The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-04 00:00:00

recollection of the paper in question. As the
article before us chiefly relates to the stormy
struggles of the conflicting dynasties of the period,
we shall probably have its continuation in a future
number. Alexander Bain proceeds with his
.exa-
mination of the sentiments according to phrenology
in his usual careful and reflective strain, and the
"Chronicle of Current History" gives a fair and
succinct resume of the political events of the month
at-home and abroad.

United Service Magazine.
The United ,Service contains a very sensible
article on " School of Musketry at II ythe, ' in which
the theory and practice of rifle shooting and long
range are considered. The writer maintains that
target practice is no criterion of what could be
effected by troops on service; in the one case the
distance is known, and the marksman has nothing
to disturb him ; but if a park of artillery were
firing at him from before the butt, the accuracy of
his aim would be more than doubtful :
What men may do in cold blood. at measured distances,
offers but a very feeble criterion—if it is any criterion at
all—of what they can accomplish when they are assailed by
others, and in the smoke, noise, and more or less of confu-
sion of a general action. We venture to say that the men
Who, under such circumstances, can be induced to advance
as rapidly as possible, consistent with steadiness, to reserve
their fire until near the enemy, and then to close upon him,
will be those on whose side victory will most commonly be
found, and there is nothing which ought to be more care-
fully guarded against in the case of our soldiers than the
attempt to make them think that they can ever effect much
by a distant fire, or that great accuracy of shooting at long
distances at a target is the most desirable qualification they
can attain to. Good shooting is essential to the
soldier, but it is good shooting at a moderate dis-
tance that he should be practised in, and that
he should be taught to consider the most necessary
and that alone by which his object in action can be attained.
Occasional shots at long ranges may be all very well to
410 h
show the power e improved musket, and what can be
done with it in skilful hands where there are no dis-
turbing causes; d the distinction should be drawn be-
tween Rifle and Light Infantry Regiments, and those who
fight in line, of giving the prize for good shooting at greater
distances to the former, than in any but very exceptional in-
stances should ever be attempted by the latter. Light In-
fantry might shoot for distinction at from 600 to 700
yards, but the best shot at about 300 yards at the utmost
ought to be the test for the rest of the infantry. It is striking
at the root of the admirable qualities of the English soldier,
his superior physical strength, and his cool persevering
courage, to cause him to attach any value to the distant
firing, so much in fashion just now amongst military
theorists.

" The Board of Admiralty" claims the second place
in this number, under which head the formation of
that almost corresponding institution, its functions,
patronage, and abuses are considered. From a
chapter on " The American Army and Militia',
some general information of the military strength
of Uncle Sam may be gathered. " Remarks upon the
Effects of the New Armament of Cannon and Rifles
lately adopted in the British Army," by Claudius
Shaw are cleverly written, and his observations
upon drill and uniform are correct, and could they
be forced upon the understanding of some of our
Pipeclay and routine gentlemen at the Horse
Guards, much improvement might be effected in our
arm:—
As y
it is supposed that as our army are all riflemen now,
a good deal of the old system will be abolished, and every-
thing be done on the light infantry system. It would be
a great matter if most of the old manceuvres for battalion
were abolished, and such as might be retained always done
at the double. Slow time, even in marching past, should
be sent to the right-about, as the ranks can be opened and
all that parade work done at quick, and everything else at
doable. The melt should be encouraged much more in all
sorts of athletic sports, even when taken out to drill, after
a manoeuvre or two ; arms might be piled occasionally, and
all hands sent to leapfrog, jump, run races, climb up steep
banks, rocks, &c., &c.—officers as well as men; this would
amuse all parties, and would render the men cheerful and
give Ihem something to think of after they got home. On
marching out days, during the winter months, they ought
not to confine themselves to the high roads, but cross the
country in a direct line to some particular object or place,
rest a while, and perhaps cook their dinner, or at least eat
Some bread and cheese, then return in the afternoon ; the
Men would enjoy the fun. Our men want something
occasionally to amuse them—soma variety from the common
dull routine of duty; and during the winter season they
could not do any injury to the land. Companies, or say
half the regiment, might be made to act independent of the
other, and take a position, and have a little impromptu sham
fight, while the other wing would come up and join them.
Such work as this is what our troops require. The art of
War has gone through great changes since the time when
burulas's eighteen manceuvres were in vogue, all done in
ordinary time slow marching. How fatiguing it used to
tO go through a field-day, in tight whi breeches and
gaiters fitting close to the leg, with eighteen buttons up
the aide of each; hair powder and grease melting and run-
ning down; hair tied so tight behind that a man could
not shut his eyes vials nous aeons change tout cela. But
even now the clothes are far too tight; why should not
body of the tunic be made quite loose, and belted round
the waist. In cold climates, clothing might be put
under it, and in warm it would be cooler. Are the
English soldiers never to have a comfortable head
dress f something that will turn mist off from running
down the back of the neck. And, then, the senseless, use-
less, peakless forage cap. A forage cap ought to be some-
thing comfortable, and which would cover the ears and
sack of the neck on a bivouac—something warm that a man
might sleep in. Forage caps were introduced into the
British army during the Peninsular war; there was no
established patterns, but all were unanimous in having
some kind of flap to cover the ears. One word more as to
the dress. Why are the officers more conspicuous than the
men ? Why not give them a pouch, instead of the useless
sash? It would at least do to carry cigars in, but they all
ought to be made to carry a telescope which would slide up
to the length required, and would make it both useful and
ornamental.,
" A Traveller's Life in Western Africa" presents
some details of that country. The second part of
" Another Trip in the Himalayahs," continued from
last month, concludes the adventure. " An Officer's
Diary of a Two Months' Boat Expedition in Bur-
taah" furnishes an account of the savage inhabi-
tants of that barbarous country. The inhuman
cruelty of the Rajah, and the tortures inflicted on
his unfortunate prisoners, are narrated with feel-
ings of natural indignation. " A Cruise in the
Coral Sea," and the usual naval and military in-
formation of the month, conclude the number.

Bentley's Miscellany.
The first pages are devoted to Mr. Harrison
Ainsworth's new work, " The Constable of the
Tower," to which we called attention some days
since. Monkshead in " Mingle-Mangle " gives us
his ideas of storm brewing and skyey influences.
"was there ever, I wonder, a novel written without
thunderstorm in it ? A novel without a hero we
have all heard of ? But where is there a novel
'Without a tempest or hurricane ?" begins the author,
and we think he is not far wrong; at all events, we
Cannot call one to mind. "Au Easter Day at
Rome and its Contrast" is the experience of
a Protestant clergyman residing at the
ternal City during the Easter festival. He
is, of course, rather biassed in favour of his
Own convictions, and antagonistic to the doc-
trines of Rome. " Our Corps' Friends and Foes," by
Ouida, is one of this author's variations of his
stereotypeld model, and is amusingly written. " The
Baewick" is continued, and part four com-
mences in this number. From a long review of
Dr. Hook's Lives of the Archbishop of Canterbury"
a general sketch of the work may be gathered.
The first five chapters of an excellent story by
Dudley Costello, entitled " Crooked Usage, or the
Adventures of Lorn Loriot," brings us to a conclu-
sion that the tale is cleverly written. An unfortu-
nate pawnbroker has an infant left with him, but
not as a pledge on which to procure money, nor yet
as a pledge of lawless love, but the " lovely little dar-
ling" is left on his counter by a muffled female,
Much to his discomfort and his wife's delight.
" This is a rum go 1" said Mr. Squirl as soon as he got
his breath—" one of the rummiest of goes I ever came
across in the whole course of my experience 1"
" You may say that, Mr. Mess," returned his wife, who,
during his absence had not stood quietly with her hands
before her, but indulging in a natural, a pardonable
curiosity, had occupied herself by untying the shawl and
examining the contents of the bundle. " You may say that,
Mr. Hess. You never had a babby in pledge before, I 'ope,
Mr. Hess ?"
"A babby I" cried the pawnbroker, raising his hands and
opening his eyes wide with astonishment. " You don't
mean to say so 1 A babby I"
"Yes, and a very pretty one I A little boy, by the
rosette in his cap, and as like our poor dear little Tom at
six weeks as ever was two your).g brockilo sprouts."
" You surely don't mean, my dear--"
"No, Mr. Hess I" interrupted Mrs. Squirl, staring hard
in her husband's face while she spoke. " I acquit you of
that. It bears no resemblance to you. When I thought
of poor little Tom, taken from us
ten years ago—but all
children at that age are alike—it'sof no use grieving now.,,
Yet Mrs. Squirl wiped her eyes as she uttered these
words.
"IVhat's to be done with the hinfant ?" said the pawn-
broker, who, like his wife, was troubled with false
aspirates.
The little creature at that moment awoke from sleep, and
as it lay smiling
suggested the answer by
stretching out
its "
Take feeble hands. It said," as plainly as if it had spoken,
Vulgar, Mrs. Squirl undoubtedly was, angry
often, a
shrew sometimes ; but she had once been a mother, and
still possessed a woman's heart. It yearned towards the
helpless, abandoned babe, and shetookl
Mr. Squirl stood foolishly clang in the handkerchief
which
had led him into this, "the rummiest of goes."

New Monthly.
The condition of the British soldier occupies the
first paper, which has much sound sense and some
very useful suggestions. Among them we are glad
to see some remarks on the want of employment,
'Which is so serious an evil in the soldier's life in
barracks. «If any mode," says the writer, "could
be found of utilising those idle hours it would be a
great boon to the army." He commends the intro-
duction of athletic sports and amusements among
thel 'nen, which has recently been tried in some
places While commenting on several draw-
backs to the soldier's health, morals, and efficiency
41 the existing arrangements, the writer ex-
-I::_eses his sense of the great improvement
~,neh has been effected in our military
etero of late years. Sir Nathaniel devotes
u.',3 article to the unfortunate 11Iory Tudor,
11":?r,n later historians, with the increased toleration
;4, knowledge of the age, have learned to regard
'"I some of the pity which, as a woman, she