The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-30 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEERS.

On "Wednesday evening a sumptuous banquet
was given by the Third London, at the Albion Ta-
vern, Aldersgate-street, in honour of Col. Richards,
who has announced his resignation of the command.

Captain PALMER, who presided, made a very
earnest speech, offering a heartfelt tribute to
Colonel Richards, not only as originator of the
Third London Rifles, but of the volunteer movement
itself. Colonel Richards had the respect and regard
of all the officers and men.

Captain A. BRETT hoped that Colonel Richards
would be induced to accept the honorary colonelcy
of the corps.
The Vice-Chairman (Mr. NICIJOLAY) heartily
approved of the suggestion that the honorary
colonelcy should be offered to Lieut.-Col. Richards,
and hoped he would not leave the corps altogether.
Colonel Ric umtps, in returning thanks, said that
he did not leave them lightly, and that meeting was
an evidence that it was from no internal dissension
he had taken that step. He remembered Colonel
Sir W. De Bathe saying at a regimental dinner that
as he (Colonel Richards) was the first man in the
regiment, he thought he would be the last to quit
it. So he had thought ; but for some little time he
had found it simply impossible to attend to his
duties, according to his notion of what the perfor-
mance of them should be, and to bestow that time
and attention on the corps which it merited. With
regard to the honorary colonelcy, their desire that
he should accept it was most flattering and very
grateful to him. The corps had hitherto flourished
without any honorary colonel. He should like very
well to see some one accept that position ; but he
felt with regard to himself that it was out of the
question. They ought to have a man of rank and
wealth, or a distinguished military man, to give
them the prestige of his name. As a working
colonel he had done his best. He was sorry he could
not continue to devote his time and attention
to the corps. W hen he commenced its organisation
he had no idea of becoming the commanding officer.
He had somehow very rapidly grown into that po-
sition. Colonel Richards then exhorted the officers
to continue their exertions to keep up the corps.
The future prosperity of the 3d London was the best
testimonial they could offer him. He should leave the
corps in a flourishing state, and he did not believe that
half-a-dozen rifles would be missing when the return
ordered by Government should be sent in, and the
regiment was solvent, without having appealed to
the City or the public to increase its funds. He had
been thought, perhaps, too easy in his conduct and
demeanour in a military point of view, but he knew
the difficulties of such a command, and he appealed
to the result. He proposed " Prosperity to the 3d
London Rifles," coupled with " The Health of Cap-
tain Palmer, their Chairman of the evening," who,
he said, was a good officer, and possessed the con-
fidence of his company.
This was drunk with applause. Other toasts then
followed, and the officers and their guest separated,
better pleased with the manner than the occasion of
the entertainment.

THE INNS OF COURT RIFLES.—The annual in-
spection of this crack corps of riflemen took place
yesterday in Richmond Park under the most favour-
able auspices. The inspection was made by Lieut.-
Colonel Ewart, with whom were Lieut.-Colonel
M'Murdo, Colonel Sargent, and Captain and Adju-
tant Wood commanding; Major Seysey acted on
the staff. The corps arrived on the scene of action
about half-past two p.m., and were immediately put
through their evolutions—first advancing, and then
retiring; then "retiring by fours" from the right
of companies, forming squares, and firing as if re-
pelling cavalry. The whole battalion repeated this
movement frequently, and it had a very striking
effect. After file firing, they frequently formed
deep squares on double companies, and a general
skirmishing ensued,
the rest of the soldiers coming
up in support. The principal movements were the
evolutions, and the forming of squares and the drill
were excellent. At the conclusion Colonel Ewart
congratulated the " Devil's Own" upon its splendid
appearance, and said the whole inspection had been
most satisfactory to him, and he should take care
that bead-quarters should know that the Inns of
Court Rifle Corps were first for smartness, intelligence,
and perfection of drill, especially in theplatoon, skir-
‘
=shin, and square movements. It was with grati-
tude and some surprise that in
passingdown he recog-