The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-13 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, JULY 13, 1868.

trary course of policy. When the Prince is gone,
and the Generals made away with, there will still
remain enough, and more than enough, on his hands
that will require more zeal and ability than he
possesses to deal with. The condition of Spain, and
the state to which the poorer classes is reduced, are
something frightful to contemplate, and it
is indeed idle to stem the torrent by such
paltry measures as those employed. When
one enemy is put down another will start
up, and so long as an arbitrary and aggressive
course is pursued, instead of a rational policy, there
will be no likelihood of anything prospering of a
domestic character, and certainly no stability can
be :imparted to the Government. The acts and
devices to which GONZALEZ BRAVO has had re-
course to arc really contemptible, and they only
show his weakness, instead of proving his strength,
as he would fain believe. There is much to deplore
in the present aspect of Spanish affairs, and it would
almost seem as if things could not be righted until
still more serious conjunctures have arisen. We
may look upon this last proof of the indictiveness
of the Spanish Minister as a sure sign that he feels
most unsafe, and is glad of any prextext to show
that he can strike a blow. It is matter of doubt if
there was a conspiracy at all worthy of the name,
and it is certainly sure that the recent alarm that
has been made about it, and the means employed to
suppress it, are not warranted.

The Wimbledon Meeting has now become one of
the regular events of the year, and fortunately for
all concerned every season it improves in the man-
ner in which it is conducted. ,There has never been
much reason to find fault with the system of orga-
nisation, but every year matters have worked more
smoothly, and the unremitting attention which the
council of management have given to arrangements
has produced its effect. Notwithstanding the great
labour which attends the organisation of so large a
camp there is no delay or difficulty in setting to
work, and those who were present on Saturday to
witness the preparations for the grand campaign
must have been gratified at the business like manner
in which the volunteers went to work, and soon
converted the common into a mimic battlefield.
The common itself is reported to be in admirable
condition, being all the better no doubt for the dry
weather, though the long threatened rain came
down heavily at night and gave the amateur
soldiers plenty of occupation in digging trenches to
allow the water to escape. There have been some
improvements made in the manner of pitching the
tents, so that free communication from one to
another will be had, and some sanitary arrange-
ments have been effected which it is thought
will be beneficial. With regard to the
actual business of the meeting, some fresh rules
have been determined upon which are calculated
to do good service. The most important is one
which provides that in case of a volunteer failing
to attend at the firing point at the specified hour,
and so by his own neglect missing the chance of
competing for the prize, he forfeits his claim for
such competition. This is a very just and reason-
able provision of which no one bas any right to
complain. There is often much time lost by the
unpunctuality of competitors for the several prizes,
and spectators will rejoice over the enforcement of so
salutarya regulation. With respect to the volunteers
themselves it ought to be no hardship. Punctuality
is one of the first minor duties of the soldier, and
no efficient military work can be done without it.
It is in these matters that the chief difference is
visible between our volunteer forces and our regular
forces. The former seem too much inclined to
think that, because they are amateurs, they can
please themselves, whereas any one who forms part
of an association binds himself to comply with its
rules. The recent drawbacks to the success of the
Windsor Review were due to this want of method,
of punctuality, and of regular discipline; and, as
our Volunteers aim at something more than mere
pastime, and their capacities entitle them to respect
as valuable military auxiliaries, they should amend
these failings, and emulate the faultless punctuality
and order of the regular troops.

miscellany will notice that it, as well as the Neu,
Monthly magazine, has returned to the office of
Mr. Bentley, and is now published by that gentle-
man. It is lively and varied as ever, showing in-
deed a little fresh variety, and containing more
general reading than heretofore. There are literary
articles as well as narratives of adventure and cf
travel, interspersed with poems and novels or chap-
ters of novels. " What will the World say ?" treats
of the universal supremacy of Mrs. Grundy.
"Three Contemporary Poets " criticises the rival
merits of Tennyson, Longfellow, and Bryant. " In
Dixie," by a Confederate staff officer, gives
but a dismal picture of prison life during
the war, while " The Companions of
Death" and " The Three Viscounts" are two tales
from continental sources. " From London to
Lahore" is the title of a paper strongly recommend-
ing the Euphrates Valley route to India.

COLAUP.N'S UNITED SERVICE MAGAZINE.—This
is a good number in a military sense, so
far as practical defences and fortifica-
tions are concerned. A wonderful change has
taken place in artillery, both as regards
power and range, and consequently it necessitates a
corresponding change in knowledge and practice
almost wholly superseding the lessons of former
times, when we were presumed to be all perfection,
if not something better ! But experience tells ano-
ther tale, and the schoolmaster's " occupation is
gone" for the season. The world is ever changing.
Let the reader to refer to "A Brief Investigation of
Certain Principles Affecting the Employment of
Pin the present num-
ber, Artillery in the Field," and " Fortification and the
bDefenceser,
forinstruction o f theli i ng
and
nd
o m , N
hope,o. larticularly to somel'
pertinent observations of the French General
Troch u, on the improved range of musketry and artil-
lery, rendering the secret of success in rapidity of
movement on land, just as promptitude of daring
carries a ship by boarding at the lucky moment, for
luck is everything in war. " Notes on the History
of the British Soldier," by Dr. C. A. Gordon, C. 8.,
contains some interesting points of knowledge as to
the original derivation oftnilitary terms. The
infantry is derived from the Italian faute, a child,
originally applied in a fatherly sense by a com-
mander to his followers as being all of the clan, and
well known to each other. But how changed are
feelings by circumstances, though yet a genial, good
commander will carry his point by touching the
sympathy of his men far sooner by kindly conduct
than by hastiness, while he addresses his men with
a fellow-feeling--" Come on, my boys, and at
them," and a cheering hurrah. " The Naval Esti-
mates" is impartially considered, and the training
ships for men and boys are described by the Admi-
ralty as being the best possible nurseries for the
navy, in which we cordially concur. The growing
boys see and learn their duty from the good seamen,
and eventually become themselves capital and effec-
tive sailors. Some other articles will well repay
perusal and study.
CORNIIILL MAGAZINE. " The Bramleighs of
Bishop's Folly" is more interesting than usual in
this instalment, and is in fact replete with incidents
of an exciting character. There is the daring escape
of the convict from the island, and the wonderful
discovery of hidden treasure behind frescoes, and
the claimant to the estates does not appear so bad
upon acquaintance. " Avonhoe" is likewise im-
pressive in this number, and the scene at the
keeper's lodge, when the elderly females touch on
the past is very powerfully sketched, and both the
mistress and her former servant are afraid of say-
ing too much or too little. The concluding pas-
sage of this story bids fair to be of vivid interest.
" Anarchy and Authority," by Matthew Arnold, is
again considered, and one more appearance is to
be looked for. " Why have I Three Tails? "is an
amusing article, that is
.sure to attract attention.
"Early English Newspapers" is a sketch of
olden days that will well repay perusal ; it
shows the many serious perils which surrounded
the pioneers of the daily press. Those who in the
seventeenth century " founded the mighty system
of our newspapers " had indeed to contend with
prejudice of a most deterring character, and this
glimpse of the days that are over may well cause
surprise at the follies and absurdities which gained
ground in the minds of many who were in their
day distinguished by wit and intelligence. A trans-
lation of the first canto of Dante's Inferno is met
with, which is carefully rendered, and an article
on " Earthquakes" is interesting.
LONDON SOCIETY.--" How Algry won the B3t"
is a lively sketch, though it cannot be said to point
an instructive moral, since they here depended on
luck not on merit. " Visits to Country.houses "
shows up vulgarity and pretension in different
of holiday
trial
ankkisn,
g.all,,mceotd
"Codes
together on
Ceremonial" are interest-
ing and instructive, and many a novice may learn
from them. " Twice Trapped" is a very entertain-
ing sketch, in which a fickle lover is called to answer
in a very awkward fashion. "Poppies in the Corn,
or Glad Hours in the Graver Years " is a very de-
lightful sketch, which shows the charms of sea-side
life to perfection. " Keeley and its Neighbour-
hood" is another pleasing sketch, and that may be
looked at with advantage. " The Piccadilly
Papers" is full of notes of interest, and some verses
entitled "Oa the Cliff" are light and flowing.
44 East London Opium Societies" is a graphic sketch
of the manner in which the devotees of the pipe
pursue the " spirit of distraction" to the injury of
their health and strength.
THE JOURNAL OF THE INSTITUTE OF ACTUARIES.
(Layton.)—This journal, which is entirely devoted to
the consideration of questions relating to insurance,
contains information which is likely to be of con-
siderable value to members of the profession.

•
TIIE LONDON STUDENT. No. IV. (Churchill.)
A pleasant journal, devoted to the interest of the
students at the London academies, and treating, in
oonsequence, chiefly of topics connected with men -
tal study and recreative sport.

PIGEON SHOOTING.