The Sun.
London, England, 1858-07-26 00:00:00

HER MAJESTY'S DOCKYARD.

We would. recommend our readers to read the
leading article in the Ripping Gazette of Tuesday
last, when they would be rather surprised to find
that no Canadian or colonial wood is used in build-
ing our men-of-war, though some is for boats and
barges. No doubt, Sir John Pakington will see
that for the future our colonial wood will be used.
when fit for the purpose.
The sums of money paid to foreign countries and
foreign ships, mint have been very large, cceteris
paribus, our own shipowners and colonists ought
to have the preForenee.
Wo also think that, besides our oak, there are
many home-grown woods fit for various purposes
of naval architecture, such as keels,. floors, and
bottom planks, by which our landed proprietors
should have justice done to by the Admiralty.
When a man builds a, house, castle, or church
he uses the most lasting woods ; but this is un-
necessary in ship building, as vessels built thirty
years ago are now laid up ; more modern im-
p! ovements in design and model requiring' us
to keep 11,i with other nations. Wood that
would last twenty or thirty years, costing
about half the price of the foreign now used would
be sufficient for our purposes, besides saving an im-
mense amount annually.

If the average of a ship's life be only 13 years,
why build her of wool that will last three times as
long ? It is like throwing away money for the
benefit of the foreigner, who makes us always pay
for oar folly without auy reciprocity.

ROYAL, MINISTERIAL, AND POLITICAL
MOVEMENTS.

It is understood that her Majesty's approaching visit
to Potsdam will b 3 strictly of a private character, and
that no public demonstration of any kind will take
place. The Queen will go on the 10th August to Ant-
werp, and on by railway.
Tee Earl of Maltnesbury, the Secretary of State for
the Foreign Department, is expected to leave town on
Tuesday, the 3d proximo, for Osborne, in order to ac-
company her Majesty on the visit to the Emperor Na-
poleon 111., at Cherbourg.
The Earl of Derby intends, after the prorogation of
Parliament, to reside chiefly at Osterley-park, and by
his residence in the proximity of the metropolis avoid
any delay which might other 'vise arise in the transac-
tion of public business.
The Marquis of Salisbury, if his official duties permit,
will, after the close of the parliamentary senior), visit
his estates in Scotland.
Toe Right Hon. J. W. Henley left town on Saturday
for the Continent,
Toe Committee of the Privy Council on Education is
summoned to meet this day, at one o'cloc's, at the
Council Chamber, Whitehall.
The sheriffship of Perth, vacant by the promotion of
David Muir, Esq., to be S slicitor-General, is now filled
by the appointment of E. T. Gordon, Eq., Advocate-
Depute, comple ing the changes consequent on tae
death of the late Lord Justice Clerk.
Mr. W. G. Lettsom, Secretary of Legation at Mexico,
is appointed Chargri d'Affaires in Bolivia,
Mr. EJwin CJrbett, paid Atta.chf at Copenhagen, is
appointel Secretary of Legation at Florence.

We have reason' to believe that Earl &afield, of the
peerage of Scotland, will he raised to the English peer-
age, and that Sir John Verde Buller will be created a
peer. Sir John Yarde Baler's Parliamentary career
will be familiar to all who have followed the course of
events in Parliament for the last quarter of a century.
The first baronet was a distinguished judge. Lord &a-
field is the seventh earl of that title, and is also Viscount
Redhaven and Baron Ogilvie. He was born in 1815,
an I was elected a repre,entative peer of Scotland in
1853.
MINISTERIAL WHITEBAIT DINNER.-0a Saturday
her Majesty's Mieistsrc celebrated the approaching close
of the eession by the customary whitebait dinner, at the
Ship Tavern, Gre,nwich. The whole of the Ministers
were present, including the Earl of Derby, Lord Chan-
Duke of Montrose, Marquis of Salisbury,
K G , Marptis of Exeter, K.G., Earl of iNialmesbury,
Earl ef &ire vsbury, Earl of Sandwich, Earl De La
Warr, E.rl of Donoughrnore, Earl r f Carnarvon Ear:
of Sileffield, Vieci,unt Strathallan, Lord Be...it/Right
Hon. B. Di,raeli, Right Hon. S. H. Walpole, Right
lion. Sir J. Pakington, Gsn <ral Peel, Lord Stanley,
Lord John Manners, Right Hon. C. B. Adderley, Col.
the Right Thar. Cecil Eorester, Right Hon. J. R. Mow-
bray, Lord Naga, Viscount Newport, Right Hon. H.
L. Corry, Lord Lavaine, the Attorney-General, the
Solicitor-General, Sir William Hylton Jollifle, Mr. Sey-
mour Fi•zgerald, the Attorney-General for Ireland, the
Lord Advocate, Mr. G. A. Hamilton, Mr. Gathorne
Hardy, Mr. H. Baillie,
Mr. Knight, Col, Taylor, and
Mr. Whitmore.