The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-13 00:00:00

THE NATION'S GIFT FREEHOLD
VOLUNTEER CAMP and CLUB HOUSE at ALDER-
SHOT, and PRACTICE GROUNDS near WIMBLE •
1)0 N and WAN ST E AD.
To be PRESENI ED by the LADIES of the UNITED
RINGDOM to the BRITISH VOLUNTEERS, as a tes-
timonial of their appreciation of the patriotic feeling which
has influenced the Gentlemen of England to arm them-
selves in their country's defence.
PATRONS.
Field -Marshal Lord Combermere,G . C. B. , G. C. H., F. G .H.S.
Rt.
RHon. Earl of Coventry, 1, Bolton-row, May Fair.
Rt. Hon. Lord Cranstoun, 1, Albany, Piccadilly.
Rt. Hon. Lord Denman, Stoney Middleton.
Rt. Hon. Lord Raglan, 58, Rutland-gate, Knightsbridge.
Ron. William Ashley, St. James's Palace.
Gm..S Sir Howard Douglas, G.C.8., G.C.M.C., F.R.S.,
General.dieut. Sir W. Robt. Clayton, Bart., 79, Gloucestcr-
place, Portman-square.
Lleut.-Generll C. R. Fox 1, Addison-road, Kensington.
Admiral W. 'Sidney Smith, 41, St. James's-square.
Colonel David Hay, 40, Porchester-terrace, Bayswater.
Cal3tain. Bridge, R.N., St. James's-square, Notting-hill.
Captain
Nops, R.N., 40, St. James's-square.
Captain Price, R.N , 47, St. James's-square.
Alderman Sir Jas. Duke Bart., M.P., 43, Portland-place.
-Edward Stillingfleet Cayley, Esq., M.P.
Alder. Kinglake, Esq., M.P.
-5•
b Major Rose, Upper Tooting.
Bond Cabbell, Esq F.R.S., &c., &c., 52, Portland-
Place.
itc'rge England, Esq., Hatcham Lodge, Hatcham.
'chard Parker, Esq Canterbury House, Kennington-
Park. .)
William Deacon, Esq., 12, Warwick-crescent, Bayswater.
John
Bradbury, Esq., Aldermanbury.
Ge..retniah Greatorex, Esq., Aldermanbury.
b!°rg'e Greatorex, Esq., Aldermanbury.
-,'lohard Munt, Esq., Wood-street, Cheapside.
illhoraas Brown, Esq., Wood-street, Cheapside.
j.e.arY Vyse, Esq., Wood-street, Cheapside.
c 1.: Poster, Esq., Wood-street, Cheapside.
aP" W. C. Jay, H.A.C., Hamilton-terrace, St. John's-
Wood
John Dillon, Esq., Fore street.
William
Leaf, Esq., Old Change.
Ladler Leaf, Esq., Old Change.
Charles John Leaf, Esq., Old Change.
Samuel
Leaf, Esq., Old Change.
.rainuel Wreford, Esq., Aldermanbury.
J, Alford Smith, Esq., 11, Hamilton-terrace, New-cross.
f The following gentlemen taken from the List of Patrons
orin the acting

COMMITTEE.

Admiral W. S. Smith. Captain W. C. Jay.
Colonel David Hay. I George England, Esq.
Captain Bridge, R.N. William Deacon, Esq.
Captain Nops, R.N. Richard Parker, Esq.
I Captain Price, R.N. J. Alford Smith. Esq.
With power to add to their number.
A list of Patronesses will shortly be published.
BANKERS.
arelay, Bevan, Tritton, and Co., Lombard-street, City.
Sir Claude Scott and Co., Cavendish-Square, W.
Soticurou—Francis Moon, Esq., Coleman-street, City.
Hoar SECRETARY—Desmond G. Fitzgerald, Esq.
Chief Office-7, Princes-street, Cavendish-square, W.
A few gentlemen, desirous of carrying out the wish of his
Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, that the Volun-
teers should possess every facility for attaining efficiency in
rifle practice, and for being brigaded with the regular troops,
have, after careful consideration of the claims of several
sites which were submitted to them, decided in favour of a
Piece of land immediately adjoining the Camp at Aldershot,
U. combining in an eminent degree the advantages of easy
accessibility, great salubrity, absolute contiguity to the
extent
army camp in the kingdom, a practically unlimited
ixtent of range, comparative freedom from danger by stray
bullets, and facility of purchase on easy and libral terms.
With a view to meet the requirements of Volunteers at
intervals when they have but a few hours to spare, it is
further proposed to establish permanent rifle ranges, with
Suitable buildings near Wimbledon on the west, and near
"ustead on the 'east ; thus accommodating every district
21the metropolis each of the intended sites being within
"eau minutes' ride from London.
It is therefore proposed :
„That a sum be raised by subscription sufficient not only
" Provide a Club House, with one thousand separate cham-
ere for the Volunteers, a library, swimming, hot and cold
v4,111,,5, and butts for rifle practice at all ranges up to 1,200
; but also to purchase the freehold of all the build-
;gs, and 100 acres of land at Aldershot ; as well as a suffi-
teat extent of ground for rifle practice and requisite build-
ings, near Wimbledon and Wanstead ; the whole to be
r
geed or walled in, and be vested in trustees for the sole
benefit of the Rifle Volunteers of the United Kingdom.
The above arrangement will afford facilities calculated to
Volnote the spirit of emulation now so characteristic of the
pitt?.lllnteers. At Wimbledon and Wanstead they can have
rifle practice at the ordinary ranges ; while at Alder-
shat they can be brigaded with the regular troops, and enjoy
Au unlimited range for rifle practice, free from danger ;
mapleaxb space, too, will be at their command for artillery
aop'i,,retse, and for associating with the cavalry and artillery
; advantages much insisted upon by the highest autho-
a„es, and only attainable in connection with large army
-(`.1)8, such as Aldershot.
-etcParatively little is required to set in motion this most
bes:rable undertaking, the land at Aldershot being offered
ItB patriotic owner on extremely favourable terms. Pro-
teings can be commenced almost immediately, and be ex-
tended gas the subscriptions are received.
1,433, the establishment of this Volunteer Camp and Club
shec,„any number of Volunteers disposed to spend a day
k'arop could have all their material wants supplied
"`' convenience and economy—while any number not
tficeeding a thousand, to who owing to the distance of
eir homes, or any other causems,, it might be convenient,
have sleeping accommodation at their own Club House
freex of expense. On the other hand, men engaged in busi-
,,e
ese will have the opportunity after an hour's journey in
afternoon of one day of returning upon the next, or of
entirely
passing the more protracted period of their holidays
in pleasurable military and healthful recreation. Alder-
shot, indeed, indeed, is pronounced by official-statistical returns to
the most salubrious locality in England, and, although
14 breezes are considered somewhat trying, its atmospheric
2cfluences have in very many instances been conducive to
the restoration of the health of persons whose ailments
Were deemed beyond the reach of professional skill.
Volunteers from the country districts having occasion to
'visit London, either for pleasure or business, would be en-
titled to make the Aldershot Club-house their home or
head-quarters during their stay, and would thus partici-
pate, with gentlemen resident near London, in the advan-
tages provided by the establishment.
An important feature of this plan is the economy of
money well as time, for although many Volunteers are per-
eons of independence, and can afford the expenses which are
inseparable from isolated movements, there are others to
'whom the advantages offered will be a graceful and accept-
able boon. Two lines of railway from London adjoin the
Selected ground at Aldershot, and will carry the Volunteers
at once to the spot in an expeditious manner, as cheaply
;Ind rapidly indeed as they can be taken to many suburban
districts ; and a network of railways, connected with the
lines referred to, tenders the transit from all parts of Eng-
land to this now famed Government Camp facile and com-
Plete. To Wimbledon or Wanstead the journey by railway
can be performed in a quarter of an hour.
As the Volunteer force consists largely of professional
?len and men engaged in business, who are necessarily sub-
Ject to sudden demands upon their time, it is intended to
establish telegraphic wires, connecting the above localities
clvith Cheapside and Regent-circus, whereby gratuitous
communications might be forwarded whenever required ;
7.1.1 d thus afford to members who might otherwise be de-
terred from leaving their homes the assurance that any
"Tent call upon their attention is capable of instant receipt
"4 reply.
-,Should the period for real and active service arrive, the
v olunteers will be required to act not as an independent
4ntcl or as mere guerilla bands, but in conjunction with the
~,,`'neen's troops. It follows obviously, therefore, that those
exercising
who have enjoyed many previous opportunities of
s'e.,.,rcising in masses with the various arms of the regular
will be much more efficient than those whose prac-
-1;24 experience has been limited to company drilling and
v"vate rifle practice. And unless facilities are provided for
enabling the various rifle corps to exercise with the troops
fa'ae line, failures and blunders of vital importance may
anticipated, when such inexperienced and untried auxi-
t4les attempt combined movements with regulars in the
-of the enemy.
The moral and physical welfare of the youth of England
.rlenld be thus provided for ; military discipline and gen-
ell,culy habits would be promoted, and country air and
TIT exercise
; the whole tending towards the noblest ends,
the desire for which is the highest that can occupy the time
talents of an Englishman—the capability of protecting
jug hearths and homes of those dear to him, and maintain-
41g the envied prestige of his Queen and country.
.1,41 suggesting that the advantages above enumerated
ould be secured to Volunteers by subscription, the Corn-
• itLittee feel assured that their proposal will be regarded, by
toP,ay a well-deserved, timely, and graceful tribute to the
iiwule devotion of the Volunteers, who, by their prompt and
ccided action, have, within the limited period of two years,
restored the nation, mistrustful of its defences, to a state of
confidence and security.
thit,is proposed to offer a remiu for the best Essay on
th"' Volunteer Movempent, to m publish it with a list of
„ e,contributors to the " Nation's Gift," and to forward to
iteu subscriber a presentation copy, with a statement of
amount and appropriation of the Fund.
ar,'oTE.—The above programme having been submitted to
'4" gentlemen resident in the neighbourhood of the pro-
-01 Camp, they at once liberally undertook to provide
~.us for the erection of a church on ground adjacent, pre-
by one of them for that special purpose.

TIM NATION'S GIFT to the BRITISH
VOLUNTEERS.
•The Committee beg most respectfully to solicit the con-
tilbutions of the public towards this great national under-
tti4g• Subscribers are requested to cross all cheques with
Q-A names 6f the bankers, Messrs. Barclay and Co., or Sir
abrlde Scott and Co.; and to make post-office orders pay-
tAt,Zto Desmond G. Fitzgerald, Esq., the Hon. Secretary,
,i,"" offices of the Committee, 7, Princes-street, Cavendish •
the
W. Subscriptions may also bo paid to authorised
sta:cLozs, who will each be furnished with a book of
k Ted receipts, countersigned by two of the Committee,
Abe the Secretary
r •
geri ceipt will be given by the collectors for every sub-
vigePori, in addition to which a printed acknowledgment
serib" forwarded from the office within three days. Sub-
()
b failing to receive such acknowledgment will much
bY immediately communicating with the Committee.
glut BDIEB6SIMOND G. FITZGERALD, Hon. Sec

-CIE NATION'S GIFT to the BRITISH
Lathe VOLUNTErE RS.
,8 and gentlemen desirous of forwarding this great
lectio4B4 Project, by forming Local Committees for the col-
requer:,,of subscriptions or otherwise, are respectfully
aMees7,4 to Communicate with the Committee, at their
5 Princes-street, Cavendish-square, W.
August DESMOND G. FITZGERALD, Hon. Sec.
8, 1861.

_lr-pQ.x.ri\r AWAY TO NERVOUS SUFFERERS.
"-RY SMITH, M.D., of the University of
,utreper-ena, has Just published, for the benefit
work,
forlems
WARN7',4 FREE EDITION of his valuable
Medical ,-'4G VOICE TO YOUNG MEN (120 ages) A
Menlo. work on the cure of Nervous Debilityp, Los's of
I:Satoli; Dimness of Si-ht, Lassitude,
MuscularlndigestionDisßlikee.
Spermatorrhcea, Local Weakness,
oegieti,",:i Languor, Listlessness, Depression, Szn., which,
if
I result in consumption, insanity, and prematurehealth
vi(ryvith plain directions for perfect restoration to ,
Eervati6"ur• The book will be sent, post free, secure from 0D
and twon,,to any address, on receipt of a directed envelope
ores pa. Address, HENRY SMITH, M.D., 8, Burton-
'4, aristock-square, London, W.C.