The Sun.
London, England, 1866-08-31 00:00:00

SCIENTIFIC AND ORNAMENTAL PRESENTS.

nRNAMENTS for the Drawing-room, Library,
and Dining-room, consisting of a new and megant assort-
ment of VASES, Fig, ures, Groups, Candlesticks, Obelisks, Ink-
eta ads, beautiful inlaid Tables, Paper weights, &e., In Italian,
memster, Parian, Marble, Bronze, Derbyshire Sper, &o,
Imported and manufactured by JAMES TENNANT, Mine-
ralogist to her Majesty, 149, Strand, W.C., London.
Mr. Tennant arranges elementary oollections of ROCKS,
11 EDIERALS, and FOSSILS, to illustrate the new edition
of Lyell's Elements of Geology; they will greatly facilitate
the interesting study of MINERALOGY and GEOLOGY,
and can be had at 2,6, 10, 20, 60, to 600 guineas each.

PRACTICAL INSTRUCTION In UROLOGY and MINE-
RALOGY is elven by Mr.TENNANT.F.G.S., at 149. Strand.

HOMELESS BQYS OF LONDON.-FUNDS
are earnestly solicited for fitting np the TRAINING
SHIP. £2,000 required.
WM. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
Boys' Ref age, 8, Great Queen-street, W.C.

H OMELESS BOYS OF LONDON.-CON-
TRIBUTIONS are earnestly solicited for establishing
the COUNTRY HOME. £l,OOO required.
WM. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
Boys• Refuge, 8, Great Queen-street. W.C.

HOMELESS BOYS OF LONDON.—The
Committee are most anxious to provide for 400 boys.
One hundred and fifty are now in the Refuge. The annual
expenditure for supporting the 400 boys is estimated at
£4,000, being £l5 a year for each boy. Several kind friends
have promised to pay for one boy each year.
Subsalptions thankfully received by the London and West-
minster Bank, 41, Lothburv. and 214, High Holborn; Messrs.
Ransom and Co., 1, Yali-Mall East; and by
WM. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
Refuge, 8, Great Queen-street, W.C.

pROVIDENCE ROW NIGHT REFUGE,
FOR
HOMELESS WOMEN AND CHILDREN,
14A, Providence-row, Finsbury, E.C.
Sixty Thousand Nights' Lodgings, with Suppers and
Breakfasts, have been given in this Institution to the
destitute, who otherwise would have had to pass the
nights in the bleak streets or under railway arches.
At present nearly 500 Nights' Lodgings, with Suppers and
Breakfasts, are given gratuitously every week. The poor
from all parts are admitted, the only condition being that
they are homeless and starving. The Manager &c.,
receives no remuneration whatever. Notwithstand-
ing the provision made by the Poor Houses, each
night numbers of young women, chilaren, and orphans
are, for want accommodation, refused admittance, and have
to spend night after night in the cold, wet, and sleet. To
meet this evil, and to provide more ample accommoda-
tion, £2,000 has been raised, but to accomplish the
work a sum of at least £l,OOO more will 1,4) required.
Besides providing shelter for the homeless, this year it
is propsed, as far as the donations obtained for the pur-
pose will allow, to give bread and coals to poor families
in want. Will you, in your charity, help to carry on and
accomplish what has been begun ? Will you help to give
shelter to the really homeless, and food to the really
starving ? The smallest donation will be most welcome,
and, night and morning, the prayers of the destitute will
be offered in your behalf
SUBSCRIPTIONS are earnestly requested, and will be
gratefully received by the Rev. D. GELBERThD.D'J22
Finfiburyrcircus, E.Q. .
• •

1711_
INSLOIV lIALL Winslow, Bucks, having
been recently opened and tilted with requisi.es for
...the care and comfort 6t tire INSANULtjm,nropriestsza.r.
ViA§Ateiqiia .W.2llftnnc n tai the-above desirable residence,
easily accessible, and distant from London about an hour
and a-halt by the London and North-Western line, and fl;ty
minutes from Oxiord. Attached to the mansion, s:tuated on
a sandy soli, and commanding an extensive and pleasing
prospect, are garde:), me ,dew, plantation, and recreation
grounds. For terms and forms of admission address the
proprietor.

M. REILLY AND CO.,
• GUN AND EII4`LE MANUFACTURERS,

LO2, New Oxlord-s'reet, London,
Have always an Extensive Assoytment of MUZZLE and
BREECH-LOADING GUNS, on the most at.proved sys-
tems, from £lO 10s. upwards. Improved " CENTRAL
FIRE" BttEECH-I.OADEIS, in cases complete, from 25
guineas. Cartridge Cases from 30s. per 1,000. Several first-
cutss Second-hard Muzzle and Breech-loading Gams at mo-
derate prices. Revolvers, Air Canes, &e. Double Rifles for
Africa, India, &c., from 12 guineas.

SPORTING INTELLIGENCE.

DERBY SUMMER MEETING-THURSDAY.

The BRETBY STAKES of 25 sovs each, 10 ft, for two year
olds, colts Bst 101 b, fillies and geldings Bst 71b ; winners
of a sweepstakes of 200 sovs 41b, of two such stakes 71b,
all other winners of 100 sovs in plates or stakes 31b ex-
tra ; the second to save his stake ; half a mile, straight ;
5 subs.
Mr. Chaplin's Anatomist, by Ambrose—Nicotine, Bst
101 b (Fordham) w.o.
The HARRINGTON PLATE of 40 soya, added to a Sweep-
stakes of 5 sovs each, for two year olds ; colts Bst 101 b,
fillies and geldings Bst 71b; winners of a stake of the
value of 50 sovs 31b, of two fifties or a stake of 100 sovs

51b, 200 71b extra ; starters twice without winning al-
lowed 31b, thrice 51b; half a mile, straight; 9 subs.
Sir C. Rushout's Moonbeam, by Wild Dayrell—Cynthia,
9st (in. 71b extra) (J. Adams) 1
Marquis of Hastings' Prodigal, 9st 31b (in. 71b extra)
(Fordham) 2
Captain Christie's Jeannie Deans, 9st (in. 71b extra)
(Morris) 8
Betting-7 to 4 agst Moonbeam, 2to 1 each agst Prodi-
gal and Jeannie Deans. The three ran head and head for
100 yards, when Moonbeam took a slight lead, which she
increased from the distance, winning cleverly by a length;
four lengths separated the second and third.

The MEMBERS' PLATE of 40 sovs, added to a Sweep-
stakes of 5 sovs each ; two year olds 7st 71b, three
9st 51b, four 10st 51b, five and upwards lOst 91b, mares
and geldings allowed 31b ; the winner to be sold for 100

- - .
sovs ; if entered for 75 sous allowed 51b, if for 50 101 b, if

•
for 40 141 b; half a mile.
Lord Westmoreland's f by Magnum—Skycutter, 2 yrs,
6st 41b (X4O)
Mr. Lincoln's Zisca, 4 yrs, 9st 21b (€4O) (Morris 2
Lord Wilton's c by Dundee—Augusta, 2 yrs, Est 71
cf4o (Cameron) 3
Mr. J. Wood's Cautharides, 3 yrs, Bst 51b (car. Bst 61b)

(£4O) Frenchs 4
Mr. Barber's Locket Lucy, 3 yrs, Bst 21b (£4o)...(Ward) 5
Betting-6 to son the Skycutter filly, 3to 1 agst Can-
tharides, and 9to 2 agst Zisca. The favourite and Zisca
took a clear lead of the others immediately the flag fell, a
good race ending in favour of the Skycutter filly by a
neck. The Augusta colt was a bad third, Cantharides
next, close up with Lord Wilton's colt. The winner was
bought in for 200 guineas.
The TRADESMEN'S PLATE of 100 sovs, added to a Handicap
of 15 sovs each, 10 ft, and 5 only declared; winners of
any race of the value of 100 sovs after Aug. 15 (at ten
a.m.) 41b, 200 71b, and of 300 or more 101 b extra; the
second to save his stake ; one mile and a half ; 37 subs,
15 of whom pay 5 sovs each.
Lord Westmoreland's Merry Hart, by Fallow Buck—
Joyful, 6 yrs, 6st 41b (Kenyon) 1
Mr. H. Wilkinson's East Lynn, 4 yrs, 7st 71b...(Morris 2
Mr. Barber's Helen, 5 yrs, Est (Grad well 3
Mr. liarenc's Conundrum, 3 yrs, 7st 21b (Cameron 4
Mr. Phillip's Arkansas, 4 yrs, ist lib (Carver 5
Betting.-2 to 1 agst Merry Hart, sto 2 agst East Lynn,
100 to "30 agst Conundrum, and sto 1 agst Arkansas. The
latter, closely attended by Helen, made play till passing
the stand, when Mr. Barber's mare forcing the pace took
up the running with a clear lead of Arkansas, half a dozen
lengths from whoni came the favourite and Conundrum,
East Lynn lying off. As they approached the three-quar-
ters of a mile post, Merry Hart was pulled back to the rear,
EaM' Lynn at the same time, drawing up on the inside,
headed Arkansas, who was also passed by Conundrum, the
latter taking second place as they rounded the bend ; but
when fairly in the straight the lot took close order, Helen
having a slight lead of Conundrum, East Lynn, and the
favourite, who ran through the horses immediately Kenyon
called upon him. Before reaching the distance, Conundrum
gave way, the favourite waiting on Helen and East Lynn.
till within a hundred and fifty yards of the chair, when he
shot to the front, and although challenged resolutely by
East Lynn, ho shook him off at the commencement of the
enclosure, and won cleverly by three parts of a length.
Helen finished a neck only from East Lynn, and Conun-
drum, close up, was fourth; Arkansas being last.

The BEAUFORT CUP of 100 sovs, added to a handicap of
10 soya each, h ft; winners of any handicap after Aug.
22 (at six p.m.) value 100 sovs4lb, 200 71b, 300 101 b, 400
or above 121 b extra ; six furlongs; 23 subs.

Duke of Beaufort's Lord Ronald, by Stockwell—Edith,
yro, Bst 81b (inc. 4.1 b es•) .(Fordbam) 1

Lord Batsman's Queen of Trumps, aged, Bst 121 b (Morris) 2
Mr. a Angell's Lady Valentine, 5 yrs, 7st 81b...(Parry) 3
Mr. Harenc's King of Spades, 3 yrs, Est 101 b (Cameron) 4
Betting.-7 to 4 agst Lord Ronald, sto 2 agst Queen of
Trumps, and 4to 1 agst Lady Valentine. Queen of Trumps
made play, with a slight lead of the favourite to the dis-
tance, where Lord Ronald came away and won in a canter
by two lengths ; Lady Valentine and King of Spades were
beaten off.
The GRAND STAND SELLING STAKES of 5 Soya each, with
75 added, for all ages ; two year olds 7st \lolb, three 9st
81b, four 10st 71b, five lOst 101 b, six and aged lOst 121 b ;
mares and geldings allowed 31b ; the winner to bo sold
for 100 soya; if entered for 80 allowed 31b, if for 60 71b,
if for 40141 b, if for 30 21lb; three year olds and upwards
never haN ing won 50 sous allowed 51b; three-quarters of
miio.
•Mr. J. Wood's Cantharides, by Vedette—Spanish Fly,
3 yrs, Bst llb (car. Bst 21b) (£3O) (Fordham) 1
Mr. Phillips's Sorceress, 2 yrs, Est (.430) (Cameron) 2
Lord Westmoreland's c by Tadmor—Ellen Percy, 2 yrs,
6st 31b (£3O) (Kenyon 3
Mr. Lincoln's Stoic, 3 yrs, Bst lib V. 30) (Morris 4
Mr. Turner's Little Ellen, 3 yrs, 7st 121 b (£3O) (J. Rudd 5
Betting-5 to 2 each agst Stoic and Little Ellen, 3to 1
each agst Cantharides and Sorceress. The latter, closely
attended by Little Ellen, made play to the half distance,
where Cantharides joined issue, and getting the best of the
finish opposite the stand, won by half a length. The
Tadmor colt, who came with a rush in the last 50 yards,
was beaten a head only for second place, Stoic being
beaten off. Little Ellen struck into the heels of Sorceress
and came down, throwing her jockey, who was taken up
insensible, but fortunately soon recovered. The winner
was bought by Ai*. Chaplin for 110 guineas.
The NINGTOX PLATE of 50 soya, a handicap for all
Three quarters of mile.
Lord Westmoreland's lon, ;by Drogheda or Lupellus—
Violet, 3 yrs, Est (Kenyon) 1
Lord Bateman's Queen of Trumps, aged, 9st slb (in-
cluding 71b extra) (Fordham) 2
Betting-13 to 8 on lon, who waited on Queen of
Trumps to the distance, where he came away and won in
a cantor by three lengths.
BETTING ON THE COURSE.
ST. LEGER.
500 to 400 on Lord Lyon (taken)
4to 1 agst Savernake (taken freely)
7to 1 agst Rustic (offered)
14 to 1 agst Strathconan (offered, 100 to 6 wanted)
20 to 1 agst Westwick (offered, 25 to 1 taken)
25 to 1 agst Knight.of the Crescent (taken)

ISLE OF TIIANET, MARGATE RACES—THURSDAY.
The MARGATE STAKES of 40 sovs, 2 ft, for two and threo
year olds; penalties and allowances. Three quarters

of a mile.
Mr. T. Stevens's Sunnysido, by Tadmor—Merry Sun-
shine's dam, 2 yrs, 7st 31b (Peppler) 1
Mr. E. W. Taylor's Tortuga, 2 yrs, 7st (H. Jackson) 2
Mr. Johnson's Diamond, 2 yrs, 7st 31b (Marsh) 3
Betting—Even on Diamond, 5 to 4 agst Tortuga, and 4
to 1 agst Sunnyside. Tortuga jumped off with the lead,
closely attended by Diamond, Sunnyside following about a
length in 'the rear, until reaching the bend, where Sunny-
side joined the leader, and when fairly in the straight he
assumed the lead, winning easily by a length. Diamond
raced with Tortuga for second place, and was beaten a
length only.

The BRAMFIELD Cur, value 40 sovs, for all ages ; selling

and other allowances. One mile,
Mr. Wright's Venturer, by Acrobat —Varna, 3 yrs, 7st
131 b (0£50) (Pearson) 1
Mr. Somers's Finale, 3 yrs, Bst 31b (.£5O) (Deacon) 2
Mr. Stanford's Maiia f, 2 yrs, sst 71b (£5O) (Milne) 0
Mr. Bennett's Elburg, 2 yrs, sst 121 b (£59) (Peppier) 0
Mr. Vallandall's Discretion, 4 yrs, 9st 91b (£200)
(.1 Nightingall) 0
•
Mr. Wattson's Daddy, 4 yrs, Bst 121 b (£5O) (Marsh) 0
Betting-6 to 4 agst Venturer, 4to 1 agst Discretion, and
10 to 1 "bar two."

After one or two false starts the flag dropped to an aver-
age start, tte Longbow filly, at whose flanks ran Finale,
cutting out the work, while Daddy laid third, Discretion
fourth, Elburg fifth, and Venturer last. Going in the bot-
tom in front of the stand the six ran nearly two deep, but
approaching the bend, Discretion and Daddy joined the
leaders, while Venturer went into a more forward position.
Rounding the turn for the straight Discretion, who had a
clear lead of the remainder, bolted, and was followed by
Elburg, which left Venturer with an advantage of Finale.
Gradually increasing the lead, the favourite wou, "hands
down," by three lengths. Finale was placed socond, but
the judge declined to place Daddy, who was several lengths
in the rear, third; a considerable distance off was the
Longbow filly, fourth ;,Elburg fifth, and Discretion walked
3 sovs each, with 20. added, for horses the property of
residents of the Isle of 'Thant; certain allowances.

One mile.
Mr. G. Robinson's Bunch,. by Muse° vite,—Diomedia, 4
yrs, list
Mr. I'. Stevens's Ploy-by-the-Sea (late Edward the Con-
fessor), 6 yrs, list 41b (Mr. Barter) 2
Mr. G. Wattson's Daddy, 4 yrs, list (Mr. Ford) 3
Betting.—Even on Bunch, who made all the running, and
won in a canter by half-a-dozen lengths. Daddy, who had
been last throughout, walked in.
The RAMSGATE PLATE (Handicap) of 40 sous. Throe-
, quarters of a mile.
Mr. W. Hawkins's Lydia, by Cannobie—Helia, 4 yrs,
Bst 71b (Deacon) 1
Mr. E. W. Taylor's Volhynia, 3 yrs, Bst 41b (H •Tackson 2
Mr. T. Ballard's Hopleaf, 3 yrs, Bst 121 b ... (E. Walling) 3
Mr. S. Johnson's Owlet, 3 yrs, 7st 121 b (R. I'Anson, jun. 4

Betting 5 to 4 on Volhynia, 3 to 1 agst Lydia, 4 to 1 agst
Owlet. After one ineffectuol attempt the lot wore dispatched
to a shocking start, Lydia making pla,y.with a clear lead of
Owlet and Hopleaf, the favourite getting badly off. Volhy-
nia and Hopleaf gradually reduced the distance between the
leaders, but, never being able to overhaul Lydia, she won
cleverly by a neck ; a length in the rear of Volhynia, who
came at the half distance, was Hopleaf, third, while Owlet
was beaten halt a length only for third place.
The SOUTH-EASTERN RAILWAY STAKES, a Sweepstakes
of 3 sovs each, with 25 added ; for all ages ; selling and

other allowances. One mile and a half.
Mr. Somers's Finale, by Vedette —Plunkett, 6 yrs, Bst 71b

(£3O)
(Deacon) 1
Mr. Stamford's fby Longbow—Maria, 2 yrs, sst 71b (£3O)
(Milne) 2
Mr. Robinson's Bunch, 4 yrs, Bst 111 b (£3O)
(Mr. Hornsby) dis
- - -

Betting-10 to 1 on Finale, and 20 to 1 agst any other.
The Longbow filly made play for the first half-mile, when
Bunch assumed the lead, but was deprived of it about three
quarters of a mile by Finale, who was never again headed,
and won in a canter by two lengths. Tho Longbow filly
walked in. The winner was bought in for 42 guin9as.

HORSES STRUCK OUT OF THEIR
ENGAGEMENTS.
Aug. 25, at 9 a.m., Count Cavour out of Portland Plato,
Doncaster.
Aug. 25, at 6.15 p.m., All Mr. Craven's horses out of en-
gagements to Aug. 31.
Aug. 25, after 6 p.m., Plover, out of Lichfield and Derby
engageMents.
Aug. 27, at 9 a.m., Bitter Sweet and Stokeley, out of
engagements at Weymouth.
Aug. 27, at 9 a.m., Salliet and Prescription out of Grand
Stand Plate at Derby.
Aug. 27, at 9 a.m., Little Ben and Black Duchess, out of
Derby engagements.
Aug. 27, after 6 p.m., Moulsey and Visionary, out of
Derla 'en gagements.
-Aug. 27, after 6 p.m.,Victoria, out of Tunbridge Hdicap.
Aug. 28, at 9 a.m., Ozone (dead) out of all engts.
Aug. 28, at 2.15 p.m., Paris, out of Beaufort Cup, Derby.
Aug. 28, at 2.15 p.m., Phantom Sail, out of Derby
Nursery.
Aug. 28, at 4.5 p.m., Rama, out of Tradesmen's Plate,
at Derby.
Aug. 28, at 9.25 p.m., Brigand, out of engts. at Warwick.
Aug. 29, at 9 a.m., Flatcatcher, out of engagements at
Baden Baden.
Aug. 29, at 9 a.m., Chevalier d'Esprit and O.K. out of
engagements at Weymouth.

NOMENCLATURE.
Whitfield stud Yearlings.
F by Do Clare out of Clatterbox ... Hush.
F own sister to Coup d'Etat Coup d'Eclat.
F by Do Clare, out of Ellen Tree ... Fame.
Cby Newminster, out of The Broom New Broom.
C by Chevalier d'lndustrie, out of
Ornament Buckle.
Fby Y Melbourne—Jeu d'Espi it Epigram.
F by Chevalier d'lndustrie, dam by
West Australian=-Miss Whip ... Correction.
C. by Leamington, out of Sprightly. Jim Crow.
C. by Union, out of Apple-picker ... Cider.
C by Leamington, out of Dutchman's
Daughter ... Schnapps.
Fby Y Melbourne, out of Vanilla Piquante.
Mr. T. W. Deighton's foals.
Br c by Buccaneer—Fairy Knowe ... Pirate King.
B c by Cavendish, out of Blanche ... Cut and Dry.
B c by Warlock—Miss Tennyson ...SpecialCommissioner.
B or br f by Warlock—Georgiana... Cassandra.

THE FIRST DAY OF PARTRIDGE SHOOTING.—
With sunrise to-morrow the partridge-shooting season
legally commences. Birds and hares are plentiful, and
sportsmen who aro first in the field may secure a heavy
bag of game. In many districts sporting landlords have
consented to defer partridge shooting for a fortnight, in
consequence of the late harvest and so much corn yet
standing which will " hold the birds," but amateur sports-
men who rent tho right of shooting from farmers are not
bound by these arrangements, and will exercise their right
in the stubble and turnip fields.

A very curious, and, in their results, most valua-
ble series of experiments was made o,n Wednesday
afternoon at this great practical school of artillery,
where everything in turn is tried, and sooner or
later broken down ; where targets gain the victory
for a few short weeks only to be more completely
destroyed as the constant improvements in guns
and projectiles carry everything before them. If
any certain conclusion can be deduced from the
long series of experiments which have been made
on this ground, it is that armour-plating as applied
to ships is really as vulnerable now to our present
ordnance and projectiles as the wooden frigates ten
years ago were liable to be knocked to splinters by
the old 32-pounders and 68's. There is no blinking
or concealing this plain fact. There have been
wonderful targets tried at Shoebury, and the best
of all was that of Alr. Chalmers ; but their victory
over the guns has ever been, as we have said, but
of the most temporary duration. The limit of
weight in armour-plating which a sea-going frigate
can safely carry has been fully reached, if, indeed,
it has not been overpassed. Yet it would be im-
possible to mention an ironclad, English, Ameri-
can, or Russian—and the Russian have some very
fine ones which were built here—which could hold
its own for five minutes against the guns at Shoe-
bury.
At first it used to be thought a great triumph to
smash the solid shot through the armour-plating ;
but after a time this was so easily accomplished by
almost every description of rifled gun which would
stand a high charge of powder that a further step
in advance was made, and it was determined to try
and get shells through as well as solid shot. Keep-'
ing out shells from between decks'during an action
may be said to be the first and most essential con-
dition of a man-of-war's efficiency. Solid shot
cannot be kept out, and, beyond splinters, do very
little harm inside ; but a heavy shell bursting be-
tween decks inflicts incalculable mischief on the
crew, to say nothing of the not remote probability
that by causing an explosion it may send the whole
ship into the air. To get shells through armour,
therefore, became the great desideratum of modern
artillerists, and Mr. Whitworth was the first to achieve
this triumph with comparatively small projectiles and
low charges of powder. Since then it has been easily
accomplished by many, the great difficulty in the
way of perfection being that most of the shells had
an unpleasant tendency to explode backwards, and
when made of steel, as they always had to be to
pierce the iron, were enormously costly. Thus, the
price of steel shell for large ordnance has ranged
from £7 to as high as £2O for each projectile. Only
within the last twelve months or so has Major Pal-
liser discovered a cheap and most efficient process by
which this enormous cost is obviated. By his method
of " chilling" the shot was cast, a metal is obtained
which has a hardness equal to that of steel, and a
toughness almost as great as that of wroughtiron. It
was to test these chilled shot against those of the
best steel projectiles that the experiments on Wed-
nesday afternoon were made. All the shells were
directed against a Warrior target, which, by the
way, in powers of resistance nothing we have
since made has really surpassed. It was built of the
ordinary 41-inch plate, with 18 inches teak backing,
and an inner iron skin, supported by powerful ribs
strengthened with angle-irons. One half of the
plates were bolted on Mr. Bascomb's plan, the bolts
resting on pads of indiarubber, while the other half
of the bolts were secured with steel cup "washers," I
like a saucer turned upside down, on a plan of Mr.
Paget's. one of the bolts fastened on Mr.
Bascomb's system gave way, though several of Mr.
Paget's did. It must, however, be . said in fair-
ness that the shots levelled at the target stn
fastenings were placed. The firing was from
the ordinary 7-inch muzzle-loading wrought-iron
gun, what may in short be called a 110-pounder.
The powder used was the full battering charge
_of
221 b., and the distance from -the target 200 yards.
The first experiments were made-with a steel shell
on Major Alderson's plan, having a screwed base,
conical, of course, on its head, and containing a 31b.
bursting charge of loose powder. This completely
broke through the 4i-inch plate, -but did no more,
and the powder, which was ignited by the concussion,
all exploded backwards from the face of the target.
The second shell, which was of the best steel of Mr.
Firth's, did very little more; it, however, penetrated
to the wood backing, but still exploded backwards
and outwards. The third shot struck partly on the
hole made by No. 1, and, of course, as more than
half its work was done for it, it went clean through
the target, exploding as it passed, and setting fire to
the teak backing. The fire, however, was easily
extinguished with a few buckets of water, and
practice with other shells of the same kindwas con-
tinued. Nevertheless, the result when the shells did
strike was in every case the same ; they penetrated
the armour-plate to the wood backing, but none got
through. We say when they did strike advisedly,
for some of Mr. Firth's steel shells burst either in
the gun or within a few yards after leaving it, and
any accident more disastrous than this cannot well
be conceived if the projectiles were ever to be used
in firing over the heads of infantry in advance of
them. Three more of Major Alderson's shells were
then tried, but with a precisely similar result. The
target now began to wear a decidedly battered ap-
pearance, but still, to use the language of the prize
ring, "it came up smiling" after each discharge, and,
with the single exception we have mentioned, where
two shots struck in the same hole, its backing re-
mained perfectly intact, though several of the bolts
which held the plates were broken by the tremen-
dous concussions. Three conical-headed shells of
Sir W. Armstrong's made on what is termed the
Belgian pattern—that is to say, with a sharper
headed cone than is generally used with our conical
shot—were next fired, but without effecting more or
less than the previous volleys. They all penetrated
the armour-plate to the wood backing and burst
outwardly. None, however, but those fine steel
shells of Mr. Firth's exploded before striking the
target.
All the steel shell having now had their trial,
Major Palliser's shells of chilled iron were next
tested. It is worth while mentioning that the au-
thorities at Shoebury thought it right to try some
time ago if these projectiles were likely to break up
in the gun on firing. Accordingly ten were fired
down the long range with the most perfect success.
Some, indeeed, of them were afterwards recovered
so unchanged that they fitted the gauge accurately,
and some of these were used on 'Wednesday after-
noon. From one, however, the screw in the base
could not be extracted so as to allow it to be loaded
with powder. This was consequently fired empty.
The very first shot proved the superiority of Major
Pallisser's system of chilling the iron. The shellt,
and went
struck on an uninjured part of the target,
through it and its backing so ins a tenneously as
not to explode till it had
this shell cannot
more complete than the effect
was splintered
well be imagined. The backing
passed bey
beyod. Anything
louldiaanvd the devas
have an
by
twahtieorne
with pi
cahs ssetdi intoch a little
projectile
bursting between the decks of a ship can only be
understood by those who have seen a man-of-war
with her crew at gun quarters. The second shell
of the same kind did not explode, but breaking com-
pletely through the target broke up itself, and sent
its fragments flying in all directions with as much
velocity as if it had.really burst. So conclusive did
the result of these two shots appear to the Ordnance
Select Committee that the next shell was fired with
a reduced charge of 181 b. of powder. This time,
however, the target was altogether missed, and the
shell went away to sea, and we are happy to add
that as nothing has yet been heard of where it fell
it is presumed it fell harmlessly. The third shot,
fired with the same reduced charge, but with no
bursting charge, went through the target like the

In the face of these results it seemed a mere
waste of time and povide'r to continue. the firing.
None on the ground were in the least degree sur-
prised at what Major Palliser's shot had effected, for
it was well known that a few weeks since the pro-
jectiles had been tried against the celebrated Belle-
rophon target, which has six inches of iron with 22
inches of teak, and an inch iron inner skin. Yet
through all these the Palliser shots were sent as
easibly as through the Warrior target on Wellies.-
day evening. If any doubt did ever exist that
armour-plated ships might prove too strong for guns,
the question should surely be considered as settled
now, for the formidable broadside of the Warrior
itself is evidently almost as vulnerable to Major Pal-
liser's shells as a wooden ship.
After the armour-plated question had virtually
been dismissed as settled, some very interesting ex-
periments were made with a brass field-gun of posi-
tion, proposed by General Lefroy. This is an ordi-
dinary 32-pounder brass gun, bored out to a calibre
of 6.3 inches, and rifled in three plain grooves to
within three inches of the bottom of the bore, and
having a slow pitch or turn of once in the length of
the bore. The gun thus converted is made capable
of throwing a 641 b. conical shot or shell. With a
charge as low as 21b. Boz of powder it on Wednes-,
day evening threw this tremendous projectile a dis-
tance of more than 1,200 yards with the most beau,.
tiful precision. The value of the improvement is
that with a gun of only the weight ci a 32-pbunder'
to move a 641 b. shell can be thrown from it to a dis--
tance with precision. Such a weapon, even if used
only as a gun of position, would be invaluable for
field service. A yet it has not been thoroughly
proved, but as far as the tests have gone they have
been eminently satisfactory.