1214 
THE FIELD. 
breed, sent, uot for competition, from tlio stock of Mi-. Park- 
On^-O.o of tl.o fiue gc«e 
belonging to Mr. E. Churchman, of ltudgsvick, that gaiuod 
the first prize at our Stock au*l I oiiltry Show * c , 
weighed no less than lSilbs, (de*^ weight). 
i u lsp PnRCH vsl' —Geese rearers have this year good 
reason to felicit-.to themselves. Such is the demand chiefly 
for export to Newcastle, that 4d. per lb., ora rise of ljd. 
smcc isS. is now freely given ! Immense quantities have 
already been bought and exported. 
Prodigious Egg.— Ono day lust week ft half-bred Cochin 
hen, iu the possession of Mr. Bastin, of 1 aria-street, lam an 
egg'woighing four and a quarter ounces. 
notes and queries. 
SPANISH FOWLS. 
g m _I quito agree with your correspondent that prizes 
ought to be given for the red-faced os well as for the white- 
faced Spanish. Believing as 1 do, and not. without reason, 
that the white face is uot a sufficient, indication of a separate 
variety, I should like to see the prizes for Spanish given to 
the best birds, quite independently of the accident or defect 
of the white face. A Farmer. 
PTARMIGAN OR TURKEY FOWLS. 
Some months since several notices, and an engraving, of 
ptarmigan fowls appeared in The Field. The birds referred 
to, and represented, were those of Dr. Burney. It was then 
left in doubt as to whence this pretty variety of fowl had 
been derived. It has now been ascertained that they were 
brought from Constantinople about fourteen years since. It 
has also been ascertained that fowls of the same description 
are commonly bought iu the markets of Constantinople. 
Should the Editor of The Field desire it, the history of 
Dr. Burney’s fowls can be furnished by W. H. 
THE FIELD NATURALIST. 

One of those rare and noble birds, the gyv falcon, was 
6hot on tlic ‘25th November, by a person named Dixon, near 
Robin Hood’s Bay, on the moors of Sir J. V. B. Johnstone, 
M.P. It is a female, and iu the fiuest adult plumage. 
A mad wolf lately made its appearance in the streets of 
St. Petersburg, and before it was killed, bit thirty-four per- 
sons, of whom six were women. 
SMS0N1 S 1HTELU SEWCE. 
MEETINGS. 
Tcisdat, Dec. 2C. — Moria Lodge, No. 109, London Tavern ; Lodge 
ofFuith, No. 1C 5, Gun Tavern, Pimlico; Lodge of Industry, No. 219, 
Swan Tnvcrn, Hungerf rJ; Chapter 7, Royal York Perseverance. 
Freemasons' Tavern. 
Weosesdat, Dec. 27. — Lodge of Benevolence ot seven; Lodge of 
United Pilgrims, No. 745, Horns Tavern, Kennington. 
Tbceiday, Dec. 28. — Gen. Com. Fem. School at Freemasons' Tavern 
at twelve; Castle Lodge, No. 8G, Radley's Hotel; Grenadier*' Lodge, 
No. 79, Frcomosons' Tavern ; Chapter 20C, Domntic, Fettor-lane. 
Old Covend Lodge, No, 201. — This lodgo again met on 
the first Tuesday of the month, at the Freemasons’ Tavern ; 
the business of the evening being one initiation, three pass- 
ings — viz., Brs. Laughlin, Silcock, and Heniy Alfred Taylor 
— and election of W.M., treasurer, and tyler, for the ensuing 
year. Tho ceremonies were admirably performed, as usual, 
by the present W.M., Br. Kennedy. The election of W.M. 
fell upon Br. Gurton ; the office of treasurer was conferred 
upon Br. Kennedy ; and Br. Beckett was re-elected tyler, 
which office he has held for eleven years, this lodge being 
tho first he has ever ty led. A ball was proposed for the purpose 
of giving a treat to the ladies of the members of the lodge, 
the profits of which are intended for the Benevolent Fund. 
We are glad also to record the fact of this lodge having com- 
menced a subscription in aid of the Patriotic Fund, which 
will remain open until tho first Tuesday in the ensuing 
month, the day of installation. 
The Masonic Mirror. — The second number of this 
work appeared, as announced, on the 1st of the month. Want 
of spaco has prevented our noticing it earlier, but we shall 
endeavour to do the amende iu our review of the next. Tho 
first number was good, but the second is certainly an im- 
provement. Wo heartily recommend it to our readers, not 
only for its excellent advocacy of Freemasonry, but for the 
general character of the literary portion. 
The late Brother Moore. — This lamented gentleman, 
whose horrible assassination we bad the painful duty of 
recording last week, was a Freemason of long standing. He 
had passed through all the offices appertaining to the order 
in a manner which reflected credit upon himself and to the 
craft iu general. He was a member of the lodge of “ Peace 
and Harmony,” No. 72, for which lodge he served tho office 
of Grand Steward for the years 1853-4, vice. Brother William 
Maj.r, whoso ill state of health compelled him to secede from 
that enviable position. Br. Moore was also a P.Z. of the 
“ Robert Burns Chapter,” No. 25. His kindness of disposition 
endeared him to all who had the happiness of knowing him. 
The Masonic charities were greatly indebted to him ; lie had 
served as a steward to each of them, and by indefatigable 
personal exertions materially aided the cause of these excel- 
lent institutions. The hand of the vile assassin has suddeuly 
despoiled the orphan and widow of a kind protector, and wit h- 
out warning or preparation lie was hurried to his last account. 
He carries with hiiu the prayers and blessings of his fellow- 
creatures : may they obtaiu for him that charity there which 
he endeavoured, as the almoner of the Great Architect above, 
to carry out here. 
DUS1 LETTER RAG, 
♦ 
RATS. 
Sin, — I have seen in your last number a letter from a 
gentleman, inquiring how he may best destroy rats. I beg, 
iu answer, to give the result of my experience. Last Hum- 
mer, the lower part of my house was infested with those 
odious vermin. I set traps and killed many, but still they 
continued to increase. At last I determined to try Roth and 
Hingeisen’s phosphorous i«astc. I spread the paste on thin 
pieces of bread, which 1 placed near tho rut-holes, The 
poison was taken, and tho rats disappeared. About three 
mouths after, one rut was seen iu my kitchen. I net some 
more of the poison, and not a single rat lias since appeared. 
Let your correspondent try this method, and, if 1 am not 
much mistaken, he will get rid of the nuisance ho complains 
of, — I am, your obedient servant, II . 
Dec. lbth, 1854. 
FOOD FOR HORSES. 
Sir, In my communication of last week iu reply to A. Z. 
you have misprinted the word stirred instead of Mewed, per- 
haps you will bo good enough to correct this in your next. 
My opinion of tho cause of the poor condition of the horse is 
confirmed by that of your other correspondent ; but lie is 
wrong iu saying that if worms aro tho cause the condition 
cannot be good until they are removed ; this depends on the 
kind of worm, of which there are several. Iu some instances, 
with proper keep, a horse may be brought into condition long 
before these pests are eradicated. — Yours truly, O. J. 
Chorltou, Dec. 19, 1854. 
NAVAL AND MILITARY. 
Sir Charles Natier arrived iu his flag-ship, Duke of 
Wellington, at Spithead, on Suuduy night, and on Monduy 
morning he lauded at Portsmouth from tho Fire Queen, 
steam-yacht, which had been sent out to Spithead to bring 
him on shore. He was met by several of his personal 
friends. Victoria Pier was decorated with flags and banners. 
with that officer. Ho afterwards took a walk over the Dock- 
yard, inspecting the new wooden huts for the troops in the 
Crimea, and subsequently proceeded to the George Hotel, 
where he met Lady Napier, who had arrived in the course of 
the morning. Sir Charles proceeded to London by the 4.20 
train. 
The Blenheim screw-ship, Captain W. H. Hall (late of 
the Hecla), arrived at Spithead on Wednesday from the Baltic. 
Her former captain, the lion. F. T. Pelham, has been ap- 
pointed to the now 91 gun screw-ship Exmouth, fittiug out 
at Plymouth. 
The Duke of Wellington screw-ship remains at Ports- 
mouth. The flag of Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Napier still 
flies at her fore, his abseuco in London being on official 
business. 
Necessity of a Harbour Master at Balaklava. — A 
letter has been addi-enaed to the Admiralty on the subject of 
the dangers which exist to ships navigating the Black Sea 
during the winter mouths. It is recommended that the 
admiral on the station be instructed to direct all transports 
to proceed to a place of safety during the remainder of the 
winter months ; and the importance is suggested of having 
an experienced naval officer to act aa harkour-master in 
Balaklava harbour, to direct masters of transports as to 6.afe 
anchorage and mooring for their vessels. 
Extraordinary Prize. — Mr. George Mnusfield, son of the 
late Mr. Mansfield, shipbuilder, of Lyme Regis, has had 
£5,000 awarded to him a-s salvage for recovering 60,000 
sovereigns from the ship Sacramento, wrecked at Port Philip 
on the 28th of April last. His boat’s crew, six iu number, 
were also awarded — one £2,000, and the others £1,500 each; 
making a total of 14,500. 
Expenditure for the Army, Navy, &c. — From the 
account of public income and expenditure issued on. the 15th 
it appears that the expenditure iu the year ended the 10th 
October last on account of the army was £7,060,882 ; on 
account of the navy, £10,057,769. 5s. lOd. ; on account of 
the ordnance, £3,690,890. lls. 9d. ; Kaffir war, £330,000, 
and a vote of credit ; additional expenses, war with Russia, 
£ 220 , 000 . 
The Foreign Legion. — The proposed nusing of a Foreign 
Legion has been the principal topic of the week. Numerous 
letters on the subject appear iu the daily press. One gen- 
tleman, writing to the Times, reminds us that “ Hart's Army 
List for the year 1S43, gives the number of officers upon 
foreign ' alf-pay at 520. The annual Army List of this year, 
gives the number on the 1st of January last at 305, the mere 
half-pay of which 305 amounts to about £26,500 per 
annum (exclusive of pensions to non-commissioned officers 
and privates), and from the period these officers were 
placed upon half-pay, in 1816, no less a sum has been sent 
out of this country than upwards of £1,000,000 sterling to 
meet the half-pay of the reduced number of 305 officers.” 
“ Vox Populi” proposes to raise the soldier's pay from Is. Id. 
to Is. Gd., and anticipates thousands will bo ready to enlist. 
“ Half-pay” suggests the withdrawal from India of 10,000 
men, the peninsula being tranquil, and the 250,000 men of the 
E. I. Company being amply sufficient for its security. “ A 
Clerk at £60 per year” says, that “ if the soldier were paid 
2s. a day when on active service, the path of honour and pro- 
motion opened to merit, and each soldier armed with a 
Min id rifle and a revolver, he, (the clerk aforesaid) and hun- 
dreds like him, would prefer a soldier’s life to being rooted 
to his desk without prospect of improvement.” “ A lauded 
proprietor," knowing well the feeling of tho agricultural 
population, says, “ that if foreign hirelings arc to be enrolled, 
our agricultural labourers will only enlist when their bad 
conduct prevents them obtaining other employment.” 
“ R. N. G. M.” would rather have tho press-gang than thus 
openly proclaim our need to the foe : he suggests the ballot, 
and second battalions to the militia regiments. “ A field 
Officer of Militia, " stating that his own regiment is fit for any 
kind of duty, calls on tho Government to embody the whole 
of the militia, which will afford plenty of men to fill up the 
ranks of the lino. “ Why not have a Turkish legion ? • says 
another : or rather than a German legion, he would prefer 
a regiment of Canadian riflemen, a mounted corps from the 
Cape, or a portion of our Indian forces. But better than all 
would be the Turks : properly disciplined and officered by 
British, none would be braver than they. Colonel Perrouet 
Thompson testifies to tho bravery of the “ German merce- 
naries" at Waterloo, especially to the cool intrepidity of the 
officers; but his opinion is more than counterbalanced by tho 
extracts read by Sir E. B. Lyttou iu the House of Commons. 
On the whole, public opinion seems much opposed to the 
measure. 
The Earl of Cardigan, who has been suffering from 
severe indisposition, on board his lordship's yacht, the Dryad, 
off Sebastopol, arising from, we believe, the fatigues of the 
late conflicts with tho Russian forces iu the Crimea, is expected 
to return to England early in the ensuing month, for tho 
improvement of his health. 
•Sm De Lacy Evans is nearly allied to several Scottish 
families, having married Mis* Josetto Arbuthnott, a lineal 
descendant of (he first Viscount Arbutlmott, and niece of 
M rs. Patterson Itollo, of Bannockburn, with whom she resided 
in this city for many years. Her brother is Admiral Alex- 
ander Dundas Young Arbuthnott, Knight of Charles III. 
and San Fernando, who was one of our gallant midshipmen 
at Trafalgiu’. 
The REcnumNQ Standard. — Horse 'Guards, December 
— Referring to the General Order of the 30th October last, 
regulating the standard of recruits, the General Commanding 
in Chief has be n pleased to direct that, until further orders 
the standard for the Infantry shall bo reduced to five feet 
four inches. — G. A. WsTHBRALL, A.O. 
Saiters and Miners. — Orders were recoived on Wednes- 
day by Colonel Jones, director of the Royal Engineer 
Establishment at Chatham, to complete tho strength of the 
1st company Royal Sappers and Minors to 100 men, and to 
hold them iu readiness to embark at tho shortest possible 
notice for service iu the Crimea. 
During tho latter part of tho week a great number of 
serviceable li en have been entered for her Majesty’s lau -1 
forces at the Staff-office, Delaliay -street, Westminster, at the 
reduced height of five feet four inches, and an increased 
bourty of £6 per man. 
The detachments of TROOrs ordered to the East am 
undergoing instructions at the Royal Engineer department 
at Portsmouth in erecting the wooden barracks ordered f 0l . 
the Crimea. 
Billeting. — In consequence of the number of recruits and 
volunteers who have joined the Plymouth division of Royal 
Marines, the barracks are now full and some of tho men arc 
obliged to be billeted on the innkeepers. 
YEOMANRY AND MILITIA. 
Yeomanry Corps. — There are thirty-three regiments of 
Yeomanry now in England, at an annual expense of about 
£88,000. 
Recruitino for the Militia proceeds in all parts of the 
country with considerable activity. As one instance may be 
mentioned that the recruiting parties from tho 1st Royal 
Lancashire Regiment of Militia, quartered iu Portsmouth, 
only left for Bury, Bolton, &c., about a fortnight since, to 
obtaiu volunteers into the line in consequence of the circular 
appealing to the militia to do so, and since they did so, these 
parties have sent between three and four hundred recruits 
to the above-named regiment. The great majority come fi om 
Manchester, where trade is flat, the men being mostly 
labourers, mechanics, &c. They are, however, a very fine 
class of men, and, in the opinion of the officers of the 
regiment, the exact material to make into a thoroughly 
efficient soldier. 
The Royal Sussex Light Infantry Militia. — On Monday 
morning, a large portion of this battalion arrived by railway 
at Brighton, from the eastern part of Sussex, many of them 
being agricultural labourers, and fine hearty-loukiug young 
men, and mechanics from different small towns ; some 
fifteen or twenty were dressed in a manner that denoted 
them to be of the superior class of mechanics. They 
numbered two or three hundred. They assembled in the 
ridiug-school of the Pavilion. On entering the Pavilion, the 
Duke of Richmond (colonel of the regiment), conversed 
freely with the men; and, in about half an hour after they 
had assembled, the word was given by the adjutant, "All 
the lads enrolled since the bust training go to the far end 
of flie building.” Some 150 young men were then formed 
into line, whilst those who had already been formed into 
companies separated into their respective companies ; and, 
after the names of those lately enrolled had been called over 
by the adjutant, they were drafted into different companies. 
The First Devon’ Militia assembled at Exeter on Mon- 
day. Although a large number have enlisted iu the line, 
upwards of 700 mustered on the first day, and upwards of 
100 more are expected to arrive from various parts of tho 
country. Earl Fortescue is colonel. 
West Kent Light Infantry and Kent Artillery. — 
Wednesday, the 3rd of January, has been fixed for the as- 
sembling, at Maidstone, of the West Kent Light Infantry 
Regiment, under the command of Colonel Sir T. M. Wilson, 
Bart. Volunteers are coming in daily. The Kent Artillery, 
under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Gator, half-pay, 
Royal Artillery, will muster on the same day at head-quar- 
ters, Dover Castle. The present strength of this corps is 
somewhat more than 200, but they arc to be made up to 
three companies of 100 each. 
The 2nd Regiment of Lancashire Militia assembled 
on Monday in Liverpool, under command of Lieutenant- 
Colonel Sir Thomas G. Hosketh, for permanent duty. 
The New Militia Defot at Preston. — The depot and 
storehouse for the 3rd Regiment of Lancashire Militia will 
be completed at the end of this month, when the regiment will 
assemble for permanent duty. The building, iu the Tudor 
style, which has been erected, is three storeys in height, 
an 1 contains quarters for fourteen sergeauts and their families, 
together with rooms for the arms, accoutrements, and stores 
of the regiment, an orderly-room and office, a guard-room 
and prison-cells. Tho walls are crowned with a battlement, 
and flanked by massive square bastions at the angles. A 
spacious parade-ground surrounds the building, and sheds 
are provided under which the soldiers may be drilled. 
The drill of the Dorset Regiment progresses satisfactorily, 
iu Dorchester. The number on duty is about, 600. 
The recruiting parties in Liverpool and the surrounding 
districts are very busy; and, since the 1st of last January no 
less than 24,103 army recruits, including 1,010 militiamen 
have been " passed" at tho police-office. Since the 1st of 
November 7,016 billets have been issued in the town. 
Irish Militia. — The undermentioned regiments of Irish 
militia are to be embodied, and placed under tho orders of 
the General Commaudiug-iu-Chief — vi/-., Armagh, Antrim, 
North Cork, Dublin County, Galway, Kerry, South Mayo, 
and Queen’s County. The enrolling of men for the County 
of Dublin Regiment of militia has commenced, and pro- 
gresses spiritedly. 
The Galway Militia is being actively added to. Numbers 
are offering themselves for service. 
Belfast. — Accounts state that from the boginning of 
November the ordinary militia enrolled 166 men up to 
Saturday last ; on that day nineteen came in. These arc ex- 
clusive of the Artillery Militia, to which there arc numerous 
volunteers, but they cannot enter, as the corps is not as yet 
fully embodied, though all arc prepared to do duty. The 
Colonel of the Longford Militia 1ms begun to enrol that 
regiment. 
City of Dublin Artillery Regiment of Militia. — A 
now corps, under this titlo, is to be enrolled, to consist of 
320 men. 
The Misfortunes of War. — Four sous from one family, 
in the neighbourhood of Maidstone, have been engaged iu 
the Crimean war, all of whom have been killed. 
