The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-27 00:00:00

2HE ARMY.

Major-General the Hon. Si J. Y. Scarlett, K.C.8., com-
manding the South-West District, had a brigade field day
of all the available troops in Portsmouth garrison on South-
sea-common yesterday. He was attended by Lieut.-Col.
Conolly, Assistant-Quartermaster-General, and Captain
Thursby, Brigade-Major. The day ended with firing from
the walls; it was altogether a most imposing spectacle.
The first detachment of Royal Sappers and Miners the
authorities have decided on sending oat to British Colum-
bia will leave head-quarters, Chatham, on Thursday next,
and embark at Southampton on board the steamer Panama.
The detachment consists of 20 men, under the command of
Captain R. M. Parson., Royal Engineers, and will be fol-
lowed in a few days afterwards by 130 non-commissioned
officers and men of that corps, who have already been se-
lected for that service. The Sappers and Miners are to be
employed exclusively in the formation of roads from the
coast to the gold districts, in the survey of the country, and
in all kinds of engineering operations for the improvement
of the colony. They will take with them a large supply of
sapping and mining tools and everything necessary for the
performance of the duty in which they will be engaged.
None but the most healthy and robust men belonging to the
Royal Engineers will be permitted to proceed to British
Columbia, and yesterday and the previous day the non-
commissioned officers and men selected for this special ser-
vice underwent a medical inspection at Brompton Barracks.
The corps of Royal Engineers being below its required
strength, recruiting parties have been despatched from Chat-
ham to Bristol, Manchester, Birmingham, Bath, and Exe-
ter, for the purpose of raising men. Yesterday a party of
non-commissioned officers belonging to the East India Com-
pany's Sappers and Miners, who have been stationed at
Chatham for the purpose of acquiring a knowledge of sap-
ping and mining, proceeded to Warley previously to em-
barking for
The 2nd Battalion, 20th Regiment, is to move from Clon-
inel to Waterford on the 25th.
It is rumoured again for about the hundredth time that
the Curragh Camp is to be broken up after this summer; it
being when Aldershott, is available, a useless expense, with
our small home force.
Ou it NATIONAL DEFENCES.—Government orders have
been received at Cardiff for the purpose of leasing some
around at Penarth for forts, &c. A flag-staff has been
placed to mark the spot, which extends about 240 feet by
140, in a commanding position on Penarth cliff.— xiwansen•
1.1 eral
THE COAST DEFENCES.—One of the largest guns
in the Ordnance service,:vvhich has remained for some time at
Shoehuryness, and has sustained every description of expe-
rimental test, was this day shipped on board the Govern-
thrtiter
wlitre it will be placed in position (it is said on Soutbsea-
common), in accordance with the efficient system of coast
defence now being carried into effect by the authorities at
the War Department. The gun is stated to be from the
foundry:of Messrs. Fairbairn, Manchester, and its range is
most extensive. The weapon is 17 feet long, 11 feet 3 inches
in girth, and carries 13 inch solid shot. Captain Bent and
a detachment of 'loyal Artillery returned to heat -quarters
this day from Eastbourne, having escorted several kitty f
guns, which have been placed in fur the defence o
the coast at that station. Numerous heavy guns of long
range have been forwarded during the past month to stations
on the coasts of Kent and Sussex, and several new batteries
for similar service are now completing at.Woolwich arsenal.

THE NAVY.

Cap'. the Hon. J. 11. Drummond, C. 8., joined the Loral'
of the Admiralty at Pembroke on Wednesday evening, to be
present. at the launch yesterday of the Windsor Castle.
Lady Pakington, wife of the First Lord, has arrived at Pem-
broke, and was to christen the ship.
The Russian Commodore, Count Popoff, Aide-de-Camp
to ;ha Emperor, and all his principal officers, also the Consul
(Mr. R. K. Wilkinson, of Gosport), were entertained at the
Admiralty-house on Wednesday-night, by Admiral Sir G.
Seymour, the Commander-in-Chief, at Portsmouth. Yes-
terday the officers perambulated the town, and were pre-
sent at the review on Sonthsea Common in the afternoon.
In the evening Major-Gen. the Hon. Sir J. Yorke Scar-
lett entertained them and Mr. Consul Wilkinson at the
Government-house. The Russian Commodore visited the Vic-
tory, accompanied by the Consul, and were duly saluted. The
stay of the Russian squadron at Portsmouth will be limited
on account of its not being allowed to enter the harbour,
which the Commodore was desirous of doing. Had they been
allowed to stay and refit, a Russian line-ot-battle ship and a
steamer, now at the mouth of the Baltic, awaiting intelli-
gence of their movements, would have followed them to
Spithead.
The Industry, 2, screw steam storeship, Master-Com-
mander G. J. Hodges, arrived at Spithead yesterday after-
noon from the coast of Africa, and went into harbour.
The Growler, 2, gunboat, Lieut.-Commander 11. Crozier,
and the Quail, 2, gunboat. Lieut.-Commander N. Osborn,
sailed yesterday afternoon from Spithead for the westward.
The Euryalus, 51, screw frigate, Capt. J. 11'. Tarleton,
was taken out of dock at Portsmouth yesterday, and went
out of harbour and anchored at Spithead.
The Imperieuse, 51, screw frigate, was taken out of the
steam basin at Portsmouth yesterday, and went out of har-
bour for trial of her engines. She is to be laid up in steam
reserve.
A Royal salute was fired from the garrison and ships in
port at Portsmouth yesterday in commemoration of the
Prince Consort's birthday.
The quarterly meeting of the Portsmouth Royal Naval
Club was held yesterday at the Portland Hotel.
The line-of-battle-ship Trafalgar, 120, which was towed
up from the ordinary to Chatham dockyard for the purpose
of being cut down to a 91-gun screw steamer, will not, it is
understood, undergo any alterations, and the order for cut-
ting down that vessel is not to be proceeded with for the
present. The Trafalgar is to be sent back to Sheerness.
The screw steamer Hero, 91, is ordered to be taken Into
the new dock at Chatham for the purpose of being brought.
forward for sea.
The Pembroke, 60, screw, has left Harwich, and is now
tying in Yarmouth Roads.
The following appointments were made yesterday at the
Admiralty :
Lieutenant George Stratton and Lieutenant Basil Hall.
and Lieutenant G. Suttie, to the Royal Albert ; Lieut. R.
,J. .otliard, additional, to the Cornwallis ; Lieut. C. D.
Davies, to the Russell; Ambrose J. A. Berton, master ad-
ditional, to the Excellent; Charles Parkinson, master addi-
tional, to the Excellent ; Frederick B. Youel, master, to the
Racoon ; J. B. Walker, master's assistant, to the Argus ; H.
E. Kitchen, assistant-paymaster, to the Cumberland; and
Frederick A. Pountney, clerk, to the Hannibal.
Mr. Henry Fairfax, mate of her Majesty's ship Diadem,
has been promoted to Lieutenant.
THE NEW TURKISH GUNBOAT.—The Turkish gunboat
Boyana, 162 tons, has made a short trial trip of a very
satisfactory nature, an average of nine knots per hour
having been accomplished. Since our report of the launch,
the vessel has been beautifully fitted as regards the cabins,.
and has received the warlike complement of a pivot gun at
the bow to carry 121 b. shot. With Messrs. Ravenhill and.
Co's 16-horse power engines, all other appurtenances, stores,
and 10 tons of coal, the Boyana draws water four inches,
within the specified draught (three feet) ; this may be con-
sidered a feat even by Mr. Thompson, the builder, whose,
achievements in the way of shipbuilding on the diagonal.
principle arc well-known. We believe that several eminent
firms were applied to respecting the building of a gunboat
for shallow rivers, but they declined to attempt compliance
with the somewhat exacting specification of the Turkish go-
vernment in respect to draught. The Boyana is all teak,
and is classed at Lloyd's, A 1,14 years.

CRYSTAL PALACE.—ONE SHILLING DAT.—Yes
were 5,229 ;
day the admissions on payment do. by season
tickets, 625; total, 5,854.
ORTHOPCF.DIC HOSPITAI.—The half-yearly court
of the governors of this institution was held yesterday in the
board rcom of the hospital, Sport-stt Quarles
Barris in the chair. The re stated that there was now
accommodation in the hospital for 44 in-patients.. At the
commencement of the period under review every bed in the
hospital was occupied. During the half-year 38 new
patients were admitted and the same number discharged,
so that as a bed became vacant it was immediately occupied.
Of those discharged 24 were cured and 14 greatly relieved.
The number of out-patients for the half-year was 827, being-
an increase of 205 on the number attended to during the
previous six months. In the course of the 19 years the
hospital Las been in existence it has afforded relief to as
many as 23,134 patients. This report was adopted, and the
Duke of Wellington elected a vice-president, when the pro
coodings terminated in the usual runner.