Glasgow Courier. — 1861-12-26 (Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland)

NAVAL AND MILITARY.  An increase of two battalions in the Military Train is rumoured.  _ Major-General Pringle Taylor is gazetted to the Colonelcy of the 24th Foot. The new Field Exercise book will probably be ready during the first week in January. In case of war the Irish Station is to be provided with a squadron befitting its great importmice. Government have made arrangements to fortify the mouth of the river Humber, in order to protect the port of Hull.  The Emperor of the French has supplied two thousand pairs of snow boots to the English Government at the tatter's request. A portion of the Mediterranean fleet is gradually accumulating at Gibraltar, to be ready, if necessary, to Cross the Atlantic. The Peninsular and Oriental Company's steamers are to be armed, and the officers and men are being drilled ingunnery and rifle practice. Southampton, Sunday. The royal mail steamer Magdalene, with the 16th Foot on board, sailed yester• day at four P.M., direct for Halifax. At Woolwich, owing to the scarcity of boxwood, the plugs for the Enfield bullet are now made of clay steeped in wax. It answers as well as the wood. At Portsmouth, on Thursday, it was reported that the Shannon, Eurvalus, Vigilant, and Pandora would be commissioned for the North American station. Major-General Lawrence, lately on the staff at Ablerghat, will act as Inspector-General of Infantry during the absence in Canada of Major-General Rutnley. The second battalions of the 17th and 96th Regiments have received orders to hold themselves in readiness for immediate embarkation for British North America. Admiral Decree hoisted his flag on board the Edgar as second in command on the North American station. The Edgar will call at Lisbon for the latest instructions. The principle of the "wedge" breech loading rifle cannon, lately introduced to the notice of the Ordnance Select Committee, is advancing into high favour at Woolwich.  The gunboats in the second-class reserve at Portsmouth, are ordered out immediately to take the place of the boats in the first-class, ordered for commission for foreign service. The Gloucester Journal records the death of Colonel Thomas Henry Kingscote, after an illness of only a short duration, at his seat at Kingscote Park, in this county, on Thursday laid, The Admiralty lists of every officer and man necessity to join each ship are now prepared, and a large fore would spring into sudden existence the moment the proclamation for war is signed. A telegraph message has been sent right round the coasts of the three kingdoms directing the Coast Guards to strike topmasts, and for all men belonging to them to prepare for immediate service. Sir John Pennefather has made a report to the Horse Guards of Captain Grant's cooking apparatus, in which he speaks most favourably of its practical value, and recommends its adoption in the service. The Naval Reserve at Alloa have tendered their services to Government in the event of war with America. The letter conveying their offer has been acknowledged by the Commodore Comptroller-General. It has been stated at Alderahott, but we know not whether correctly or not, that the murderer Jackson, of the 78th, will be brought down these and hanged in the presence of the troops on the 30th inst. Admiralty instructions were received on Saturday directing the whole of the screw gunboats attached to the First Division of the Steam Reserve at Chatham to be removed from the several ports on the Medway for immediate service. . . _ _  Additional shipwrights have been taken on at Ports. mouth dockyard, to get ready,with thelutniost despatch,. the ships ordered for sea. The crews are held in rota. ness to send on board at an hour's notice, should their services be suddenly required. We are informed that Lieutenant-Colonel the Hon. A. Egerton has offered the services of the 3d M.R.V. to the Government, to perform garrison duty in this city, in case it should be necessary to withdraw the regular troops.—Afandeester Guardian. It is with regret we hear that Rear-Admiral Rodney Mundy, C. 8., who lately returned to the Mediterranean, where he has performed such valuable services to the country, has felt it incumbent upon him, from continued ill-health, to resign his command.