The Sun.
London, England, 1858-08-21 00:00:00

THE COAST DEFENCES OF IRELAND.

The commission ordered to inspect and report upon the
eoaat defences in the south of Ireland is now at Tralce. The
members consist of Capt. Westmacott, R.E., Capt. Wilmot,
R.N., and the officers commanding the Artillery and Engi-
neers in the Cork district. They are to visit Kenmore,
Bantry, Kinsale, Cork, Youghal, and other places.
GRAND MILITARY SPECTACLE AT WOODLANDS.

The following lively de-cription of a military spectacle of
rather an unusual character is taken from the Freeman:—

"An opportunity was afforded yesterday to a limited
number of visitors from the city and elsewhere of witnessing
a most interesting military spectacle in the encamp-
ment of the entire of the troops in garrison—cavalry,
infantry, and artillery, to the number of 6,000, on
the extensive demesne grounds of Woodlands, belong-
ing to Col. White, and situate on the right bank of
the Liffey, about two miles from Knockmaroon-gate and
one from the little town of Lucas. The precise reason
for this unusual military display is not e:early known, but
the general opinion seemed to be that it was carried oat at
the suggestion of Lnrd Seaton, the Commander of the Forces
in Ireland, for the purpose of affording to the younger and
more inexperienced of the troops a little practical experience
of the soldier's life in the open field under the most favour-
ing circumstances. In this view the affair of yesterday was
a complete success in every particular, and appeared to Bite
unqualified satisfaction to all concerned. Pursuant to a
general order the following troops marched from their bar-
racks at an early hour in the morning to the fifteen acres,'
where they were paraded at eight o'clock sharp. Cavalry
—The Ist Royal Dragoons, 2d Nettle British or Scots Greys,
and the 13th Light Dragoons, under the command of Gem.
Parlby. Infantry—The 2d Battalion of the Coldstream
Guards, the 30th, 55th, and 76,h Regiments, and the For-
fershire Militia Artillery Regiment, under the direction ff
Major-Gen. Gascoigne. In addition to these there were a
troop of
Horse Artillery, a battery of Foot Artillery and
12 guns, and a small military train conveying field requi-
sites. The entire formed a well equipped arid formid tble
little army, numbering, as stated before, 6,000 men,
under the chief command of Lord Seaton. The route hav-
ing been given, the troops set out, and after a short and
agreeable march along `the smiling valley of the Liffey,'
reached the entrance gate to Woodlands on the lowroe
iztv,
i passng
through which, and up a narrow, ascending pathway
they came to the extensive encamping ground, on which they
were to pitch their tents for the day. A better or mare d estr-
ble position could not be selected. The demtsn e, which is
considerably elevated, forms a sort of table land of irregular
shape—spacious, and beautifully wooded in various places
where the ground slopes away, and from almo-t err ry post
there is a splendid prospect of the eircumjacent country and
the Dublin mountains. Serve field a xercises having been
gone throngh with steadiness and precision, the order to en-
camp was given, and in a moment the whole of the troops
were busy at their work. The dragoons dismounted, pie-
queted their horses in columns, and threw aside their arms
and accoutrements. The infantry did the same ; the artil-
lery were placed in a convenient hollow, and the ground
having been marked out, in less than an hour 200 gay white
tents studded the demesne. The encampment basing
been formed, and nut-lying pickets placed in suitable posi-
tions, the troops then had nothing to do except distribute
themselves in their respective quarters, and make prepara-
tions for their dinners. At two o'clock the whole army
were partaking of that meal in peace and security, and the
various grouping of the stalworth, bronze-faced soldiers, as
they lay in a hundred places under the tents—outside them
or elsewhere, eating, drinking, and talking—some in full
uniform, others in the freer cestume of shirt and trousers,
and many wearing a head-dress of the Arab fashion—
formed by twisting the handkerchief on the bead in a
peculiar manner, made up a striking and highly pic-
turesque scene of British soldiers on 'the tented field.'
The officers of the several regiments messed together
under the trees, from the branches of which their uniform
caps and helmets depended, and during the whole of the
repast the bands played a selection of spirited airs. The
general effect was animated and inspiriting in a high degree,
and it is to be regretted that the novel and beautiful spec-
tacle of yesterday, so much superior to the ordinary field
day in realising our ideas of troops campaigning, was en-
joyed by so small a number of spectators. There were only
a few ladies and gentlemen present during the day, although
it was notified that pedestrians would be admitted to the
dem cane, and perhaps the limited attendance of visitors may
have been the result of some misunderstanding as to the
gate by which they were to enter, as the female janitor
in charge of the low road gate
refused admittance to
visitors, without stating that they
could get in by any other
entrance. A double allowance of
troops, in consequence of the extrawaslabourserved
siLepdooseudt to the
them by the eccasion; and they received it cheerfully, and
andbu real lYin
disposed of it expeditiously. The horses were then
.fed and
watered in the river, after which the order w
strike the tents. In a very short time they were I?tvLliwnte
and packed in the military train : cavalry
infantry re-
sumed their arms and accoutrements, which lay strewn
ihe troops having
in inexantrdictaibiele
ecnotrirfuesoiofn
about, seemingly the
aompletest regularity ;
been formed in regular order, marched away in the same
order as they came, and were all in barracks before five
o'clock."

CARDINAL WISEMAN IN DALLINASLOE.
The visit of this
Catholic population.
great dignitary to Ireland is creating
intense excitement amongst the Roman a
On next Wednesday he is to celebrate
igh
at Ballinaslue, to raise funds in aid of one
csfoil ecclesiasticaletsmnh m
a
edifice., and in commenting Gn this event a Dublin evening
paper says :
The public are aware that next week Cardinal iyisem. ?n,
archbishop, and so forth, weans to pay a visit to the rising
town of Ballinasloe, on some mysterious quest intent.
Whatever be the motive of the journey, whether it have.
any connection with disputes among the Irish dignitaries of
the Romish system or not, let us commend the worldly
wisdom of the priests of that district, who have advertised
their intention of turning their chapel Into a show-box on
the occasion, and of exhibiting the distinguished exotic at a
smart price per head. The following announcement adorns
every gatepost, and railway ration, and dead wall, in the
kingdom of Connaught
Here follow the prices of admission, which range from
20s. to 40,. for entrance into the " select" parts of the
chapel. The advertisement then proceeds :—"Seats in
—single tickets, ss. ;
Third Division ticket of admission
-vitthhi the enclosed Area-43. for win ; le. fur women Bo