The Sun.
London, England, 1861-07-11 00:00:00

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TIIE NAVY.

The paddlewheel steam frigate Leopard, 18, just
returned from South America, went yesterday
(Wednesday) from Plymouth Sound into Hamoaze,
where she will be dismantled.
The Channel pilots near the Land's-end have been
requested to instruct the masters of the hired tran-
sports Queen of England, Lady Ann, Algiers, Nim-
rod, and White Eagle, expected home from the
Indian Ocean, to land their troops at Plymouth.
Yesterday the War Department transport Petrel
received on board at the Ordnance wharf, Chatham,
one 100-pounder Armstrong gun for the Phaeton,
51, screw, one 100-pounder for the Orestes, 21,
screw corvette, and one 40-pounder Armstrong for
the Chameleon, 17, all belonging to the steam re-
serve in the Medway. She also shipped 160 cases
of the 100-pounder Armstrong shells, and 80 cases
of the 40-pounder shells for distribution to the
above screw steamers.

Yesterday, being the day appointed for the cele-
bration of her Majesty's birthday, was observed as
a general holiday at Portsmouth, Chatham, and
other garrisons.
The following appointments were made yester-
day at the Admiralty :—A. C. 0. Boddington and
L. S. Ensor, naval cadets, to the Centurion.

THE ARMY.

The East Indiaman Middlesex, 1,191 tons, be
longing to the firm of G. Marshall and Co., having
been chartered by the Hon. Council of India to con-
vey reinforcements to Calcutta, will embark 10
officers and 350 non-commissioned officers and men
at Gravesend this morning. The officers and troops
selected for embarkation for Calcutta belong to the
19th, 20th, 35th, 52d (Light Infantry), and 77th
Regiments, from Chatham ; 27th (Enniskillens),
34th, 38th, 54th, 88th (Connaught Rangers), and
97th Regiments, • from Colchester ; 90th Light In-
fantry, from Canterbury ; 42d and 92d Highlanders,
from Perth ; 13th (Prince Albert's Light Infantry)
and 89th Regiments, from Fermoy ; and the 48th
Regiment, from Cork.
The whole of the officers and men of the depot
brigade of the Royal Artillery, stationed at Sheer-
ness, who are under orders to embark for India, to
the number of 500 men of all ranks, were inspected
at that garrison yesterday afternoon by Col. Ned-
ham, the commandant, when the brigade was found
to be in a very efficient state. At the close of the
inspection Col. Nedham gave a spirited address to
the officers and men (which was afterwards issued
as an order of the day), in which he highly compli-
mented Lieut.-Col. Talbot and the officers at the
high state of discipline to which they had succeeded
in bringing the depot brigade. A detachment of
13 non-commissioned officers and 350 men will pro-
ceed from Sheerness to Woolwich to embark on
board the Sydenham, 1,147 guns, for Calcutta.
The following has been handed to us as an accu-
rate report of the late experimental firing with
Armstrong guns, at Shoeburyness, upon the iron
plates forged under the steam hammer in the smiths'
shop at Portsmouth Dockyard. The trials took
place by order of the Lords of the Admiralty, and
in the presence of the Iron-plat© Committee. It is
important to state that each plate when fired at
was placed in a vertical position against a wooden
framework, but without any backing such as the
plates received which have been bolted to a ship's
side, as in the instance of the Trusty and Sirius and
others. The plates were forged from scrap-iron, and
the chief interest in the experiments consisted in
the results assisting greatly to solve the problem as
to the superiority of forged or rolled armour plates
for iron-clad ships. The first plate tried was a6l
inch, 7ft. in length by 3 in breadth, and weighing
49 cwt. 1 qr. The weapon used against it was the
Armstrong shunt gun, with a 1201 b. projectile.
The range was 400 yards. The first shot discharged
made an indentation of 2 inches, with a slight frac-
ture, The second made a like indentation about 6
inches from the preceding shot, and fractured the
plate on its reverse. The third and fourth shots
cut pieces out of the plate's edge, and the fifth
struck the plate about 2 feet from its lower edge,
and broke it where it had been fractured by the
second shot. The next plate put up was a4l inch,
of the same length and breadth as the 61 inch, and
weighing 35 cwt. 2 qrs. The first shot discharged
from a 100 pounder at a range of 400 yards partially
embedded itself in the plate and remained there.
The succeeding shots at this plate were made with
the 1261 b. projectile, the first striking the plate in
the vicinity of the 1001 b. shot, and breaking out a
piece of the plate of a triangular form. The suc-
ceeding shot fractured the plate, the cracks
radiating, starlike, from the centre. The last shot
broke the plate 18 inches from the bottom. The
next plate tested was a 3 inch, 4 feet in length
by 3 broad, and weighing 13 cwt. 1 qr., a 40
pounder being used at 100 yards' range. The first
shot discharged indented the plate and bulged it on
its reverse. The second also indented the plate
about 21 inches and slightly fractured it on its re-
verse. The fourth plate fired at was a2l inch, of
the same length and breadth as the last, weighing
10 cwt. 3 qrs., at the same range, but commencing
with a 25-pounder. The first shot indented the
plate 1 a inches, but made no fracture. The second
made an indentation of 21 inches, and fractured the
plate on its reverse. The third struck the lower
part of the plate, 'but did no damage. The 40-poun-
der was now pointed at the plate, and its shot tore
a possage through. The last plate tested was a
2-inch, of the same length and breadth as the two
preceding ones, weighing Bcwt. 2qrs. 221 b. The
range was the same, commencing with a 12-pounder.
The first shot indented the plate about an inch and
a half ; the second fractured the plate, part of the
shot remaining in it ; and the third slightly frac-
tured it. The fourth and last shot was made from
the 40-pounder, and passed through the plate. This
was the last experiment. If our information be cor-
rect—that the officers on the ground declared the
plates in the present instance to be the best samples
of iron for armour plates that have been as yet
tested at Shoeburyness--there cannot be very much
doubt as to the superiority of forged over rolled iron
as armour for iron-cased ships. The trials of plates,
forged in Portsmouth dockyard when such tests
first began, on the sides of the Alfred target frigate,
led many to expect the results which have been ob-
tained; while others, on seeing the extraordinary
resistance offered to spherical shot by Beale's plate
lately at Portsmouth, thought even forged plates
could not excel that instance.

THE HORTICULTURAL GARDENS.

The second great flower show of the season was
held yesterday at South Kensington, in the new
gardens of the society. Even during the short time,
that has elapsed since the opening fete, wonderful
progress has been made in the grounds, not shown
so much, however, by the erection of any new work
as by the completeness of those which were hurried
forwazd for the opening. Thus all the paths and
terraces have been carefully and permanently gra-
velled, the greater part of the lawns re-turfed, and
the inlaid flower bed completed with their brilliant
mosaic paths. The late favourable weather, and the
careful gardening of Mr. Eyles, has brought these
beautiful little parterres out in all their colours,
and the effect which they Low produce on the slop-
ing lawn is wonderfully pretty and striking. The
large basin into which the cascade is to fall has also
been finished, though not yet surrounded with its
ornamental balustrade, and immediately overlook in g
the back of this little reservoir the foundations are
laid for the erection of the Exhibition Memorial of
1851. In fact, in the gardens themselves, grass,
trees, and flowers begin to wear the soft, green
healthy look which shows them to be recovering
from the transplantation, and thriving kindly. How
long it will be before all the varied sculptured work
of the beautiful arcades is finished, before all the
handsome pedestals are surmounted with vases and
the niches filled with statues, it is hard to say. To
finish them in this respect as they really deserve to
be finished would require a larger outlay of money
than the Horticultural Society can well spare just
now. There is no immediate hurry, however,
for this season, and no need for despondency
for the next when we see what has been done in a
similar case by individual efforts at the Wel-
lington College. There it was considered that the
niches for statues and busts would never be filled,
but already six statues have been presented, and
no less than twenty-two fine busts, all in bronze.
It was probably with a view of stimulating the
iFellows to making individual offerings of the same
kind that two of these statues and all the busts were
shown yesterday for the first time at Kensington.
The statues shown yesterday were those of Marshal
Lord Beresford and Lord Hill. The busts represent
General Sir. C. Colville, Sir James M'Grigor, Lord
Hardinge, the Earl of Strafford, General Sir John
Oswald, General Sir W. Ponsonby, General Sir
John Slade, General Sir Gaspard Le Marchant,
General Sir Lowry Cole, General Sir William
Houston, General Sir R. Ferguson, the Marquis
of Londonderry, the Earl of Aberdeen, Lord
Lyndhurst, General Sir George Walker, Lord
Harris (under whom the Duke served at the siege of
Seringapatam), General Sir D. Pack, Lord Edward
Somerset, General Craufurd, General Sir R. An-
struther, and Lord Cowley. All these statues and
busts have been modelled by Mr. Theed. They
are tnot remarkable as likenesses, but the pecu-
liarity of them is that they have all, even to the
largest, been made by Messrs. Elkington by the
electrotyping process. This is opening up a new
era for bronze statues and busts, for while the most
exquisite finish is secured by this process the cost
of the work is reduced to little more than half
what it would be if cast in metal by the ordinary
method. The statues we have mentioned (all of
which have been presented by relatives to Wel-
lington College) are the largest and most impor-
tant examples of electrotyping yet cast, and the
success of the experiment is considered to be so
perfect that it has now been decided to execute the
bronze figures for the '5l Exhibition Memorial in
the same manner. At all events, now that busts
can be bronzed so well and durably, and for so small
e price, we hope before long to see a few more of
the niches and pedestals of South Kensington wor-
thily occupied.
Yesterday the roses were arranged along the in-
terior of the Conservatory. There were roses of almost
every colour, and almost of any size ; but they were
placed without any reference to colour or variety,
and also the flowers themselves were overblown,
the latter result being due perhaps to the recent
wet weather. The great heat of the Conservatory,
however, rendered a long examinatinn of the
Sowers rather a serious task, and even the most
enthusiastic florists were fain to escape from its
sultry atmosphere yesterday to the shady arcades
and cool lawns outside. It would be a decided
improvement if, during the great heats of summer,
the bulk of the show were arranged under the
cloisters.
During the early part of the day his Royal High-
ness the Duke of Cambridge, with the Princess
Mary, honoured the gardens with their presence.
To say who else were there would simply be to re-
cite half the names in the Peerage or Court Guide.
At the close of the evening the South Kensington
Volunteers marched into the grounds to receive a
presentation of three silver bugles, which were pre-
sented to the corps by ladies in the neighbourhood.
The following are some of the chief prizes
awarded for the flowers :
CLASS 1. 96 Varieties of Roses (Nurserymen).—lst prize,
J. Mitchell, Piltdown Nurseries, Maresfield—C ; 2d ditto,
John Reynes, nurseryman, Salisbury—£s; 3d ditto, E.
Hollambay, Tunbridge Wells—£3 ; 4th ditto, Messrs. Paul
and Son, Old Cheshunt Nurseries, Herts--£2 ; extra ditto,
W. Paul, Waltham-cross—£l 10s.
CLASS 2. 48 Varieties of Roses (Nurserymen).—lat prize,
John Cranston, King's Acre Nurseries, Hereford—£4; 2d
ditto, B. R. Cant, Colchester—L3 ; 3d ditto, J. Reynes,
Salisbury---£2 ; 4th ditto, R. Laing, Twickenham Nurseries
—£l; extra ditto, E. P. Francis, Hertford-15s. ; ditto, E.
Hollamby, Tunbridge Wells-15s. ; ditto, Messrs. Paul and
Son, Old Nurseries, Cheshunt, Herts, 15s. ; ditto, Charles
Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough-15s.
CLASS 3. 24 Varieties of Roses (Nurserymen).—lst prize,
John Reynes, Salisbury—£2 10s. ; 2d ditto, Messrs. J. and
J. Fraser, Lea-bridge-road, Leyton, £2 ; 3d ditto, R. Laing,
Twickenham Nurseries—D. 10s. ; 4th ditto, John Cattail,
Westerham, Kent—£l; extra ditto, B. R. Cant, Colchester
—lss.

CLASS' 4. 24 Varieties of Roses (Nurserymen).—lst prize,
John Reynes, Salisbury—£2; 2d ditto, Charles Turner,
Slough—£l.
CLASS 5. 48 Varieties of Roses (Amateur).—lst prize,
John T. Hedges, Reed-hall, Colchester—£6 ; 2d ditto, Miss
L. Crawshay, Caversham-park, Reading—£4; 3d ditto,John
Hollingworth, Maidstone—£3 ; 4th ditto, G. T. Brush,
gardener to Mr. J. Tritton, Norwood—£2.
CLASS 6. 24 Varieties of Roses (Amateurs).—lst prize,
W. Corp, Milford, Salisbury—£4; 2d ditto, J. T. Hedge,
Reed. hall, Colchester—Q ; 3d ditto, A. Moffat, gardener
to Viscount Maynard, Easton, Dunmow, Essex—fl.
CLASS 7. 18 Varieties of Roses (Amateurs).—lst prize,
Rev. W. F. Radclyffe, Rushton Rectory, Blandford—£3 ;
2d ditto, Mr. E. Moore, Horsell, near Woking, Surrey—£l
10a. ; 3d ditto, Mr. J. T. Hedge, Reed- hall, Colchester-1.
CLAss 8. 12 Varieties of Roses (Amateurs).—lst prize,
J. T. Hedge, Reed-hall, Colchester—Ll 10s. ; equal ditto,
W. Corp, Milford, Salisbury—£l 10s.; 21 ditto, Rev. H.
Helyar, Tendomer, Yeovil—£l.
CLASS 9. 60 Roses, 12 varieties, in pots (open)-2d prize,
Charles Turner, Royal Nurseries, Slough—£4.
prize, Messrs. S. and J. Fraser, Lea-bridge-
CLASS 12. 12 New Roses, 1860-1, single trusses, distinct
(open).-Ist
road, Leyton—L2 ; equal ditto, B. R. Cant, nurseryman,
Colchester—Colchester—£2; 2d ditto, J. Standish, Royal Nursery,v
Slough--£1 10s. ; M ditto, John Reynes,
eynes, nurseryman,
Salisbury— £l.
CLASS 13. Collection of Moss Roses, single truses (open).
—lst prize, Messrs. Paul and Son, Old Nurseries, Ches.
hunt, Herts—X3 ; 2d ditto, E. Hollamby, nurseryman
Tunbridge Well—Q. ,
CLASS 16. Miscellaneous.—Extra Prizes to Messrs. J.
Veitch, jun., Exeter and Chelsea—£l 10s. ;J. Mitchell,
nurseryman,
Maresfield, Sussex—Xl 10s.; J. Standish,
Tunbridge Wells—£l.
Royal Nursery, Bagshot—£l ; E. Hollamby, nurseryman,

An annular eclipse of the sun took place between
midnight and five o'clock on Monday morning last, but
could not be seen in this hemisphere. It was visible to the
French army in Cochin China and a great part of the
Eastern hemisphere. This is the second eclipse of the kind
during the present year. On the 12th of November there
will be a passage of Mercury over the sun's disc.
visible at Paris if the sky be clear; also on bee. 17 a partial
eclipse of the moon; and on the 31st of the same month an
eclipse of the sum, total in some place, but only partial in
France.

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