The Sun.
London, England, 1866-07-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, FRIDAY LIVENING, JULY 13, 1866,

macy depends quite as much as on the ships, it
seems that there is great need of improvement.
The number to be relied on for the service has been
diminishing by 2,000 a year in spite of the liberal
votes of Parliament. Sir J. HAY wisely suggests
the increase of training ships for the education of
boys along our coasts, by which means a plentiful
supply of well-trained men will be ready when
wanted, men who, being brought up to the service,
will love it as their own profession. What an ex-
cellent opportunity there is here for providing an
honest means of livelihood for our thousands of
homeless boys. Sir J. HAY said very truly, " Not
only would well-disciplined men be thus obtained,
and the necessity for harsh discipline and punish-
ment avoided, but many lads who might otherwise,
from want of education, swell the tzriminal classes,
would be well educated, and would be ready for
service either in the royal navy or the mer-
chant service, according as the demand for
men might happen to be. There is a
favourable opening here, one would think, for
some of the boys brought up by our parishes, and
we hope that when the whole Poor-law system is
reorganised, as it must very shortly be, we shall
see this valuable " raw material" turned to good
account for the good of the country, and for the
elevation and benefit of the children themselves.
There are a great many points of detail in the ma-
nagement of the navy which are open to improve-
ment, and many petty savings and regulations which
tend to disgust men with the service. There
are evidently some radical defects in the sys-
tem, since the navy has always been a
favourite profession with Englishmen, and one
in which they naturally excel. The House of
Commons, however much they may grumble at the
amount of the estimates, never fails to vote what-
ever sums are asked for manning the navy. Every
other trade and profession is overstocked with men
eager for employment, while the surplus population
is forced to relieve itself by emigration. How is it,
then, that so popular a branch of the public ser-
vice has to complain of an inefficient supply ? This
is a matter which is surely worth inquiring into, and
to which the evil spirit of routine can perhaps give
us an answer. We hope that it will not be over-
looked among the more exciting but not really more
important matters of the relative merits of guns
and ships.

omitting to put dots to the i's and to dross the t's in
our letters."

General Klapka, who was. at the battle of Sadowa,
has arrived in Paris.

The Siecle has a letter from Milan) which states
that the popular feeling is against the armistice.
There are large assemblages upon the public places,
where enthusiastic cries are uttered of " No armis-
tice." " The war for ever." Illuminations took
place when it was known that Cialdini had passed
the Po.

The weather was intensely hot to-day—hotter
than yesterday.

Cardinal Matteucci has just died suddenly at
Rome. It was only a fortnight ago that he was
raised to the dignity of Cardinal.

THE WIMBLEDON MEETING.

Yesterday was in reality rather an off-day in the
proceedings of the National Rifle Association, for
although there was an immense amount of busi-
ness to be got through, it consisted entirely of a
continuation of contests already entered upon, with
the exception of the Carbine Prizes, for a sum of
£5O, given by the National Rifle Association, and
to be shot for by the regulation carbine used by
the rank and file of volunteer artillery corps ; five
shots each, at the respective distances of 150 and
200 yards. For these prizes there were competitors
from the counties of Gloucester, Kent, Lincoln,
Lancashire, Berwick, Cheshire, Cornwall, Dorset,
Edinburgh, Essex, Flint, Middlesex, Orkney, Cum-
berland, Shropshire, Somerset, Stafford, Surrey, and
from some other counties who came into the contest
by post entries.
The first range of 200 yards for the Queen's Prize
having been concluded, the second range at 600
yards was commenced this morning,
The Secretary of State for War's Prize of £5O
given by the Marquis of llartington, divided into
13 prizes as follows, one of £lO, two of £5, and
ten prizes of £3, was again the subject of compe-
tition. There were ties for the first and second
prizes between Capt. Punshon, of the Ist New-
castle, and Capt. Astley, of the 49th Regiment, who
severally made 18 marks ; and the three next prizes
were won by Sergeant Cortis, of the 11th Sussex,
Lieutenant Davidson, 3d Forfar, and Private Lane,
17th Forfar.

The first stage of the Alexandra prize was also
concluded, and for which Quartermaster-Sergeant
Overstone, 17th Staffordshire, and Sergeant Burns,
3d Lancashire ; each made 17 points, and were,
therefore, ties for the two first prizes of £lO and
and £l5. There were also ties for the minor prizes
between Capt. Bennett, 6th Lancashire, Sergeant
hall, 19th Salop, Corporal Bennett, 6th Lanca-
shire, Sergeant Brace, 4th West Yorkshire, and
Capt. Kinreah, Edinburgh.
The principal incident of the clay was the presen-
tation of the prize given by the Ist Surrey Volun-
teers, to be shot for by Belgians in their own
country at the Tir National, at Brussels, in Sep-
tember next.

Shortly before six the whole of the Belgian

Volunteers and the Ist Surrey were drawn up in
lines in front of their camp, and at six o'clock M.
Van de Weyer, the Belgian Ambassador, drove up
in his carriage, the band of the Ist Surrey playing
the Belgian National Air, and the whole of the corps
presenting arms. His Excellency, in consequence
of his great lameness, was unable to leave his car-
riage, but he stood up in it, and was received with
loud cheers.

Major Irvine, of the Ist Surrey, who was sur-
rounded by several officers and visitors, then ad-
dressed his Excellency in the French language, and
in eloquent terms alluded to the kind and hospitable
manner in which the English volunteers were re-
ceived in Belgium last year ; and, as there was a
corresponding system of constitutional government
in the two countries, they felt it to be the duty of
Englishmen in general, and of the Ist Surrey in
particular, to reciprocate their kindness, believing
that a feeling of amity should always exist between
the two nations.

Major Irvine then spoke in English, and said he
had endeavoured to convey in a few but simple
words the sentiments of the Ist Surrey to their
Belgian friends; and in presenting that cup, he
trusted they would not estimate it for its money
value, but that they would receive it as an
expression of that deep sympathy they enter-
tained towards them. They all remembered
how the Ist Surrey were received in Belgium,
and they now extended to the Belgians the right
hand of fellowship in this country. He felt deeply ;
and, however imperfectly he had expressed his sen-
timents towards them in their own language, he
hoped they would, as they said amongst themselves,
take the will for the deed, and what he was defi-
cient in he hoped they would supply. lie called
upon the Ist Surrey to greet his Excellency with
three cheers, taking the time from him.
These were heartily given, followed by the Bel-
gian National Anthem.
Major Irvine then presented the cup, which again
elicited loud cheers.

IHis Excellency the Belgian Minister then spoke
in excellent English, and said—Gentlemen of the
Ist Surrey,—Allow me, before I venture to answer
the few words contained in the admirable speech
so eloquently made by your commander, to repeat
the words spoken by his Majesty the King of the
Belgians when he first heard of the intention of
your corps to ask an audience to present the magni-
ficent cup I now see before me. His Majesty
said :---4, I see in this application another and an
additional proof of the deep sympathy I have seen
vefeelings, no
amongst Englishmen with the Belgian nation."
It was, I assure you, with great disappointment
that his Majesty found himself unaubslestuochrepereoivoef
the old friends he had received in Belgium. Gen-
tlemen, when our English friends show the warm
this
day, and
o f
show which
ho theyw
sti c
h have
affectionategin
Belgian ought to remain aloof. In the absence
of his Majesty I am proud to be his representative,
and
taol t
respond,hough I hnaovte
onlyscarcely
t o a
your legk i
nt
do
as tpapneda l
,nbpuo
tn ,
to the
committee of the National Rifle Association ; for
• pr es which you
Belgians will never forget the kindness they have
received from the public and the chief magistrate
of the city of London, for you have treated the
Belgians as brethren, and they feel perfectly at
home
h inav
have
resolved
England.esolv e d
that You,
thei gentlemenil press ion
the Ist Sur-
rey,io n
were pleased to entertain of your own reception in
Belgium shall take a more tangible form, and there
will go across the sea this magnificent tribute from
you. Gentlemen, in the name of the King of the
Belgians, in the name of the Belgian people and
volunteers, I receive this cup with the deepest gra-
titude, and I beg all of you to receive my deep and
heartfelt thanks.

Major Irvine then called upon the English and
Belgian volunteers to give three cheers to his Ex-
cellency the Belgian Minister for the assistance he
had given on this occasion. (Loud cheers and
hurrahs, the officers of the Ist Surrey displaying
their caps on the tops of their swords.)
His Excellency said he was not going to make a
second speech, but he was determined to come
amongst them, for he could have offered only a
lame excuse for stopping
away._(llis Excellency
is suffering from gout, and this was received with
cheers and laughter.)

The proceedings then terminated to the satisfac-
tion of all present, and for
a shalt time his Excel-
lency remained in Lord Elcho's cottage, and then
left for London.

THE ERNST MERCK. OFFICIAL REPORT.—
Finding of the Court upon an official inquiry, held
at Genoa, relative to the breaking out of fire ou board the
Ernst Merck, of London. The Court, after having given
their best consideration and attention to all the circum-
stances of the case, and having to the very best of their
ability endeavoured to attain to any information which
could assist in determining the origin of this fire, are of
opinion that the fire did not proceed from spontaneous
combustion of the hay, and can but attribute it to an un-
known accidental cause, such as a spark from the funnel ;
and they declare that they consider the captain, officers,
and crew of the ship as entirely free from blame, and that
the measures taken by the captain to subdue the fire were
prompt and judicious, and that he appears to have been
well supported by his officers and crew.—MoNTAnu Y.
BROWN, ILM. Consul and President ; W. KIRBY ; Cit As.
WILSON, Commander of the T. E. Foster,
B.S. ; JAMES
DuanatEcK, of the Livorno, B.S.

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

THE WAR IN GERMANY.
ENGAGEMENT ON THE STELVIO.

PLOIIENCE, July 12 (Evening).

Yesterday the flying column of the National
Guard had an engagement with the Austrians at
Le Prose on the Stelvio, which lasted the whole day.
The National Guard occupied the first cantoniera,
and took 75 Austrians prisoners. They had some
wounded, but none killed.

Baron Ricasoli arrived this morning at Florence,
and leaves thin evening for the camp of General
Cialdini at Rovigo,

PESTH, July 13.

It is stated that Count Julius Fudrassy will be
entrusted with the mission of forming a Hungarian

Cabinet.

ZWITTA If, July 12.
M. Benedetti, the French Ambassador, at Berlin,
arrived here last night.
The Prussian headquarters were transferred at
10 o'clock this morning to Czernahora.
The whole Prussian army continues to march
towards the South.

MUNICH, July 12.

, •
According to adviccs received here from the
Bavarian head-quarters, the engagement near
Kissengen had no decided result.

The Bavarian army is concentrating near
Schweinfurt in readiness to give battle.

SPAIN.

MADRID, 13th July.

The I'abellon Nacional of to-day states that Mar-
shal Narvaez will adopt conciliatory measures
towards those citizens compromised in the recent
events, but will, at the same time, employ his utmost
energy for the restoration of order.

AMERICA.
(Arrival of the China via Crookhaven.)

NEW YORK, July 5.

The Democratic and Conservative members of
Congress have issued a call for a National Conven-
tion to be held at Philadelphia on the 14th August,
in order to determine the course of action to be taken
by Congress, and secure the complete and immediate
restoration of the Union.
Colonel Scott, commanding the forces in South
Carolina, reports a great increase of crime and vag-
rancy among the Freedmen, and that they show
complete disregard to their labour contracts.
A dreadful fire has occurred at Portland, burning
nearly half the city, and rendering 2,000 families
homeless. The fire has destroyed property to the
value of $10,000,000.

The Fenian Senate has issued an address urging
the Fenians to continue their labours with vigour
and perseverance.
A bill has been introduced in the House of Re-
presentatives, and referred to the Committee on
Foreign Affairs, authorising the establishment of
territorial governments in British American pro-
vinces, and the assumption of their debts, with pay-
ment of 10 million dols. to the Hudson Bay Com-
pany, whenever the Governments of Great Britain
and of those provinces shall apply for the admission
of the said provinces into the Union.
The resolution offered in the house on the 4th
June in favour of according belligerent rights to
the Fenians was called up and rejected.
The North Carolina Legislature has rescinded the
act excluding negro testimony in the courts in cases
wherein negroes are interested.
Great lawlessness prevails in the neighbourhood
of Meriden, Granada, Mississippi. Bands of des-
peradoes are perpetrating great outrages upon the
freedmen, and have murdered several officers.

The City of Boston, Bremen, and Bavaria have
arrived out.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK, July 5 (Evening.)

Money abundant. G&W, 153 i. Exchange on
London, 167 ; on Paris, 3.35. Stocks firm and
active. New York Centrals, 991; Illinois, 12k ;
Erie, 671; 5-20 Bonds, 105 k. Cotton dull ; mid-
dling Upland, 36. Flour and wheat dull. Corn
steady. Provisions and coffee dull. Molasses quiet.
Sugar steady. Petroleum dull : crude, 231 ; re-
fined, 41. Receipts of cotton at New York, 2 days,
3,500 bales. _ _ _

ORLEANS, July 3d.
Cotton depressed : Low middling, 31 32.

The Royal Mail steamship China, from Boston
and Halifax, arrived at Queenstown at 7.50 a.m.
to-day (July 13), with 178 passengers, and $45,089
and £250 in specie. She landed all the mails, con-
sisting of 129 sacks, and 18 passengers, and pro-
ceeded immediately for Liverpool, all well.

MEXICO.

NEW YORK, July 3.

It is reported via Galveston that Matamoras
capitulated on the 23d June. The Imperial troops,
under the terms of the capitulation had embarked
for Vera Cruz. Escobedo, with 3,000 men, occu-
pied Matamoras on the 24th.
_ _

NEW YORK, July 5.

Yellow fever is raging at Vera Cruz:.
The Republicans hold Matamoras, and are pre-
paring to attack Tampico.