The Sun.
London, England, 1858-12-22 00:00:00

THE -4RIIIY.

EXAMINATION OF CADETS AT THE
ROYAL MILITARY ACADEMY.

The half-yearly examination and distribution of
prizes to the gentlemen cadets of the Royal Mili-
tary Academy, Woolwich, took place yesterday.
The event was more than usually interesting, Col•
E. L. Wilford, R.A., the governor of the institu-
tion, having previously received an intimation to
the effect that his Royal Highness the General
Commanding in Chief intended to be present on
the occasion, and the usual arrangements were also
carried out for the inspection of the troops in gar-
rison. His Royal Highness arrived at Woolwich
at half-past 11 o'clock, and proceeded to the Royal
Artillery Barracks, where he was received by the
commandant, Major-General Sir W. F. Williams,
and a numerous staff of field officers. Shortly
after 12 o'clock his Royal Highness, accompanied
by the commandant and staff, rode across the Com-
mon to the Royal Military Academy, and the
arrival of the distinguished party was greeted with
a Royal salute of 21 guns. The whole of the gen-
tlemen cadets, comprising theoretical and practical
classes, were assembled on the parade ground in
front of the building as a guard of honour under
the command of Capt. E. A. Williams, R.A., second
captain of the military branch of the institution,
and the hand of the Royal Artillery was stationed
near. His Royal Highness, accompanied by his
aide de camp Lieut.-Colonel Clifton, Major-General
Cameron, C.B , vice-president of the council of
military education ; Major-Gen. Portlock and Col.
Elwin of the council of military education ; Col.
Wilford, governor of the institution ; Major-Gen.
Sir W. F. Williams, and other distinguished
officers of various branches of the service, then
proceeded to inspect the cadets, who were drawn
up in review order, and his Royal Highness. and
staff subsequently took up a position at the flagstaff,
when the several classes of cadets went through a
series of evolutions in a masterly style, the manual
and platoon exercises being under the direction of
Gentleman Cadet Anderson, who performed his
task with such tact and skill as to elicit the marked
approbation of his Royal Highness. After
performing a series of gunnery exercise, the
gentlemen cadets assembled in the spacious dining
hall, where it was arranged that the distribution
of prizes should take place.
His Royal Highness, in appropriate terms, pre-
se.nted to Gentleman Cadet Anderson a handsome
sword for exemplary conduct; and also to Cadets
Woodward, Johnston, Haig, Caroll, &c., prizes, con-
sisting of mathematical instruments and valuable
books, for marked proficiency. His Royal Highness
then addressed the officers, professors, and cadets,
in most impressive and instructive terms. His
Royal Highness observed, the duties which the
cadets now assembled might hereafter be called
upon to perform were of a nature which demanded
the highest consideration and required the utmost
perseverance and energy with regard to their pre-
sent studies. He was happy to find that these
qualities had been evinced in no small degree by
the gentlemen cadets during the past half-year.
He would strongly impress upon the cadets that it
was only by persevering in their scientific studies,
even after they had obtained their commissions,
that they could hope to turn to good account the
education they had received at that institution. He
was certainly gratified by his visit on that day,
and should look forward with pleasure to future
visits. His Royal Highness and staff then pro-
ceeded to the residence of the Governor, and par-
took of refreshments ; and after a subsequent brief
inspection of the Royal Foot Artillery, returned to
town.

THUNDERSTORM.—A unusually heavy storm of
lightning and hail for this period of the year occurred at
Gloucester on Saturday last. The day commenced with an
increase of temperature, the barometer falling fast,
and there was a strong gale from the S.S.E. till noon,
when the wind shifted to S.W., rain having fallen inces-
santly, producing- .23 of an inch. At noon the rain ceased,
and up to three o'clock the sun shone brightly, increasing
the maximum temperature to 52.5 dog. The sky became
overcast at 3.30 and flashes of lightning appeared in th©
S.W. After a short lull a huge black nimbus was blown
directly over the city, and after a vivid flash of lightning
and heavy thunder a tremendous storm of hail descended,
driven by furious gusts of wind. The sky became quite
black, and zigzag, globular, and sheet lightning of a vivid
rosy-blue, colour flashed at short intervals, immediately
followed by awful peals of thunder. A man was struck by
the lightning in walking along Westgate-street, and was
insensible for a few moments, when he recoveree. By about
4:30 the storm had passed over, though rain continued till
5.0. The greater part of the evening was bright. A con-
siderable quantity of glass has been broken by the hail.
Such storms as these, when they occur at this season_of lin
year, are generally precursors of severe and lengthened
frosts,