Taranaki.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 5, Issue 223, 21 February 1861, Page 3

Taranaki.

[From the Herald's ‘Journal of Events.’] (Saturday, Feb. 2—A party of military ami militia and volunteers escorted siipplys to-day J to the Gmata (Stockade.• Natives were seen! in force bn W aireka /fill, and danced the war dance on observing the troops.. We hear from Huirangi that the sap lias 1 Steadily proceeded, and yesterday was about 50 yards; from the main row of rifle pits. j Sunday, Feb. 3.—2’he sbp! reached tliej rifle pits at 2 p.m. yesterdayWrlifeh were foundi

, deserted by the enemy. It js. a matter for! . wonder that they are evacuated, the]? are ad- ! t mirably constructedj' and mustf have* employed, . a large number of men forcsbvefcil weeks toj 1 construct. These pits extend/ With little or! r interruption, over a mile of. country and t, run along from the left 'of the small bush r which forms the left of the peach grova avenue [ to the site of the pa skirting 5 the bush to the' right and left, but 50 or-StJ 5 yards distant from the bush in the avenue and- ; from the Karaka grove in rear ’of the site ofj . the Huirangi pa. (Several rows of pits were! | discovered in fhe small bush above named, i I and on a mound overhanging the river Wait'aral ; on the left, which prevented theirfiank being ! turned in;that direction. All the lines of: rifle i pits had'-underground: communication with j gullys and the busli,. and oaxe;.dug very narrow, which accounts for the little damage sirs- 1 tained by the enemy from the artillery practices'although'the shells and shot: fell relose to ! them the ground being torn up in alb directions in front and rear. AMi itorhiiiig party would have been exposed'-to a fire on both flanks, and from an invisible enemy,who could 1 retreat into safety at any moment. The pits l are of different forms, some . straight/others-' ’ curved and all with numerous traverses, be- 1 • tween which were dug underground habitations lined .with fern; and tcpvered over with slabs and earth; all had. been recently occupied, and many must whole fiunilies.. Natives-are v.se en on the pa Te Arai, a few built on the slope oil the hill on which stobd the;famous Pukeran-! giora pa. Lance Corporal 65th Regt., wounded on the ; |!3rd ult.,; died last] night. We young man is a son of William Campbell,,Esq., of Tilli-J hewan Castle, Dumbartonshire,.Scotland,- and! that Howard was an assumed name,,; Pre-I viously to his death he sent for Lieut. Ur-'* qubarfc, commanding his company, and re-i: vealed to him his name and kisfeory. |i Monday, Feb. 4.7-r/f strong escort of imli-!< tarv and.,:fiivilian<i laft tins mnrnincr fnr RpIII]

Block and returned at noon., IVe regret to report tke death by drowning of private 'Hughes, 65th J?egt., ; .whilst: bathing in a lagoon near the stockade. ; .The Tasmanian Maid from Waitara before daylight brings nothing of interest,. The large wool shed of the Messrs,. McKellar, on Major Lloyd’s farm, burnt by the natives to-day./ <v. Tuesday* Feb. s—Fr>m Hn'rangi we learh that the 65th., under Colonel 5 Wyatt, moved from No. 1 to No. 6. redoubt yesterday morning. The latter redoubt was commenced at an early hour in. the morning, on the left of the sap,. and over a part of ;the. rifle pits, and in close proximity to thdfbu„sh on the left of [the avenue, wliich bush/'ji nbrnber. of .axemen are cutting dowri. The :; reab£rbt ie -a very [strong one, with; a deeg?difGh, and with bas tions at three angles, • -the 8-irich guh having been mounts 1 • in Tim /[[ bastion ; : facing the avenue, and in a'jjbsitibri to throw shell into' Arai pa, distarit%bbut' 2500 yards.. The sap, which has not been proceeded with during the weCk,'is in advance of the redoubt about 50 yards, Tliissap s is described as a splendid specimen of engineeridg art, and an immense amount of lebdiirdras been expended over it, It is si double‘sap, 800 yardsin length, with traverses.//Nos. 4' and 5 redoubts are erected on the right-arid left of the sap, at distance of about 250 yards. From No. 6 , redoubt the sap is a sihgle ‘one. The enemy; seeing the sap steadily approach'a / and tu - ning their flank, were compelled to evacuate their strong position. ~?Slay C". Orris’s and Mrs., McKellar/s. nt' by the rebels this afternoon the Ornata ‘stockade. . '> ■;}).,'- ‘ : burriing con- : Mhr#ouse’s, R. Lethbridge’s, aud burnt by the natives. . the rebels drove off "a . nuiril)er;prcattl<£and- horses 5 from Oapt. WKing’s, farm/.'and a /few shots were exchanged with; them socii No/ 3 Blockhouse.

Natives on Mr. Standish’s farm and in ■lthe Vicinity of • tlie- town. H.M. colonial •■steam sloop Victoria left for Manukau for s ! repairs. Some natives from A/okau report . I that several Waikatos have been carried to their homes, wounded in the attack on No. 3 ‘ redoubt. Natives driving off cattle from Mr. v Good’s farm at Omata to-day, under a smart •i fire from the stockade From the natives we iearn that the Southerns have been carting s flour and potatoes for the Waikatos. i Thursday, Feb. 7—An escort of 200 men i Of the 57th, 69th, and volunteers and militia, ! left for Mahoetahi to day with provisions , They returned without seeing. apy natives. House burning again continued this morning !in the vicinity of the Frankley road. Mr. J. 1 1 Putt’s House at Moturoa also burnt by the ’(southern rebels, Intelligence received that.a’ inative (a Taranaki) was severely wounded in

the breast by the fire from No. 3 Blockhouse yesterday, but is UQt,dead. From Waitara 'we learn that the natives who have ; left for their homes, are the following Kawliia tribes : Ngatimahuta, under Wiremu Hoeta, JYgatinigawaero; part of Ngatihinefu,‘Ngci:likino Avhako, and Ngatihikairo, total 250. 150 of .these are certain not to return, but 100 will jrejoin the insurgents after harvest. Te Kihijrini, a brother of Taiporutu’s, was carried [home severely wounded, after the affair of the 23rd ult. The troops have been engaged since Monday, in completing-No. 6 redoubt, 'and felling the bush. Covering parties have, (been thrown out every day to. protect. the 'workmen, across the avenue, up the left of the avenue, and in front of the bush, extended to the cliffs overhanging the IFaitara river. .Individuals have walked through the avenue, j and lound the bush to the open land in front jof the Arai pa where the rebels are now seen jin considerable numbers digging rifle pits on

([right of,,the village, and on a mound on their [right front. They ' appear to make a stand at 1 1 this-position, as. at Iluirangi. From the ap- ■ ipearance of the country the troops can advance j 'several hundred yards without being exposed j to ambuscades, after passing through the' avenue. A considerable extent of cutivated ( land, potatoes, and maize, is taken possession of by the troops. It is reported that the Waikatos have left Waireka for Te Arai, as •large parties have been seen from the Bell I Blockhouse on their way northwards. The [rifle pits are being filled in by the troops, and j the bush is being rapidly felled-—bullocks drag-’ Iging out the fallen trees. The scenery from a (burial place on the extreme left, on a cliff (overhanging the river, is very beautiful. The. [river winding through country of the richest j (description, but infested by the Scotch thistle,■ 'in many places covering acres of land, and so; thick and high as to render it impossible to j (passthrough. • ~ Friday, Feb. B.—The Tasmanian it/aid,; with her usual regularity, from Waitara tliisj morning. Rumours that the /Faikatos are’ 'suing for peace—rumours which had credence, ■ since Archdeacon Govett and the Rev. Mr.! f Whitely have appeared on the scene. No ag.-J Igressive movement has been made against the; natives at Waitara since Monday. At 2 p.m.' yesterday, the quiet which has reigned over Iluirangi for several days was disturbed by 'the sounds of shots from the bush to the right, of the avenue, from some wares standing a "few paces amongst the trees. The. gsrrison of iof No. 6 redoubt stood to arms and the recovering party stationed on the left-.of the' iavenue, returned the fire, while the axemen' 1 ran toward the redoubt. It was afterwards; [found that Commodore Seymour, who was (walking some little distance in advance, of; the! [head of the sap, was fired at by an ambus-j 'cadeyvbich, had'.but recently been laid as seve iral persons iiad been further forward during! [the morning, fortunately missing the gallant j ofiicer, although five shots were fired at him 1 from a distance of ‘2O vnrds A few shnt.«'(

were afterwards fired at the covering party, and returned, and no more was seen or heard of the rebels This afternoon Capt. W. C. King (militia) ventured out to his estate at Woodleigh, and was shot dead. The unfortunate gentleman was observed from Marsland hill to ride smartly down the slope followed by natives, who shot him with great ferocity. Volunteers and militia hastened to the scene,, followed by mil tary, but too late to render; aid or intercept the natives, who were, seen 1 decamping in the direction of Ratapihipihi. 5 d-lis body . was found pierced by six bullets,;'

three through his head, two in the body, and •me in the thigh. From the .appealance of the wounds in the head he "was fired into while lying on the ground, The horse brought in though shot in three places, but the saddle and bridle had been removed.— - Saturday, Feb. 9.—An escort of military aud militia proceeded to Omata at 6 a.m. with provisions. The rebels are tc be seen in force on hill, and have strengthened their position materially. Rifle,, pits, are dug over the adjacent lands, and a pa and ride pits command the road up the Waireka hill. ..Two'pas are erected on‘the ridge commanding Jury’s ground, and for some distance in rear defences! have been made.—The efficacv of the Enfield

rifle at a long range was proved a few days since, when Lieut. Chevalier, Goth regt., fired a few rounds from the Omata stockade at a body of natives on Waireka hill, a distance of 2500 yards. The rifle was given sufficient elevation by adding to the length of the sight, and a steady aim taken. Two shots, we are told by the Poutoko natives, took effect, wounding two (iVimeona of Warea) having been so severely wounded, that he was carried to Warea. The distance was so great that the natives neither heard the report of the rifle, nor knew where; the bullet came from. , Sunday, Feb. 10. —Firing heard at an early hour this morning, which continued through-

out the day. The Tasmanian Maid came upatlla.ro , and in a note written yesterday from No. ft-redoubt, it is stated that “ to-mor-row (Sunday) we are to advance within rifle shot of Pukerangiora,. to be occupied by 400 of the 40th. A fight is probable.” • This will account for the firing heard. .At 3 p.m. a telegram was received, announcing that Capt. Strange, 65th regt., was dangerously wounded in taking up the new position this morning. A second telegram was received reporting the gallant officer s death.—Capt. W. C. King was buried to-day at 5 p.m. in St. Mary’s churchyard, followed to the grave by a very largenumber of his fellow-settlers and military officers. The funeral was ; strictly private. Monday, Feb. 11.—We have heard from* JSpilia, a Poutoko native, who ' passes through the enemy’s lines into town; particulars rej. arding Capt. W. C. King’s Heath. He was tired

rat by-a party of Ngatinumuis in ambush, fiom the Manuhiakai hajiu, from- Okaiawa, inland of Wai'maie. - A' Wsig : fired, wounding . thejinforfiipate. gentleman and ~ his horse, he* dismounted, after endeavouring to make thehorse leap a fence, and ran down a slope. He- ■ was chased by two natives, named Hori Kiwiand Holiepa, the rest of the party staying to* steal the saddle and bridle. The two natives,, intent only, on one object, again fired and Mr. King fell. The ruffians ran up to him, when Mr. King said, “ I am badly wounded —leave me.” Ilori answered by discharging bothbarrels of his double-barrelled gun . into hishead. On returning to IFaireka and recounting their murderous deed, Hoani of Tataraimaka, is reported to have accused the Ngatiruanuis of killing his pakelia without provocation whatever, and lie and the Taranakis condemned their proceedings. The iVgatiruanuisanswered by laughing at him, and said they should do as they pleased, and cared not for

the displeasure of Taranaki. The Tasmanian ■ Maid-brought up the body of Capt. £trange_ and seve :ul wounded in the advance towardsiPukerangiora.,, Z'he following is an account !of the affair ;—“ General Pratt had resolved on constructing a redoubt about a mile in advance of redoubt No. 6, in the peach grove, and about 400 yards from Te Arei pa, near Pukerangiora. The pa is not now in a fortified state, but there is a village of a few huts* on the site of an old pa, half way up the slope ,of a ridge. There are many rifle pits on several eminences around ; the ground is - covered with fern, in some places very high, and there is a deep gully between the position ’ chosen for the redoubt and Te Arei pa. A , force consisting of about 1200 men of the 1 12th, 14th, 40th, and 65th regiments, andt [artillery, with the royal engineers, advancedjat daybreak yesterday, and was immediately'met by heavy firing from the enemy ensconced: !i i their pits. 1 Our mien were obliged to lie* •down, and- the,- working- parties were covered; (chiefly by the fire- oi the artillery, as the natives could only be seen at rare intervals. The rifles, however, were constantly in readiness to [fire into the enemy when -seen.. The natives Iwtre full of determination, and at times came- | within speaking distance, inviting our men to I come on, who replied -by* recommending them to stand out. Several old women were vociferous in encouraging the enemy. The re[doubt was construcied on a small hill crowned' with fern trees, commanding the gully and within easy shelling range of the village or pa Te Arei. Z’he 40th, and Ca, lain [and Captain. Turner’s companies 65th, were 'extended in front across the roads from the- ; peach grove to Te Arei, die 40tli on the left, the 65th on the right. The detachment of Ithe and the light company 65th, kept i the road in rear of the rWorking parties, expending from the peach grove to near the new jredoubt. Almost every little, eminence and 'the edges of the bush were occupied by the enemy, one party as near as 150 to 200 yards to the men of the .Gsth on the ri.cdit front.

g tu uio men \ji uic \Jii me iigiiL iruilc* , Captain Strange’s men had formed themselves 1 little rifle pits, aud that gallant officer was . lying in one of these when he received a wound t in the thigh, the bullet .cutting the femoral - artery and causing death by hemorrhage. 11 bothers were wounded : 3 of the royal artillery, l 1 of the 12th regt, 1 of the 40th, 5 of the , 65th, and 1 bullock driver. .. 9 .of the bullocks; were-hit, but not so as to injure them seriously. -The, wounds, except two which are dangerous,, i are not of a character to disable the men per- , manenily. Captain St.ange was universally. ,;esteemed, not only in his regt.., but by every !pne who came in contact with him in the whole?_force. The civilians in the Bell block, wherehS'was long in command, will bear of- bis death-, , I with extreme regret, . No soldier in Taranaki' , had more respect or good will from the settlers.. At.present nothing is.known of the. Maori loss, ft is conjectured by a good authority that they, did suffer, and a rumour reached town thismorning by a native that two or more had", been killed. Little, however, was seen of them, during the day beyond the smoke of their guns.. One individual placed at the foot of the hill is, said to have caused a large part of the loss on, our side, but though- a good deal of attention j was paid him in consequence,- lie seemed to escape. The whole of the redoubts between

Kairau and No. 6 are to be destroyed to-day. Colonel Wyatt was left in coramand-of the new position with about 350 men. The followings is a list of the casualties : KILLED. Capt. T. G. Strange, 65th regt. wounded. .. i r Royal Artillery—-Gunner Arthur severely,;.. Gunner John Green v severely. ...QOih ,Richard .Mangan, severely. b I 65th regt.-— Private Win, Pavis, severely ; ,Private Pavid G’/fagan, Severely ; Private (James Muuroe. dangerously, (since dead); ; .Lance-corporal Samuel.Evanson, severely. I Mtlil fa~Pri vale, S-. ! . R untile,. severely.’* 1

Tuesday, Feb. 12.—Weather changed for wind and rain. H.M.S.S. Cordelia put to sea. and,the Tasmanian Maid is wind-bound in the Wuitara. We are therefore without intelligence from the seat of operations. Capt. Strange, 65th regt., was buried to-day with military honors. His body lies next to the remains of Lieut. Jackson, 40th regt., who fell in action on the 23rd alt. Z'he deceased officer was justly the favourite of his regt., and equally so »>f the civilian force from time to time placed under his orders. Firing hoard at intervals in the direction of fFaitara. Ihaia and two natives arrived in town by land this evening, and

report that, yesterday the troops were, again engaged with the enemy ,in the rifle pits, and had one man of the 40t,h killed and one wounded. Captain Richards, of the 40th, was also slightly wounded in the groin. Wednesday, Feb. 13. —An escort of 200 men, of the 57th and 65th, and militia and volunteers, marched foi Mahoetahi at 6 a.m. to day, with provisions for the garrison at the blockhouse, and returned at noon without incident.—The southern natives still prowling over the open country around the town, and this evening drove off Dr. Humphries’ herd of cattle from his, farm near .Fort Niger. Families outside the town ordered within the lines, as natives are said to be in force near the town ; Waireka hill having the appearance of being deserted. Thursday, Feb. 14.—Weather fine. The Tasmanian Maid came to an anchor at 1 p.m. and brings up seven wounded men. From a reliable native source we learn that on Sunday iuul Monday the native loss was four killed, namely, Wi Ropata, one of Wi Kingi’s leading men, and a man of considerable influence in the Ngatiawa; TVetana, a JKaikato chief, who was concerned in Coad’s murder; Hohepa, a Ngatimaru ; and one of the IVgatimaniapoto. We have not learnt the loss in wounded, but it is said to be considerable.

Friday, Feb. 15.—.Veveral shots were heard last night, about 9 p.m., in the direction of Waiwakaiho. We counted as many as twenty, some double shots, evidently from doublebarrel guns. Home families outside the lines came inside, but the firing ceased before 10. 7’his morning we are informed that Mabau’s people at Waiwakaiho, and the He uui natives, were firing at six of their number who had gone over to the enemy. The firing was at random, and was to express their anger at their traitorous conduct. 'The southern natives have not left as was reported; they have been engaged planting in the vicinity of Puketotara, and have kept quiet in order to draw settlers outside the outposts. 100 more Ngafiruanuis are on their way to Waireka, and ii is believed the Waikatos will move this way when driven cut of their present position at Te Arei.— This morning at 7, large parties of natives were seen passing along the edge of the bush towards Waireka from Waiwakaiho. 7'hey burnt several houses on their way—Roberts’, Oliver’s, and others. ' We are informed that, in consequence of a rumour circulated amongst the natives that some of the prisoners in gaol

had been executed, a large force of the southerns proceeded yesterday to the vicinity of the friendly pas at the Henui and Waiwakaiho, and proposed to join them in an attack on the towm. Six natives, three from the Henui and three from the Waiwakaiho pas, with their •women aud children, went over, the rest replying to the wishes of the rebels by firing at them. Natives were seen busily employed j fortifying several positions on the laud adjoining Waireka bill. A rumour Ims reached us that Topine Te Mamaku. the Wanganui chief, is on his way to join the insurgents.— 2’he Tasmanian Maid from Waitara, at noon, brings no news of particular interest. The General lias decided upon sapping up to Hapurona’s pa

at Te Arei, which will be a work of ten days if fine weather continues. The sap was commenced yesterday morning. The natives continue to keep up a fire from their position, but without effect. Our casualties on Monday and Tuesday were— Monday. 40/ ih regt. —Lance-corporal Jas. Lawrence, killed ; Capt. T. B. Richards, slightly wounded ; Private Peter Cusack, ditto. Tuesday. 40tli regt. —Private Henry Daffey, severely wounded. About 12 or 15 acres of maize, potatoes, fyc. on the banks of the JFaitara, have been destroyed. Mr. Carrington, who w T ent down on Monday last, has surveyed, during the week, the country lying between Kairau and No. 7 redoubt.

Saturday, Feb. 16.—The escort for Omata, to consist of troops, militia, and volunteers, is ordered to leave town this day at one o’clock, with one day’s provisions. The force will remain away one night. SIR CHAHLHS NAPIER.

[From the Daily Telegraph.~\

Sir Charles Napier is another Scotchman who has done honor to his country by his splendid exploits in the British navy. Duncan of Camperdown ; JVortliesk, third in command! at Trafalgar; Dundonald, of Basque Roads, have no unworthy compatriot in ‘ Old Charley.’ It is reported that one of the old Haris of Lennox out of three sons sent one, Donald, to fight for the King of Scots. “ You have all done well,” said the king to his army, after the battle, but, turning to Donald, “here is one that hath nae peer.” The brave Donald, adds tradition, took the name of Napier from this circumstance —a name which, it may be observed iu passing, gives a kind of sanction to the popular but erroneous mode of pronouncing the late Admiral’s name as a dissyllable, with the accent on the second syllable.

Sir Charles Napier, M.P. for Southwark, Admiral of the Blue, K.C.8., Knight of Maria Theresa of Austria, Knight of St. George of Russia, Knight of the Red Eagle of Prussia, Grand Cross of the Tower and Sword of Portugal, a grandee of the first class and Viscount Cape St Vincent in the Peerage of that kingdom, was born on the 6th March 1786, so

that he was in the seventy-fifth year of his age at the time of his death. lie was the eldest son of Captain the hon. Charles Napier, R.N., of Merchistoun Hall, Stirling, N. 8., by his second wife, Christian,' daughter of Gabriel Hamilton, Esq. of JFestburn, Lanarkshire, and grandson of Francis, fifth Baron Napier. He entered the navy, November 1799, as a firstclass volunteer on board the Martin sloop, Captain the hon. M. St. Clair, then in the North Sea. Subsequently he was transferred

(1800) to the Renown, Sir John Warren, on the Meditejanean station. . In 1802 he was midshipman of the Greyhound, Captain Hoste; in 1804-5 of the Mediator and Euryalus. A s lieutenant of the Courageux he was at the capture of the Marengo and the Belle Poule in 1806. In 1807 he was acting commander of the Pul tusk brig, in the West Indies. On the 19th July 1808 he was at the reduction of the Danish islands, St. Thomas and St. Croix, and assisted in the cutting out of a Spanish merchantman lying at Porto Rico. In the August following he commanded the Recruit brig, and engaged and put to flight the Dili gente (French corvette), 22. His thigh was broken by a shot from the enemy’s ship, but lie refused to leave the deck till his opponent was out of sight. He suffered from this wound to the day of his death, and this was the cause of his limping. For this wound he was made an out-pensioner of Greenwich Hospital, with a. pension of <£Bo a-year. In February, 1809, lie took an active part in the reduction of Martinique ; he scaled the walls, and planted the Union-Jack, in open day, on the ramparts of Fort Edward. The April following he was again engaged with French ships of the line, and for his gallantry the Commander-in-Chief, Sir Alexander Cochrane, the late Lord Dun-

donald’s uncle and captain, “ posted ” him on the spot. He returned home in 1809, and remained in this country till 1811, when he was appointed to the Thames, 32. On the, 11th November 1811, he landed, with 250 men of the 62nd regt., at the back of the harbour of Pulimoro, and carried the heights, capturing the gun-boats, a battery of 24-pounders,

and twenty-two rich feluccas. In 1812, he took out of the port of Napri twenty-eight ships laden with oil; in the February following more batteries at Ponza. In 1813 lie sailed for North America, and earned the thanks of Captain Gordon for his support iu the expedition against Alexandria and the operations in Baltimore. In June 1815 his ship, the Huryalus, was paid off, and Captain Napier was

made a C.B. lie was unemployed from 1815 to 1829. From January 1829 to 1832 he was employed off the coast of Portugal, in the Galatea, being commissioned to obtain from Dora Miguel restitution of certain British ships which were illegally detained. When Dom Pedro abdicated, Napier resolved to push liis way up the 2’agus to Lisbon itself. He was made Commander-in-Chief of the Portuguese fleet, and, on the 3rd July, he defeated the fleet of Dom Miguel off Cape St. Fincent. Sir Hobert Peel said of him once, in the house of Commons, that lie “hadoverthrown the dynasty in two minutes,” and, in point of fact, the battle was the affair of a few minutes only. For this exploit he was created Viscount Capo San Vincente (1833), received the Grand Cross of the Tower and /Sword, and was made a

grandee of the first class. It is recorded of him that, in 1833, he refused to attack Valenza in the ordinary way —with trenches, &c.—but that he took the town by a letter —namely, by sending a letter to the governor ordering him to surrender at discretion, and the terror inspired by his name was so great that the governor obeyed the order forthwith. After a few years he became disgusted with the Portuguese Government, and threw up his appointment. In 1840 he hoisted his flag on board the Powerful, as commodore ,on the coast of Syria. He beat Ibrahim Pacha on the mountains of Beyrout, in the most singular possible costume. He led his levias on, seated on a donkey, with a straw hat on his head and a bludgeon in his hand, his dog “Pow” by his side. On the 28th September he stormed

Siaon,took 5000 prisoners in a month, andj compelled the army of Suleiman Pacha to lay down their arms. He next reduced Acxe, and went on to Alexandria, where he headed the British squadron and made terms with Mehemet Ali. For these services Commodore Napier was made a K.C.B. (1840), and received his decorations from Prussia, Russia, and Austria. On his return home the next year he was enthusiastically received, and Liverpool, Manchester, and Zeeds entertained him at splendid banquets. He was made in this year A.D.C. to the Queen. In 1837 he had received the good service pension. Having attained the flag rank as Rear Admiral of the Blue, he commanded the Channel

[Fleet from 1847 to 1849, hoisting his flag on board the St. Vineent._ In the latter year he was superseded by Sir Francis Baring, and Admiral Sir James Deans Dundas was appointed his successor. Now began the brave old Admiral’s troubles. His education had been limited, and his angry complaints of various Admiralty Lords were petulant, indiscreet, and vainglorious. He now collected the various letters on professional subjects which he had addressed to contemporary journals during a space of nearly thirty years, and reprinted them in a volume called “ The iVavy—its Past and Present State.” It is hardly necessary to say these letters were most pungent and incriminatory—not to say [abusive. Every one fell under the lash of

Sir Charles,' and a civilianFFistr st of the Admiralty operated on his per* 6 ™* 1 * tem P er * ament —perfervidum Scotorum % n y e,liu m—as a red rag would on a bull. Cabin 6 *' A/inisters, whether Privy Seals or Chance^ ors 16 Exchequer, all came under his la 8 } 1 > Jsir Francis was decidedly the “ whipp* n °* the Admiralty boards. Hence ft happened that Lord J. Russell made the public declaration that Six Charles, brave as he was, had no “ discretion ” —a declaration which galled

Old Charley, and on which he used to dwell with “ damnable iteration.” 7t is only justice however to his memory to state that, in the course of his letters, Sir Charles promulgated some sound and sensible doctrines on the state of the navy. He advocated the abolition of flogging, and a proper’system of registration.

In 1854, when the Crimean war engaged all men’s minds, the eyes of the Admiralty, following those of many Englishmen, looked towards the old veteran, then; in gloomy retirement at'Merchistoun Hall, as the best possible Commander-in-Chief of the Baltic fleet. We all remember the uproarious exultation with which the signal triumphs to be won for us by “ Old Charley” were progn s 'ca'ed. • . . The next beard of Sir Charles was bis

celebrated signal to the fleet, “ /Sharpen your cutlasses,” sc., and his telegraphing for chloroform. His exploits consisted in taking Bomarsund, and—as lie made it a matter of triumph—in bringing his fleet safe home. He declared Cronstadt to be impregnable, and on his subsequent visit to Russia brought forward the Grand Duke Constantine as a witness that it was so. Every one remembers his reply to his Imperial Highness on the occasion of an interview which he had with that potentate “ Admiral,” asked the Grand Duke, “ why did you not come into the harbour to Cronstadt ?” “ Pray, why did not your Hoyal Highness come out. ?” was the responsive question. That Sir Charles’s exploits were not in character with his former reputation there can be little doubt, but many allowances are to be made for him. He was fettered by the orders from the Admiralty.

In 1855 he returned home from the Baltic —in fact, he was recalled, and came home in the sulks. Many people thought him an injured man, especially as his superior happened to have been Sir James Graham. On the death of Lord Dudley Stuart, some liberals of Marylebone desired to propose him as a candidate, but the Admiralty kept him in the Baltic till the contest was over. Shortly after bis return, however, Sir William Molesworth died, and Sir Charles Napier was elected for Southwark-

The Admiral was a constant speaker, rarely however on other than professional subjects. To his honor be it said, that the condition of the sailor always enlisted his warmest advocacy. He was an ardent Liberal, and voted for the ballot and strong measures of Parliamentary Peform. His post of duty was generally the terrace of the house of Commons, and there the hero of Acre might be seen—- “ his custom always of the afternoon” —inhaling the pleasant breezes of the Thames, smok ing innumerable cigars, and spinning nautical yarns to delighted young members over jorums of brandy and water. When he did speak, his speeches were full of spirit., and, though, a little tedious, ho was always listened to iu the house of Commons with respect. His manner was eccentric, not to say disorderly. His adjurations were more emphatic than reverent, and the speaker would put his handkerchief before his face when the brave old Salt turned towards him with a “Why, good God! sir,” or on one occasion, “ God —me, Mr. Speaker 1” All the members will miss him.

The late gallant Admiral married Eliza, widow of E. Elers, I?sq. R.2V„ by whom he had issue an only daughter, Elouise Fanny, who married, in 1843, the Rev. Henry Jodrell, M.A., of Exeter College, Oxford, afterwards Rector of Gittisham, Norfolk. Sir Charles was of a mechanical - turn of mind. In 1828 he constructed the model of a ship, which is to be seen in the United Service Museum. In 1846 the Aidon steam-frigate, of 560 horse-power, was built from his designs. He has also written several papers in the United Service Journal. He has been gazetted nine times—in 1799, 1809, 1811, 1812, 1813, and 1814. ’ > On the whole, while no one can deny the brilliant nature of his services, bis pluck, and thorough seamanship, posterity Will also do justice to the humanity, generosity, and trueheartedness which was easily discoverable under an upper crust of roughness and petulance.

The u Bottom of Louis Napoleon’s , Heart/’- —At a meeting of the Liverpool; Social Science Association, Baron Gudin, the ( celebrated French marine painter, who was j present, delivered a speech in English, deprecating any idea of war between France and i England, and arguing that the Emperor was most anxious to keep up the entente co t diale. He also mentioned that he (Baron Gudin) had invented an apparatus in connection with gas and water, which would, he hoped, be of great benefit to the public. “The Emperor,” he j said, “ is my friend, and I know the very bottom of his heart.” At these words Lord Brougham, who was .in the chair, smiled, and shook his head, and at the , conclusion of the Baron’s remarks he highly eulogised his talents as an aitist, and added, “ but with reference to his great discovery—l don’t mean that of the bottom of the Emperor’s heart, but , of the gas and water apparatus—l hope we shall soon hear more.” These; words, delivered in. the noble, lord’s driest manner, excited roars of i laughter, which seemed to puzzle Baron Gudin : immensely. Baron Gudin, Lord Brougham stated, is married to a Scotch lady. ’ A Novel 'Marriage.—-A wedding took

place on Monday at the churchy of St. Marylebone, which was particularly interesting on account of its novelty. The happy couple fMr Alfred Thomas Maxwell and Miss Kosma Paxton) are both deaf and dumb, and the ceremony, was , performed .in the finger and sign language, by the Rev. Samuel Smith, chaplain of the Association in aul of the deal and dumb. This is the first time m dim country that dactylology and pantomime have been brought into use on such an occasion. Several of the members of Mr. Smith’s deaf and dumb congregation were present to witness the ceremony.— —Star and Dial , Ist Nov. Whitworth Rifled Guns.— The Times correspondent says the Emperor Napoleon has intimated to Mr. Whitworth his intention to purchase the patent for France of his rifled guns if the experiments at Southport prove successful, and there is no objection to the ammunition. An officer will be sent there to report. Liliputian Horses. —On 13th Nov. four of the smallest horses in the world were brought

to Windsor by the South-western train, for the purpose of being shown to Her Majesty and the Prince Consort, which the Proprietor, a Mr. Williams, had brought from' Africa. These diminutive animals were not placed in regular horse boxes, but were standing in a compartment side by side with the grooms to whose charge they were committed. They are entire horses of perfect symmetry, well matched, being all of a colour, dark brown, and the highest of them was barely thirty-one inches. Armstrong Guns.— Sir W. Armstrong writes that his 12-pouhders only cost .£l7O. The difficulty in making the larger guns is now entirely surmounted. The number of Armstrong guns already constructed is 45". The 100-pounders stood the test of 'trial fully on Nov. 7, at IFbolwich. What has the Chinese Campaigne proved

respecting this gun. Colonel Barry’s and Captain Milward’s Batteries were shipped in the Thames, and brought overland from .England, and when eventually landed at Pehtang, they had been shipped and unshipped no less than eight times. Milward’s Battery was then. dragged for miles over ground all but impracticable for artillery, and yet not one gun received the slightest damage. It may, therefore, safely be assumed that the Armstrong gun is not too delicate for the rough usage of war. The French canon '•’aye is a beautiful gun, light and handy, an imraense'improvement on the old class of artillery. It weighs about 5| cwt. and throws an 81b shell. The Armstrong weighs 6 cwt. and throws a 121 b shell. ■ In point of lightness, therefore, the Armstrong is superior to the rifled cannon. 2’he French carriages, however, are in every respect better than ours.

The French artillery in China, both officers and men, have distinguished themselves on every occasion. Most of the officers wear the Italian medal, and the way in which they trained wild Japanese ponies into useful artillery horses excited universal admiration. They well know how to put their canon raye to the best purpose. It is no fault of theirs that the French gun is inferior to the English in point of range, accuracy, lightness, and destructive effect. The Armstrongs are made of wrought iron, the French of bronze. 2’he chances of injury to the interior of the gun from the effect of the ball are, therefore, sensibly diminished in favour of the Armstrong.

MilwardV battery fired 90 rounds a gun within three hours and a half, and the gun was only sponged every tenth round. Not one gun is in the slightest degree injured. The Armstrong is loaded at the breech, the French at the muzzle. Here again the advantage is on the side of the English weapon. In destructive effect the Armstrong shell is greatly superior to the French. Built up in sections/the 12 lb shells must burst into forty-nine angular pieces, exclusive of the top and leaden casing. Their effect is frightful, and the range over which they spread death and destruction almost incredible. No troops can . stand against them in the open. The French are not masters of this secret, and the effect of their shells is much less deadly. Once get the range with an Armstrong, the word is passed down the battery so many degrees of elevation, and the graduated sights enable the gunners to place each shot in the exact spot indicated.