The Sun.
London, England, 1866-12-14 00:00:00

- -
THE VOLUNTEERS.

On Wednesday evening the spacious board-room
of the Euston station was the scene of an interest-
ing ceremony, an occasion for which it was gaily
festooned and decorated, that of the presentation of
prizes to the 20th Middlesex Rifle Volunteer Corps.
Colonel Erskine, the Inspector-General, presided,
and among the numerous company present were :
Lord Ranelagh, Mr. Harvey Lewis, M.P., Mr.
Thomas Chambers, M.P., Colonel Bigge, the Com-
mandant, Colonel Hodgson, of 79th Highlanders,
Captain Scovell, of the 96th, Captain Mahon, of
9th Royal Lancers, Captain Rogers, late of the Came-
ronians, and other officers and gentlemen. Colonel
Erskine opened the proceedings by giving the gene-
ral comparative statistics of the corps, showing that
its effective strength remained exactly the same as
last year, that the " paper men"--i.e., the non effi-
cients who had not reported themselves for drill,
had been struck off the rolls, and that the shooting
capabilities of the regiment had greatly increased
this year, there being 58 marksmen against 15 of
last year, and 102 first-class men as against 47 of
last year. He pointed out that there were still a
great number of non-efficients on the rolls, and he
urged several points for the consideration of the
non-efficicnts, with a view of showing them the ne-
cessity for their rendering themselves efficient. He
stated that the comparatively small numbers who
attended drill at one time led many people to sup-
pose that the Volunteers were not in earnest, and
though he was fully convinced that England in the
hour of danger, if such an hour should ever arrive,
would have no lack of her sons in the field, yet he
thought that for the honour of the service all who
had enrolled themselves as Volunteers should prove
their love of it by attending as often as possible
on the parade ground. Mr. Harvey Lewis,
M.P., then addressed the assemblage on
the occasion of presenting sonic special prizes.
He expressed the great pleasure with which he took
part in that ceremony, and the deep interest he
took in the great movement of which this
corps was so creditable a part. He said nothing had
shown the determined independence of the English
character more than this movement, and it had
proved that they were so attached to their institu-
tions and their country as to be ready to uphold them
with their lives. He looked upon the Volunteer in-
stitution not only as important in proving the at-
tachment of Englishmen to their country, but as of
importance in training the young men of the nation
to the use of arms, as they thus gained physical
strength, and were imbued with the most patriotic
feelings. He assured his hearers that Parliament as
well as the country knew the value of the force, and
regarded it as a most valuable auxiliary of the army,
and he was sure that it would be most heartily sup-
ported. He concluded by saying that he was con-
vinced that if the country required her sons they
would prove themselves in every way worthy of their
forefathers. The prizes, which were very numerous,
were then distributed. The champion of the year
was Sergeant Rudd, and the winner of the chief bat-
talion prize was Lance-corporal Snowdon, who re-
ceived a gold watch, value ten guineas, given by Col.
Bigge, and the honour of a few bars of a triumphal
march. Thanks having been voted to the prize donors,
Lord Ranelagh was called upon to speak, and, after
claiming acquaintance with the regiment as one he
had met on many a muddy field, he went on to speak
of the relative force of the great Powers of Europe,
and said it was unquestionable that we were rather
behindhand, and thatwe must put our fighting house
in order. He was sorry that the Conservative Go-
vernment, which in former days had dcne good ser-
vice in strengthening the fighting power of the coun-
try,s had not yet shown any sign of life, and he hoped
the press would call upon the Government to show
what was being done in this respect. He went on to
speak of the great advantage given to the country in
having the breechloading rifle, and concluded by
observing that the force would be greatly strengthened
by having one uniform for all infantry regiments of
Volunteers, and this uniform, he urged, should be of
the national colour—namely, red. His lordship
was warmly cheered, and the proceedings concluded
after a pleashnt speech by Mr. Chambers, M.P.

The New Organisation of the French Army.

PARIS, Dec. 11.

The Constitutionnel of to-day publishes the fol-
lowing article, signed by M. Limayrac, upon the
new organisation of the French army :
" The important events recently accomplished in
Europe have produced a strong feeling in France,
which should neither be misrepresented nor under-
rated. Whatis the signification of thisfeeling spread
among all classes? Is it a mean thought of jealousy?
No. France is too great to be envious, and rejoices
to see ideas of progress and civilisation develop them-
selves among other nations—if necessary, she assists
in the development. is it a menace, or a thought of
revenge? Still less. France has been M no way con-
cerned. Neither her honour nor her interests have
been engaged. What agitates the country is a pa-
triotic movement, and the most legitimate national
feeling. New facts have been revealed, new forces
have manifested themselves in Europe, and it be-
came a question, as M. de Lavalette stated in his
circular, of maintaining intact our rank and influ-
ence in the world. The Emperor and his Govern-
ment have thought and felt with the public mind ;
and we know with what care, what wisdom, and
with what patriotism the high commission has ela-
borated the project the principal bases of which have
been settled to-day. 800,000 men, such is the strength
of the effective considered necessary, after mature
deliberation, to assure the defence and maintain the
dignity of the country; 400,000 or 420,000 men form
the active force, and nearly the same number con-
stitute the reserve. The period of military service is
reduced by one year, and will be six years in all,
either in the active army or the reserve. The re-
serve, exercised during a certain period every year,
and divided into two portions, will be incorporated
in the event of war with the active army of the