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Leader (1850-1860), 6th August 1859, Edition 1 of 2, Page 906, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      the expenses of erecting the new Foreign-office , "which was expained to be for the purpose of preparing the ground by concrete for the foundation of the building , the Chanceixor of the Exchequer stated that a responsible builder was ready to undertake the construction upon Mr . Scott ' s plan for 232 , 0002 . ; but there -were contingencies which would augment the charge to 3 l 0 , 000 Z ., and , the cost of the site being 120 , O 0 OZ ., the total sum would be 430 , 000 ? .- ^—The discussion— -a long and interesting one—of the vote embraced a great variety of topics connected -with the proposed building , including the question whether it should comprise a residence for the Foreign Minister and reception rooms , and the

      question of the architect , involving that of the style of architecture—whether Italian or Gothic . — Ix > rd Elcho defended Mr . Scott ' s design . He maintained that the' objections to this design on the ground of light and air , and as to its incongruity with other buildings , would not hold water ; that a severe congruity was sometimes a deformity . He quoted testimonies in favour of this design . —Mr . Tite was of opinion that the Chancellor of the Exchequer had omitted items in his calculation to the amount of 150 , 000 / ., and that , including the Indiaoffice , the House ^ by adopting Mr . Scott ' s design , would be committed to an outlay of nearly 1 , 000 , 000 / . He thought that , though the Gothic style might be

      was ordered to appear in his place the following day . SUPPLY . The House * then went into a Committee of Supply , and resumed the discussion of the remaining estimates . In moving the vote of £ 10 , 000 for the expense of a new copper ( or substitute for copper ) coinage , the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained the constituents of the compound meta ] , a species of bronze , ol which the substituted currency would be made . On the vote of £ 50 , 000 for civil contingencies , the Chancellor of the Exchequer adverted to the item

      of £ 2 , 200 charged as expenses for his late mission to the Ionian Islands . He acknowledged the forbearance manifested towards himself both by the last and the present Parliament in relation to this affair , and stated that he looked with impatience for the time when all the papers relating to that mission could be published , which as lie believed , would fully justify the confidence which the House had been pleased to bestow upon hitn . For the present , the Commissioner of the Ionian Islands considered any promulgation of the despatches inexpedient and premature .

      The vote was of course agreed to , as were also th'e remaining votes , the business of granting supplies being brought to a conclusion for the present session . , . The House adjourned at two o ' clock .

      suited for ecclesiastical edifices , the Italian style , moderately used , was better adapted for public offices . — -Lord Palmerston' said nothing would be done towards fixing upon a plan until Parliament met again . He retained the opinion he had expressed , that the Gothic style was utterly unsuitable to a public official building , and he avowed the declaration he had made to a deputation , that , as far as his opinion had weight , he should do all he could to prevent that style being adopted ; that it was admirably suited to a monastery or a College of Jesuits , but hot , externally or internally ; to the purpose for

      which the building was intended . — -Lord J . Manners vindicated himself from the charge—that he had committed- the country by incurring _ an expense in this matter upon his own responsibility—made by Lord Palmerston , upon whom _ b . e retorted somewhat sharply . —Sir J . Paxton said he had examined Mr . Scott ' s plan in detail , and was of opinion that it was a beautiful building ; that his system of ventilation was as perfect as in any building he had ever seen , and , as to light , that he had rather overdone it than otherwise . This vote , with other votes , was agreed to .

      BODMTN ELECTION PETITION " . In the evening Mr . Koebuck drew the attention of the House to a matter which , he said , concerned its privileges . A petition presented against the return of one of the members for Bodmin on the grounds of bribery and treating had been withdrawn ; and it had come to his knowledge that the member for Bodnain , being charged with bribery and corruption , had agreed to a , compromise , and would retire from the representation by accepting the Chiltern Hundreds . He ( Mr . Roebuck ) considered this to be a corrupt compromise , which materially affected the character as well as the privileges of the House ; and he moved a resolution that any

      minister would be guilty of a breach of the privileges of the House who should advise the Crown to confer the office of Steward of the Chiltern Hundreds , or a similar office , upon any person charged with corrupt practices at elections , for the purpose of enabling him to evade the jurisdiction of that House by entering into an agreement to vacate his seat . —Lord Palbibhston agreed in the principle of the motion ; but with regard to its application it did not appear , he observed , that Mr . Roebuck had sufficient ground for his general resolution , which would cause the Government much embarrassment , He suggested that the member for Bodmin should be required to appear in his place , and asked whether he admitted

      or denied the charge . —Mr . Disraeli-agreed that it became the House to adopt some resolution of this kind . —The Chancellor of the Exchequer said the privilege of conferring the Chiltern Hundreds was the only patronage in his hands , and , in conformity with a precedent in 1842 , it would bo his duty in the case of any corrupt compromise of the kind mentioned brought to his Knowledge to refuse the grant . Mr . Roebuck said the member referred to , Dr . Michell , had been charged with bribery , corruption , nncl treating ; . the petition against his

      return had been withdrawn in consequence , he had reason to believe , of a corrupt compromise between him and the petitioner . If application was made to the Chancellor of the Exchequer for the Chiltern Hundreds , the nail would be driven homq . Ought not the House to interpose an obstacle in the way of such o , compromise ?—Sir H . CAinwa observed that the throe facts- —the petition against the return of the member , the withdrawal of the petition , and the WPUgftUw * for the GhUtem Hundreds—would make a aumn \ en % , prim& Jaoie cauei- ^ -After a further dls - ouaalon tho . debate was adjourned , «» d Dr . MIohoM

      Untitled Article

      KAVAL AND MILITARY . A new and improved description of tent for military purposes , the invention of Major Rhodes , late of the 94 th "Regiment , having been brought under the authorities at the Horse Guards , the Duke of Cambridge has given directions for two of the tents to-be pitched at Chatham garrison , in order to put to a practical test the superiority of the invention over the ordinary military tents now in use by the army when encamped at Aldershott , the Curragh , Chatham , and other military stations . - Two of the tents have accordingly just been erected on the grounds adjoining the . Garrison Hospital at Chatham , under the personal superintendence of Major Rhodes , and during the storm and hurricane which

      the cricket-ground at the Crystal Palace , Sydenham . On Thursday morning a trial of Captain Grant ' s ambulatory and other kitchens was made in Hydepark , a very successful experiment having been tried at Dartford on the preceding day . Tents were pitched , and by means of the apparatus dinner was provided for officers and men with the utmost facility , and with the same readiness as if the men were comfortably located in barracks . A large number of people were present to witness the ceremony , and appeared to be particularly interested in the testing of the rafts on the Serpentine .

      Notwithstanding the pacific declarations of the French Government , warlike preparations are carried on with a degree of activity which it would be well for us to imitate . At Cherbourg and Brest coals and ammunition are being stored to an extent that denotes a wish to be prepared against any emergency , and at the former place the forts are being armed with rifled guns . An English squadron , composed of five vessels of the line , one frigate , and one sloop of war , arrived on the 23 rd ult . at Alexandria , where it will be stationed for some time . It is reported that another English division is expected .

      The " Inscription" gives France a corps of upwards of 90 , 000 seamen , to draw upon in time of need . If we could rely upon a supply of 20 , 000 , or even of 15 , 000 , trained men of this class , in addition to those we are now in ' the habit of obtaining , it would form the surest bulwark that could be raised against the possibility of aggression from any foreign power . Our present force comprises 34 , 400 seamen ( exclusive of the coast-guard men on shore ) , 6 , 100 boys , 15 , 000 marines—altogether a total of 55 , 000 men . In the opinion of competent naval authorities they should be increased by the addition of at least 7 , 000 seamen and 10 , 000 marines . Had we , in addition , 25 , 000 or 30 , 000 seamen in reserve , there is no doubt that our position would be healthier and sounder in every way . On Saturday last the Bacchante , 51 , was launched at Portsmouth , and the Mutine , 17 , at Deptford .

      swept over Chatham on Wednesday night the 20 th instant , they were found in every respect superior to the ordinary tents erected near the same spot . The largest of Major Rhodes ' s tents is about 30 feet in length , 15 feet wide , and 10 in height , and is of a kind of oval and vaulted construction , so that no part of the exterior presents a lodgment- for moisture . Instead of the ordinary tent-pole , which is found to take up so much room in a tent , the" interior is entirely free from this obstruction , thus allowing tables and seats , as in the soldiers' barrack rooms , to be placed in the tents—an ; arrangement impossible in , the present military tents . The covering of the tent is supported on light and

      ingeniously contrived bowed ribs , which fit into sockets , and can be moved and stowed away with the greatest ease and celerity . The system of ventilation is most efficient , the " roof" of the tent being provided with ventilating holes , which can be opened and closed at pleasure . Major Rhodes has named his large tent " the hospital tent . " After the tent had been fixed on Wednesday afternoon , ten . of the portable bedsteadsfrom the hospital were moved intoit , and as many patients directed to take possession of them . Notwithstanding the tremendous storm whjich raged early , yesterday morning , not the slightest inconvenience was experienced by the inmates , who slept as dry as in an ordinary room ,

      while many of the other tents admitted the water , which poured in as tlrrouffh a seive . Major Rhodes ' s hospital tent can be pitched by . eight men in twelve minutes ; and whereas , in the present tents there are 184 pegs , and eighty ropes to eaoh , the new invention has only about forty pegs and eighteen ropes to secure it , there being no necessity for the men to turn out in the rain during the night to " slack " the ropes , as is the case with the present tents—a serious matter when that duty haB to be performed by sick patients . Major Bhodos ' s hospital tent weighs about 11211 ) . less than the hospital marquee , and its -whole cost is about £ 3 under the contract price .

      The " field tent" for troops , one of which has also been erected close to the hospital tont , is of bell shape , and 13 feet in diameter . The support in this tent also is in ribs , which form a kind of vaulted frame or dome , over which the covering is * placed . Tho middle area is not diminished by a pole , and the men can stand upright with ease . This tent will accommodate ten to fourteen men , and is supplied with short ropes , which may be usod as arm * raoks , and also ropes on which each soldier can hang hia accoutrements , besides a ground-sheet on which tho soldiers can deposit their knapsacks , &o ., free from the dampness of the ground . To thoroughly appreciate Major Rhodes ' s tonts , they should bo inspected , as one of his hospital tents is pitohed at

      Untitled Article

      VOLUNTEER CQRPS . - We are sorry to have little , to report of the progress of the movement this week . The number of volunteer rifle corps actually formed is only eight ; of artillery one . Besides these , formal offers have been received by the Minister at War from three counties to form artillery corps , and from fifteen to form rifle corps . , A general meeting of the Inns of Court was held on Saturday for the purpose of agreeing to the rules and regulations of the Volunteer Rifle Corps , formed of members of the legal profession . The corps , it appears , has selected a practice ground at Walhamjjreen . The chairman admitted that the number of members was , as yet , very small , but expressed his opinion that many were holding back until the rules were adopted .

      Untitled Article

      THE STRIKES . Two most important combination a of workmen have been developed this week , —a strike among tho London gas-workers and also among the men cmployed in the building-trade . The public have had a narrow escape from having their gas cut off during tho past week . The stokers and firemen demanded an increase of wages and a diminution of the hours of labour . As their demands were not complied with , they suddenly " struck , " and as the strike extended to nearly all the metropolitan gas companies , there was , at one time , great danger of London being immersed in total darknoss . Happily > however , the directors of the companies displayed

      an activity equal to the emergency , and the danger was merby bringing up large numbers of men from the provinces , and also by the employment of a number of German sugar bakers , who , as men accustomed to intense heat , could be made available On Saturday the old hands were taken on at their own terms , and naturally thought they had gainoU tho day . The directors , however , had been taking measures to obtain from railway companies ana other largo establishments as many men aa were required . The result has been tho submission ot most of the men on strike , who have signed an agreement td revert t » their original terms , ana not

      pledging themselves that " they arc now ana will not bo members of , or in any way belong to , any trade union or association . " , The builders' workmen demand ton hours pay for nine hours' work , and that tho hours of labour should be reduced to the latter limit . The threatened strike becomes more serious every hour . A no determination of tho mastera * to shut thoir eslabUsiiments against those who act in combination has been followed by a Hyde-park meeting , at wMou some thousands of workmen wore present . At tnia meeting speeches were made of an uncompromising oharaoter , and a resolution was adopted wmcu

      Untitled Article

      906 THE LEADER . [ No . 489- Aug . 6 , 18 5 & .

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Aug. 6, 1859, page 906, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2306/page/6/