The Sun.
London, England, 1868-04-13 00:00:00

)17HE LATE EDITION of "THE SUN " at
J. SMITH'S, 39, Bow-street, Covent-garden.

rfflH E LATE EDITION of " THE SUN" at
11. W. SMITH'S, "Camden Stores," 78, Park-street, Camden

t Arm

LONDON, MONDAY, APRIL 13, 1868.

This is the grand day for the Volunteer Review,
and many regard it as one of the chief entertain-
ments of the year. A particular interest attaches
itself to this affair, as it has gone on for so many
years, to-day being the ninth time of its celebra-
tion, and as yet there are no signs of its coming to
an end. It is a very good way to select different
places for this ceremonial, because the scene of
excitement is thus changed, and the capabilities of
various towns are better judged of. The present
point of honour is Portsmouth, and every year will
see that of all the places which are chosen this is
the most likely to be of service. Not that there
is any probability even of this, but of course it is
more in the doctrine of chances than Wimbledon or
Guildford, or even Brighton or Dover. Unfortu-
nately some obstacles presented themselves iu the
way of carrying out this project at first, but, these
being happily disposed of, it is to be hoped that
nothing will mar the success of the affair or inter-
fere with the enjoyment of the numerous spectators.
Portsmouth has done its best in the way of hospi-
tality, and the Volunteers have no reason to com-
plain of their reception. Gaiety is the order of the
day,and the rapid increase of arrivals has increased the
exertions and called forth the energies of those who
welcome their gallant guests. No deficiency of
numbers is looked for, and there is every reason to
hope that to-day will witness a brilliant spectacle of
military- prowess. It must be remembered that
there is more in view than the making of a gala-day
of these affairs, for it is of consequence that im-
provement should take place in a military sense,
and that our Volunteers should not only keep up
their prestige, but should at the same time increase
their efficiency, and add to their capabilities of ser-
vice. We are very glad on every account that to-
, day is to witness some regular manoeuvres, and not
to present a mere march-past to the thousands
of spectators, who appear so constantly on
all these occasions. It has been suggested by some
that it would be a good plan to have the Volun-
teers moved to their scene of action on the Satur-
day prior to the Review, and very likely it might
be so ; and this will form a suitable subject of con-
templation for next year ; but as things are now we
must be content with what has been done, and make
the best of it if wo are not perfectly satisfied. At
any rate, it is something to know that the Easter
11onday Review is an establi,hol fact, and that no
great drawback has taken place in its arrangements.
We trust that it may continue a certain thing, and
he looked upon as a great national holiday, for it
is of consequence that the Continental nations
should find cut that the English are not a nation of
shopkeepers, but are rt solved to be ready for any
emergency that may arise in the changing events
of the day. Mere talking will not keep up the
spirit of an undertaking of this kind, and all that
can be said or written in the most eloquent style,
or in the most emphatic manner, will never impress
the public or interest the force like a
day of this kind. Its annual recurrence is
the very thing most adapted to sustain the
success already achieved, and to point to future and
still greater undertakings. A review of this kind
is a sign that cannot be overlooked by the most
distant, and contains a meaning that the dullest must
recognise. We may then rejoice that this year has
not seen any appearance of falling off ; but that
the spirit which led to the creation of the Volunteer
force, and has witnessed it through the trying test of
years, still flourishes and gives promise of continu-
ance in its prestige strength, so as to be ready to
grapple with the difficulties and overcome the ob-
stacles that must arise in the course of time.

It is not very often that financiers have the plea-
sant office of disposing of a surplus when they have
been anticipating a deficiency. This, however, is
the case in India, where the Budget just presented
by Mr. MASSEY to the Supremo Council shows a
surplus of £1,700,700. Better still, there is reason
to hope that the improvement is permanent, since
the estimated expenditure for 1868-69 is £49,613,350,
giving a surplus of over two millions. These esti-
mates, it is true, are entirely exclusive of the large
amount which it is proposed to expend on public
works. Such outlay is pretty sure within a short
space of time to repay itself tenfold. The irriga:
tion works, more especially in a country like India,
are certain to return a rich harvest, and had they
been pushed forward with due vigour ten or twenty
years ago India would now be in a very different
position. The outlay on public works will doubtless
every year return a higher rate of interest. With the
interior of the country opened up to commerce and
enterprise, and with the increase of the exports and
imports, the Exchequer will soon be sensible of the
beneficial effects of public works. Railways and
high roads and canals will diminish the terrors and
inconveniences and costs of a journey from the coast
to the interior, and vice versa, while those who re-
member the published statistics of the Godavery
Water Works will be readily convinced of the profit
to be looked for from more extensive irrigation. We
are very glad that Mr. MASSEY has resolved to turn
his surplus to such good account, and we trust that
the works will be prosecuted with spirit and deter-
mination. Between the supineness of Anglo-Indians
and the circumlocution inseparable from a divided
authority there has been much valuable time lost in
ludia. Woks are often talked about, and some-
times even set on foot, but they go on languidly,
and are often at a standstill for years together.
The projectors are digappoiuted because they do
not at once reap the rewards only obtainable
of ter vigorous and uninterrupted labour.
Their energies begin to flag and the whole of the
undertaking droops. The many useful works, too,
are stopped for the want of money, as has recently
been the case with the Irrigation Company. These
failures or disappointments, if they occur to private
companies, naturally hinder other companies from
forming, and induce the speculator and capitalist