The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-27 00:00:00

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TITH WI3I73ZEDOIT MBRTINCI.

THE CAMP, ►SATURDAY.
" rulis " mast now be written to a very pleasant_page
of volunteer history. Camp life for 1868 is over, and by
the time these words meet the eye of the reader Wimble-
don Common will be once more almost a solitary waste.
The business of the meeting being over at gun-fire yester-
day, festivity became the order of the night. Agreeable
little reunions were got up in the various tents, the
winners of prizes were toasted, and the loving cup went
merrily round. Though there has been some falling
off in the shape of receipts, who can wonder at this when
the intense beat is considered, and though the contretemps
anent the Queen's Prize was unfortunate, there has never
been a gathering, of citizen-soldiers more successful or one
that will be looked back upon with greater satisfaction
than that just dissolved. The occasions are very rare
when official programmes can be carried out with the pre-
ciseness and freedom from all hitch which has been the
case this year. This result is due alike to the admirable
arrangement of the council and the commendable discip-
line of the volunteers.

The gaieties of last night did not prevent the camp from
being early astir this morning. There was, of course, no
shooting, but there were many arrangements to be made for
the review. As usual, the grand stand was erected on the
side of the common, adjoining the Putney-road, and the space
occupied by the troops was railed off from the other por•
tion of the encampment. Tho strictures of the press on
the South Western Railway Company appear to have
done good, and the announcement that the various corps
would be conveyed to Wimbledon station only, whilst the
general public would be taken to Putney was hinted as one
of the wisest arrangements that the directors had made for

a long time past.
The following is a list of the corps having -sifterity to
take part in the review, uncloAhe command oWiscount
Hamilton, in the unavoidable-absetfee of the Duke Of Cam-
bridge ;-Ist London Engineer Volunteer Corps, number.
; • Ist Middlesex ditto, 317 ; 3rd London Rifle .
steer Corps, 483 ; Ist Middlesex ditto, 213 ; 2nd
.42t- tto, 27/,
• 11114F41411441
1.. esex itto, 262 ; 19th esex itto. ;
22nd Middlesex ditto, 637 ; 20th Middlesex ditto, 257 ;
26th Middlesex ditto, 687 ; 36th Middlesex ditto, 300 ;
2nd Administrative Battery Surrey Rifle Volunteers, 340 ;
Ist Surrey Rifle Volunteer Corps, 218 ; 2nd Surrey ditto,
294; 7th Surrey ditto, 309; 6th Tower Hamlets Rifle Volun-
teer Corps, 400 ; Ist Herts Light Horse Volunteer Corps,
49 ; Ist London Artillery Volunteer Corps, 315 ; Ist
Surrey ditto, 215 ; Ist London Rifle Volunteer
Corps, 494 ; 4th Middlesex ditto, 423 ; 9th
Middlesex ditto, 237 ; 37th Middlesex ditto, 500 ;
39th Middlesex ditto, 290; 48th Middlesex ditto, 300;
49th Middlesex ditto, 401 ; 4Gth Middlesex ditto, 199 ; 3rd
Middlesex Artillery ditto, 418. Before the review, however,
was the more important ceremony of the distribution of
prizes, and nothing could have been more gratifying to
those who had won them than to receive their honours and
rewards at the hands of the Conqueror of Magdala.
Lord and Lady Napier, accompanied by Earl and Lady
Spencer, Sir Hope Grant and Lady Grant, Colonel
Merewether, Mr. Longfellow, and others, arrived
soon after half-past two, and were received in the
tent where the prizes were to be distributed
by a guard of honour, composed of files of
the Tower Hamlets, the London Scottish, and the
19th Middlesex corps. The volunteers who had obtained
prizes above the value of £2O were ranged in front of
the tent. Lord Napier, having advanced to
the raised dais, was briefly addressed by Earl
Spencer, who requested him, in the name of the Council,
to become an honorary member of the National Rifle
Association, at the same time handing him a mem-
ber's badge. This Lord Napier accepted, stating
how great an honour he felt it to be associated
with the volunteers of England. His experience in con-
nection with the mutiny in India convinced him that a
standing army, however perfect, if small, was unable to
preserve the successes it had gained. The volunteer
force was a most important addition to the regular forces
in England. The first prizeman called up was Captain
Jacques, Ist Surrey, who won one of the " Any Rifle
prizes. Ho was followed by Ensign Boynton, sth East
York, who took a £2O prize at the 200, and a £2O prize at
the 500 yards' range of the Albert competition.
Mr. Ross, as he stepped up to receive the honour he had
won, was loudly cheered, Lord Napier observing that ho
had often heard of his name, and should no doubt do so
again. The presentation of the Elcho shield led Lord Napier
to remark that England might be proud at having obtained
it. Scotland had fought hard to keep it for two years, and
he believed Ireland meant to have it next year. The Ash-
burton Shield was carried off by the Etonians
amidst great cheering, as was also Chancellor's challenge
shield by the representatives of Cambridge University.
The winners of the Belgian Cup and the China Cup, the
International Trophy, the St. George and Dragon Cup,
were well received. The greatest enthusiasm was, how-
ever, displayed-when Lieutenant. Caralake _WWI presented
with the Queen's Prize, which, being given by her
Majesty, Lord Napier remarked, was of the utmost value
in the eyes of volunteers. At the conclusion of
the distribution, Earl Spencer thanked Lord
Napier for his services. It was an honour to
win a prize, but that honour was enhanced by
receiving it at the hand of a General who had done so
much to preserve the lustre of England's arms. He
proposed three cheers for Lord Napier, which were
heartily given, as was also one for Lady Napier
The visitors then left the ground. The weather was all
that could be desired. The attendance was not very
large.
The volunteer review which followed will be remem-
bered as the smallest that has taken place on similar
occasions, although the intention of his Royal Highness
the Prince of Wales and his Royal Highness the Duke of
Edinburgh to be present was announced. The whole busi-
ness did not occupy two hours from the time the royal
party came on the review ground to their leaving it.

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