The Sun.
London, England, 1860-12-11 00:00:00

TILE ARMY.

The following amended circular has been issued
to the army at home and abroad, by direction of the
Secretary of State for War, making some impor-
tant alterations in the regulations relating to the
appointment of military clerks in the public offices:

With reference to circular, No. 321, dated the
21st of September, 1858, which sanctions the em-
ployment of soldier clerks and pensioners in mili-
tary Staff offices, Mr. Secretary Herbert has de-
cided that clause 3 of the said circular be amended
by the substitution of two years for seven years, as
the period of service required in the ranks before a
non-commissioned officer or private can be consi-
dered eligible for a military clerkship; and that
clause 10 be amended by leaving out the exception
relating to the Royal Artillery and Royal Engi-
neers,
" Under this arrangement clauses 3 and 10 will
stand as follows : _

" 3. The military qualifications will be an exem-
plary character, with not less a service than two
years.
" 10. A non-commissioned officer or soldier suc-
ceeding:to a clerkship under this arrangement will
bo removed from the regiment to which he belongs,
and will be required to sign a declaration, accord-
ing to one of the accompanying forms, of his will-
ingness to continue to serve in her Majesty's army
until legally discharged, which declaration,
together with a certified copy of the man's attesta-
tion, whether for limited or unlimited service, must
be forwarded to the War-office,' " B. HAWES."
A movement has been set on foot at Chatham for
the erection at that garrison of a suitable and com-
modious building, in close proximity to the several
barracks, for the exclusive use of the troops quar-
tered at that station, and the other persons con-
nected with her Majesty's service; the proposed
building to be of a size sufficient to accommodate
about 2,000 persons, and the interior arranged for
the performance of amateur theatrical entertain-
ments, concerts, lectures, exhibitions, &c.
The Megmra screw troopship, Commander Hen-
derson, arrived at Portsmouth yesterday, with mili-
tary and naval invalids, &c., from Corfu, Malta,
and Gibraltar. Her dates of sailing are—from
Malta on the 27th of November ; arrived at Gib-
raltar on the 2d of December, and sailed (+gain on
the 4th. She experienced a very rough passage
home from tha Rock, but with the winds generally
favourable. Major-Gen. Sir W. Codrington took a
passage to the Rock from Malta. The Megtera's
passenger and invalid list comprises the following:
--Capt. W. Hewett, Royal Marine Artillery, from
her Majesty's ship Neptune ; Mr. Henwood, mas-
ter, from the Amphion ; Rev. W. C. Baylee, chap-
lain, from the Racoon ; Mr. G. Denham, gunner
3d class, Amphion ; Capt. C. J. R. Conolly,
Orion ; Mr. Boxer, R.N., Mr. Renshaw, R.N., and
Mr. Edwards, gunners from the Royal Hospital,
Malta. Mr. Brice, carpenter, and Mr. Hethering-
ton, assist.-surg., Hibernia. Mr. J. B. Swann,
Paymaster, from Gibraltar. 116 petty officers and
seamen, 39 marines, and 10 boys, invalids from the
Mediterranean squadron. 50 petty officers, sea-
men, and marines, discharged the service, time ex-
pired, &e. Three distressed British subjects, six
convict guards, and one convict. The military list
comprised Capt. Keane, R.A., Lieut. Graham,
R.A., Lieut. Peachy, 3d Buffs; Assist.-Surgeon
Gossett, 2d battalion, 22d Regiment ; Capt. Lloyd,
servant, and three children. The military invalids
were under the command of Capt. Thompson, 2d
Battalion 22d Regiment, and consisted of—Royal
Artillery, two rank and file; Royal Engineers,
four sergeants, six rank and file, and four chil-
dren ; 2d Battalion 2d Regiment, eight
rank and file ; 2d Battalion, 3d Regiment,
one sergeant, four rank and file, one
woman, and two children ; 2d Battalion 4th Regi-
ment.'two sergeants and five rank and file ; 2d Bat-
talion 7th Regiment, one sergeant and one woman;
2d Battalion Bth Regiment, one man, four women,
and five children; 2d Battalion 9th Regiment, one