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Leader (1850-1860), 6th August 1853, Edition Country of 2, Page 7, "THE HOUSE OF NOBLE POVERTY." A stojiy o...

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      The Camp. The Queen Visited The Camp On ...

      yeral father-in-law might be usefully called to th same . On Saturday ' there were some extensive movements , chiefly remarkable for a masterly retreat . It maybe remembered that towards . ' the- east front of the Camp the lower part of Catlin ' s valley becomes swampy , ' and that a bridge has been thrown across , which ; when the first division was under canvas , was made subservient to a very brilliant field day . Then the object was to throw the troops across the bridge , the low grounds being supposed impassable , and to withdraw them again

      to the south side when in retreat , making the marsh itself a strong line of defence against the further advance of the enemy . The last manoeuvre was repeated with the new division on Saturday , and , as on the previous occasion , was exceedingly effective . Before the enemy , checked in its advance by the cavalry , had Teached that part of the valley where the Guards were drawn up , Sir Richard England's and Lockyer's brigades , diminishing their fronts , had already passed over the morass , the south side of which they lined , ready to cover the retreat of the division . The artillery

      also , crowning the heights on the same side , opened a tremendous cannonade , and as the cavalry retired across the marsh , the Guards , by battalions extended in line , and skirmishing , stoutly held the enemy at bay . The coup d'cdl of this manoeuvre is certainly finer than anything else of the kind witnessed by us during the encampment . Its novelty of effect was somewhat marred by repetition on Saturday , and we missed here , as elsewhere , the Rifles , who did their work so appropriately and well in the old divisionj but still there was the same brilliant military condensation and the same amphitheatric effect . As the Guards slowly withdrew from the north side of the marsh , the two other foot brigades from the south side deployed into line and

      opened upon tbe enemy a tremendous flanking fire . The artillery blazed away from the heights , and-the eastern end of the valley was wrapped in smoke . At length the whole of the division had safely passed over , and established itself in overpowering strength immediately below the head quarters . Had Colonel Vicars persevered , he might have captured Lord Seaton and stormed " the Magnet , " but he satisfied himself with his success so far , and , not seeking to provojce fortune more , the evolutions terminated , each regiment gallantly took its way back to camp , with its band playing ; and shortly afterwards the crowds of spectators who had assembled to witness the operations were returning to town again , highly gratified by all that they had seen .

      In lieu of the usual strategetic manoeuvres , Chobham , on Tuesday , " saw another sight , " a splendid and spiritstirring 1 charge . On the whole , Heaven has been on the side of the ' Sappers' during the late war . They have won many a memorable field . But , on Tuesday , Lord Seaton , after some manoeuvring and retrenting , showed fight . The whole line of the Guards delivered a steady series of sustained volleys . The reverberations of their deadly fire were in a moment drowned by the- wild shouts and loud hurrahs of the whole brigade as , with levelled

      bayonets , it charged furiously down the slope , driving the enemy's left before it in the wildest disorder , and halting on the edge of the morass in the valley , over , or rather into which , a duo regard for the spotless white trousers of tho men prevented them from charging . Next , the Highlanders raised their war-cry , tho 19 th and 97 th adding to it their loud dissonant shouts , and tho wholo brigado swept down the hill at tho pas de charge , and tho enemy ' s centre was all but annihilated . The 88 th ( tho Connaught Rangers ) next raised a thrilling clieor , loud and ominous to tho foo as that

      winch onco shook tho sierras of Busaco ; the 7 th again , as at Tnlavorn , took up tho victorious shout ; and tho 35 th , rcmoinboring Maidii , added its loud huzza ; tho List two thousand bayonets glittered and flashed a moment in tho nun , and tho enomy's left was in full rotrent . Tho wholo lino of infantry now advanced in doublo quick time , tho cavalry and horso artillery on tho loft , and a field battery in tho rear of each infantry brigado . Over lull and dale tho oncmy retired before this imposing array of forces .

      Tho mechanical character of modern war is romarknblo at Chobhum" : Ono consideration 'that must strike all visitors i « the effectual deathblow there- dealt to all those notions of personal heroism which , from tho time of Homer downwards , have constituted the romance of wur . Modern history lms not neglected to point out thin great change , but wo who novor soo unUtwry evolutions omi great ; scale- havo somo difficulty in reuli / Aug the truth that even the shield of Achilles would now ho no protection , that brigadiers and generals in command do not meet in hand-to-hand encounters , and that the days wliun individual prowess could earn distinction in tho Hold arc ovor . Tho camp will at least undeceive those to whoso boated

      imaginations battles are a succession of single combats such as we see fought at the Surrey against desperate odds for the sake of-some distressed petticoat . Minie rifles extinguish warriorship , and we find in reality , as we have often been told , that an army is made up of soldiers " as solidly , regularly , and . substantially , as a house is ; made up of bricks ^ In truth nothing can be conceived more cold , systematic , orderly , and mechanical , than that gigantic power to which not only the rights and the interests , but even the passions of nations are confided . A modern army has a great deal of the locomotive about it , tremendous in its power , unreasoning , unfeeling , but yet easily subject to control . Tt is

      singular how the mechanical spirit of the age has overtaken and subdued this like everything else . As the farmer depends upon his implements , the merchant on the rail and the steamship , the manufacturer on the iron fingers at work for him untiringly in his mill , so rifle and battery , skilful evolution , and steady discipline , are doing away with the rough and desperate extremities of close quarters , cross bayonets , and handto-hand encounters . Sham fights would be contemptible as pageants if they did not bring out and present for contemplative observation the immense progress which is still making in the art of war , and the high state to which it has already attained .

      It is currently reported in the Camp , and the statement may be relied upon , that Lord Seaton ' s command in chief terminates on the 14 th proximo , and that for the rest of the time during which the Camp will last , H . R . H . the Duke of Cambridge will command .

      4jtoust 6, 1853.] The Leader. 751

      4 jtoust 6 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . 751

      Incidents At Spithead. Ottb "Bluejackets...

      INCIDENTS AT SPITHEAD . Ottb " bluejackets" are having pageants of their own , and experiments with an eye to real service . On Tuesday morning , at eight o'clock , the ships sent up royal yards , dressed ship , and ran the life-lines out , ready for manning yards , on the occasion of her Majesty ' s return to London . At about twenty minutes to eleven o ' clock , the Queen passed inside the fleet , when a grand general Royal salute was fired , with yards manned . This was participated in by the Prussian frigate and corvette , and a more splendid spectacle it were impossible to witness . The weather was brilliantly fine , and a vast multitude of people thronged the shores , attracted by the cannonade . After the firing had subsided , the cheers of the men upon the yards were heard .

      An experiment with gunboats took place on Tuesday evening . All the gunboats of the fleet , numbering upwards of forty sail , were piped away , manned , and armed as for an engagement . They stretched from Fort Moncton to the Blockhouse Fort when ranged in line , and were guided by signals from the senior officer . They came off the Platform Battery , and there hoisted mast s and manoeuvred in the harbour channel , apparently prepared to "board" batteries ; they then came out of the harbour with masts struck , and ranged off the Platform Battery , and commenced a heavy general cannonade from their bow guns ; this , coupled with the scaling of the great G 4-pounders of Blockhouse Fort at tho same time , formed a nautical

      spectacle not seen upon tho like scale during the past ten years . Each boat carried a white or blue ensign , and , altogether , they made a flotilla of tho most formidable character . After opening fire upon the Platform Battery ( apparently ) , tho force ranged in divisions , got up masts , up sails , and made for their respective ships ; the wind , however , falling light , they struck masts soon after , and pulled across tho spitvvay to tho fleet , presenting a moving marine panorama of tho most pleasing and p icturesqno description , which was eminently enjoyed by many thousands of spectators who manned tho walls of tho town , among whom wevo a largo proportion of visitors from London .

      Tho Royal Dockyard Battalion was exercised on Monday . Tho boat brigado of this important and efficient force , under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Duvies , went on board her Majesty ' s ship Excellent for shot practice from tho lower deck 32-pounders of that ship , and tho 2-1-pounder gunboats of the brigado , at targets moored for tho Excellent ' . sorvico . After tho sixth shot from tho gunboats , tho polos of tho target woro shot away , and tho target

      reduced to not more than one-third its original dimensions , notwithstanding wlu ' ch , there were eighteen shots put into it in its lesser shape , and two through tho bull ' s-eye . The firing from tho lower deck o f the ship , if possible , eclipsed this ; eight shots pierced the target at 800 yards' range , two of them through tho bull ' soyo , and so accurate was the aim taken , that tho second shot through tho bull ' s-eye went eloun through the hole made bv tho first , and tho target polls woro also shot away . Such skilful gunnery art thin is worth praise .

      American Representativ10s Abroa1). Tins ...

      AMERICAN REPRESENTATIV 10 S ABROA 1 ) . Tins rccont instructions from homo to American roproHontafcivos abroad woro givon substantially in tho JLaader somo

      weeks ago . The Times ( Wednesday , August 3 ) , expands the information , and characterises the directions with its ordinary ability , and a fairness extraordinary on an American topic . We reprint the exposition : — " In the first place , the now Government of the United States has decided upon * withdi ' awhig all subsistinginstructions relative to the costume of its diplomatic servants . / The , directions in this respect are , very wisely , not made obligatory upon the American envoys , and it is still left to their discretion * to regulate the matter according'to their own sense of propriety . ' As far , however , as is practicable , the Government of Washington desires that the appearance of American Ministers at foreign Courts should be

      made in the simple dress of American citizens , and , in cases where this could not be conveniently done , 'the nearest approach to it compatible with a due performance of duty is earnestly recommended . ' As to Consuls , their privileges of costume seem , to be cut short at once . 'All the instructions , ' says the circular , ' heretofore issued from this department in , relation to Consular uniform are hereby revoked . Neither the propriety nor the utility of any regulation on this subject is perceived . No law prescribes to civil officers at home , no usage warrants * any such mere external distinction , and it could not be assumed by functionaries at home without offence to the public taste . '

      " Directions of a more practical character next follow , and it is impossible to withhold approval from the instructions issued . American Consuls are strictly charged to employ , wherever practicable , American citizens only in their several offices . This order is not given in any spirit of monopoly or narrow-mindedness , but on sound principles of policy . The usual motive for employing natives of the country in these duties is the desire to obtain useful interpreters or linguists . But it is very properly considered that this arrangement must diminish the obligation of the Consul to acquire this kind of knowledge for himself , whereas it is manifest that such information on his part is in the highest degree desirable . Moreover , as the chief business of every American Consulate is presumed to lie with American citizens , it must be more agreeable to those citizens to deal with fellow-countrymen than with foreigners , differing from them in manners and in language . Finally , strangers employed in Ihese

      offices inevitably acquire some insight into matters not pertaining to them ; and such results * it is fairly argued , are not to be approved . . We discern the true spirit of Anglo-Saxon cosmopolitanism in the assurance given to Consuls , that 'in most foreign countries young Americans will be found desirous of such employment as can be afforded them , and in all respects capable of performing the duties required . ' " Equally appropriate are the observations made upon passports and wises . America , like England , knows nothing of the passport system at home ; but , unlike England , she assumes all the responsibility of mitigating its operation abroad . 'Unlike the custom , ' says the circular , observed at the British Foreignoffice and atthe Prefectures in Prance , passports are given by this department to our citizens free of cost . This is also the

      rulent our legations , at which no charge is permitted to be made for vises : ' It appears that in some countries American Consuls , if they did not demand fees themselves , connived afc ~ certain prao-Jices of local authorities which created incidental occasions of payment . These proceedings are severely reprimanded , and all American Consuls are strictly charged not only to put every facility in the way of their fellow-countrymen abroad , but to see , as far as possible , that no wrong is done to them by foreign functionaries . As to the Frenchified terms of Chancellerie and Chancelier , a check is very promptly put to such usage . ' This is done , ' proceeds the document , ' without any warrant in law or by instructions ; it is not in harmony with the usages in the Consuls' own country . If led to it by a desire to imitate what they see abroad , the motive for it is as reprehensible aa the practice . '

      " But , if Consuls are not to wear cocked hats and play the diplomatist , what are they to do ? On this head tho circular is tolerably explicit . They are to keep their offices open for the transaction of business from nine a . m . to three p . m . ; they are to obtain no leave of absence , except in urgent cases , and for short periods ; they are to attend to tho requirements of American citizens , as in duty bound ; and they are ' requested to communicate freely and frequently with tho Department of State in all that relates to scientific discoveries , to progress in tho arts , and to general statistics in foreign countries . " It is stated that tho American Government has it in . contemplation to publish annually a volume containing extracts of this description from all the consular despatches . " Such , " adds the Times , " are tho viows taken by tho New Administration at Washington of the Consular service of tho United States , and such , in substance , is tho ' first diplomatic noto' of tho recently elevated ' Premier . ' If all tho communications of this high functionary display equal common sense , they will sustain a very favourable contrast with any 'Stato-papcrs' of tho age . "

      "The House Of Noble Poverty." A Stojiy O...

      " THE HOUSE OF NOBLE POVERTY . " A stojiy of an old wrong has been brought to light . Tho Hospital of St . Cross was founded in tho twelfth century by Henry de Blois , Bishop of Winchester , and the House of Noble Poverty was founded by tho Cardinal do Beaufort in the year 1440 . The original charter of the Hospital was dated in the year 1151 , and although not in existence now , is fully authenticated by the early references made to it . This charter , after stating fully tho object of the charity , goes on to m \ y that , in addition to the thirteen poor men , who wero to reside in tho hospital and receivo an allowance from its funds , 100 other poor men of modest demeanour , and in the most indigent circumstances , were to receive sustentution from tho charity . As well as t hese trusts , there were also certain other charitable purposes specified to which the revenues of tho charity were to bo applied ,, In 1185 tho patronage of the hospital waa transferred from the Knights of St . John of Jerusalem to the Bishop of Winchester for the time being ; juid in 1181 ) a charter w , as granted 'by Richard I . to tho Knights of Jerusalem again , and in this charter tho trusts and objects of the charily woro again set forth and recited . In 13 . 32 a hoquestration and commission look place ; and an inquiry was instituted as to whether tho hospital was established for tho " euro of souls . " At , this period , and for some time previously , continual and most bardiiced irregularities seem to havo characterised the government of tho charity , the masters of winch appropriated the revenues to their own use , and to tho exclusion of nil tho trusts of fcho charity and tho

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 6, 1853, page 7, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_06081853/page/7/