The Sun.
London, England, 1861-02-01 00:00:00

TBE ARMI'.

Col. Alexander Anderson, Commandant of the
Portsmouth Division of Royal Marine Light In-
fantry, has resumed the command of his division,
on retnrn from leave of absence.
The following officers from the Indian Military
College at Addiscombe, who have just been ga-
zetted to commissions in the corps of Engineers,
are ordered to join the head-quarters of the
Royal Engineer establishment at Chatham this
morning as Royal Engineers, and not as Indian
Engineers, as formerly :—Lieuts. A. Hill, F. W.
Nixon, E. J. Castle, K. C. Pye, R. Brockman, A.
A. Jopp, R. J. M'Clure, W. A. Wallace, and R.
Blood.

The official inspection of the Bedfordshire Light
Infantry Regiment of Militia, prior to their leav-
ing their quarters for disembodiment, took place on
the parade-ground of Colewort Barracks, Ports-
mouth, yesterday. The regiment was drawn up in
line on the parade-ground, and received the inspect-
ing officer, Lord W. Paulett, C. 8., Lieut.-Governor
of the garrison, and commanding the South-West
dtstrict, with the usual honours. The regiment was
commanded by Major Judd, in the absence of Col,
Gilpin, M.P., who was prevented being present in
consequence of being one of the sufferers, but in no
severe degree, by the late railway accident near
Wimbledon. After inspecting the men, Lord
Paulett, addressing the commanding officer, said,—
I extremely regret losing the services of so
fine a regiment as the Bedfordshire Light Infantry.
I am sorry that Col. Gilpin is not present, and learn
'with regret that his absence is occasioned by a severe
railway accident, and that he can only return to
march his regiment home. It was not my intention
to take my leave of you so early, but official duties
call me to London, and I shall not return until it
would be too late for the purpose. The very high
state of efficiency of the corps is eminently creditable
to all, from the commanding officer to the private,
and showa that all have worked together to promote
the interests of the service. The soldierlike appear-
ance and discipline of the Bedford is unrivalled,
and their general good conduct has become a house-
hold word in Portsmouth. No regiment has ever
behaved itself in a more orderly manner, and I tell
you you are a most respectable body of men. The
chief magistrate of this town is an old and expe-
rienced soldier, and the character he gives you is
unexampled in this garrison. I cannot let this op-
portunity pass by without speaking in terms of
high commendation of Capt. and Adjt. Toseland.
I knew him in the Crimea when he was Adjt. of the
33(1, and when. I had the honour of command-
ing the Light Division. A more zealous or merito-
rious officer is not in the service. The Parliamentary
duties of your colonels have subjected you to many
changes of commanding Officers bill you have al-
ways had an efficient one, and 'Captain Toseland's
ability and unwearied zeal have always ensured
the highest state of efficiency to the corps. Officers,
non-commissioned officers, and soldiers of the Bed-
ford, you are a regiment that your country and
county ought to be proud of, and I feel assured that
the reception you will meet with in Bedford on your
return will be worthy your high character. The
good wishes of the inhabitants of Portsmouth will,
lam sure, accompany you. I with you all success
in procuring employment on being disembodied,
and trust every man will, do well.
The regiment will proceed to Bedford on Thurs.
day next.

`TILE 'VOLUNTEEIR MOVEMENT.

LONDON SCOTTISH RIFLES.

A general meeting of this corps was held last
night in the Floral Hall, Covent-garden, with re-
spect to the recent appointment of 14 non-commis-
aioned officers. Lord Elcho, the colonel of the regi-
ment, presided, and at great length explained the
principles on which the election of the officers had
been conducted. A protracted discussion followed,
which lasted, until nearly midnight, and in which
Professor Mason and other gentlemen took a promi-
nent part. The question at issue resolved itself into
this—whether the membera of the corps should
have the nomination and appointment of the non-
commissioned officers, or. whether the ultimate deci-
sion should rest with the commanding officer In
speech of Lord Elcho he
the course of the opening
clearly showed by reference to the act under which
the volunteer corps are enrolled and bythe rules bind-
ing upon the Scottish RAles, that the commandirl officer, being directly responsible to Government forg
the efficiency of the corps, had practically unlimited
and uncontrolled power in the appointment of the'
officers, upon whose efficiency that of the
regiment itself depended. Anxious, however,
to consult the feelings and wishes of the
gen ntlemen he had the honour to com-
mand, he had, previous to the late election,
consulted with the greatest anxiety and with the
most sincere desire to promote concord wild effec-