The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-25 00:00:00

tion of 30 guineas, which was divided into three
prizes—viz., 15 guineas for the highest score at
350, 400, 500 and 600 yards, five shots at each,
which was won by Corporal Nevill, No. 9 Company;
10 guineas for the second best score at the same
ranges, won by Sergeant R. A. Buckle, No. 4 Com-
pany; and five guineas for the greatest number of
hits at the same ranges, won by Private W.
Knowles, No. 1 Company.
Lady Pollock having placed these prizes in the
hands of their respective winners, with suitable
compliments, proceeded to deliver the Corps' Prize
of £3l 10s., divided into four sums of twelve, ten,
five, and three guineas, for ..the highest score
the third-class ranges, five shots at each,
won by Private Robertson, No 1 Company ;
for the second best scot e, won by Corporal S. Wicks,
No. 6 Company ; for the greatest number of hits
won by Mr. J. B. Hemmings, No. 4 Company; and
for the second largest number of hits, at the same
ranges, won by Private J. D. Gregory, No. 1 Com-
pany. Her Ladyship congratulated Mr. Robertson
on being the winner of the highest prize provided
from the funds of the corps, which she was sure
would encourage him to continue those efforts which
she understood bad hitherto been se-prairieWortby-t
perfect himself in all the duties of a rifleman. To
Mr. Hemmings her Ladyship said she understood
that he shot very well for several of the other
prizes, and trodden very olose on the heels of some
of the winners. Sho was, therefore, glad he had
been rewarded by gaining one of the Corps' prizes.
(Cheers.)
This exhausted the printed programme of prizes.
There were six other sums, however, of £3, awarded
as consolation money to candidates who ranked
second in the competition. These were Private H.
Boteler, Sergt. Stevens, Corporal Puckle, Sergt.
Chisholme, Private French, and Sergt. Timms.
Lady POLLocK, in presenting to them the above'
sums, said she was pleased to learn that they had
shown themselves so expert, although they had not
the honour to be winners. She had no doubt on
another occasion they would be more fortunate.
(Cheers.)
Lieut.-Col. MACDONALD,addressing Lady Pollock,
said, I cannot permit this interesting ceremony to
close without giving expression to the deep sense of
gratitude which I, in conjunction with the other
officers, entertain of the honour which you have
done us in undertaking to present to the successful
competitors the prizes of this year ; and for the very
admirable manner in which you have accomplished
that arduous task—a manner not only gratifying to
us, but to the whole regiment. (Cheers.) It is a
very great satisfaction to us to find that, while we
have in your honoured husband and our honorary
colonel one of the most distinguished Generals of
the age—(cheers)—to whom we can always go in
the hour of need for counsel and advice should the
day come when our services may be required in the
field, we have in yourself, Lady Pollock, so very
friendly and ardent supporter of the Volunteer
movement—(cheers)—who takes so much pleasure
in doing everything to advance the interests of this
regiment. (Cheers.) And while I look around on
this fair assembly I must needs add that, in your
favourable appreciation of the Volunteer movement,
you are not an exception in the class to which you
belong. I may say with truth that to no class are

the Volunteers more indebted for the success they
have achieved than to the ladies of England.
(Cheers.) I beg again, therefore, to thank you, Lady
Pollock, for honouring us with your presence this
day. Permit me also to take this opportunity of
returning the thanks of the corps to those generous
friends who have given prizes on this occasion. I
would particularly mention the ladies of Clapham,
Denmark-hill, and the neighbourhood, and spe-
cially the Misses Elliotson—(cheers)—the donors of
that magnificent epergne. (Cheers.) To the hono-
rary members of the corps and to Mr. Knowles,
one of our most ardent and munificent supporters;
to Lieutenant Puckle,Mr. John Clutton, Lieutenant
and Quartermaster Gudgeon, I have also to return
the thanks of the regiment for their gifts. (Cheers.)
Some people may think we make too much parade
in the distribution of our prizes. I don't think so.
Believing as I do—holding the conviction most
firmly, that unless a person is a skilful marksman
ho is only half a rifleman, I think we aro bound to
encourage the volunteers to practice ball-firing so
as to become good shots, and, while such prizes as
we have distribute& to-day encourage emulation,
there is much in the eclat which attends a public
celebration like this at once to reward the winner
and stimulate the unsuccessful. I beg again, Lady
Pollock,to thank you for the honour you have done
the regiment on this occasion. (Cheers.)
Sir Geo. POLLOCK—I have to thank you, Colonel
Macdonald, for the very kind terms in which you
haoe referred to Lady Pollock. I can assure you
she feels highly honoured in having been requested
to give away the prizes here to-day. (Cheers.) As
you have also alluded to my connection with the Ist
Surrey Rifles, I must say I consider it no mean
distinction to be your honorary colonel. (Cheers.)
It is as fine a regiment as any volunteer corps in
the whole kingdom. I have inspected them, and I
think I have never seen any regiment who went
through their manoeuvres better, with more celerity
and exactness. I wish you and them every success.
Cheers.)
Col. MACDONALD—Before dismissing the bat-

talion I will call on you, officers and men, to affirm
the expression of your thanks, which I have just
attempted to convey to Lady Pollock, by giving
three cheers for General Sir George and Lady
Pollock.
The cheers were given with great cordiality.
Three cheers were also given for the Lieutenant-
Colonel and the Queen, the band playing the Na-
tional Anthem, which terminated the proceedings.

EXCITING SCENE ON THE SERPEN.
TINA HYDE PARK.

Last evening, between the hours of five and six
o'clock, just as the sky had become obsured with
fog, as a gentleman named T. G. Walter, of Spring
Garden-place, Stepney, was proceeding along the
banks of the Serpentine his attention was directed
to a man struggling in the water. He at once gave
an alarm to the Royal Humane Society's officers,
and, pending the time lost beforetheir arrival, which
was less than three minutes, Mr. Walter had suc-
ceeded in undressing himself, and, having plunged
into the river, was keeping the head of the unfortu-
nate man above water until Deputy Parsons and
Mr. Superintendent Williams arrived.
The unfortunate indiviival was at once removed
to the receiving-house in an insensible state, and
apparently dead. Having been placed in a hot bath,
ho was afterwards placed in a bed. By the exer-
tions of Mr. Roberts, assistant to Dr. Christian, the
man appeared to rally, but was unable to speak
when the reporter left the receiving-house lost night.
In his pockets were cheques drawn upon the Bucks
and Union Bank for!sums of £22, £29, £3, and £26.
There was also a trifling amount of money on his
person. The following letter was also found in his
possession :

London.
My dear Father—l have been pulling myself to a great
deal of inconvenience for a long time past, until I find I
must make my plans otherwise. I shall be quite a ruined
man. I had quite made up my mind to have my children
with me after Christmas, and provide a home for them, and
to do that I must have my money. 1 think you ought to
get it at a much cheaper rate of interest. I took the enclosed
two advertisements to you. Mr. Bruton thinks he can get
mo £315 for the bills; but I cannot lose £ls.—With love,
yours affectionately "F. H. JOHNSON.
P.S.—My children arc scattered about, and also my
goods, and no house for myself."
The envelope was addressed to Mr. B. Johnson,
Piccadilly, and bore the post mark of Nov. 23, 1861.
The man, however, was unable to give any ac-
count of himself, and it is impossible to tell whether
it was a case of attempted suicide or accident.