The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-14 00:00:00

Hootings from '' The Owl."

The Owl, our eccentric contemporary (which
made its re-appearance yesterday), gives currency
to the following announcements !--
_ As was naturally to be anticipated, the resolu-

tions proposed by the Government have at once
been taken into the most serious consideration
by the Liberal party. A meeting was held
yesterday, consisting of the prominent leaders
of the Opposition, at which opinions were declared
so much in disapproval of the resolutions that we
may expect at no distant day to see this general
feeling of dissatisfaction take distinct shape. A
meetingl of the party is to be called for next week.
We e
are able
of ~
been
ip, u
bhlaestoswtahtefo,thtit
who, Mr. Brand finally gives
gentleman
f
the Liberal
we
trust, par y,
willan and a
u
able to discharge the duties in the same amiable and
courteous manner which has so remarkably distin-
guished the career of Mr. Brand, who is accom-
panied in his retirement from this responsible is responsible posi-
tion by the sincere regrets and good wishes of both
sides of the house.
A marriage is arranged between Lord Waterpark
and Lady Constance Finch-Hatton, daughter of
the Earl of Winchilsea. Also between Mr. Wal-
sham, at present attached to the Leguartio,naual
Madrid, and son of Sir John Walsham, Bt.
d
Miss Scarlett, daughter of Mr. - Scarlett, C. 8., late
British Minister at Mexico. Also, between Mr.
Berners and Miss Anstruther, sister to Sir Robert
Anstruther, Bart., M.P., and Lard-Lieutenant for
the county of Fife.
We understand that the scheme for the reorgani-
sation of the army is now nearly completed in its
details, which when announced in the House of
Commons, will not be found to coincide in all points
with the recommendations of the Royal Commis-
sioners on recruiting. The militia will be made the
foundation of the active army. Men will be enlisted
for 12 years instead of 10, as at present ; seven of
these will be spent in the army available for general
service, the remaining five in the militia under cer-
tain advantageous conditions. A measure will be pro-
posed for obtaining their further service at the end of
the twelve years. Non-commissioned officers and
men will still be permitted to re-engage in the army
and serve for pension. Such, we believe, will be
the leading features of the plan. The difficulties of
the details are, of course, financial ; but the House
of Commons will, without doubt, afford the Govern-
ment the means of carrying into effect their scheme

if it can be shown that it will give the country
sufficient available force for general service and an
efficient reserve to rely upon in case of need.

We are sorry to hear that, after immense expen-
diture in providing ammunition for the new Snider
gun, it is found in practice that the copper of the
cartridge so obstructs the barrel after the discharge,
so as to render the gun useless. This was not the
case with the hand-made cartridges, and the fault
is directly attributable to the use of machinery
adopted by the Government under the pressure of
the great demand.

By the succession of the Hon. George Barrington
to his father's title, no vacancy will, it is generally
supposed, be created in the representation of Eye_
the peerage being an Irish one. It is, however,
generally rumoured that Lord Barrington will suc-
ceed the present Marquis of Exeter as Lord Trea-
surer of the Household, in which case a new election
will be necesiiary.