The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-07 00:00:00

iNaval and Zriilicary ituev.:(...terace.

The Royal COliern;ssion of. Inquiry- into the mili-
tary purchases in the army, presided over by the
Duke of Somerset, will resume'itl duties on the 12th
nst. The Isioners will hold their meetings
at No. 1, Whitehall-yard, lately occupied by the
Army Works Corps. •
During the past few days a series of highly irate-
, resting experiments have been undertakenee the
hea 1-quarters of the Royal Engineers' establish-
ment, Chatham, in Vie presence of Maje)r Gen. T.
Blanshard, C H. Sandham, and other offi-
ten of the Royal Engineer., for the pump° ofexa-
mining and testing a new description of suspension
bridge for the passage of artillery, cava!ry, and in-
fantry over rivers and tirearns, the invention ref
Soreetnt-Majer.J. Jones, R.E. The spot selected
fur the experiments was a portion of the river Med-
way, at St. Mary's-creek, adjoining the praecie_
ing ground of the Sappers and Miners, where -one
of the newly7invented bridges was constructed ovt r
thecreek. The chief merit of .t he invention con-
sists in its extreme simplicity, as •a field bridge of
this description can le constructel and thrown
across a river of from 50 .to 100 fe t span in less
Wan three hours, and when compiled will: loe
capable of sustaining the passage of heavy field-
piec s and any number of troops required to pro-
ceed ovcr. it ; after which it can be taken to piec-s an exceedingly short time, and transported-with
the troops. Sergeant-Major Jones's suspension-
bridge isformed by using. .the sheet-iron bandi3 of
the new gabione, ietroduced into the service, which
ar• also his invention ; theie bands are eath Oft.
Sin. in length, and 31 inches wide, with a -20-
gauge, and are fastened together by means of tho
holes and bu tons used in encircling .the eabion. •
Four or five of these bands are laid on each other,
according to the span of the bridge and the weitpit
required. o be borne, the bands forming the gitdera
of the bridge.; the girders are then made secure ?o
scantling on each side of the liver, after which-the
flooring of thebridge is formed by laying pontoon
(losses or plank,, on the girde's, and the who 43
is completed. The bridge which has been tested
at Chatham was constructed with a span of about
50 feet, and was formed simply with the bands of
24 gebions, the weight of which was 4801 b., ib•
who e being completed and fixed by the troops in
1 ttle more than two hours. With the view of as-
rtaining its strength a 6-pounder gun and limber,
weighing a ton and a-half, was wheeled backward
and forward over it, with a number of men, after
which several bodies of troops were marched across
it, during the whole of which time the deflection
was scarcely perceptible, and the oscillation not
more than is usual with bridges constructed on the
sitsp,n4On principle. The result of the experiments
showed that the invention possessed several itepor-
thnt advantages, one of which is the rapidity with
whiCh the bridge can be constructed and speedily
stretched across the river. Another importout.
feature in the invention is that the materials for an
ordinary bridge can be stowed in a box of about 6
feet t-quare. General Blanshard and the other offi-
cers appeared highly satisfied with the experimerits,
and a report of the invention will be forwarded- to
General Sir J. F. Burgoyne, G.C.8., Inspector-
General of Fortifications.

The screw troop-ship Assistance went out of
Portsmouth harbour yesterday to try her machinery
and speed. The trial was very satisfactory, result-
ing, as in the case of the sister ship,,the Adventure,
in rather over 10 knots per hour. Thesis,two ves-
sels take out the 82d Regiment and four companies
of the 23d Royal Welsh fusiliers. The rem cinder
of the last-named regiment goes out in the Princess
Charlotte, sailing three-d cker, which is fitting up
as a flosting berracks for the troops in China.
The following regiments are under orders for
India Royal Fusiliers, 88th Connaught
Rangers, the 3d battalion of the 60th Rifles, and
the 93d Highlanders.
The Amphitrite, 26, coast-guard-ship, which went
out of harbour on Monday, has not left Spithead
yet for her destination, Milford.
The hospital ship Melville, fitting for China, has
been found to leak seriously. She has been found
to be making a very great deal of water, and was
taken into dock •yeAerday to aseertAin where the
defect was, and the water being pumped out, and
six feet of water pumped into the ship's hold, it
was found that the leakage was not confined to one
or'two places but extended to many. It is difficult
to ac ,otmt for ibis defect, as the Melville underwent
a thorough repair only a few mouths since at the
building-yard of Messrs. White, at Cowes, and no
doubt, from the high repute of that establishment,
the work was welt done. It is reported that on
being launched from their slip she took the ground;
and nad to remain on her bean ends till a new tido
rose. If so, of course she would be likelyte be much
shaken.

The period halting nearly arrived wh-n it is usual
to flit-ward the tniops helooging to the various de-
pots at the Provisional Battalion to India, for the
purpose of joining the head-quarters of their re-
spective regiments, considerable activity prevails at
Chatham Barracks in preparing the non-commis-
sioned officers and men for embarkation. Yesterday
afternoon nearly 1,000 troops were assembled 'on
the parade ground, at Chathamßarracks, with their
new Clothing and n-cessa; ies, when they were in-
spected by Col. H. Jervis, Commandant of the
Provisional Battalion. The first detachment of 50d
men for. India will leave this oari ism, early in June.
Yesterday the paddlewl-eel steamship Vesuvius,
Capt. 0: Wise, was warped out of No. 3 dry dock
at. Sneernes4, and to-day she will go into the stream
preparatory to her departure.
The Majestic, 80 guns, screw steamship, Captain
J. Hips, C. 8., steamed into the harbour at Sheet-
nets yest-rday. Dismantling has commenced.
The Cumberland, 70 guns„sailing ship, Capt. J.
B. bickson, will iu a few days be ready to leave
the basin at Sheerness. •

The Devastation paddlewheel steam sloop, Com-
mander E. Marshall, waa yesterday at Sheerness re-
ported ready for sea fur forezn service, as per order
of the AdMiralty. Her destination is reported to be

The follinving appointments'weremacia yesterday
at the Admiralty:—
Midshipmen—A. L. Trevor and Charles Giffard, to
the Bo3ca wen ; John Tracy, to the Leopard.
Mate—Charles Lyon (acting) to the Hatitings.
Clerk—Charles W. King, to the Saturn.
Chaplain—Rev. R, Pict9n, to the Princess Charlotte.
Naval Instructoi—Mr. W. S. Harvey to the Minces/a
Charlotte.

Assistant Paymagters—W. 11. Staehridge (in charge)
to thy, Terror ; James Coirard to the Hogue.

FRENCH TIiiNSATLANTIC NAVIGATION.—The Nord
of Brussels says that the following are nearly the terms
of the bill on the lines of Transatlan,io steam navigation
drawn up by the Counnl of Stet e :—Toe Minister of
Finance is authorised to concede three lines of correspon-
dene3 by moans of steamers between France and America.
TL,e company. obtaining the conc-ssion cannot in a.y
Cta- receivee lowc r e annual subvention
in h
tefiui
from
des ti
Loistate +;h
all
lug 15 o
fix the postage of letters, newspapers, and printed papers
tpoo rbtes
:f_ro
antof allt
ok andiso,t`lo
lainnedt Tire
3nNNaenwte,,Y(sortk.
I;sia22,EirOordfeoaruxtbfoerliinhee
°tnhveeYsetedambyertsheasret"tmo' pipil .
1.
of the West Indies. Annexed to the principal lino` shit)
lilinaevoref
Bforraztihl ;
the
bs :-1. One from Rio do Janeiro to 1k1( ite Tideo ai d
pßouretni,olls
iAcoy,re ;
Vera
er:. One
cr,z, far o
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TampicoS Thomas m; a t
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tiV.laorptieni:qinneonttohCatoyit
neon. um be
The line
lof i
,1
evOlyrsogur
ai!,fiXvreed
et
New York is to touch at Cherbourg, The caution-money
to be 'depo-ited by the companies demanding the conPes-
sion is fixed at 2.000,000 f. The horse-power of the
ireamers and their speed is filed as follows :—Line of
New York, 750-horse power, 11i knots ; line of the West
Indies, 600-horse power, 10{ knots; line of Brazil, 450-
horse power, 9i knots ; and for tbe'annexed lines 200 t.-
400-horse'power, and from Bto 84 knots. The numbP:
of vessels is to be 26, and the minimum force 11;700-
horse power. The cahier des charges provides that
the steamers all that contribute to the security anti
welfare of the passengers shall be adopted. The con-
cession of the lines is to take place by publics compel
tition." •

[AnyzaTissmExri—One of the most valuable discoveries-for
the benefit of mankind is shown by the numerous extraordi-
nary cures without medicine of indigestion (dyspepsia), flatu-
leney, constipation, nervous, bilious, and liver complaints,
cough, asthma, consumption, and debility, effected by Du.
Barry's delicious health-restoring Revalenta Arabica Food.
The following are not the least remarkable : —Cure No . 41,617.
W.nehester, Dec. 3, 1847. Gentlemen,—I am happy to be
able to inform you that the person for whom your Revalenta,
was procured has derived very great benefit from its use;
distressing symptoms of dropsy, dyspepsia, and constipation
of long standing have been removed, and a feeling of restored.
health induCed. Having witnessed the beneficial effects in
the above-mentioned case, I can with confidence recommena
it, and shall have much pleasure in doing so whenever an op.
portunitY offers, .Tames Shorlaud, late Surgeon, 96,11
Regiment.—Cure'No. 180. "25 years' nervousness, constip t.
tion, indigestion, and debility, from which have suffered
great misery, and which no medicine could remove or relieve,
have been effectually cured by Du Barry!s Food in a very
short time. W. R. ReeveS, 181, Fleet-street, London."
supported by testimonials from the celebrated Professors of
Chemistry, Dr. Andrew Ure; Dr.'Shorland ; Dr. Harvey ;
Dr. Campbell ; Dr. Gattiker ; Dr. Wurzer; Dr. Ingram:
Lord Stuart de bodies; the Dowager Countess of Castle.
Stuart; Major-Gen. Thomas King, and many other respectable
persons, whose health has been restored by it, after all other
means Of cure had failed. For further particulars respect.
ing this invaluable food our readers are referred toDtt Barrett
L advertisement in another part of this parer. •

THEATRE ROYAL, ADELPHI.
Lessee—Mr. Ben. Webster.
THIS EVENING, will be performed PAUL PRY.
Followed by a new Farce, called FEARFUL TRAGEDY
IN THE SEVEN DIALS.
To conclude with the new and original domestic sketch,
entitled WELCOME, LITTLE STRANGER. Mr. Wright,
Mr. Panl Bedford, tkc.

OYAL SURREY THEATRE,
Lessees, Messrs. Shepherd and Creswick.
THIS EVENING will be performed THE FLONVR
GIRL Mr. Creswick, &c.
After which, THE GOOD FOR NOTHING.
combe, &c.
To conclude with THE DANCING SCOTCHAAN. Mr.
Flexmore, and Madlle. Auriol, &c.

Mr. Widdi

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
Lessee, Mr. Alfred Wigan.
THrIS EVENING, will be performed a new drama, called
DADDY HARDACRE. Mr. Robson, &c.
To conclude with YOTT.NG AND HANDSOME. Messrs.
Robson, C. Murray, &c.
Commence at half-past Seven.

A STLEY'S ROYAL AMPLIITHEA.TRE.
L Lessee and Manager, Mr. W. Cooke.

Unprecedented success of the New Grand Military Spec-
tacle, in which Mr. W, Cooke's highly trained Horses appear
in novel and exciting situations.

THIS EVENING, and during the week, the Enter-
tainments commence with the New Military Spectacle, in three
Acts, entitled THE FRENCH IN ALGIERS ; or, The Battle
of Constantine.

To be followed by Recherche SCENES IN THE ARENA,
giving an EQUESTRIAN FE PE ; introducing, the great ar-
tistes of the establishment, including Miss Kate Cooke.
Signor Corelli and Family, and a variety of other entertain-
ments.

Commence at seven o'clock. Dress 'Boxes, 4s. ; Upper
B )xes, 35.; Private Boxes, from IL , no charge for booking ;
Pit, 2s. ; Gallery, Is. ; Uppsr Gallery, 6€l.

Box•office open from Eleven till Four. Stage Manager,
Mr. W. West. Equestrian Director, Nlr. W. Cooke, jun.

CANTERBUR,Y HALL. Westminster-road.—
OPEN EVERY EVENING.—The follow-
ing company of Vocalists are engaged for the performance of
Selections from all the popular Operas, Madrigals, Choruses,
Glees, Duets, Sc., viz.: Miss E. Pearce, Mrs. J. Caulfield,
Miss Brunel', Miss Summers, and Madame Marietta ; Mr. J.
Canliield, Herr P. Jonghmans, R. Grover, T. Farraut, S.
Jones, J. Barker, W. Melling, P. Corri. Senor Antonio M.
da Solla, and E. L. Hime ; Masters Bennett and Corri ;
Messrs. Sam Cowell, Sans Collins, and E. Mackney.
Pianoforte, Mr. Cecil Hicks; harmonium, .J. Caulfield, jun.;
director, Mr. J. Caulfield. Commence at Seven o'clock pre.
Suppers, &c., until twelve o'clock.