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Leader (1850-1860), 6th August 1853, Edition Town of 2, Page 751, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      perial father-in-law might be usefully called to th game . On Saturday there were some extensive movements , chiefly remarkable for a masterly retreat . It may be 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 reached that parfc 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 ' ceil 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 division : but still there was the

      same brilliant military condensation and the same ainphitheatric effect . As the Guards slowly withdrew from the north side of the marsh , the two other foot brigades from the southi side deployed into line and opened upon the 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 provoke 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 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 , alter some manoeuvring and retreating , 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 the men prevented them from charging . Next , the Highlanders rawed their war-cry , the 19 th and 97 th adding to it their loud dissonant shouts , and the whole brigade swept down the hill at the pas de charge , and the enemy ' s centre was all but annihilated . The 88 th ( the Connaught Rangers ) next raised a thrilling cheer , loud and ominous to the foe as that

      which onco shook the sierras of Busaco ; the 7 th again , as at Talavora , took up the victorious shout ; and tho 35 th , remembering Mtiidu , added its loud huzza ; the last two thousand bayonets glittered and flashed u moinont in tho sun , and tho enoiny ' s loft was in full retreat . Tho whole lino of infantry now advanced in double quick time , tho cavalry aud horse artillery on the loft , and a field buttery in tho rear of each infantry brigade . Over hill and dulo tho enemy retired before this imposing array of forces .

      Tho mechanical character of modern war is romnrkublo at Chobham . Ouo consideration that must strike all visitors j « tho effectual deathblow thuro dealt to nil those notions of personal heroism which , frpm tho tiino of Homer downwards , have constituted tho romanco of war . Modern history bus not neglected to point out this groat change , but wo who never boo military evolutions on a groat Bcalo have some difficulty in realizing tho truth that even tho shield of Achillos would now bo no protection , that brigadiers and generals in command do not meet in hand-to-hand encounters , and that tho dnyH when individual prowesu could earn distinction in tho field aro over . Tho camp will nt least undeceive thouo to whoso heated

      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 . It 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 fbr 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 .

      Untitled Article

      INCIDENTS AT SPITHEAD . Our " blue jackets" 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 tho 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 masts and manoeuvred in tho 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 64-pounders of Blockhouse Fort at the same time , formed a nautical

      spectacle not seen upon tho like scale during tho past ton 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 forco ranged in divisions , got up masts , up sails , and made for their respective ships ; the wind , however , falling li ght , they struck masts soon after , and pulled across tho spitway to the fleet , presenting a moving marine panorama of tho most pleasing and picturesque description , which was eminently enjoyed by many thousands of spectators who manned tho walls of tho town , among whom were a largo proportion of visitors from London .

      Tho Royal Dockyard Battalion was exercised on Monday . Tho boat brigado of this important and efficient forco , under tho command of Lieutenant-Colonel Davies , wont on board her Majesty ' s ship Excellent for shot practice from tho lower deck 32-poundcrs of that ship , " and tho 24-ponndcr gunboats of the brigade , at targets moored for tho Excellent's service . After tho sixth shot from the gunboats , tho poles of tho target were shot away , and tho targot

      reduced to not more than ono-tlurd its original dimensions , notwithstanding which , there were ei g hteen shots put into it in its lesser shape , and two through tho bull ' s-eye . Tho firing from tho lower deck of tho ship , if possible , eclipsed this ; oight shots pierced tho target nt 800 yards' rango , two ¦ of them through tho buH ' soyo , and so nccurato was tho aim taken , that the second shot through tho bulFs-oyo wont clean through tho holo made by tho first , and tho target polos wore also shot away . Such skilful gunnery an this is worth praiso .

      Untitled Article

      AMERICAN . KMP . BE 8 ENTATIVKS ABROAD . Tins reconfc instructions from homo to Amorican roproHontativoa abroad woro given substantially in fcho Leader aoma

      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 withdrawing all subsisting instructions 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 desiresthat 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 atonce . ' 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 . KTo 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 . ' ... .... . . charaeternext followand it

      " Directions of a more practical , 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 these ht into matters not

      offices inevitably acquire some insig 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 mostforeign 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 vises . America , like England , knows nothing of the passport system at home ; but , unlike England , she assumes ^ the responsibility of mitigating its operation abroad . ' Unlike the custom , ' says the circular , observed at the British Foreignoffice and at tne Prefectures in France , passports are given by this department to our citizens free of cost . This is also the rule at 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 at certain practices of local authorities which created incidental occasions of payment .- -These proceedings are-severelyreprimanded , andall

      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 Chanceuerie 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 as the practice . ' " , 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 tho 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 the requirements of American citizens , as in duty bound ; and they are ' requested to communicate freely and frequently with the Department of State in all that relates to scientific discoveries , to progress in the 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 tho Times , " aro the views taken by tho New Administration afc Washington of tho 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-pancrs' of the age . "

      Untitled Article

      " THE HOUSE OF NOBLE POVERTY . " A stoky of an old wrong has been brought to light . Tho Hospital of St . Cross was founded in the twelfth century by Henry de Blois , Bishop of Winchester , and tho House of Noble Poverty was founded by the Cardinal do Beaufort in tho year 144 G . Tho original charter of tho Hospital was dated in the year 1151 , and although not in existenco now , is fully authenticated by tho early references in ado to it . This ' charter , after stating fully tho object of the charity , goes on to any that , in addition to tho thirteen poor men , who woro to reside in the hospital and rccoivo an allowance from its funds , 100 other poor men of modest demeanour , and in the most indigent circumstances , woro to receive sustentation from tho charity . As well as these trusts ,

      there vvcro also certain other chnritublo purposes specified to which tho revenues of tho charity woro to bo applied . In 1185 tho patronage of the hospital was transferred from tho Knights of St . John of Jerusalem to tho Bishop of Winchester for tho time being ; and in 1189 a charter was granted by Richard 1 . to tho Knights of Jerusalem again , and in this charter tho trusts and objects of tho charity woro again sot forth and recited . In 1 IW 2 a sequestration and commission took place ; and an inquiry was instituted as to whether tho hospital was established for tho " euro of souls . " At this period , and for hoiiio time previously , continual and most , barefaced irregularities seem to havo characterised tho government of tho charity , tho masters of which appropriated tho revenues to their own uho , and to tho exclusion of all tho truats of tho charity and tho

      Untitled Article

      August 6 , 1853 . ] THE LEADER . 751

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 6, 1853, page 751, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1998/page/7/