The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-25 00:00:00

THE VOLUNTEER MO TEMENT.

Yesterday evening the first anniversary festival
in commemoration of the formation of the 29th
Middlesex Rifles was held at the Freemasons'
Tavern. Lieut.-Colonel Viscount Enfield, M.P.,
presided, supported by Mr. Edwin James, M.P.,
and almost the whole of the officers of the corps.
The non-commissioned officers and privates to the
number of about 100 were also present, and did jus-
tice to a most admirable dinner, which was served
in the usual excellent style of the Freemasons'. The
cloth haling been drawn, the usual loyal toasts were
given and duly honoured. Captain Cameron pro-
posed "The Health of the House of Commons," to
which Mr. James replied for himself and the noble
Chairman. The coming session he thought was
pregnant with questions of immense interest to this
country, and as to their domestic policy he believed
the House was anxious to deal with home legislation
in a wide and liberal manner, and in one which he
hoped would result in the introduction of a more
popular element into that assembly. The most
important events, however, were those going on
atiroad, and on which all eyes were anxiously fixed.
He hoped that in the progress of these great events
England would use her immense moral influence on
the right side in the coming struggle of nationali-
ties. As a nation the English might well be proud
that the great example which was shown by this
country of the success of constitutional government
had been followed in Sardiu_a and would be followed
by Hungary when the march of events permitted
it, and in the new kingdom of Italy, where they
would soon see a new Parliament representing tk,e
people who had struggled under the gaßlance of a
great man to redeem their liberty from the worst
despotism in the world. (Hear, hear.) Later in
the evening the chairman gar° " Prosperity i the
29th Middlesex Volunteers." He believed that the
discipline and interior economy of the Regiment was
in a most satisfactory condition, and with regard
to numbers the prospect was equally gratifying
and flourishing. Within the last few days he had
solicited the Lord-Lieutenant of the county to
allow the regiment an increase of numbers so as
to give them 10 additional companies, and if this
was granted them he had not the least doubt but
they could raise them all in a very few weeks.
The healths of Captain Ross, the second in com-
mand, Adjutant Jones, Mr. Secretary Greene, the
Chaplain, and other officers were then given,
and the festivities, which were of the most gratify-
ing character throughout, were prolonged to a late
hour.

On Wednesday evening the Benchers of the Mid-
dle Temple invited Col. Brewster, of the Inns of
Court Volunteers, to dine with them. The members
of the Inn, who are also members of the Inns of
Court Volunteers, in honour of the occasion ap-
peared in their uniform, and several members be-
longing to the Victoria Rifles, and officers of militia,
also appeared in their uniforms. The band of the
Inns of Court Volunteers, by permission of the
bencbers♦ was placed in the gallery of the fine old
hall, and played various lively airs during and after
dinner, and the choristers of the church sang the
National Anthem after the toast of " The Queen,"
and chanted a thanksgiving for grace with charm-
ing effect. There was a very full attendance of
benchers:present,including the Master of the Temple,
the treasurer, Mr. J. Anderson, the Attorney Gene-
ral, and about 30 other Queen's counsel, The mix-
ture of black bar gowns and uniforms, and the
sound of martial music from the magnificent old
carved oak gallery of the hall, which was well
lighted up, and the old armour of the time of Eliza-
beth there hung upon the walls brought in promi-
nent relief, presented a strange contrast to the usual
sombre quiet which prevails, and the change which
the events of the age have caused in the habits and
feelings of the members of the Inn, converting one
half of them into drilled soldiers as well as lawyers
did not fail to excite many passing comments. On
the retirement of the ;benchers and their guests
they were loudly cheered. Mr. Lance, the captain
of the senior bar mess, then proposed, in appropri3.te
terms, the health of Lieut.-Col. Brewster, which
was given with musical honours, andwas responded
to by Mr. C. Foster, as one of the senior volunteers
present. The health of Mr. J. Anderson, the trea-
surer, and thanks to the benchers for their splendid
entertainment, alike worthy of the Inns of Court
and of the occasion, was then given, and the mem-
bers separated after most agreeable evening.
On Wednesday evening a volunteer ball in aid
of the funds of the 7th Middlesex (Islington) Rifle
Volunteers, and more especially for the purpose of
providing the corps with a rifle range during the
ensuing summer, took place at the Freemasons'
Hall, Great Queen-street. The ball was well
attended, there being upwards of 200 persons pre-
sent, including several officers of the regular army,
and many members of the llon. Artillery Company
and Six Foot Guards, whose scarlet uniforms con-
trasted well with the gay dresses of the ladies and
the more sombre uniforins of the majority of the
other volunteers present and the gentlemen who
wore evening dress. Adams's quadrille band was
in at tendance,and dancing, which commenced about
10 o'clock, was kept up till nearly 4 o'clock, when
the. company separated. The ball was successful,
as after defraying the necessary expenses incurred,
a considerable surplus will be added to the fund.
In the course of a short time the cadet corps at-
tached to the 7th Middlesex will be presented with
a handsome silver bugle, the gift of the ladies of
Islington.

The prizes recently gained by the Post. office
Companies (the Civil Service Regiment), 21st Mid-
dlesex, will be presented by Lord Stanley of Alder-
ley, the Postmaster-General, at the General Post-
office, at half-past 1 o'clock on Saturday. The entire
regiment will then march to Clapham-common,
accompanied by the band, for skirmishing drill.
On Wednesday, which was the first anniversary
of the formation of the 2d London Rifles, a ball,
given by the officers of the corps, took place at the
Whittington Club. It was well attended both by
the members of the 2d London Rifles and others
belonging to the various metropolitan corps, there
being altogether about 200 present, and the whole
of the arrangements being under the superintend-
ence of Captain-Commandant Spottiswoode. The
hall was tastefully decorated with arms piled, &0.,
the bayonets being formed into various devices by
Sergeant-Nor Thomson, ant dancing was kept