The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-27 00:00:00

THE CAMP AT ALDELI'SHOT.

As a general rule Aldershot is not a pleasant
pkce to visit. Like one of Dante's circles it has no
medium in temperature, and is either as arid and
dusty as Sahara or cold and cutting as the Arctic
regions. So with the wind, which is always revel-
ling over the plain—it is either a hot, puffy blast,
half heath half sand, or it blusters with a violence
against which it is.almost useless contending. Yes-
terday all these atmospheric variations succeeded
each other with a rapidity which was astonishing
and uucomforiable to the last degree. A grand re-
view in honour of the Queen's birthday was antici-
pated by the public and, we believe, intended by
the authorities; but the very unsettled state of the
weather (which only settled at brief intervals into
heavy rain) prevented the display so far as a sham
fight was concerned. An unusual number of visi-
tors went down to the camp by the early trains,
though the result hardly repaid their promptitude,
for nothing took place till after two o'clock. All
early comers, therefore, had ample opportunities
afforded them of inspecting the beauties of the
, camp, which, to do them mere justice, may he seen
in the very briefest period. To a superficial ob-
server the whole bears as strong resemblance as ever
to the black-looking sheds round the mouth of a
coalpit, and the only ornamental feature on the
whole plain is the neat little clubhouse, hedged in,
as if taste was impounded for having strayed
so far. Those familiar with the camp, espe-
cially with its last yeat's aspect, will, however,
under its general mask of monotony notice many
changes and some improvements. The whole ground
both between and round the huts is scrupulously
Olean, and the huts themselves have a tidy and even
a comfortable air. The cavalry stables are great
improvements ; inside they are lofty, spacious, dry,
well drained and ventilated, paved with stone, and
as clean as huts. Rich stable accommodates 70
horses, which stand in rows at both sides, so
accustomed to one another's presence as even to
have given up kicking. At intervals of every 20
feet or so doors are fixed in the side walls, in
order to give free egress to all the horses instantly
in case of any accident from fire. Outside the
stables are surrounded with trim little gardens,
which, though containing nothing beyond a few
wild plants and stone devices, look tasteful, and
augur well for the discipline and good order of the
camp. The visitor will observe with surprise that
all these ranges of stables (than which it would be
impossible under the circumstances to have better),
are formed of rough planks, roof-d in with canvas
—a means of shelter which, it will be recollected,
was derided as utterly wor bless when :•ought to be
applied to our cavalry in the Crimea. Some months'
experience of these stables a, Aldershot, completely
overtures all the hypoth, tical objections which were
urged as reasons against their use in the East before

the Chelsea B arrof Inquiry.
In the Saudi Camp (beyond that wretched canal,
compared with which Le he must have been a purl-
ing brook) radical changes have taken place. Where
the eye last year only rested upon a dreary expanse
of common, varied het e and there with a treache-
rous morass, a town of permanent barracks is fast
springing into existence. Whole acres of stabling
and streets of barracks' extend over an immense
space. These edifices are distinguished by some
few and most important improvements in birrack
building, and are certainly the most complete and
useful buildings of the kind that have ever been
encted in this country. In this brief notice it is
impossible to convey a proper idea of their extent
and fitness, but we shall take occasion to refer to
the subject again as the works advance towards
completion.
A little before two o'clock the troops in the camp
were under arms, and, afier the usual parade in-
spection in front of their huts, upwards of 14,000
men of all arms began to move across the common
towards the long valley. An immense concourse
of spectators had by that time collected, and weze
fast pouring in from the surrounding neighbour-
hood. For once the dust of Aldershot had been
completely laid by heavy storms of rain which
swept over the camp in the morning, and it was
kept in subjection by drenching showers at short
intervals throughout the remainder of the day.
There were, however, moments when even the dust
would have been a relief to the cold rain.

As usual, the most picturesque feature of the day
was while the mass of troops were en route to the
long valley ; the dense sombre columns of the
Rifles contrast ed finely with the bright hues of the
Liue Regiments, Guards and Cavalry, while the
long trains of Artillery on the flanks seemed like a
massive frame to the bright picture in the centre.
Nearly the whole of the troops now wear the uni-
forms contracted for by the Government, and not
by the regimental colonels. The importance of hav-
ing superseded the latter gallant clothiers is mani-
fested in the altered appearance of the men. Their
coats are of beautiful material, the privates wearing
the cloth formerly only given to sergeants, while
the sergeants have the same as the commissioned
officers. Yesterday one or two men could be dis-
cerned still dressed in the old brick-cdloured baize,
and having an indescribably dingy appearance
among their well-clad comrades. All the infantry
marched to the ground in open columns of corn-
panies—the cavalry and artillery in troops, and
troops of batteries. With the exception of the usual
Camp Guards from each corps there were out yes-
terday two companies of the Royal Engineers,
three field batteries, two troops of Horse Artillery,
the 15th and 7th Hussars ; two companies cf the
Grenadier Guards ; Ist battalion of Coldstream
Guards ; the Rifle Brigade, ht, 2d, and 3d batta-
lions ; the 22d, 54th, 66t o, 19th, 88th, 20th, and
97th Regiments, with some of the Ist battalion of
the Military Train. The whole moved across the

long valley; and formed for a short time in the

slope of ti;e long hill in close column, looking at
he distance as if lich pastures had suddenly sprung
into bloom across the barren heath. When General
Knollys came upon the ground the columns were
deployed into a line two deep and nearly a mile

and a half in length, tapering away into a distant
streak of red which twinkled with the glitter of
bayonets. In the centre of the huge semicircle a
double line was formed by the Guirds, Cavalry,
and Horse Artillery, with the field batteries, in
front of all. The latter having fired the usual
Royal salute, the Minies of tie whole force rose
into the air as if by magic, and the feu de joie com-
menced, at first with a confused hoarse rattle, but
gradually swelling into one tremendous roar which
filled the air and seemed to make the very plain
vibrate and throb beneath its thundering din.
Three times was this imposing volley given, the
echoes of one scarcely dying away ere another was
commenced, the Royal salute of the day—the men's
hearty cheers—winding up the whole. The latter
were often renewed, coining from the extreme right
of the line like the distant roar of the sea, and
sometimes almost vieing with the noise of the
musketry. _ _ _

The line then broke up, and the most interesting
feature of the day—the marching past the General
—began. The force passed the Staff in the follow-
ing order :—Troops of Royal Hone Artillery, the
7th and 15th Hussars, companies of Engineers, a
field battery, the Guards, 22d Regiment, 3d Bat-
talion of Rifles, 54th and 6Gth Regiments, field
battery, 20th and 97th Regiments, and 2d Bat-
talion of Rifles.
The marching of the Guards was, as it always. is,
faultless. Each company seemed one solid machine,
firm as a wall, and not a man an inch beyond or
behind Ys comrade. After these, the corps _ the
most conspicuous for steady movement and perfect
formation wore the 20th and BSt The ranks of
the latter were cruelly thinned in the late war, and,
for the numbers engaged, probably more men of
Ithis fine old regiment fell in action with the enemy
than in any other corps. At Inkermann more than
half of those in action were killed or wounded, and.
the memory of their losses at both attacks on the
Redan must be but too fresh in the minds of many
of our readers to need recapitulation here. The,
breaches then made in their ranks have been but
ill repaired, and mere lads now represent tho rine.
companies of picked soldiers which landed at h.a-
lamita. Nevertheless the marching of the regiment
was remarked and admired yesterday. After all
the infantry bad passed the cavalry and artillery
again returned and passed the staff at a canter, and
with this the day's proceedings terminated.
It may save our readers some disappointment if
we inform them that the field days are now no
longer Tuesday and Friday. Retrenchment has
penetrated the Camp, if reform has not, and powder
burning is strictly limited to Wednesdays. They
will also be glad to learn that a handsome and com-
modious station is being erected at Farnborough,
which soon promises to be one of the most com-
fortable, as it undoubtedly is already one of the
best managed, on the railway.

-.,
We are not yet able to announce that the vacancy in
the direction of the East India Company, caused by the
retirement of Col. Oliphant, has been filled up. The
choice is generally supposed to lie between Mr. Thomas,
of the Madras Civil Service, and Sir Proby Cantley, of
the Bengal Artillery. Col. Tucker, late adjutant-general
of the Bengal Army, has been also named as a fit person
rot a likely candidate; and the names of more than
retired Indian chief justice have been cited in the
course of the speculations which have been NO fertile
.luring the past fortnight among people interested in In-
dian affairs. It appears, however, by no means impro•
bable that Col. Lake will be appointed to the 'scant
seat,—Smith, Elder, and c 0,4 Ovelonci Affia