The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-15 00:00:00

WICKHAM. MARKET.

The preliminary meeting held last week has re-
sulted in the establishment of a rifle corps in this
town, now embracing 60 effective members and 30
honorary members. Many donations are promised.

Twenty-four bars of gold, five broken pieces of
bars, 601 sovereigns, and some other coin, worth together
more than £20,000, were recovered yesterdayfrom the Royal
Charter, making a total saved of about £275,000. Of this
amount £250,000 is now at the Bank, including a large sum
received there yesterday.

MR. SEY2IIOTiR FITZGERALD, MP., AT
HORSHAM.

• HORSHAM, WEDNESDAY.
ll'he annual exhibition of fat stock in connection
with the Horsham Cattle Show took place this
afternoon. In the evening a dinner was held at
the Black Horse Inn, at which Mr. S. Fitzgerald,
IV-P:, presided. The hon. gentleman was supported
by- the Hon. Capt. Wyndham, M.P.; Sir C. Bur-
reit; M.P., Mr. S. Cave, M P.,, Sir J. H. Pelty,
IVI7.'P. Burnell. Col. DickeriseMajor Drew, the Rev.
F. Vincent, Capt. Pipon, &e.
The usual loyal toasts having been drunk,
Mr. FITzGERALD, M.P., said—The next toast I
have to :propose is " The Armyand Navy"--(beers)
toast which is always well received every
assembly of Englishmen, and particularly seat this I
moment, looking to the exproits which have marked
the -conrse of -our arena in. India. Above'all, at a
time like this'ave are sr.re of seeing-this toast well
received, when we know-that if those who have been
so'often our defenders both at home and abroad are
called to fulfil their duties to their Sovereign and
their conatry'npon some foreign shore, there exists
such a spirit of enthusiasm in the country a.e will
assure us that Great 'Britain would still possess many
a bold heart and many a sturdy hand. able and wil-
ling to fight fir their hearths and the liberties of
their country se ((%tiemers) Gentlemen, it is, I. think,
a salutary reale at all public Meetings such as this,
that. what are called. political questions shall be
avoided, that is to say questions which can by pos-
sibility raise discussion or create difference of opinion
at-a meeting which ought to be marked by'a gene-
ral accord-of opinion, But Ido not think that I
shall at all infringe upon that rule . if I make an
observation or two upon a matter of public impert-
ance, and yet a matter upon which there can be no
difeekenee.of ;Opinion . among all classes. of • people.
We are possibly,' Tam afraid, entering upon troublous
times. After long years of general anclahappy peace
there seems to be such an uneasy feeling abroadthat
men's minds. are full of the anticipation of
.war.
Now, lam not an alarmist. lam not one of those
who think it possible that there should be an inva-
sion. of this country. On the contrary, I believe-the
present ruler, of France for a long time has shown
an earnest desire to cultivate an intimate alliance
with this country. (Hear.) tong may that alli-
ance subsist and endure—(cheers)--and I cannot
conceive it possible that it should be in-any danger.
(Hear, hear.) Heaven knows that on this side of
the water there is. no man who does not feel that
anything like hostilities with France . would
be the greatest national calamity which could
befall us. (Heax, hear.) I believe that equally
among the people of France the same feeling is
commonly entertained. Such, at all events, is my
confident opinion', and I believe that I have very
good reason for entertaining it. Surely, then, upon
the part of the Sovereign of France personally
there can be no desire to enter into anything like
a quarrel with- this country. Let him for one.
moment consider what .his position is as -.ruler of
France in alliance with this -country. So long as
France and England are combined what coalition.
is there possible. on the ,face of -the earth which
could give a moment's anxiety either to the. one
Power or the other. (" Hear," and cheers.) It is
not only that; but so long .as we are combined:
commerce must, increase,: and. we fetter the whole
world in those chains which 1 believe to be more
firm, more enduring, and stronger than any others
which you can fancy in political life.. Nothing in
point of fact can be better or more durable than
the fettering together of nations by bonds of come
mon interest and association. If this, then, be the
position both of the people of France and the ruler
of France, what, reason can therebe to anticipate
anything like a aupture.of the amicable 'relation's
which have so long subsisted- betaieen this country
and our' French' neighbours? Still dess,h what is
there to give.rise to that panic of invasion which,
has been so common throughout the county a of late ?
Arthe 'same -tittle I think' it not anly the interest.
but the duty of every man present', and of every
man who loves his country, to contribute to- the
utmost in his power to that movement which, I am
happy to say; has been so general throughout the'
country, and the-object -of which is'toimprove and
increase,' by voluntary means, the defences of the
confitiy. (Cheees.)' This, at least, may say, thitt
no inantere can - forget that which' •we now feel to
be ie want iv- 'that -which Was pointed out by a man
who was the greatest warrior of his age, and one
of 'the most 'distinguished politicians and states!
men of this -country —namely,. - the late •
Duke of Wellingtou—as an imperative na-
tional necessity. Therefore I Would 'ask you, not as,
the• a•datilt of- a sudden panic—Tor that would be
beneath our dignity and beneath-our• position; as •
England is strong enough to- defend herself, and
she need fear no inan..---but I would ask you when
your .attention at any time is called specifically to
that which is known to be a great national want—
namely, -the-want of a complete-system of national
defence, whether you would • not ho wanting to
yourseives.v.nd the pe-ople'atlarge if yea did not'do
all in your power to put the defences of the country-
upon a satisfactory and sound basis,— (Hear, hear.)
I have availed myself of this opportunity of malting
these observations because.' eoneider them germane.
to the: qu'.4tfort df- the' artily and navy. lam sure
that you rii.lereceive the toast with tat- respect
which is due-to-it, 4,tith that tribute of adeairation_
to which the exploits of both services entitle it, and
I am sure iiuu' 'not be the less satisfied, if our
gallant-defenders should be called-abroad, to kilo*.
that you. have still left affiong you those ready, if
necessary, to'shed their blood for the' honour of the
country: (Cheers.) -
Theetoast vacs drunk amid-, loud cheers, and was
briefly responded-to by Major • '
Sir J. H. PELLY proposed the health of the mem. -
leers for the western division of the county.
The Hon. Captain.WiNDHAM, M.P., in respond-
inge alluded.- to the remarks of the chairman' in •
referende to the national defences. He said' we had
for many years prided ourselves on being superior.
to any other nation in our navy, and he was sure
they would all • agree with him -that it • Was of
importance that we should still hold that posi--
tionSe We were a nation, naturally fond of peace-
ful rnents, es. their meeting there that-day
proved; butthey-would not be able to pursue those
employments with the same- energy and, effect
if they were -not atpeace in their -own minds at
home, and. nothing would contribute so much to en-,
sure a continuance of peace as - the possession of a
large and efficient navy. (Cheers.) . With regard
to the 'armyele begged to remind them that oflate
years many-salutary-improvements hitd been ear=
ried out in that service. The campaign in the
Crimea afforded convincing proof that reforms were
needed; and though many reformeled been since
introdimed7lie trusted that a, desire to effect' still
further reforms would continue to- prevail. Above
all, -it was necessary to raise -the tone and the. Moral
and social condition of the Soldier.... We could not,
like_ Continental nations, at a short period call to-
gether large numbers of men by conscription.. Our
system ,was that of voluntary recruiting, •but it
yielded a far moreableebecause it-yielded a willing
servant. (Hear, hear.) He believed that that sys-
tem was fully adequate to supplyenll the require-
ments of the country, provided that we -put thesol-:
diesaupon a better footing by raising his, social'
stattis and..position. (Hear, hear.) The reforms
which had already; been effected since the Crimean
campaign had done much- to- raise the tone of the
army, and if we continued the same course he should
have no, feat of the' result whenever we might be
upon to meet an enemy, whether abroad or
upon -our-own shores. The chairman had told them
that be :was no alarmist'and that he did not join in
any-..apprehension of an invasion. ! .- He 3 (Captain
Wyndham) confessed that he entertained the same-
opinion. He believed that-if our t roona were called
upon to act at all itAfouldbe in au indirect manner
on the ctaatinent of Europe ; but, .at the same
though-there might-not be a, cause for fear, there.
wasioveryeauee fin; precaution. Upon-that ground
- he ,hailed with' deep satisfaction - the volunteer
movement. He believed that the moral effect
Nshilaethat, movement would produce upon the
Cotienent wuuld lsainunense. It . would show the
despotic Powers that a free .country l*e this had
no occasion to rely alone upon its Government
to defend it, but that, 'if occasion required,
thel .population . were ~ready to come forward
en masse to resist aggression. (Cheers.) If the
volunteer movement now commenced were carried
out udicionsiy -it ould-b- a great blessing,. Tho-
only evil that could result from it was
that it might
induce the people to look lieltlyo
n theregular
army. In his opinion the volunteersi ought to be
regarded as the adjunct of the army,and not as in- any way to take theplace
It Itas necessary also that, the volunteers of h
tshe army.
should be
card ed,iti battalions and-t:w,ht . h
-eyond
sholtinga A man might :be a very good ',lot, but.
unless: he _knew ..what. military -Men called "his-
right hand From his left" he would be of Very little
use , tat a- general. (Hear, 'hear.) lie was -glad,
however, to see the ardour which Was being dis-
played, and he had no doubt that in the-cad the
rnewne,ut would be attended with ail the saccess
that eeuldboakeired for it: (Cheers.) •
Colonel PicKE:;s nropoel " T he. Health of the
Members for the Rape of Bramber."
Sir CITAI:LES BintitEbr,; m.P., fteponded.
Mr: S. t ;AYE; 'MT., also a el: ri owledged the. toast'.
ITe 'said he !took, a different view of-the duty of a
member of Parliament from that which was gene-
rallyel,- taken. Of late, constituencies were rarely
satisfied unless their representative were perpetu-
ally getting up and speaking- in the House of
CoMmon4.. His on opinion. was that a large
majority of the hon. members who adopted that
practice had much better sit still and bold their
tongues —.(laughter)— because by unnecessarily

.......... .. -- .....-----.--...,..e..e
occupying the attention of the house they did a
great wrong to the country, by taking up time that
would be much better occupied in other ways. He
had had but a short experience in the i-i, use of
Commons, but during that time he had learned to
be really positively afraid of the voice of one or two
hon. members. (Laughter.) Sidney Smith once
said " Life has been disagreeably abridged since the
Flood, and it is very difficult to master more than
two subjects." Nevertheless, there were some hon.
members who spoke upon. every subject brought
before the house, and very recently one lion. mem-
ber told his constituents, in the pride of his heart,
that hardly a debate had taken place last session,
upon any subject whatever, in which he had not
taken a part. (Laughter.) The course pursued by
' the hon. member might have been very satisfactory
I. to his constituents, but could not have failed to be
extremely. unsatisfactory to the house itself. (Hear,
hear.) With regard to ao.ricultural meetings of this
nature, he looked upon them as most admirable in-
stitutions in making different classes known to
eackother, and inducing them to get rid of the re-
serve common to Englismen. Already such meet-
ings had done their work beyond all expectation in
improving the agriculture of the country. He had
seen it stated the other day in one of the London
papers, as a thing just discovered, that the British
farmer was an intelligent man, and that the manu-
facture of the food of the country must really have
something of science in it. His own opinion was,
thneth'e.enterprise of the manufacturing districts
was nothing as compared with that of the agricul-
turists, who absolutely sent half round the globe
for manure for their fields. (Cheers.)
Sbine other toasts were given, and the proceed-
ings, w hich were enlivened by the musical tlents
of Mr. Bruton and a party of glee singers,a were
brought to a close.