The Forest of Dean Examiner : — 1875-02-19 (Blakeney, Gloucestershire, England)

SIR GARNET WOLSELEY ON THE VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT.  On Saturday evening the annual inspection and presentation of prizes of the 15th Middlesex (London Scottish) Rine Volunteers, took place in Westminer Hall, in the presence of a large assemblage of Mies and gentlemen. Sir Garnet Woleeley, Inspector tieneral of the Reserved Forces, in the unavoidable absence of General Sir J. Hope Grans, GO 8., the hon. colonel of the regiment, had un. dertaken the inspection as well as the distribution, and was received by Major Henry Lumsden, who, in the absence of Lord Elcho, M.P.,was in command. Sir Garuet Wola--ley, having inspected the regiment, expressed the pleasure he felt in having the opportunity of doing so, although he regretted the circumstance that the duty had devolved upon him in the absence of their gallant honorary colonel, General Sir Hope Grant, from ill health, and at whose request he had undertaken it. He was much gratified by the soldier-like appearance and bear ing of the regiment, although he could have wished to see them in larger numbers. There were two eitcemstances which ought o render the London Scottish, not alone on amount of its nationality, a most popular corps, and the first was that it had the good luck to be commanded by an officer who bail not only worked hard for the regiment itself, but had done fio much for the interest of the volunteer force generally. (Hear. hear.) The second was that they had the advantage of an adjutant whom he (Sir Garnet Wolseley) had known for a great many years, and who had exhibited his good qualifies in such a way in the Crimea to his (Sir G. Wolseley'sl personal knowledge, that be could vouch for his being second to no other adjutant in the kingdom. With reference to the volunteer force as a whole, he conei :end there was a vast improvement. Some five or nix years ago there were strong symptoms of the volunteer movement dying away. hot the alterations then made had not only had the tact 0: stopping that current, but had shnst. the tez.l spirit which existed in the country in the desire of those who beeatne volunteers to make themselves efficient. Since that time, although there might not have been any large increase in numbers, there had been in regard to efficiency, and the returns showed the increase of efficiency during the last 12 months, as compared with the increase of the previous year, had been 8000. Thi-re was an impression abroed that the regular army had not a very friendly spirit towards the volunteers. He could only say that he had never fouud it so, but quite the contrary, from the Commander-in-chief downwards. (Hear.) He (Sir G. Wolseley) was of opinion that it was one of the wisest steps to- en, and one of the best things for t 0 volunteers heniseives, that they should be placed immediately under the orders of his Royal Highee-s the Commander in-Chief, and divided into military die fficts, as that proceeditig was more calms teed to produce efficiency than any other circumstance. He thought that nothing could more striegiy eehibit the deep interest hie Royal Highness anifested in the volunteers, tied the same feeling was shared by every member of.the regular army. He had sue fault to And with the London Scottish, and that was,fthat be had expected to find them in much larger ambers (there were six companies), and bossed that when he had the pleasure of inspecting them again he should tfee the regiment in much greater strength. The gallant general then proceeded to distribute the prizes, cordially shaking hands with the more promiuent winners.  Very severe weatLer is reported in a telegram from New York. The East River is totally blocked with i.e. and the shipping on the Hudson River is seriously impeded. In all parts of the States, travelling is almost suspended, and the condition of things is witlroit parallel in the history of the last forty years.  A committee has been formed at Florence to celebrate the four hundredth anniversary of the birth of Michael Angelo. Several artists have offered to decorate at their own expense Michael Angelo's house in the Via Ghibelline with frescoes. and their offer has been readily accepted.  MR. PVINSOLL AND THE MERCHANT SHIPPING A c I.B.—.Letters have appeared in the Ernes from ~r. Plimsoll. Mr. Norwood, and others. Mr. limsoll denies that he ever proposed a codification of the existing laws. The proposal he regards as a dexice to shelve and make impossible the reforms he advocates.  CoNSPIIIACT OP Sitsnms.—At Queenstown last week. four seamen of the merchantman Glynn, were sentericod to twelve weeks' imprisonment for eon'wiring against Pe captain. They bad refused to go to sea alleging that the ship was unseaworthy. A Hoard of Trade survey, however, proved the assertion false.  SCICIPE 01. A .FARIIES.7MT. C. Lillicrapp. .!L  1 ir—ie 'farmer r,iding at Netherbridge, ha eorntnltted suicide by banging himself in an orchard near iis bones. No moire can be assigned fry the act. Deceased. who was well known and highly repec'ed throughout the dietsict, leaves a wife and three children.  THE LORD RECTORSHIP OF ABERDEEN  The Times says Mr. Gladstone has declined tr allow himself to bo nominated for the Lord Iteetor ship of Aberdeen.  THE ARCTIC EXPEDITION. A correspondent of the Times states that Lady Franklin has asked that her husband's nephee should be sub-lieutenant of the Arctic expedition The application has been refused.  Td E COSPATRICK. Her Majesty's ship Sappho has arrived at the Cape. She called at Trietan d'Aeunta on the 7th January; but she discovered nothing of any cur vivors from the Cospatriek. 

Article type: Incident