The Sun.
London, England, 1861-10-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, OCTOBER 7, OM

priere, instructor of musketry to the Royal Engi-
neers ; and the firing under the-superintendence 'of
Lieut. C. Isaacs, 9th Kent.
The first annual prize meeting of the 19th (City
of Rochester) company of Kent Rifle Volunteers
took place on. Friday last at the Government butts,
Chatham, *hen a variety of prizes were contended
for. The first prize disputed was the Challenge
Cup, to be held far 12 months, and also a second
cup, given by the officers of the company, to be fired
for by members, five shots each, at 200, 500, and
600 yards. The prize was ultimately won by
Private Hall. AT field glass, presented by Mr.
Pyke to the member who made the greatest score,
was taken by Sergeant Fletcher. The second prize
was for the City Plate, open to the Volunteers of
Chatham and Rochester ; distances 300 and 600
yards, with five shots at each, For this prize there
were 32 competitors, the first prize being a silver
cup, value £lO, which was won by Private Francis,
9th Kent, who scored nine points. A prize of a silver
cup, given by Alderman Manclark, brought out 30
competitors, the winner being Sergeant F. Homan,
who made 15 points in five shots each at 200 and
500 yards. The last match was for a prize of X 5, open
to the whole of the troops of the garrison, and
also Volunteers, five shots at 200 yards. This was
won by Sergeant Wyles, 19th Kent, who figured
10 points.
The 10th Kent Volunteer Artillery assembled
at the Arsenal-gate about 3 p.m. on Saturday
afternoon, and commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Ellis,
marched to Plumstead-common for battalion drill.
On their arrival at the common the regiment, con-
sisting of about 200 men, were put through several
evolutions which were exceedingly well executed.
The, actual strength of this fine regiment is up-
wards of 400.
On Wednesday a handsome bugle was presented
by Mrs. Newington, wife of Captain Newington,
to the 41st Kent Rifle Volunteers, subscribed for
by the residents on the Bedgebury estate.
The Harwich Artillery Volunteers were in-
spected in the course of last R eek by Col. Gibbon,
who stated that ho had had several opportunities
of inspecting the gunnery practice of the corps,
and he considered that it was perfect. The gallant
colonel added that, upon a recent visit made by the
Duke of Cambridge to Harwich, some of the distin-
guished officers who came down with his Royal High-
ness expressed to him (Col. Gibbon) the 'pleasure I
with which they had witnessed the working of the
guns.

The Norfolk corps hive not been inactive during
the last few days. On Thursday the Yarmouth
Artillery corps was inspected by Col. Gibbon, R.A,,
and the men,. who. were under the command of
Major Marsh, executed creditably a series of evo-
lutions. A number of prizes recently shot for by
the various. Yarmouth companies were distributed
at the Town-hall in the course of last week. Sir E.
Lacon, M.P., addressed the Volunteers during the
proceedings; and enforced the necessity of attention
to discipline as well as drill, referring, in support
of his arguments, to the battle of •Bull's Run.
Twelve members of each of the six Norwich com-
panies have been competing for the honour of hold-
ing a challenge bugle presented last year to the
battalion by the Rev. J. H. Steward, and hitherto
held by the 2d Company. The shooting was at
ranges of 209, 500, and 600 yards, five rounds each.
The average number of points made by each man
in the 2d Company was 13.91 ; the 4th Company
came next, with an average of 13.83 points per
man ; but the other companies scarcely reached 13
points per man. The bugle consequently remains
in the possession of the 2d Company,
In Essex members of the Braintree Corps have I
competed for a silver cup valued at £25, given by
Mr. S. Courtauld, which was won by Private At-
kins, who made 18 points. A rifle, given to the 16th
Essex (Tendring) by. Capt. Cardinall, commandant,
has been won by Private 'G. Frost. The recently
formed practice gtound of the 14th Essex (Man-
ningtree) Corps on the banks of the Stour has been
opened for use by Lieut. Owen. On Wednesday
there were distributed to the Colchester Corps the
ladies' challenge cup, valued at £5O, won by Pri-
vate Pertence ; a first-class rifle, won by Private
Wright ; and a second-class rifle, won by Sergeau
Osborne.
The firs

t prize meeting of the 21st Hants Rifle

Volunteer Rifle Corps hu;taken place at the com-
pany's butts, liolybourrie, about two miles from
Guildford. The prizes, three in number, were
awarded to the highest number of points at the dis-
tance of 200 and 300 yards. Private Locke was the
winner of the first prize. The shooting was not al-
together good, owing chiefly to the little practice
the corps has had.

On Monday last the Dorsetshire Battalion of Ar-
tillery and Rifle Volunteers was reviewed by Col.
Edwards, of the 49th Regiment, at • Maiden Castle,
near Dorchester, in the presence of Lord Portman,
Sir J. D'Oyly, Mr, G. Sturt, M.P., Captain Napier
Sturt, M.P., Colonel Tapp, Mr. Featherstonhaugh,
- and a large number of spectators, the ground being
kept by detachments of the Queen's Own Dorset
Yeomanry Cavalry, the Carbincors stationed at
Dorchester, and the non-commissioned officers of
the Dorset Militia. The battalion was unclii the'
command of Lientenant-Colonel Mansel,. Ma-
jor Steward, Adjutant Barrett, and Captain-
Commandant Templer, aeting as second major,
and comprised the Lyme, Bridport, and Portland
Artillery corps, and the Bridport, Wareham, Dor-
chester, Poole, Weymouth, Wimborne, Sherborne,
and Blandford Volunteer Rifles, together 'with the
Blackmoor Vale sub-divisions, comprising the Stur-
minstcr,Newtoo, Stalbridge, and Gillingham Rifles,
the whole battalion numbering, upwards of. 800
men. The troops having executed the usual evolu-
tions were addressed in highly complimentary
terms by the reviewing officer. Lord Portman
then presented the prizes to the successful competi-
tors at the late County Association Prize meeting,
addressing a few suitable remarks to each and
congratulating them on their success.
On Wednesday night a dinner was given at
Dursley to the Rifle Volunteers of Dursley, Wotton-
under-Edge, and Berkeley, Gloucester, in acknow-
ledgment of their patriotic services. In the course
of the evening the toast of " The County Members"
was given, which called up Mr. Rolt, who
said that among the earliest of his political recol-
lections were the questions which arose when steam
navigation first proved an entire success. It was
obvious that it had, in a sense, bridged over the
Channel which separates us from the Continent,
and had reduced us to the level of a Continental
nation ; and that, should war arise, it would be
More likely to take place in our own fields than
before. The question therefore arose—How should
this new state of things be met P The Volunteer

movement had solved the probiem to the satisfaction
of everyone. We were free from danger to our
liberties, and not put to the expense of taxation
for our defence; A more constitutional defence
could not be found than our Volunteer force. The
Hon. Colonel Berkeley, M.P., subsequently re.
sponded to the toast of his health,
The second annual prize competition of the Volun-
teer Rifle and Artillery corps connetteti With
Chester commenced last Wedueopy and extended
The prizes shot for
coovmerptrhiseeatwosetvbellroaj. winglanapcisyosm.
e pieces of plate, the
Gold Challeri;e Medal (Colonel Brookes's), as well
as cash ;sizes to the amount of £lOO. The first
prize was the Ladies' Purse, value £2O. The com-
Pet:itors were allowed five shots each at 200, 500,
tend 600 yards. The highest aggregate number of
points at the three ranges combined was made by
Sergeant Rautsden, who took £lO. The next prize
was given by Captain Humberaton, M.P. . It was a
drill handicap of £25, open to all members who
had attended a minimum of 20 drills since January 1;
any member who had been present at 30 drills to
have one point added to his score; 40, 2 points; 45
and upwards, 3 points. Tho first prize, £lO, was
won by Sergeant Tatlock. On Thursday Earl
Grosvenor, M.P., made excellent practice at the pool
targets. The £lOO prize, presented by Mr. Frost,
Points.
the ex-Mayor of Chester, for the highest number of
aggregate Points gained at 200, 500, and 600 yards
A silver inkstand o • elaborate design was
wa.s carried off by Corporal Prescott, who made 19
Won by Corporal,
highest aggregate at Peon, who had made the
500 yards.f To the highest
aggregate number oTfil°l3:ieta gained on both days
31Yalle4 1119 11aY94 P 1149 Q 4191 together. A

with Colonel Brookes's Gold Challenge Medal. The
Artillety VoVnnteers shot on Friday fafseveral
prizes. The Ladies' Purse.(£2s) was won by Ser-
geant Kibble, who made 23 points and took £10;
the second and third Prizes going in the same rate
as the Ladies' Purse competed for by the Rifle
Volunteers. Several other prizes were also com-
peted for. Captain Humberston, M.P., Major
Manners, and Major Starkey were unceasing in
their endeavours for the success of the meeting.
The first annual meeting of the Staffordshire Rifle
Association was held .on Tuesday, Wednesday,
Thursday, and Friday last, and was very success-
ful. The place selected was that part of Cannock
Chase which lies near Brownhills, a few miles from
Lichfield. The prizes offered by the association to
Volunteers sent from each company in proportion
to its strength, and numbering in all about 120,
amounted to £l4O. The winner of the highest
prize, £3O, for the best score at 600 yards, was Ser-
geant
Nicholls, of the Stoke company, who, having
made the highest number of points at the three
ranges of 200, 400, and 600 yards—viz., 22 points,
also became the winner of a prize of £5O, presented
by the Countess of Dartmouth, and the bronze medal
of the National Rifle Association. The possession
of this medal confers upon Sergeant Nicholls the
title of champion shot for the year,' and also gives
him the right of competing for the Prince of Wales'
prize of £lOO at Wimbledon next July. Prizes
amounting to £4O were distributed among the best
shots in the three regiments of the King's Own
Staffardshire Militia, and of this sum £l6 went to
Sergt.-Major Webb, of the 3d Regiment. Twenty-
five members of the Queen's Own Staffordshire Yeo-
manry Cavalry entered a sweepstakes of 10s. each,
to which the association added £lO, and the winner
of the highest prize was Private Salt, of the Ut-
toxeter troop. Tempting prizes were also held out
to all corners. The ranges were 200, 400, and 600
yards, at which' Sergt..W. Phillips, of the Ist
Shropshire, made 26 points, and won the first prize
of £2O. The 10 beet shots of the all comers at these
ranges then fired for a prize of £25 at 800 and 900
yards. The prize was 'won by Mr. M. Crosbee, who
made 9 points. He is employed. as a lighter of rifles
by Messrs. Turner,: of Birmingham. The Earl of
Lichfield presented a powerful field-glass to be shot
for at 200 yards, and this was won by Sergt. White-
house, of, the 11th company, The Messrs. Turner
gave ono of their patent rifles, with case complete,
value 15 guineas:" It was won by Private Fairfield,
who scored 11 points at 400 and 600 yards.
The various Lincolnshire corps continue to engage
in competition for prizes. In a series of matches
among the Bourn corps, 38 competitors appeared
for a silver tankard given by Lord Aveland. The
shooting was 300 and 400 yards, 5 rounds each, and
the prize was won by Private Peach, who scored-13
points.

cause it is independent of any action of, the Pope
himself. The new Ooverntnent does not even re-
I
T quire the Ponfificalsblessing. tio that the policy
which Pius IX. has clung to from a tradition of its
efficacy has been almost fee the first time a failure.
This however the Pope and his advisers cannot yet
see. They still believe that the, princes of the earth
must in the end interfere to protect the Holy See.
As to the Emperor of the French, there is one idea
which Pius and Antonelli and Morode have always
in their minds. " He dare not" is the secret convic-
tion of the Papal conclave. The ruler of France—
France with its millions of peasantry, its 40,000
priestly controllers of votes—cannot allow Rome to
be conquered by the Revolution. Society in Paris
is against it, the Empress is against it, the salon as
well as the cottage is against it. French influence
in many regions of the earth depends mainly on the
support of the Catholic body. In the East, for in-
stance, the protection of France is gratefully repaid
by crowds of missionaries, who impress on all whom
they control that France is the first nation of the
world, and the Emperor the greatest of all rulers.
Shall the Papacy be provoked into diverting all
this influence into some other channel, and into
dissolving this long-enduring and mutually advan-
tageous patisanship ? " The Emperor dare not de-
sert us ; let us remain firm, and all will be well."

This hallucination is well shown by the Pope's
allocution at the Consistory lately held. In a tone
of mingled defiance and supplication he protested
against the designs of his enemies and the luke-
warmness 'of those who still called themselves his
friends. But the full stream of his anger was
poured on those who advised compliance with the
desires of his subjects. Perhaps the Pope may be
right in thinking it is too late now to make any
terms with the Revolution ; at any rate, the ad-
visers of such a course are stigmatised in such a
manner to which we are hardly accustomed even in
the manifestoes of the Papacy. "In these times
of confusion and disorder," says his Holiness, "it
is not rare to see certain Christians, certain Ca-
tholics—there are some of them even among the
secular 'clergy and in convents—who have ever
on their lips the words conciliation, compro-
misc.' Well ! I do not hesitate to declare
these men are mistaken, and I do not regard
them as the least dangerous enemies of the
Church." "As conciliation," says the Pope, fur-
ther on, " is not possible between God and Belial, so
it ia not possible between the just and the unjust,
between the Church and those who would compass,
her destruction." That these denunciations can be
sincere no man of judgment will believe. The Pope
is said to have concluded with a prayer that his be-
loved Rome might be preserved from the poison of
impiety, and his voice, we are told, was broken by
a sob. But, in spite of these hysterical ejacula-
t one, it is incredible that an ecclesiastic of such
age and experience as Pope Pius should really be-
lieve that three-fourths of the Roman Catholic
Princes and a very large section of Roman Catholic
society are really desirous to conciliate God and
Bohai, and to overthrow the Church they profess to
reverence. The Pope must be aware that the cause
of his temporal authority is lost in Europe. If he
looks round over the Continent he sees nothing but
apathy. Everywhere. Princes and nations are going
on in their usual way, eating and drinking, buying
and selling, while the revolution is surging round
the Vatican. If they had intended to stir they
would have stirred before this. The French Church
party, who, if they had really been in earnest, could
have put an end to the alliance between Pilate and
Herod, have done little more than make a few
decent demonstrations. But the influence of Rome
has of late years been excessive in France, and
if France will not come to the rescue little can be
hoped for elsewhere. The Pope must see that,
while the Catholic populations are sufficiently at-
tached to their old faith and ritual, there arc other
principles working among them which prevent them
from believing that the freedom of the Italians is
inconsistent with religion. What have the pious
Belgians, or the warm-hearted Rhinelanders, or
the chivalrous and fanatical Spaniards, done in
defence of the Pope's authority ? They have been
the coldest of Laodiceans, in spite of the preaching
of the Ultramontane clergy. Even the Irish them-
selves cannot be moved. The priests do nothing
but complain that the most Catholic of nations is
for leaving the Italians to govern themselves, and
can see no reason why the universal Bishop should
keep up a hated authority over a few hundred
thousand souls in Southern Europe. The Pope
knows as well as we that the mass of Roman Catho-
lics in both hemispheres are at heart indifferent to
the maintenance of his temporal authority, but he
hopes that the French Emperor will find it to his
interest to support him, and in that hope he has
plainly determined to make no concession.