The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-14 00:00:00

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, Friday Evening.
The deductions drawn by the Moniteur from the
telegrams and private letters are chiefly confirma-
tory of the facts I mentioned yesterday. All the
fresh information is that the head-quarters of the
King of Prussia are still at Zwitt in Moravia, and
that the invading army will continue it march
'directly upon Brunn and Vienna. An engagement
has taken place between the advancing army and
the Austrian posts. In Bavaria there have been
obstinate struggles for two days between the troops
of General von Folkenstein and those of Prince
Charles. It is the valley of Franconian Saale which
is the scene of this struggle, concentrated princi-
pally around Kissingen. This town, in peaceful
times, is thronged with visitors, who take the waters
for the benefit of their health. Now, alas ! it is the
scene of carnage and desolation. The Saale is the
northern confluent of the Maine. The Bavarians
appear to have displayed great energy and solidity,
but after alternations of success and defeat, they
were compelled to abandon the territory to their
adversaries.

Prince Alexander of Hesse continues to make
preparations of defence around Frankfort, and this
commercial town is likely soon to become the tleatre
of military exploits. An attack from the Prussians
is constantly expected, but it may be delayed from
obstacles thrown in the way of General Falkenstein
on his march.

The Italian fleet, which a few days ago was at
Ancona, has put to sea, but nothing has yet been
hoard of its operations, which appear to have the
object of supporting in the Adriatic the army of
Cialdini on the Po. The Italians have an immense
army ready to enter Venetia, but the military dis-
positions of Austria in regard to this province are
not yet known. The wound of Prince Amedee does
not excite any uneasiness. The cure proceeds satiz-
factorily Ke has received various demonstrations
of public sympathy. It is feared that General
Durando will have to undergo amputation.
The "situation" is described by most of the
Paris papers as anything but pacific. For instance,
the Acenir National says:—

"The situation of affairs becomes complicated.
The acceptance of the mediation without an ar-
mistice is only a vain form. The Italians are
acting in Venetia, the Prussians march upon
Vienna. All this does not betoken a speedy peace.
Then the mission of Prince Napoleon Jerome to
Italy is definitively abandoned. Another warlike
indicatiOn is that the ironclad frigate La Provence
and the corvette Eclaireur have left Toulon for
Venice. Prague is occupied by the Prussians.
They will leave in the city a garrison of 8,000
men.

According to the Debut, of Vienna, the head-
quarters of the Austrians is at Olmutz. In spite
of the serious losses which they have sustained
the effective of the Austrian army of the north
amounts to 200,000 men, and they have also a
formidable park of artillery.

The Minister of Marine and the Colonies has
received a despatch from the Governor of Sene-
gal, stating that Lieutenant Alage and M. Quin-
ton, navy surgeon, had arrived at St. Louis in
perfect health, and would embark in the first
packet on their return to France. It will be re-
coliected that those two officers left France a few
years ago on a voyage of exploration in Central
Africa, and that no direct news had been heard
from them for several years.

Violent thunderstorms continue in different parts
of France and Savoy. A day or two ago a farmer
at Champagnes (Savoy) was following a cart laden
with hay, driven by two of his servants. He car-
ried his pitchfork over his shoulder, and the prongs
attracted the lightning, and struck him dead in-
stantly. The servants were not aware of the fata
occurrence at the time, and they thought he was
lying down to rest, the day being exceedingly sul-
try. A woman, however, who was passing by soon
perceived the corpse
of terw ar , and gave the alarm.
There was no mark of injury except a tumour upon
the forehead caused by the violence of the fall on
the ground. One of the farmer's shoes was torn
in half. The other was detached from his foot, and
was found at a few paces distance.
A new feature in the journalism of Paris is that
neither the morning nor the evening Moniteur now
has a stamp. How this is managed I cannot ex-
actly say, but the other papers are by no means
pleased with the partial exemption.
Count de Beust, Minister of Foreign Affairs in
Saxony, has arrived in Paris, and has had a long in-
terview with the Emperor.
Kossuth, the former Governor of Hungary, has
issued a very long address, which has been exten-
sively circulated throughout that country. It was
issued prior to the cession of Venetia, but that fact
does not at all modify the great principle which it
is intended to enforce. Kossuth calls upon his
countrymen to take advantage of present complica-
tions, to break the bonds definitively which attract
Hungary to Austria. It is altogether a violent and
democratic document, in full conformity with the
well-known views of the General.
There are women among the Garibaldian volun-
teers. A girl of 17 enrolled herself at Como, under
the name of Antonio Dethore. She wears the
Garibaldian unifOrm, and is treated in every respect
as the men. She has given proof of her strength
and courage in forced marches, and in carrying her
musket and cartridge-box. She is under the care
of a sergeant, her countryman. Every one re-
spects her, and is ready to defend her.
The Journal des Debate, remarking upon the pre-
sent position of Austria, says it constitutes the com-
plete overthrowal of the Germanic Confederation,
•xhich was reconstructed in 1815 with the only ob-
ject of fettering France and the Revolution. The
Debats is very favourable to Prussia, and says that
she repreients progress, and that Austria would re-
trograde.

A letter from Prague states that this capital of
Bohemia was occupied on Sunday last by the Prus-
sian brigade of Gen. Rosenberg amidst demonstra-
tions of joy and respect. The General was received
with extreme courtesy, and the Prussian troops en-
tered Prague, maintaining the strictest discipline.
The Siecle comments with some severity upon the

supposed programme of the defenders of reaction in
Italy, which it says includes the restoration of the
King of Naples and the Grand Duke of Tuscany
and the Duke of Modena. Also the restoration to
the Pope of the provinces annexed to the kingdom
of Italy. I should add that, although I read all the
papers with some attention, I have not seen any
mention of such insensate and impossible projects.
The heat has increased each day for the last three
days. To-day it has been so excessive as almost to
suspend the faculties. It seems to have had its in-
fluence at the Bourse, for in spite of the Ilioniteur,
and adverse ru.nours on the other hand, the real
business done was limited.

The National Rifle Association.

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Friday is generally considered one of the most
important days that occurs during the meeting,
inasmuch as it is the closing day of the contest
for the Queen's Prize in the first stage, when
from amongst the 2, 000 and upwards of compe-
titors are to be selected those who receive im-
mediate prizes, and a further selection is made of
the GO only whiz are allowed to become the compe-
titors in the second stage, and from whom the ulti-
mate winner of the Queen's Prize is to be obtained.
The first or preliminary stage admits within its pale
ail who choose to offer, of course having duly quali-
fied themselves in the corps or battalion to which
they belong ; but it is only those who by the excel-
lence of their marking have distinguished themselves
above their fellows who are allowed to join the ranks
of the best marksmen which the kingdom can pro-
duce. Of course, out of so large an aggregate
number of entries disappointment must follow many
hopeful aspirations, while, on the other hand, there
is no doubt that others unknown to fame are brought
forward and placed in a proper position, which they
could never have attained but through the instru-
mentality of this Association. As an illustration of
this may be mentioned the case of Private Shar-
man, of the 4th Yorkshire, who in the most tifiex-
pected and unostentatious manner carried oft the
Queen's Prize with all the honours belonging thereto.
The contest this year has no doubt placed unknown
men high in the scale of merit, but it was generally
believed that the chief prize of the first stage would;
fall to one of the Queen's Westminster's as Mr.
James, of that corps, had made 48 points.
These are, however, but doubtful surmises until
the whole have gone through their shooting, as often
a man almost at the last moment makes a brilliant
score and eclipses all that has been before. A strange
example of this kind occurred two years ago, when
Col. Halford had made such a good yore in the se-
cond stage for the Queen's Prize that he was con-
gratulated by his friends as the winner. .A squad
stationed at a distant part of the common, and one
hardly noticed by the generality of the visitors and
others, was continuing its shooting at the 1,000
yards, and as the result showed that unconsidered
group contained the real winner of the Queen's
Prize. Sounds and shouts of triumph were heard
in the distance, and shortly afterwards Sergeant
Wyatt, of the London Rifie Brigade, was borne on
the shoulders of his comrades as the winner, he
having beaten Lieut.. Colonel Raiford by one point.

Sir W. Martin's Prize was a new competition en-
tered upon yesterday, being a challenge cup value
£5O, with £5O in specie added, but restricted to
those who'have distinguished themselves as marks-
men of the first class in their respective regiments ;
the competitors to shoot even shots each at 600
yards. The conditions were that the cup should be
held by the best shot for the year, and also receiv-
ing £lO ; the two next best shots, £5 each ; and the
10 next best shots, £3 each. There were upwards
of 1,000 competitors for this prize. The contests
for the following prizes were also continued :—The
Daily Telegraph, Albert (500 yards), Enfield Asso-
ciation Cup, Extra Prizes, Alexandra, Pool, Run-
ning Deer; and Running Man.
—The second competition, by military breech
loaders at 200 and 500 yards was commenced yes-
terday, any breech loader to be used. The rifles
were supplied by Mr. Westley Richards, Mr. Dawe,
Mr. Kerr, and Mr. Henry, and there was a most
extraordinary rifle on the ground of American con-
struction. This strange instrument is loaded at the
bottom of the stock, and from a dozen cartridges
can be inserted. These, by a spring, are forced up
into the barrel, and as one cartridge is discharged,
another is raised up into its place. As these car-
tridges contain their own ignition, almost a conti-
nuous fire can be kept up. For the breech load-
ing contest four series of prizes of £25 each
are given. There are two or three other prizes, and
one of £25 given by Mr. Westley Richards. Three
minutes to be allowed to each competitor, who was
at liberty to fire in any position, and the greatest
number of shots made in that time would give the
winner of the chief prize. The rest of the prizes to
be given according to the order of merit.
The Prince of Wales arrived at the Common at
a quarter before three o'clock, and was received by
Earl Spencer, Lord Elcho, and other members of
the council. He accompanied Lord Elcho to the
Cottage, where he remained for about an hour and
a half, and partook of refreshments.
His Royal Highness then went, accompanied by
Earl Spencer, to the firing point at the Swiss
target at butt F, and the Prince said he wished to
see some good shooting, and requested Captain
Horatio Ross and Private Edward Miss to fire two
or three shots. Captain Ross accordingly fired at
800 yards and made a bull's-eye. Mr. Edward Ross
then came forward and made two cartons, that is,
hitting a small space four inches square in the mid-
dle of an 8-inch bull's-eye, and his third shot was a
bull's-eye. The Prince of Wales then asked Capt.
Ross to lend him his Whitworth rifle, and he fired
at the same range and made a centre. The Prince
of Wales afterwards went to the pool shooting for
the running deer, at which he tried his hand. He
made a centre, two outers, and then he struck the
deer in the haunch. By the regulations of the As-
sociation, any one hitting the deer in the haunch
renders himself liable to a fine of ls., and this sum
the Prince cheerfully paid. He then made another
shot and finished up with a bull's-eye. Lord Elcho
held his hat to the Prince for the fine, and this was
received by the crowd with shouts of laughter.
His Royal Highness then visited the competitors
for the running prizes, and complimented Mr.
Peterkin, late of Cambridge University Corps, and
Private Lilly, of the London Scottish, on the skill
they had displayed and the high scores they had
made, expressing his opinion that this competition
was very hard work.

The Prince did not leave the ground until ten
minutes to 7 o'clock, and on his departure he was
loudly cheered by the volunteers.

It was subsequently ascertained that Private
Newlyn, of the Ist Hereford, had made three scores
of 19, 16, and 13, making a total of 48, fox the
Queen's Prize in the first stage ; while Private
James, of the Queen's Westminster, made a simi-
lar total score, consisting of 16, 15, and 17, but as
it is a regulation of the National Rifle Associa-
tion that those who make the largest number of
hits in the last range shall have the preference,
it does away with the shooting off of ties. Con-
sequently Mr. James takes the silver medal of
the Association, £5O, the National Rifle Asso-
ciation silver badge, and a match rifle, value £2O.
Those who will receive the other prizes will be found
enumerated in the official return.

THE I\j%YOR OF HULL AND THE EMPEROR OF
RUSSIA. __The Eastern Counties herald publishes
the following announcement :—" On Saturday last the
Mayor (Alderman H. J. Atkinson) left Hull for St. Peters-
burgh, r board the steamer Lion. The mayor's chain and
robes were put on board, and in these his worship will be
arrayed when presented to the Russian Emperor, for the
purpose of submitting to his Majesty the address of con-
gratulation passed by the Hull Town Council and the
Chamber of Commerce on his recent escape from assassina-
tion."

REQUIE3I FOR SOLDIERS KILLED IN THE WAR.—
Yesterday morning a solemn requiem mass was
sung in the Roman Catholic Church, Farm-street, Berkeley-
square, "for the repose of the souls of the Austrian soldiers
who fell in the late battles in Bohemia and in Italy." The
beautiful chapel was draped in black, and presented a very
striking and solemn appearance. The Rev. Peter Gallwey
officiated as high priest, assisted by the Rev. A. J. Christie
as deacon, and the Rev. F. Hathaway as sub-deacon. The
music was Cherubini's grand requiem, which was com-
posed for the funeral of the Dec de Berri. The service
was deeply solemn and impressive, and was attended by a
large number of distinguished members of the Catholic
communion.

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