The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-12 00:00:00

DIE GUARDS' INSTITUTE.

Yesterday this institution was inaugurated by his
Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge. It had
long been felt by many officers of the Brigade of

;he Guards that the establishment cf an institute

in London as a place of occupation, resort, and re-

•
creation for soldiers when out of barracks would be

a great advantage, and in the autumn of 1864 the
subject was brought under the notice of his Royal
Highness and his sanction obtained for the estab-
lishment of such an institution for the use of the

roops in the metropolis, not confining its benefits
.o the Guards, but embracing all non-commissioned

officers and men of other regiments on duty or fur-

lough in London.

The building has been erected on a site in Fran-

cis-street, Vauxhall - bridge -road. It is in the
Veneto-Italian style, and consists of a basement and
three stories. A flight of steps leads to the entrance-

hall on the ground floor; on the right is a coffee-

room for the privates, and on the left a billiard-
room and coffee-room for non-commissioned officers.

On the first floor is a reading-room and a billiard-
room for privates, and a reading-room for the non-
commissioned officers. The second floor is wholly
devoted to the lecture and concert-room, which is
100 feet in length and 50 feet in breadth, its height
being from the floor to the open roof, which is con-
structed in an ornamental style in varnished deal,
28 feet. The whole has been designed by Mr. H.
A. Darbishire, and executed by Messrs. Smith and
Co., of Pimlico, under the immediate supervision of
Mr. James Cradock.

His Royal Highness arrived about 3 o'clock, and
was received by the members of the Committee of

Management and a large number of friends who had
been invited to attend on the occasion. Among

others present were Lord de Grey, Gen. Peel, Gen.
Lindsay, Sir John Pakington, several members of
the head-quarter Staff, and many retired officers of
the Brigade of Guards, besides upwards of 250 of
the troops quartered in London. The illustrious
Duke, after having
inspected the building, entered
the lecture-room, where the company had assembled,

- -
and on taking his place on the dais the following
address was presented to him by General Lindsay,

who, as the Commander of the Brigade of Guards,

was ex-officio chairman of the committee :—" May

we now request your Royal Hi
it please your Royal Highness—The institute which
open and dedicated to the use of the non-
ghness to declare
commissioned officers and soldiers of the me-
tropolis was commenced with the sanction of
your Royal Highness and with the approbation
of the Secretary for War. Your Royal Highness

is well aware of the temptations to which soldiers
are exposed in a city of such vast extent and with a
population so numerous as London ; and although
excellent recreation rooms and well supplied canteens
are established within barracks, yet it was felt that

His ROYAL HIGIINEss acknowledged the compli-
ment, and availed himself of the opportunity of ex-
pressing the satisfaction which bad been given by
the architect in the design of the building, which
was in every. respect well adapted to the purposes
for which it was intended. After repeating the ob-
servation that the benefits of the institution were
not to be confined to the men of the Guards, but
were open to every soldier in Loudon, his Royal
Highness announced that there were already no less
than 920 subscribers to the institution.

His Royal Highness then retired, and the meet-
ing dispersed.
The band of the Grenadier Guards was stationed
in the open space in front of the building, and
played several pieces during the proceedings.

IRONMASTERS' QUARTERLY MEETING.

BiumINGHAIsi, Thursday Evening.

The principal meeting of the ironmasters of this
district was held here this afternoon. There was
a very large attendance, and although many marks
of the slackness which has so long prevailed were
still visible, the tone was decidedly more cheerful
than it has been for a long time, and a far greater
amount of business was done than could have been
anticipated; the estimate formed (which must neces-
sarily be a rough one) was that not less than 50,000
or 60,000 tons of iron was sold. There were buyers
present from all quarters, and the general opinion
among them appeared to be that we are on the eve
of a general improvement, though it may be very
gradual ; in fact, that the trade will not regain a
thoroughly normal state until next y car. The pre-
sent reaction arises mainly from the circumstance
that home consumers' stocks are so low that they
are now compelled to come into the market. A de-
mand
is also springing up on account of East Indian,
Australian, and some others of the foreign markets.
The little impetus given to the trade by the meeting
of to-day comes very seasonably, and will be felt
throughout the district. The quantity of orders re-
ceived will not be sufficient to put the works on
anything like full time, but many will be enabled to
go on four days, at least, who have hitherto been
working two or three days only.
There is a better demand for hoop iron, but the
reaction experienced at this meeting seems to be in
respect of nearly all descriptions of finished iron.
There was a good business done to-day in pig-
iron, the make of this district ; the prices of hot-
blast, all mine, ranged between £3 10s. and £3 15s.
per ton. Cinder pigs, £2 15s. to £3 2s. 6d. per
ton.

a building devoted expressly to the use of the sol-
diers while out of barracks would be a great advan-
tage. The object which those who have given their
support to this undertaking have bad in view is the
establishment of a comfortable place of resort in
which soldiers may find occupation, refreshment,
and amusement. In carrying out this plan the com-
mittee have prepared reading rooms in which will be
found newspapers and periodicals ; and a library,
containing books, maps, and plans, is in course of
promotion. There is also a room available for con-
certs and lectures. Games of different descriptions
are established in the recreation rooms, while bowl-
ing alleys and skittle grounds are attached to the
building. The coffee rooms will be supplied with
everything that can be required except spirits. It is
further the intention of the committee, as soon as
the funds will admit of it, to afford members the
means of working at their former trades by provid-
ing tools and appliances. They
also
proposetooetshtearblisha necessaryam of instruction in
trades.
The rules, which have received your Royal
Highness's sanction, have been drawn up in accord-
ance with military habits ; but in framing them the
cominiaee were anxious that the institute should
be conducted as a private establishment, under the
supervision of a committee of officers, aided by a
sub-committee composed of members. They wish
that every subscriber may feel at home in the build-
ing and be under no further restraint except such as
all society is necessarily subject to. The committed
now beg your Royal Highness to hand over the build-
ing for the use of those for whose benefit it has been
erected, in the full belief that the soldiers will ap-
preciate the motives which have called' it into
existence, and in the confident hope that it will tend
to promote the comfort and social advantage of the
members."
His ROYAL HIGHNESS, having accepted the ad-
dress, said that in opening the institution he felt
much gratified at its having fallen to his lot to un-
dertake that duty. It was a most gratifying duty
in every respect. It was highly gratifying to see the
interest which the officers took in the welfare of the
men, and to observe that the men were beginning to
appreciate the advantages which such an institution
was calculated to afford. He hoped and believed
that by means of these institutions many of those
difficulties which were now said to exist in the way
of recruiting the army (but in some of which he cer-
tainly did not concur) would be removed, and that
the services would be greatly benefited by the ex-
istence in different parts of the country of such in-
stitutions if well and properly conducted. It was
ridiculous to suppose that men, whether of high or
low degree, could be safely debarred altogether of
recreation and amusement, and it was difficult to
prevent those occasional excesses which were com-
mon to man. The only way to obviate that diffi-
culty and to prevent those excesses was to afford
the means of lawful recreation which such institu-
tions as this were intended to promote. It was of
great advantage to the soldier that he should have
an institution of this kind to resort to, instead of
seeking amusement in publichouses or elsewhere in a
manner which did not redound to his credit. He
was happy to find that the institution had been
encouraged and literally supported by the officers
themselves, thus provinc, the interest they took in
the men under their command. This could not fail
to create a mutual attachment between the officers
and the men, which would greatly tell to the advan-
tage of both whenever the service of the country
should require their more active and serious co-
operation. He was pleased to observe that the in-
stitution had received liberal support from the War
Department,
which must necessarily be much inte-
rested in the comfort andgeneraleneral efficiency of the
army. lie was also happy to see present his noble
friend Lord de Grey, under whose auspices insti-
tutions on a smaller scale, but of a similar charac-
ter, had already been introduced into portions of
the service, while it gave him much pleasure to
notice the attendance of Sir J. Pakington and his
readiness to support the institution. His Royal
Highness then announced that the institution was
open, and concluded by expressing a hope that it
may not only flourish and attain the object for which
it was established, but be followed by many other
similar institutions. (Cheers.)
Sir J. PAKINOTON, in moving a
vote of thanks to
the Duke of Cambridge for his having discharged
the duties of the day, adverted to the great interest
which hi4ltoy Bjghttcss had always taken in the

The demand for Shropshire iron is subject to less
fluctuation than that of this district ; there was the
usual steady business done in that commodity at
this meeting, and it was reported that the quarter's
make was sold.

The trade in all the other iron-producing districts
was well represented, and the tone of this assembly
gave rise to a feeling of much cheerfulness. There
is an old saying that it is a long lane which has no
turn ; the South Staffordshire iron trade has been
in a sadly depressed and otherwise unhealthy state
during the last twelvemonths ; it is to be hoped that
a turn has now been taken in a direction with a
brighter prospect, and that there will be no fresh re-
trograde movement.

PRINCE CONSORT'S WINDSOR ASSO-

CIA TION.

The annual meeting of this important association,
established in 1850 by the Prince Consort for im-
proving the condition of the labouring classes of
Windsor, Eton, and the surrounding neighbourhood,
took place yesterday in the Windsor Home Park,
under the most favourable auspices. The royal tents
from the Castle were erected under the direction of
Seabrook upon a new and much improved arrange-
ment ; the royal tent being placed in the centre,
and in front of the flower tent, and facing the visitors,
there were convenient tents for the accommodation
of royalty, tents for the exhibitors of cottage
handicraft, needlework, vegetables, &c., and a
spacious tent under which an excellent dinner was
given at two o'clock to 250 successful candidates,
who were attended to by the clergy and other
gentlemen of the committee. The show of fruit and
flowers from the royal gardens, the royal nurseries,
and gardens of the nobaity and gentry of the neigh-
bourhood, was of a finer description than has been
witnessed for several years past. Mr. T. Ingram's
display from the Queen Gardens included a very ex-
tensive and beautiful miscellaneous collection of
plants, fruit, and cucumbers, including black and
white grapes, plums of an extraordinary size, and
also a splendid collection of hothouse plants.
Whilst the exhibitors were enjoying their dinner
and during the afternoon the fine band of the Scots
Fusilier Guards enlivened the scene by the perform-
ance of some excellent pieces.
His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales intended
to have distributed the prizes this year, but as his
royal highness was unable to be present, the prizes
were distributed by their Royal Highnesses the
Princesses Alice of Hesse and Louise, and Prince
Leopold, who entered the royal tent with Princess
Beatrice and Prince Louis of Hesse at four o'clock.
The report was first read by Major-General Seymour
(chairman), Viscount Kirkcaldie, 11. D. Erskine, Rev.
W. B. Marriott, W. R. Harris, Captain Layard, and
E. B. Foster, with other members of the committee,
being present. The distribution then commenced.
It occupied an hour. At the conclusion their royal
highnesses were conducted over the various tents,
and the ingenious productions at the handicraft tent,
particularly a cradle made of scarlet runners threaded
on wires, attracted more particularly the notice of
the royal visitors. Their royal highnesses afterwards
left the ground and returned to the Castle, the band
playing the National Anthem.
In the evening the members of the committee
dined together at the Town Hall.
The following is a list of the prizes awarded :
Class 1. —To the labourer or artisan, or his wife,
who has brought up a family in honest, sober, and
industrious habits, without parish relief, except in
cases of sickness. Two received £2 10s. each ; one,
£2 ss. ; one, £2 ; and one, £llos.
Class 2.—To the widow of a labourer or artisan

who has brought up her family in honest, sober,
and industrious habits, whether with or without
parochial relief. Three received £2 each ; one 355.,
and one 30s.

Class 3.—To families distinguished for cleanliness
and tidiness in house and person. Eleven received
£1 each ; and fifteen, 15s. each.
Class 4.—To well-conducted servants or labourers,
male or female, who have lived the longest period
of service in the same situation. Three received

welfare of the British soldier, and said a better and I each ; one, £2 155.; three, £2 10s. each ; one, 155.;
more appropriate proof that that feeling had not and one, honourable certificate.
abated could not be given than in the part which his Class s.—To young persons, male or female, who
Royal Highness had that day fulfilled in opening have kept their first place of service for the longest
an institution having for its object the innocent re- period (not less than three years)—One received £2
creation and moral advantage of the non-commis- 15s. ; two received £2 each ; three £1 10s. each ;
sioned officers and men of the British service. He six, £1 ss. each ; eleven, £1 each, and four, 15s.
believed that whatever difficulties there might be in each.
recruiting the army they would soon vanish in the Class 6.—To the best cultivators of gardens or
presence of such institutions as they were then allotments, being persons of honest, sober, and good
founding. Let such institutions be established moral character—Five received £1 each; six, 15s.
throughout the country, and the character of the each ; and eight, 10s. each.
soldier would be raised and the service be rendered Total prize money, £246 10s.
more attractive than it ever hitherto had been, and
men of respectable character would no longer hesi-
tate to enter it. By his accidental connection with
the War Department he felt doubly bound to do
whatever he could to promote the best interests of
the army.
Lord DE GREY seconded the vote of thanks, and
expressed a hope that institutions of this description
would spread not only throughout England, but in
every part of the empire, including the colonies; at
the same time, he trusted they would not interfere
with other institutions no less valuable in their ob-
ject—he meant the regimental reading-rooms. There
could not possibly be any hostility or rivalry between
the two institutions, but they were both capable of
being carried on together. It should not be forgot-
ten that although the credit of founding this insti-
tution belonged to the Brigade of Guards, yet its
benefits were not intended to be confined to the
Foot Guards alone, but were freely to be partaken
of and joined by every man in garrison among
them who chose to avail himself of them.

Roman Fetes and Italian Fumigations.

" A Fumigated Yankee," in a letter to the Times,

says
you allow me to call the attention of all
" whom it may concern" to what I think must be
conceded to be the rather scurvy way in which the
Italian Government is just now trying to punish
the Pope for the success of his grand Centenary of
St. Peter ?
On Thursday of this week, without a word of
warning given to the public, Signor Rattazzi ordered
all passengers coming from Rome into the Italian
kingdom to be subjected to the prophylactic process
of " fumigation" at the first station, after crossing
the frontier. This order was issued, as I under-
stand, on the strength of a report made to the Italian
Minister of the existence of the cholera in Rome
W hether the cholera does or does not exist at
Rome I do not pretend to decide, though I was in-
formed by one of the best physicians in that city,
on Wednesday last, that no unquestionable case of
the disease had up to that date come to his know-
ledge. But that it is neither just to the travelling
public, nor sensible in itself to fight the cholera with
such " fumigations" as now welcome the intruder
upon the soil of "free Italy," may without presump-
tion be asserted. Let me tell " a plain tale," and
be yourself the judge. Yesterday morning I left
Rome for Florence by way of Civita Vecchia, and
the newly-opened railway of the Marernme. The
train was not crowded, the railway running for
the most part within sight and breath of the sea,
and but for the horrible condition of the buffet
at Orbetello, where passengers are expected to
make their only meal in a ten hours' journey
to Leghorn, the trip might be made one of the
pleasantest in Italy. At Orbetello, which we reached
in the hottest part of the day, we found ourselves
locked into the carriages. A very civil Italian guard
explained, with an ill-suppressed smile, that this
was "by order of the Government." After some
20 minutes we were invited very politely to descend
and enter a small den, taking our " small luggage "
with us. The glass doors of this den were then
closed upon some 20 or 30 passengers, including one
very warm bishop and several French ecclesiastics
of lower rank ; and we were then and there " fumi-
gated" by means of half-a-dozen earthen pans set
on the floor, which gave forth a nauseous odorous
smoke, and pervaded us with a smell resembling that
of lucifer matches lighted in a photographic atelier.
The guards looked at us with a sort of quizzical
good-nature through the glass doors and windows,
and at the end of about five minutes released us to
snatch a hurried and hateful meal at the buffet
above anathematised. This was ridiculous and
vexatious enough, but this was not all. On arriv-
ing at Leghorn, four hours after, we were again sub-
jected to the same process, entailing this time a
choice between going without our dinners or losing
the train to Florence, so that we reached Florence,
after a journey of 14 hours in July, without having
been able to make a decent repast on the way. If
such treatment be not more likely to develope
cholera than any number of sulphurous " fumiga-
tions" to suppress it our medical books had better
be at once rewritten. I learn here, too, that we
got off remarkably well ; the passengers by the
train which reached Florence yesterday morning
at 11 having been kept at the Florence station till
3 p.m. The Florentines themselves are angry
enough at this extraordinary demonstration, but I
hope that you will give it a " European reputa-
tion." However serious may be the offence of
being a Catholic and going to see the Pope this can
hardly be considered a humane or dignified way of
chastising those 't 't who commit 1 .