The Sun.
London, England, 1861-01-12 00:00:00

THE ARMY.

His Royal Highness the General Commanding-
in-Chief held a levee yesterday afternoon at the
Horse Guards. There was a numerous attendance

of officers.

A board of officers, of which Col. J. C. Kennedy,
C. 8., commandant of the Military Train, is presi-

dent, has been assembled at Whitehall for the pur-
pose of inquiring into thelorganisation and working
of the newly-raised Army Hospital Corps, in order
that some alterations and improvements may b©
effected in that branch of the service, the condition
and working of which appear to be by no means
satisfactory to the military authorities. Already a
great deal of important evidence has been taken by
the commissioners, which will materially guide them
in framing their report to the Duke of Cambridge.
From what has been elicited from the various wit-
nesses who have been examined it has been ascer-

tained that the Army Hospital Corps numbers about
1,000 non-commissioned officers and men scattered
throughout the globe, from 150 to 200 being attached
to the headquarters, Chatham. The corps is re-
cruited entirely from volunteers from other regi-
ments, a recent circular having been issued, calling
on commanding officers of regiments to recommend
efficient men for that corps. It has, however, been
fcund that at the present moment the Army Hos-
pital Corps contains some of the very worst cha-
racters to be found in her Majesty's service, a class
of menthat commanding officers are only too happy
to get rid of from their corps, instead of recom-
mending their most steady men. It has also been
found that the corps at headquarters is not suffi-
ciently officered, and, consequently, there is a laxity
of discipline at Fort Pitt Hospital, the men serving
at which establishment are nominally under the
command of Dr. Hume, the principal medical officer,
but the arduous and multifarious duties performed
by that officer prevent his taking the requisite
supervision over them. The office of captain of the
orderlies has been created, but has not as yet been
filled up, although it is strongly recommended that
such an officer should be immediately appointed.
Various other changes will, it is anticipated, be
strongly recommended to be carried into effect, in
order to effect improvement in the corps.

During the last few days a series of experi-
ments have been made in the presence of the select
committee of Woolwich Arsenal with the 100-
pounder Armstrong gun at Shoeburyness. The
experiments were exceedingly satisfactory, and
fully established the fact of the new 100-pounder
ordnance being equal to the smaller sizes. A ship's
side, partially covered with massive iron plates,
some of which had been stripped off for the purpose
of testing the fuzes at the commencement of the
experiments, was set up at 1,000 yards' distance, to
form the butt. The shells, filled with powder, were
at patches of white paper stuck upon the surface.
The spots were 12 inches in diameter, and in every
case the shell went through the mark, while the
instantaneous ignition of the powder made a hole
in the timber in the form of a huge doorway. The
target was placed on that part of the ship's side
which had been stripped of the iron plates, some
of which were still retained. One of these was
struck by accident and cut completely through.
The firing was repeated at various intervals with
the most successful result until at length the ship's
side became so riddled that the shells were fired
through the chasms without even touching the
ragged and splintered borders, and exploded on
coming in contact with the ground a considerable
distance beyond.
The experiments terminated by
a few of Martin's shells filled with molten
firing
iron from one of the old service guns, which in the
course of a few minutes set the remains of the
wooden framework in a blaze. At the conclusion
the experimental gun was found to be as perfect as
when the trials commenced. By the late improvements
in the breech there was no escape of gas from the
explosion, to test the fact of which the committee
several times filled the cavity with snow, and, after
the gun was fired, the snow had not the slightest
discolouration. It was accordingly acknowledged
unanimously that by the new arrangement it is
barely possible for the plug to be blown out in the
event of any carelessness on the part of the gunner
in screwing it home. Col. St. George, R.A., C. 8.,
president of the select committee ; Capt. Sir W.
Wiseman, R.N., Nice-president ; and the members
who were present, as wall as Sir W. Armstrong,
expressed their admiration of the result. The gun
was made in the factory at Woolwich Arsenal, un-
der the superintendence of Mr. Anderson, and is
considered, according to the statement of the com-
mittee, tq, be the finest specimen of a wrought iron
gun which has yet been submitted. bears were
entertained by Sir W. Armstrong, and were coin-
cided in by the committee generally, that the severe
frost might affect some of-the parts, but no symp-
toms of any casualty were manifested to mar the
success of the experiments, which extended over
two entire days. As these guns are now in course
of rapid manufacture, the country may feel assured
that the naval armament will be supplied forth-
with to meet the demands of any emergency, how-
ever sudden.

,
:

{

(1

1

•
ROY AL ENGLISH OPERA'
COVENT-GARDEN.
Under the Management of Miss Louisa Pyne and Mr. W:
Harrison, Sole Lessees.
THIS EVENING. Mellon's Opera of VICTORINE. tfiss
Louisa Fyne. Miss Thirlwall. Mr. H. Corr Mr. H. Haigh,
Mr. A. St. Albyn, and Mr. G. Homoastle.
With the Grand Pantomime, BLUE BEARD ; or, Harle-
auto and Freedom in her Island Home. Clowns, Messrs. H.
toleno, H. Payne. Hildyard, and Lilliputians. Harlequins,
Messrs. Milano and F. Payne. Pantaloons, Messrs. Barnes
and Tanner. Columbines, Mdme. Boleno and Clara Morgan.
Sprites, the Zelinski Family. Mr. W. H. Payne, Mlle.
Lamoureux, &e.
Conductor—Mr. Alfred Mellon. Commence at Senn.

THEATRE-ROYAL, HAYMARKET.
Lessee, Mr. J. B. Sueketone.
THIS EVENING the performances will commence with
DOES HE LOVE ME ? Miss Vandeleur, Miss Fanny Stir-
ling ; Bubble, Mr. Buckstone.
After which, a new Pantomime, QUEEN LADYBIRD
AND HER CHILDREN. The Pantomimists by the un-
rtealled Leclercqs, Herr Cole, and Fanny Wright.

Commence at 7.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE .—Lessee
and Manager, Mr. A. Harris.—A GRAND MORNING
PERFORMANCE of the Pantomime. ROBINSON
CRIJSOE ; or, Harlequin Friday and the King of them aribo
bee Islands, on !MONDAY, Jan. 14, 'commencing Two
o'clock. Again acknowledged to be the best Pantomime in
London.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Lessee and Manager, Mr. A. Harris.
THIS EVENING. the performances will commence with
THE CORSICAIr BROTHERS. Messrs. Eechter, Harris,
Meadows, Mrs. Weston, and Miss Murray.
After which, a new Christmas comical pantomime, entitled
ROBINSON CRITSOE ; or, Harlequin Friday, and the King
of the Caribbe Islands : in which Monsieur Espinosa and
Mdlle. Marie atre, of the principal continental theatres,
will appear. Dumil
Clown, Mr. A. F. Forrest

ADFLPHT, NEW THEATRE-ROYAL.
Role Proprietor and Mower, Mr. Beni. Webster.
THIS EVENING, AN UGLY CUSTOMER. Messrs. .T.
L. Toole, C. Selby, and Warde ; Miss K. Kelly, and Miss E.
Thorne.
After which, THE COLLEEN BAWN. D. Boucicault, D.
Fisher, Billington. Falconer, Stephenson. C. J. Smith, Romer.
Miss Agnes Robertson, Miss Woolgar, Mrs. Billington, and
Mrs. Chatt,erley.
To conclude with ft new Burlesque Extravaganza, entitled
BLUE BEARD FROM A NEW POINT OF HUE.
Messrs. J. L. Toole, P. Bedford, C. J. Smith ; Miss Woolgar,
N. Kelly, Laidlaw, and R. Thorne.
-

_
Doors open at half past 6—Commence at T.
Box-office open from 10 till 5.
No charge for booking.
Private boxes, £2 2s. ; Family Boxes, Al.
Orchestra Stalls, ss. ; Balcony, 4s. Front Circle Stalls, Ss.
Pit Stalls, 25.; Pit, ls. 6d. ; Amphitheatre, is ; 6cl-
- Manager—lar. Win. Smith.

THEATRE - ROYAL LYCEUM.
Soie Lessee and Directress, Madame CELESTE.
THIS EVENING, a new Drama, entitled THE IRISH
EMIGRANT. Messrs. G. Vininsr. J. Johnstone T. Lyon.
Forrester, and John Drew; Miss Kate Saville, Miss Stuart,
and Mrs. J. Rouse.
Atter which, the Lyceum Christmas Comic Extravag•anza,
CRYSTABELLE ; or, The Rose without a Thorn, showing*
THE VISION OF A ROSE. ITS FADING AT EVE,
AND THE MAY-BLOOM OF THE WILD BRIAR.
To conclude with THE OMNIBUS. Pat Rooney, Mr.
John Drew.

A STLEY'S ROYAL AMPHITHEATRE.-
Proprietor and Manager, Mr. Was. BATTY.
This Evening, a new Spectacle, entitled THE LION
CONQUEROR; or, The Death Jungle, expressly for the
introduction of the Wonders of the World, " The Groups
of Performing Lions." The Lion Conqueror, Mr. J. Crockett.
To be succeeded by Scenes in the Arena, supported by
talented Parisian and British Artistes.
Concluding with Batty's Prize Equestian Comic Panto-
mime, for Good Little Boys and Girls, by T. L. Greenwood,
entitled HARLEQUIN AND THE WONDERFUL
HORSE ; or, Percinet and Grociosa, the Ugly Duchess and
the Greedy King, produced with Gorgeous Scenery. by Mr.
Cuthbert, new Costumes and Appointments, and introducing
in the comic scenes Batty's Prize Equestrian Ilarlequinade,
and the celebrated Old Bob Ridley, and Brandon Ledger.
Doors open at half-cast 6, performance commence at 7.
Box-offiCe open daily from 11 till 4
Stage Manager—Mr. W. WEST.
Director of the Arena—Mr. Pearson.

CANTERBURY HALL.
Open Every Evening at seven.
GRAND SELECTIONS from LA FTGLTA DEL REGI-
MENTO (Donizetti), NORMA, SONNAMBULA and
MARTHA.
Principal Artistes Miss RussELL, Madame MARIA, Miss
TYRRELL, Miss WILLIAMS, Mr. HENRY HERBERT, C.
W BERNARD, and Signor TIVOLI.
Musical Director... Mr. P. JCYNGITMANN.

The Comic Department comprises Messrs. J. BLANCHARD,
A. B. Harmwaswonva, Master BARRY, and E. MARSHALL.
The Fine Arts Gallery has been enriched by the addition of
the late John Martin's three Grand Pictures—viz., " THE
GREAT DAY of HIS WRATH," "THE PLAINS of
HEAVEN," and "THE LAST JUDGMENT," on view
from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., and from 7 p.m. untill2.