March 4.] 
THE FIELD. 
205 
I LESOT1I OF DAYS. DAY BREAK. 
Jioox'8 obasom. I on tUo 6th.. 9h. 33m.. .61i. 39m. 
, 1»- 9h. <5 m...0b. On,. 
'“H&r'-'ilct.SS.Sorn. «»■ 
&& ..VO. 4|1. 39m. morn. 
SATURDAY, MARCH 4, 1864.^ 
TO THE PUBLIC. 
Oue numerous Subscribers are respectfully informed, 
that in consequence of the extraordinary increase in 
the circulation of “ The Field ” since the commence- 
ment of the year, it is our intention in the ensuing 
■week to increase the General News, so as to render 
it apart from its speciality as the only Gentleman’s 
Sporting Paper, a thoroughly Family Journal of all 
passing events, abroad and at home. The Field ol 
War, ^beiog the all-absorbing subject at the pre- 
sent time, will form an original and important 
feature for the future ; and the very latest news 
from the East be obtained. The Gold Fields 
and Colonies generally will be peculiarly at- 
tended to, and the Money Market, and all matters 
relating to Commerce, closely watched, and re- 
ported on. Besides such intelligence, Original 
Articles will be devoted to the Fields of Agriculture, 
Literature, Science, Art, Music, and the Drama. — 
On Saturday, the 11th inst., a Second Edition of 
“The Field” will be published, with the latest 
Electric Telegraph Foreign and Home News, Police 
and Law Reports, Betting, Shipping, &c., up to the 
evening post hour, — with (first time) a Supplement, 
gratis. 
V All Post Office Orders after the 11th instant 
should be made payable to Bernard Luxton, at the 
new office of “The Field,” in the Strand, opposite 
Adam Street, Adelphi. 
NEWS OF THE WEEK. 
When last week we addressed our readers, The 
Field may have then been perused, and perhaps for 
the last time, by many, very many, of those gallant 
officers and men who are now at sea, and far on their 
way to “The Field of War” in the East. Under the 
guidance of Providence, it is to be hoped that they 
may, at least, escape all perils of the ocean, if not 
those dangers incident to the noble profession they 
have so long adorned. “ Every bullet has its billet,” 
and in going into action against the hordes of the 
Czar, it is impossible to indicate even one that may 
or may not be snatched away ; and yet, to us, the 
whole military body is so endeared by numerous asso- 
ciations, that aught of evil befalling it, whether in a 
single instance or in many, would fall upon our heart 
with double force, and cause a tenfold pang. Victory 
will, we feel thoroughly assured, sit upon the helm 
of England, but, “ in the doing,” who are the men to 
full? Those who, year after year, have been known 
to us as foremost in all British sports, in^ our 
public schools, our universities, our hunting fields, 
and, in short, wherever manly sport could by noble- 
men and gentlemen be followed. Field sports have 
ever been regarded as good training for warriors ; 
and in the coming contest. — if the Czar be yet lool 
enough to fight— the gentlemen of England may be 
fairly expected, from their early open air habits, to ex- 
hibit greater readiness, daring, and powers of endurance 
than any officers the Sovereign of the Frozen North 
may pitt against them. The path now before them is 
that of honour, — that of supporting the weak against 
the strong, right against might, liberty against 
despotism, and integrity against aggression. The 
preparations for this war — unavoidable on the part of 
Great Britain— will be found fully treated in another 
part of our pages. Let us now turn to the other 
News of the Week. 
We had written much in detail upon the incidents of 
the past week, but are here compelled, from a sudden 
influx of later matter, simply to pass them in review, 
an omission which is the less material, since the chief 
topics are elsewhere fully referred to in our columns. 
Since our last impression, the public mind has 
been excited by tne arrival of Admiral Corry’s 
fleet at Spithead ; the soiling for Malta and 
Stamboul of the Rifles, the 9tli, the 50th, the 93rd, and 
other regiments, including “ The Guards ; ” the 
question of how soldiers’ wives and children are 
during their absence to be supported ; (they may rely 
old England will not neglect them ;) the wreck of the 
•Staffordshire and the Sovereign, and the loss of one 
hundred and seventy lives ; tne insurrection at Sara- 
gossa ; the news from Indiu ; the break-up of the Me- 
tropolitan Commission of Sewers ; and a riot and 
murder by a band of Spanish Sailors at Bristol. While 
the ladies, also, have been, as they are but once a 
month, rendered happy by the study of new Fashions 
in the “ Ladies’ Companion, and Le Follet,” the lords 
representation of the people to the consideration of Parliament, 
and on the 13th of February ho moved for leave to bring in such 
a measure. (Hear, hoar.) The 13th of March was fixed for the 
second reading of the bill, and soon after an hon. baronet gave 
notice of his intention to move as an amendment that the present 
was an inopportune moment for proceeding with such a 
measure. Ho could not tell what the motive of the hon. baronet 
really could be in giving notice of such on amendment — 
(hear, hear) — but in the existing state of affairs, tho Govern- 
ment thought it right to consider the expediency of a postpone- 
ment, and it appeared to them that there were two good reasons 
for taking that course. (Hear, hear.) Tho first was the stale of 
public business, ami tho second was tho present stnto of our 
foreign relations. (Hear, hoar.) The house had already voted 
tho estimates for tho two services, and as ourly as Monday next, 
it would be the duty of his right hon. friend the Chancellor of 
the Exchequer to submit the means by which it was proposed to 
raise those estimates to the consideration of tho house. It was 
obvious, therefore, that the exigencies of public business would 
preclude his moving tho second rending of the new Reform Dill 
within a week after the financial statement of his lion, friend, 
but there was yet a stronger reason than that for postponing the 
consideration of the bill. The liouso was familiar with the exist- 
ing aspect of our foreign relations, it was in possession of all the 
negotiations which had been carried on lor securing tho peaoo 
of Europe, but up to this moment all thoso negotiations had 
failed in their purpose, and a final demand had been mnde by 
France and England upon Russia, that if she did not imme- 
diately evacuate tho principalities, or at least within a time 
specified in the demand, it would be tukon as a declaration 
of war. (Hear, hear.) Tho answer to that demand might 
be expected by the end of tho month, and of course if it 
should happen to be in the negative, which was not at 
all improbable— (hear, hear, hear)— it would then be tho 
duty of Ministers to come to Parliament with a message 
that her Majesty was no longer at peace with all the con- 
tinental powers of Europe. (Hear, hear.) Under these cir- 
cumstances tho Government thought it advisable to postpone tho 
second reading of the Reform Dill until the 27th of April ; for, in 
the meantime, the bills for reforming tho representation of tho 
people of Scotland and Ireland would be brought in, and the 
house would be in the best possible position for discussing the 
whole question, or the amendment of which notice had already 
been given, should it thon be necessary. (Hear ) Ho had there- 
fore only now to move that the order of the day for the second 
reading of the bill be read, for the purpose of being postponed. 
*** nit jjuuicj \y\j lx* j • 1 1 1 j auu r uiicij l/iic luiuo 
of the creation have been attracted by Lord John 
Russell’s New Reform Bill, touching; which the fol- 
lowing- occurred in the House of Commons yesterday 
(Friday): — 
• 
POSTPONEMENT OF THE REFORM BILL. 
Lord John Russell said — In rising to move that nn order of the 
day should bo read for the purpose of postponement, lie wished 
t" l ake the unusual course of explaining his reasons for doing so. 
At tho opening of Parliament her Majesty was graciously pleased 
to rcconinjeqd a further amendment in the law relating to the 
Commons. — In reply to Sir W. Clay, 
Lord J. Russell said that directions had been given to British 
cruisers in the event of Avar, to respect certain Russian ships 
chartered by British merchants to bring corn from the Black 
Sea and permitted by a firman of the Sultan (issued after liis 
declaration of war against Russia) to pass the Bosphorus and 
the Dardanelles, and that Her Majesty’s Government would 
use its good offices vvith that of France to insure for those par- 
ticular vessels a safe conduct from French cruisers. 
The report of the Committee of Supply Avas brought up and 
aS The House went into Committee of Supply upon the remain- 
ing Navy Estimates, when the following votes were agreed to, 
after discussion 
50.0001., Royal Naval Coast \ olunteers. 
51,7-221., Scientific Department. 
131, 451b, establishments at home. 
22.2971., establishments abroad. 
883,648/., Avnges to artificers at home. 
37,259/., wages abroad. 
1,142,732/., naval stores. 
372,642/., new works, &o., in tho yards. 
32,000/., medicines. 
54,053/., miscellaneous. 
657,575/., half-pay. 
476,659/., military pensions. 
148,798/., civil pensions. 
225,050/., for conveyance of troops. 
Mr. Monsell then moved the Ordnance Estimates. 
The following votes were then agreed to after discussion:— 
19,200 officers and men. 
902,817/., pay and allowances. 
557,170/., commissariat and barrack supplies. 
73,719/., Ordnance-office. 
r 281,645/ , Ordnance and barrack establishments at home and 
abroad. 
162,334/., wages of artificers. 
039,552/., stores for land and sea. 
TUESDAY.— Lords.— The Earl of Aberdeen, in answer to the 
Earl of Wioklow, stated that it is intended to introduce a bill to 
extend the militia law to Ireland and to Scotland. Ireland will 
furnish 30,000 militiamen, and Scotland 10,000. It is not in- 
tended, however, to embody the Irish militia this year. 
The Earl of Donoughmoro moved the second reading of his 
Leasing Power (Ireland) Dill, and his Landlord and Tenant (Ire- 
land) Dill. These and five other bills— the Law of Landlord and 
Tenant, the Powers of Leasing, Tenants’ Improvements Compen- 
sation, Law of Landlord and Tenant Consolidation, and Com- 
pensation for Tenants’ ImproA-ements — were read a second time, 
and referred to a eeleot committee. 
Commons. — Mr. Thomas 1 . bombers moved for a “select com- 
mittee to inquire into the number and rate of increase of con- 
ventual and monastic institutions in the United Kingdom, and 
the relation in which they stand to existing law ; and to consider 
whether any. and if any further legislation is required on the 
subject.” Tho arithmetic of the case would be sufficient, he 
thought, to secure the attention of the House. Just look at tho 
rate of increase. The “ Roman Catholic Register” of January, 
1843, puts down the number of convents in the United Kingdom 
at 56 ; and the same authority of January, 1853, states tho num- 
ber at 203— showing nn increase of 400 per cent, in the ten years. 
As to monasteries, they have increased during the same 10 years 
from 00 to 72 in Ireland alone — being an increase of 20 per 
cent. Tho cxistonce of these monasteries is in flagrant, open 
violation of the Roman Catholic Relief Act. As to nunneries, tho 
law takes no cognisance of them. He wished, therefore, to 
enforce upon the attention of the House that monasteries should 
be dealt with as open violations of the law, and that the nunneries 
ought to bo dealt with because they stand in no relation to exist- 
ing law. As proving the necessity of placing nunneries under 
the control of law, Mr. Chambers adduced a number of instances 
of forcible abductions from the parental roof, aud of forcible 
retention within these religious houses. 
Mr. Robert Potter, Mr. Robert Phillimore, Mr. Fagan, Mr. 
Durke Roche, Mr. Kennedy, Lord Claude Hamilton, Mr. John 
Phillimore, Mr. Maguire, Mr. Russell, Mr. Miall, and Mr. 
Cowan having spoken, 
Lord John Russell said the arguments in support of the motion 
had been demolished by Mr. Miall and Mr. Dali. He did not 
believe that personal liberty Avas denied to thoso who wished 
to leave conventual establishments. He did not think it credible 
that Roman Catholio gentlemen would sutler their daughters 
and sisters to bo ill-used in such establishments. Looking at 
all the circumstances, he was ready to give the motion o hearty 
and decided opposition. 
Mr. Walpole, Mr. John Fitzgerald, Mr. Newdegnte, Mr. Palk, 
and Lord Edward Howard, then addressed the House, when, on 
a division, the numbers stood — 
For the motion ISC 
Against it 119 
Majority for the motion . . 67 
Mr. Robert Phillimore obtained leavo to introduce a bill to 
amend the law relating to simony. 
WEDNESDAY.— Commons— Tho report from the Com- 
mittee of Supply on the army and navy estimates was agreed 
to after a brief conversation. . 
Mr. Napier moved an address to tho CroAvn, praying lor the 
appointment of a commission to inquire -into the arrangements 
in the inns of court for promoting tho study of the law and 
jurisprudence, the revenues applicable, and the means most 
fitting to secure a systematic legal education for the students, 
and to provide a satisfactory test of their fitness for ultimate, 
admission to the bar. The right hon. member supported his 
motion by a multitude of arguments and statements shovving 
alike the use and the want of sound legal instruction in the 
English inns of court, and cited the example sot in various 
continental countries to corroborate his conclusions. 
The motion avos agreed to. 
Sir H. Halford, after some opposition, obtained leave to bring 
in a bill to restrain stoppages of Avages in the hosiery manufac- 
ture. 
The. committee of inquiry into the state ot the metropolitan 
bridges Avas nominated, on the motion of Mr. Oliveira. 
A motion for tho appointment of a select committee to con- 
sider tho cheapest, most expeditious, and efficient mode of pro- 
viding small arms for her Majesty’s service, was proposed by 
Mr. Monsell, in conformity Avith tho resolution passed in com- 
mittee of supply on Monday night, and agreed to by the house, 
after some brief conversation. 
The house rose at ten minutes to six. 
THURSDAY.— Both Houses met. 
In the Lords, 
The Earl of Ellenborough, in putting a question on the sub- 
ject of the militia, took occasion to blame the Government for 
sending so large a military force* to Constantinople until a pre- 
dominant position had been secured in the Baltic. 
The Duke of NeAvcastle deemed such discussions unwise, and 
calculated to embarrass. It was intended to call out the militia 
for 28 davs. The fleet about to be sent to the Baltic avos suffi- 
cient for its object, and the force to remain behind Avas sufficiently 
strong to protect our oavh shores. 
The Earl of Hanhvicke adverted to the efficiency of tho 
Russian fleet, and to the difficulty Avhich was felt in maiming 
the English fleet. After remarks from other noble lords, tho 
conversation dropped. 
Mr. Hume obtained leave to introduce a bill to charge tho 
expenses of hustings at elections upon counties and boroughs 
in lien of the candidates. 
The Coasting Trade Bill Avas read a second time. 
The other business was disposed of, and tho house adjourned 
at 25 minutes to 12, much to the satisfaction of Mr. Hrother- 
ton’s supporters, as to the maintenance of curly hours. 
FRIDAY. — Commons. — Afler Lord John Russell's speech, Sir 
J. Shellev, Sir E. Deering, Lord A. Lennox, Mr. Labouohero. 
Colonel Sibthorpe, Mr. Pliinn, Sir J. Pukington, Mr. Hume, and 
Sir G. Grey nddressed tho House, and when our reporter left Mr. 
D'lsraeli Avas speaking. 
THE FIELD OF WAR. 
OUR WOODEN WALLS. 
9 THE BALTIC FLEET AT SPITHEAD. 
The appointment of Cuptain Seymour to bo captain of 
the fleet, under Sir Charles Napier, in the Bailie, is likely 
to be popular in the service. Captain Seymour is under- 
stood to be an eminently practical and useful officer. 
Arrival of Rear-Admiral Court's Squadron ax 
Portsmouth on Wednesday.— T his day, at twelve, tho 
above squadron hove in sight oil' the east end of the island, 
and rounded tho Nab light-vessel in the following order 
Imperieuse, 50, screw, Captain liundlo B. Watson, C. B., 
having in tow the Prince Regent, 90, sailing, ting of Rear- 
Adtniral Corrv ; St. Jean d’Acrc, 101, screw. Captain tho 
Hon. Henry Keppel, having in tow the Tribune, scrcAV, 
Captain the lion. S. T. Carnegie ; then the Arrogant, 46, 
Captain II. II. Yelvcrton ; and a long way astern, the 
Valorous, 16, puddle, Captain Claude? Buckle, towing the 
Amphion, 34, Captain AstlevT. Key ;“ar riving at Spithead 
between twelve and one. The Imperieuse walked away 
with the Prince Regent at the rate of 7.j knots, and has 
shown herself on every occasion tho finest frigate ever 
sent to sea. . 
Sir Charles Napier and Rear-Admiral Cony Avere tele- 
graphed to London on Wednesday; and went up by the 
train. The squadron is in excellent order, and again makes 
Spithead look formidable. For the guidance of our readers, 
we give them as the whole fleet lies at present, commenc- 
ing from the eastAvard : — 
Arrogant 
Valorous •• •• •• 
St. Jean d'Acre 
Amphion 
Edinburgh 
Princess Royal 
Imperieuse 
Hogue 
Uoseawen 
Prince Regent 
Tribune 
Leopurd 
Dragon 
Frolic 
Magiclenno - 
Portsmouth, Fer. 27.— The Princess Royal, 91, screw 
steam-ship, Captain Lord Clarence Paget, got under weigh 
this morning at Spithead and tried her speed at the mea- 
sured mile. The commander-in-chief was on hoard during 
tho trial, which was very satisfactory. This al'tornoon the 
Princess Royal hoisted the flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles 
Napier as commander-in-chief ot the Baltic fleet, lhe 
customary salutes were exchanged between the Princess 
Royal and tho Victory (flag-ship). . 
Fun. 28. — A signal was hoisted to the fleet nt Spithead, 
at sunset last night, stopping all leave of absence, and this 
afternoon a second has been made from Sir Charles Napier s 
flagship, ordering the ships to exercise their crews in firing 
shot and shell at a mark. The greatest energy is being dis- 
played in bringing the crews of tho various ships into a 
thorough state of efficiency in gunnery, &c. 
Woolwich, Feu. 25. — Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier, 
K.C.B., received his appointment to-day, and before going 
to Portsmouth proceeded to Woolwich, whoro lie arrived 
at four o’clock p.m., and hoisted his flag on board the Fis- 
gard flag-ship, at this port, and it was struck at sunset. On 
the occasion of appointing Sir Charles Napier to tho com- 
mand of the North Sea fleet. Commodore Ilenry Byam 
Martin, C.B. (1827), in command of the Duke of Vel ling- 
ton, 131, screw steam-ship, is appointed to the Nile, 91, 
screw steam-ship, at Devonport, for particular service with 
the fleet of the gallant admiral; and the folloAving nine Avar 
steamers have been commissioned this day (Feb. 25), several 
of them by officers of higher rank than they avcic ever 
commanded bv before. The oflicers appointed to the vessels 
have almost if not all studied steam, and they have evi- 
dently been selected for their knowledge of surveying 
46 screw. 
16 paddle. 
101 screw. 
34 screw. 
58 screw (flag). 
91 screw (flag). 
50 screw. 
00 screw. 
70 sailing. 
90 sailing (flag). 
31 screw. 
18 paddle. 
6 paddle. 
16 sailing. 
10 paddle. 
