The Sun.
London, England, 1868-12-10 00:00:00

ARMY REFORM.

" A Military Taxpayer " writes to the, Times upon
the subject of the expenditure and orghnisation of
the army. He says there is too much pen-and-ink
work both at the Horse Guards and the War Depart-
ment, and too many people employed to prepare
useless documents. Those who know the most about
military matters are never called upon to serve on
committees. We have too many general officers.
Tho existence of two independent staff departments
of Adjutant and Quartermaster-General is a source
of unnecessary and mischievous expense. " A Tax-
payer " condemns the system of shifting officers
about; he complains of the heavy half-pay list. He
would go so far as to endeavour to get rid of the
supernumerary officers of regiments, and even of those
already on half-pay, by offering them a lump sum
down, calculated on a liberal scale, in discharge of all
claims on the service. To them, probably, in many
instances it would be a greater gain than to the
State, as they would be free to enter on a new career
with their minds marlistarbesi • by the nassibilitv of

A member of the board of guardians of the City,
of London Union complains that Mr. Peabody's
beneficence is not properly directed, and that the
really poor reap no benefits from his gifts. He says
" It is the well-to-do manager of some City business,
or careful clerk, whO is encouraged in these homes,
and no one who has the slightestlook of manual labour
or poverty. The whole scheme has degenerated into
a commercial speculation. It is made to pay as high
a rate of interest as can possibly be squeezed out of
it, to the exclusion of the poor." At the East-end
of London they want rooms at ls. per week. Poor
widows and single women who earn but a few
shillings a week would be glad of such accommoda-
tion. The matter is worth the most careful atten-
tion, both on account of Mr. Peabodys generosity
and in the. interests of those for when). he set apart
the money.

ANOTIMIL " INFANT." •
Lord Chief Justice Cockburn has had another
infancy case before him, similar in some respects to
Mr. Walker's. Certlin Glasgow publishers, named
Mackenzie, who are accustomed to the part and tout
system of publishing, sold an illustrated bible for
fifty guineas to a young Cambridge undergraduate,
named Hopwood, who.was under age. The infant
had a fortune of £7,000, bringing in £3OO a year,
and this amount he appears to have dissipated
utterly. The publishers contended that this bible was
a necessary, but the Chief Justice, pointing to its
numerous illustrations and costly binding and
clasps, declared that this allegation was absurd, and
that the work was simply a luxury, or, at the most,
an intellectual gratification. At the same time he
spoke very strongly upon the conduct of Messrs.
Mackenzie in having supplied a young gentleman
with an article of the most luxurious extravagance
without making an inquiry about his position. The
plaintiffs then endeavoured to prove that though the
original order for the work was given when the defen-
dant was under age, the delivery did not take place
until he was past 21, and that therefore he was liable.
They had refused to take back the book, although it
had been repeatedly offered to them. The jury gate
a verdict for the defendant, and Sir Alexander Cock-
burn gave leave to appeal on the technical point
raised by the plaintiff. It is to be hoped that the
Vice-Chancellor of Cambridge will take note of
this case. His right of a diS&iininaiiine trades- •
men who encourage young men t' run into debt
Wives him full power to do so.

!ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manager,Mr. Vining.
• THIS EVENING, at 7, THE SECRET.
After which (at 8 o'clock), Dion Boucicault's new drama, in
four acts, entitled AFTER DARK. a Tale of London Life
Messrs. Vining, Walter Lacy, Dominick Murray. C. Harcourt,
G Shore; Miss Emma Barnet. and Miss Rose Leclercq.
Entirely new Scenery by !kir. F. Lloyds and assistants.
To conclude with MASTER JONES'S BIRTHDAY.
Doors open at half-past 6, commence at 7. Box-office open
daily from 10 till 5.