The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-13 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

The draughts to go out to the Mediterranean in
the steamship Himalaya, consisting of one officer and
52 non-commissioned officers and rank and file of
the 2d battalion 3d Buffs, 30 non-commissioned
officers and file of the 2d battalion 6th Foot, four
officers and 32 non-commissioned officers and rank
and file, with four women and two children, of the
Ist battalion 23d Royal Welsh Fusiliers ; two
officers and 41 non-commissioned officers and rank
and file, with one officer's wife, two children, and
one servant, of the 25th Foot, and one barrack ser-
geant with wife and child, were conveyed from
Cork to Queenstown by the river steamer Prince
Arthur on Saturday for embarkation. On Sunday
the Himalaya steamed out of the harbour for her
destination. The detachments of the Royal Engi-
neers, 6th and 25th Foot on board she will leave at
Gibraltar, and go on to Malta with those of the
Rifle Brigade, 3d, 15th and 23d Foot. On her
return voyage she will bring home invalids and
various stores from Malta, and will make a call at
Tangiers to take on board some lions, horses,
ostriches, and other things as presents from the
Emperor of Morocco to Queen Victoria.
The following reinforcements for Bombay and
Kurrachee will embark at Gravesend this day on
board the Ramilies, 740 tons, Capt. C. Hodder—
viz., 42 men of the 61st Regiment, from Chatham;
27 men of the 46th Regiment, from Templemore ;
and 23 men of the 76th Regiment, from Belfast, for
Kurrachee. The troops proceeding to Bombay are
19 men of the 72d (Duke of Albany's Own) High-
landers, from Aberdeen ; 24 men of the 28th Regi-
ment and 20 men of the 95th Regiment, from Fer-
moy ; and 15 men of the Royal Artillery from
Woolwich. Yesterday General Eyre, commanding,
the troops at Chatham garrison, attended by Bri-
gade-Major Gordon, made a careful inspection of
the Ramilies, at Gravesend, in order to ascertain
that the vessel was not overloaded, and that every
arrangement had been made on board for the health
and comfort of the troops.
Surgeon-Major T. P. Matthew has been ap-
pointed to Fort Pitt Hospital, Chatham, vice Sur-
geon-Major G. Anderson, who proceeds to Glas-
gow for medical duty.
Captain A. C. Gleig, R.A., assistant-inspector of
military schools, has been engaged at Chatham in
inspecting the schools for the instruction of the
young soldiers and the children of the troops be-
longing to that garrison. The schools are in a most
efficient state, and several hundred pupils are daily
under instruction.
The following alterations in the stations of the
Royal Engineers take effect from the 12th inst.,
viz. :—The 16th company (Survey) under the com-
mand of Capt. B. A. 'Wilkinson, from Edinburgh
to Belfast; Major A. C. Cooke, from Edinburgh to
the War Department, Spring-gardens ; Capt. It.
W. Stotherd, from Carlisle to Edinburgh ; and
Lieut. E. R. James, from special service to Ord-
nance survey, Southampton.
By the mail just received from Bombay we hear
that H.M.'s ship Simoom, Commander J. M. Cooke,
had arrived there on the Ist of Dec. with the whole
of ll.M.'s 31st Regiment, from the Cape, who were
immediately sent on to Poona. The Simoom, during
the last 18 months, has brought to the seat of war
upwards of 4,000 men—viz., the 33d, sth, 73d, and
31st—besides 1,000 men of the 60th and 79th taken
out of sailing ships at Ceylon in Nov., 1857, with-
out any accident or delay, which reflects credit on
all concerned.

THE IRONMASTERS' QUARTERLY

MEETING.

WOLVERHAMPTON, WEDNESDAY,

The usual quarterly meeting of the ironmasters
of this district was held in this town this afternoon.
The attendance of the trade was not numerous,
and the prevailing opinion appeared to be that
there was scarcely so much buoyancy as existed a
fortnight ago; prices were, notwithstanding, very
firmly maintained; in that respect no retrogression
whatever being apparent. The slight check which
has been experienced is not an unhealthy indication
but may possibly be useful to prevent that specula-
tive action of which the germs were visible at the
preliminary meeting.
It is not easy to arrive at any conclusion as to the
amount of business done to-day ; but we know that
some very fair contracts were given out, and that
amongst consumers generally there is a feeling
of confidence that prices are not likely to recede.
All the principal makers are pretty full of
orders, within the last week or two a good many
having come in from Australia, the United States,
and from India; and shippers are manifesting a dis-
position to increase their operations. The unplea-
sant turn which matters have unexpectedly taken
in connexion with European politics was a good deal
discussed at this meeting, but the prevailingfeeling
appeared to be that the prospects of the iron trade
generally are sufficiently good to allay any appre-
hensions as to the future.
With reference to a circular recently issued by
the agent of Lord Ward, announcing an advance
upon prices of 10s. per ton, it may be mentioned
that the effect upon prices generally will be inap-
preciable, his lordship'having little finished iron to
sell ; but it is understood that a quantity already
sold has been. at very low prices.
The price of pig iron is scarcely as high as we last
quoted it, but there was no positive alteration of
prices declared to-day.
Ironstone and coal is in active demand. Prices
have a tendency upwards. _ _

As regards manufacturers' quarter-day, this has
been the most healthful one experienced for the last
fifteen months. Accounts were well paid. The
olverhampton factors are in good spirits, and
many of the manufacturers are busy, they having a
good supply of orders beforehand.
The quarterly assembly was held to-day at the St.
George's Hall, an agreeable change, which has been
adopted at the suggestion of the mayor (John
Hartley, Esq.) For many years the meetings have
taken place in front of the Swan Hotel, a site most
unfit for the purpose, and, moreover, causing an
obstruction of the public thoroughfare, which ren-
dered the discontinuance of the practice almost im-
perative. For the sake of the comfort and conve-
nience of all whose business leads them to Wolver-
hampton on quarter-day, it is to be hoped that the
system of assembling in front of the Swan will not
again be resorted to.