land fell short of the mark, and was not what it
might or ought to be, and thst the consequence was
a great evil and a pressing danger, he had no doubt
that the problem would be solved. There was one
more thing which he ventured to say that was needed
by the working man—it was liberty. The working
man wanted his industry to be free ; his energies
to be unshackled, and his liberty unrestrained, to
turn to the best account his labour and his skill. He
fully admitted the benefits of association, and he did
not deny the legitimate rights of combination, but
be firmly believed that if the working mm was a
freer man and his employer too, that it would be
found within any given space of time the division of
profits between capital and labour would be more
equitable, and that the funds really available for the
remuneration of labour would be more abundant
than under the system which had hitherto prevailed.
His observations had merely pointed the moral—

FRANCE.

they could not adorn the talc told by that building.
lie concluded by expressing a fervent hope that the
progress of art, taste, and mechanical skill, so essen-
tial to the prosperity of Coventry, would continue,
and be a lasting memorial of their enterprise.
A general vote of thanks concluded the proceedings.
A concert and dinner took place in the evening.

THE PROPOSED ELECTION OF IVOI?KING MEN'

Last night a meeting of the Working Men's
Association was held at the Bell Inn, Old Bailey ;
Mr. Geo. Potter in the chair. The chairman said
that he had written to several gentlemen asking
them to become trustees of the fund for securing the
election of working men to Parliament. Mr.
M'C. Torrens, M.P., replied, stating that he con-
sidered the object a fair and reasonable one, and
that he willingly accepted the office of trustee.
The Hon. A. Herbert also wrote accepting the office
of trustee, and sent a subscription. Mr. B. Potter,
M.P., declined to act as trustee, but expressed his
approval of the scheme. The following letter had
been received from Mr. Baines, M.P. :—" Heading-
ley Lodge, Leeds. Oct. 10, 1867.—Dear Sir,—l
so far agree with your object that I have this week
at our reform banquet expressed my wish to see
some of the best working men in the House of
Commons, and I once said the same thing in the
house. But I should like to see them there, not ex-
pressly as the representatives of labour, but as citi-
zens recommended to their fellow citizens by their
character and talents, and therefore selected to
represent them. I should regret to see a small
sectian of the house exclusively representing labour,
and I don't think it would answer the purpose of
the working men so well as if their members were
chosen by all classes and represented all. As to a
general association for promoting the return of
working class members, I believe it would excite
prejudice, and perhaps prevent rather than promote
the return of a candidate ; it would be charged with
dictation and with forcing strangers upon consti-
tuencies. With these views I should not feel my-
self at liberty to take part in the proposed Working
Men's Association.—l am, dear Sir, yours faithfully,
E. BAINEs." Mr. Ayrton had written as follows :
—" Oct. 22d.—My dear Sir,--I have been favoured
with your note requesting me.to become a trustee
of a fund for promoting the return of working men
to Parliament. But it appears to me that this
proceeding, instead of assisting the object in view,
would only obstruct it by weakening the just in-
fluence of the Liberal party at elections. It will
not be known until July next whether a general
election will take place in July, 1869, or July, 1870,
and it will be then time enough to consider what is
to be done. Whenever men of knowledge, intel-
ligence, and integrity, upon whom reliance can be
placed, are proposed as candidates for any particular
places in the liberal interest, their claim to support
by subscription Can be considered ; but I cannot
embark in a general crusade against any one else
except those who belong to a particular class, merely
because they are of that class. Such a proceeding
would, I am convinced, provoke much more oppo-
sition than it would receive support.—l am, my
dear Sir, yours truly, AcroN SMEE AYRTON." The
Chairman and the Secretary refuted the assertion
made in some quarters that the object of the move-
ment was to obtain measures to regulate the scale
of wages, adding that what was sought was a
thorough representation of the industrial classes.

FERRIES BETWEEN ENGLAND AND

The following letter has been addressed to the
editor of the Anglo-American Times i
Sir,--Not long since I heard one of the most
popular of American sea captains, whose name
appears in the steam shipping advertisements of the
Anglo-American, say that if the Straits of Dover
and surroundings belonged to the United States
they would have had a good ferry over twenty
years ago ; and I suppose it probable that there are
not many Americans familiar with the subject who
do not believe it.

Considering that Europe contains ten times the
population of the United States, it argues that there
is ten times the want of proper ferries over the
Straits of Dover, particularly as the dense and most
animated portion is within a radius of a thousand
of the latter. I once thought it possible that fre-
quent crossing of the Channel in the miserable
cockle shells used for conveying passengers would
wear one into the notion that, after all, the afflic-
tion experienced was but one of the boasted " solid
English comforts." On the contrary, however, the
late performance of my—about—fiftieth passage
has not only increased my disgust, but stimulated
anincentive to inquire through the columns of the
Anglo-American if —in the absence of British en-
gineers, who understand the nature of the case, and
possess a Brunel influence over capitalists—some
Americans, who are posted in such works, cannot
be induced to offer plans for a project which, it
might reasonably be expected, would prove one of
the most profitable of enterprises ; in fact, one
that would supply a revenue to the London,
Chatham, and Dover, South-Eastern, and the cor-
responding railways of France, such as would prove
very acceptable.
The wants in the case are of a plain, common
sense description. Dover and Calais should be
connected by boats of 300 feet to 500 feet in length,
60 feet to 90 feet wide, or the longer and wider the
better within reason, but not in any case to draw
more than five to six feet of water, and built very low.
The boats should have railway rails on deck, to carry,
in divisions, any probable length of trains that would
run between London and Paris. In such case
through goods and luggage need not be disturbed on
the way, nor passengers leave the train except for
refreshments, &c., preparations for which could be
made on a grand scale and perfect system within
the saloons, which should form, from their spacious
accommodations and adaptations to comfort, an at-
tractive featureof the boats. Ample accommodations
for loaded trains and vehicles of all descriptions.
The wretched craft plying between New Hayen
and Dieppe should be substituted by boats of not
less than 350 feet in length and 50 feet to 60 in
width, also low built, and drawing not more than
five feet of water, and be provided with all the com-
fortable saloon accommodations that complete the
elegant American steamboats in similar service.
Owing to the great rise and fall of tide, it being
similar to that at Bcston, United States, the prin-
cipal cost of proper channel ferry improvements
would be the harbour accommodations, but no
amount of money could be fairly invested in such
an enterprise that would not yield a large remune-
ration.

In the United States railway trains that con-
nect with boats have a truck or trucks for
carrying luggage, crates, or vans, the latter being
on their own wheels, so that when they are filled
at the station of departure they are run on to
the truck in the train crosswise, and on arrival
at the boat are run off of the truck into the boat,
thence from boat to railway truck on the opposite
shore, either by hand or horses, which are in readi-
ness, and would be required at Dieppe, as the
station is at some distance, but the vans would
arrive at the station as soon as the passengers.
But how is it now between London and Paris ?
On starting for Paris you deliver your luggage at
a London station, where it is first decorated, or
rather, soiled by a label being pasted upon it before
it goes into the van. On arriving at New Haven
it is handled twice from the van to the boat, a third
tin ..e by dropping it into the hatchway, a fourth in
lifting it out, a fifth to the shore at Dieppe, a sixth
from the shore to the waggons, a seventh from
waggons to the trains, eighth into the van, ninth
from the van to the Custom House, adding on the
way other probable handlings ; from the bridge of
the boat to deck, from deck to bridge again, &c
we may safely count a dozen chances for " baggage
smashing" on the way, beside the great waste of
time in handling and cost of an otherwise unneces-
sary horde of porters.
And as to the boats we cross the Channel in I

My last experience was in one of the "crack," or
fast ones, a long, narrow, deep thing, skilful!y
modelled for pitching and rolling, the whole of the
width and the best part of the length of the boat
only the
filled with boilers and engines, leaving