tot Rittropnlis.

The prizes won by the competitors at Wimbledon were awarded to them at the Crystal Palace on Monday by Lord de Grey and Ripon in the unavoidable abscene of Mr. Sidney Herbert. The scene at the Palace was very striking. An immense multitude gathered together to do honour to the victors. The seats immediately behind the platform were occupied by ladies; the rising benches of the orchestra by Volun- teers, mixed up with black-coated civilians and scarlet regulars. The winners were disposed in two groups, to the right and left of the platform, on the level of the floor, biding their time rather pleasantly. Soon after three o'clock the proceedings commenced. The chair was taken by Earl De Grey and Ripon' who acted as substitute for Mr. Sidney Herbert, the president of the Associa- tion, who was prevented from attending by business in the House of Commons. The noble earl was supported by Lord Fah°, Colonel Bowes, Colonel C. Kennedy, and Captain Mildmay, the secretary of the Association. The rifles of honour, the objects of so many hopes and aims, were laid out, duly tieketed to the winners, on a table, within easy reach ; the handsome silver cup, the prize of the London Brigade, gleamed resplendent on another. A very desirable number of purses remained in the custody of the authorities till the time for producing them.

Lord de Grey and Ripon after expressing regret at the absence of Mr. Herbert said :-

"Eighteen months ago we should have had no right to say that the rifle was the national weapon of the English people, or that rifle-shooting was a popular amusement among us. But a complete change has taken place

since that time. By the efforts of the National Rifle Association, acteng t

an exponent of public opinion, in the short space of a year we hav171;11 e - able to produce the scene that has been presented at Wimbledon during t 'e

past week, inaugurating a great movement throughout the country. ne

National Rifle Association, when it was first formed, no doubt, had mai"CIIY in view the promotion and progress of the great Volunteer movement ; Vbut the competition of the last week has not been confined only to memberso of the Volunteer corps. Many prizes were also open to all comers.' Nevier- theless, and mainly in connexion with the Volunteer movement, this Assn)." dation has a right to claim the public interest and the public support. (Cheers.) Rifle-shooting is not its only object. The Volunteer cannot dis- pense with drill; but, on the other hand, drill will not alone suffice him. And as the Volunteer force is, in intelligence, beyond the mass of other military forces, it is particularly needful it should exercise that intelligence in learning to use the weapon placed in its hands by the Government, and which the results of this competition have proved is such an admirable arm. On this account it is that my right honourable friend the Secretary for War felt he should not only discharge a duty, pleasing to him as an individual, in becoming the President of this Associa- tion, but that he should also discharge a public duty by giving a sanction to its efforts as a Minister of the Crown. This Association, however, is not dependent on the Government ; it does not look to Government funds for assistance; it prefers to rely for aid on the British people-(cheers)-and, sanctioned by the Government, and consecrated by our Sovereign-to the British public it must look for support and maintenance. This oc- casion is one of deep national interest and importance ; it has pointed. out that in the future, this English nation will be a nation trained to the use of the rifle. Every man before long will be able to wield that powerful weapon. But the occasion has also a deep interest and a peculiar character for another reason. There have been present at Wimbledon, contending, and contending successfully, for some of the prizes about to be distributed many gentlemen from Switzerland. (Cheers.) Allow me heartily to congratulate you on that circumstance. The Swiss in their rifle practice, and we in ours, have one common object. Neither seek to train their people to the use of the rifle for aggressive purposes ; but i both of us believe that a training of this description, intended only for the national defence, is in reality one of a peaceful character. It is the best security for the continuance of peace. As animated, therefore, by a com- mon object, we heartily welcome the Swiss gentlemen who have come over here ; we desire no rivalry with them, except the friendly rivalry of the shooting-ground. We are heartily glad they have been able here to vindi- cate their ancient reputation, while we, who have just begun to follow this noble pursuit, have not' been found unworthy rivals of those who have for many years made the rifle their favourite weapon. I will no longer detain you from an interesting scene-the presentation to the winners of the prizes that have been so worthily gained. I congratulate the winners in connexion with the Volunteer movement on the events of the last few weeks ; on those events every man will look back with satisfaction, whether it be the serried files that marched past her her Majesty on the last day of June, or the re- markable competition of the last week. Both events call for our warm con- gratulation. But this should be remembered,-they are only the commence- ment of a great movement, and it rests with you, the people of this country, to determine whether or not you will render it of real national importance by fulfilling the hope expressed in the motto adopted by the National Rifle Association-Sit perpetua."

The prizes were then distributed, each winner coming up, and receiv- ing his prize from Lord de Grey, amid the cheers of the people. The following is a list of the prizes and the victors:-

No. 1. A WHITWORTH RIME, Given by Mr. Fairbaira, shot for by the Swiss at 500 cards, 5 rounds with any rifle.

Won by Thorel, of Geneva. The winner shot with a Whitworth rifle, 9 points. No. 2. Swiss grins, given by the Swiss, and shot for by the Volunteers who com- peted for the Whitworth rifles the 40 who shot for her Majesty's Prize excepted.) 5 rounds at 500 yards. Won by Dear, 9th Middlesex 7 points.

No 3. PRIZE OF 501., given by his Grace the Duke of Wellington, for rifles shot from a rest at 1000 yards, 5 rounds • to which was added, as a second prize, a watch, given by Mr. Bennett, value 35/.

Points.

Duke of Wellington's Prize, won by Lieutenant Archibald, Instructor of Mukctry, 58th Regiment. The winner shot with Westley Richards' breech-loader 3 Mr. Bennett's Prize, won by Knecht, of Zurich, with a Westley Richards'

breech-loader 3 No. 4. Mr. GTE'S PRIZES `FOR VOLUNTEERS, 5 rounds at 300, 500, and 600 yards, 2001. distributed as follows :-

Points.

lst, Prize. 1001. won by Whomes, 4th Kent Rifles 20 3d Prize, 251., Robinson, 10th Perth 2d Prize, 251., won by Sandford, St. George's Volunteers Ties f 19

4th Prize, 251., won by Dove, 91st Lanark 5th Prize, 251., won by Murray, 1st Peeblesshire No. 5. Dunn or CANBiuDoE'S Pa= of 501. for breech-loaders, 5 rounds at 800 and 5 rounds at 1000 yards ; to which were added Three Prizes of Rifles, value 301., 201., and Ill. 118., given by Mr. Westley Richards.

Points.

Duke of Cambridge's Prize, won by Knecht, of Zurich 10 Mr. W. Richards' 301., won by Lieutenant Lacy, 12th Regiment 9

Ditto 201., won by Turner, 1st Berke 8

Ditto 11/. 11.s., won by Edwards, 4th West York S' The whole of these prizes were won with Westley Richards' breech-loaders.

No. 6. _Am. COMERS, Funir Sri, 200 YARDS, 5 Ronson.

Points. 1. Given by Lord Vernon, Whitworth Rifle, won by Pi9ce, Geneva 12 2. Given by the National Rifle Association, 907., won by Newman, Royal

Marines 12

3. Ditto, 207., won by Ross, 7th North Riding 11 4. Ditto, 201., won by Knecht, Zurich 11 5. Ditto, 201., won by Peter, Geneva U

6. Ditto, 201., won by Chesser, Wand 11 7. Mr. Turner's Rifle, won by Mauler, Neufchatel 10' SECOND SET, 300 YARDS, 5 Romans: Points.

1. Given by the I.adies of Northamptonshire, 351., won by Ross, 7th North Riding 9

2. Given by the National Rifle Association, 30/., won by Ingram, Lanark ... 9 3. Ditto, 301., won by Nourisson, Geneva 9. 4. Ditto, 307., won by Wilson, School of Musketry 9'

b. Ditto, 301., won by Heil, Swiss • 8

6. .Ditto, 301., won by Dillon, School of Musketry S 7. Mr. Lancaster's Rifle, won by Forbes, 2d Derby 'Volunteers 8 TRIED SET, 500 YARDS, 5 BOUNDS.

Ties t 18 18 Points.

1.' Given by -the National Rifle Association, 401., won by Brooks, 12th

Middlesex 2. Ditto, 401., won by Tinley, 2d Lancashire 7. .3. Ditto, 401., won by Sergeant Stapleton, Coldstream Guards

4. Ditto, 407., won by Dove, 91st Lanarkshire 7

5. Ditto, 401., won by Forbes, 2d Derbyshire 7 7. Mr. Lancaster's Rifle, won by Roth, Geneva G. Mr. Lancaster's Rifle, won by Peter, Geneva

FOURTH Say, 600 YARD., FIVE Roman.

Points.

I. Given by the National Rifle Association, 501., won by Rowland, 55th Regi- ment 6 2. Ditto, 501., won by Wright, Roy al Artillery 6 3. Ditto, 501., won by Tinley, 2d Lancashire 6

4. Ditto, 601., won by Holloway, 5th Gloucester 6

5. Ditto, 501.. won by Sadler, 10th Sussex 5

Army and Nary Gazette, 201., won by Cocks, St. George's 5

Mr. Egan's Rifle, won by Corporal Hodder, 2d Battalion Grenadier Guards 4

FIFTH Ssr.

Parses Coxsonv's PRIZE of 100/., shot for by All Comers who qualified at the pre- ceding ranges of 200, 300, 500, and 600 yards ; fired at 800, 900, and 1000 yards 10 rounds at each distance.

Second Prise—lst London Rifle Brigade Cup, value 521. 103.

Third Prize—Mr. Smith's Rifle, value 35/. Points.

Prince Consort's Prize, won by Lieutenant Lacy, 12th Regiment, Instructor of Musketry 22 Second Prize, won by Sergeant Lawley, 2d Derby Volunteers 18 Third Prize, won by Mr. Peter, Geneva 18 No. 7.—Yorererma PRIZES.-20 Whitworth Rifles and Silver Medal of the Associa- tion, given by the Association, shot for with long Enfield, five rounds, at 300, 500, and 600 yards. WINNERS IN ORDER or Mean. Points.

1 Sharp 9th Sussex 17 2 Henry City of Edinburgh 17

3 Bainbridge 1st West York 17

4 Collinson 6th North York 16 5 Pout 5th Kent 16 6 Burgh loth Gloucester 15 7 May 5th Sussex 15 8 Baker Bristol 14 9 Lord Fielding Flintsbire 14 10 Jackson 32d Kent 14 11 Jenkins 5th Glamorgan 14 12 Cocks St. George's 14 13 Wood Edinburgh 14 14 Caiger 2d Middlesex Ties 14 15 Phillips 1st Shropshire 14 16 Plasket. 21st Middlesex 13 17 Wylie 1st Lanark 13 18 Blackburn Edinburgh 13 19 Russell Edinburgh 13 20 Ross 7th North York 13 Han IIAJESTT'S PRIVE, 2501., and gold medal of the Association, open to the 20 winner% as above, and 20 next best shots, at 800, 900, and 1000 yards, 10 rounds at each distance with Whitworth rifles.

1 Ross 7th North York 24

Mr. Ross is not a Yorkshireman, but a Scot. He is a deer-stalker and the son of a deer-stalker, famous among men. He has, therefore, had every advantage in education. Lord Fiche made a very foolish re- mark on the occasion. He said that if the English Volunteers next year allow a Scotchman to take the gold medal, it will be a disgrace to them. After the distribution the spectators were amused by an exhibition of athletic sports. In the evening the Swiss riflemen were entertained at dinner by their British comrades, Lord Elcho presiding. The French language was employed by the speechmakers, and the chairman deter- mined to be smart, in giving the health of the Queen, styled her "la premiere carabiniere de rAngleterre."

The West-end tradesmen have held a meeting to promote the Saturday half-holiday movement. Mr. Pearce, of Waterloo House, occupied the chair. Several of the largest firms were represented. There were Swan and Edgar, Jackson and Graham, Shoolbred and Co., Harvey, and Nichol, and other houses. They had no desire to dictate to their brother tradesmen, and they merely expressed their wish that shops should be closed at five o'clock on Saturdays from Lady Day to Michaelmas, and at four o'clock from Michaelmas to Lady Day. The avowed object is to promote the rifle movement ; but the bulk of the employers also admit that rest is as needful for them as for those they employ. Mr. Hitch- cock, of St. Paul's Churchyard, said that if he were to stand alone he would close at the appointed hour. Resolutions expressing the opinion of the meeting were carried, and the whole proceedings were highly creditable to the good feeling of the gentlemen engaged.

The annual dinner of the members of the Society for the Amendment of the Law was held on Saturday at the Thatched House Tavern, St. James's Street—Lord Brougham in the chair. Among the gentlemen present were Lord Denman, Mr. Joseph Napier, Mr. Slancy, Mr. Hast- ings, Mr. Macqueen, and Mr. William Hawes. The proceedings par- took almost entirely of the nature of a social gathering, no business con- nected with the society being brought forward. The chairman, in pro- posing the toast of " Success to the Society," made a few observations expressive of his regret that he had it not in his power to congratulate the society on the passing of a single measure of law reform during the present session, and ailed a hope that at last it would be signalized by the passing of the Attorney-General's Bankruptcy Bill. Several speeches followed, but they were principally of a formal character. It may, how- ever, be remarked that, the noble chairman, in proposing "The Two Houses of Parliament," stated that he would put the House of Commons first, as the chief of the estates; and as regarded the House of Lords, al- though glad that they showed symptoms of being alive, he trusted that they would not proceed to kicking.

A meeting of gentlemen from all parts of the kingdom held what is called a conference," on Wednesday, at the King's Arms, Westminster, to talk about the Lords and the Paper-duties. Mr. Hargreaves, the chairman, said the Lords were attempting "plunder on a gigantic scale," and that there has been collusion between Lord Palmerston and some of the Members of the Upper House to throw out the bill. Alderman Ry- land called the resolutions recently passed a "sham," and moved a reso- lution stating that the House would be degraded if it submitted to Lord Palmerston's policy of inaction. The conduct of Mr. Gladstone was highly applauded, and his name was joined with those of Mr. Bright and Mr. Gibson. Alderman Towle, a paper-maker, said he should refuse to pay the paper-duty to test the " legality " of the rejection of the bill by the Lords. The meeting declared that the supplies ought to be re- fused, until " the aggression of the Lords has been practically defended." Liberal Members are to urge the Government to do its duty, act on its own resolutions, and if defeated, dissolve Parliament, and go to the noun-

on the Paper-duties. The Reverend Dr. Griffiths, of Derby, Mr. Holyoake, and Lord Teynham were among the speakers. Alderman Ry- land, in the course of his speech, made this extraordinary statement :-

Let Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Gibson, Mr. Bright, and others of the indspen-

dent Members resolve upon taking a distinct course of action, even at the risk of the overthrow of the Government, and they would sound a key-note which would at least obtain a very large minority in the House of Commons, and be a basis of very effective action by the people throughout the country. At all events it would have the effect of punishing the arch traitor in this mat- ter. (Cheers.) The "nine hours' movement" reappeared on Wednesday under pecu- liar circumstances. A meeting of the Building Trades was held in St. Martin's Hall, Lord Robert Montague in the chair. In his opening speech he dwelt on the importance of the subject :—

It has survived strong and protracted opposition, and is not to be decided by any flippant arguments, but is worthy of careful and scientific investiga- tion. He was sorry that the employers had determined not to hear any reasons that might be brought forward to effect a settlement of the question, but to remain in their ice-bound prejudices. The question is two-fold, but both its features have been confounded by interested persons. The asser- tion that a cry of nine hours' work and ten hours' pay had been raised ori- ginated in this way. The first question was the proper duration of labour, and the other the amount of wages. It has been fairly said that a fair day's wages should be received for a fair day's labour. Lord Cranworth has stated wages to be the subject of a fair bargain between employer and employed. But he asked, how could there be freedom when the one party could shut his works and revel in luxury, while the other must starve ? They asked their employers what they meant by a free bargain, and they were informed of their ignorance of principles of political economy and the law of supply and demand. It is fair that they should have the option of raising the price of their labour, as well as the manufacturer and the capitalist. This is view- ing the question according to the laws of political economy, but such is low ground, and labour is not a marketable commodity. The employers, beaten out of this argument. inquired, " Cannot we do with our own as we like ?" Lord Erskine, on being answered on one occasion with this latter argument, replied by bringing a cane which he carried in his hand in contact with tho person's back who had addressed him, and reechoed the statement. There is, however, something more than money wanted ; there is a demand for leisure. Labouring men have social and domestic duties to perform. With reference to the second part of the question, the amount of work which a man could perform, he believed that when the time engaged in going to work and at meals was taken into account, it would be found that working men were twelve hours absent from their families. He considered the nine hours' movement was quite in accordance with the age. The Saturday half-holyday and the early closing movements had been successful. He be- lieved, further, that the long hours of labour had rendered those mechanics' institutions of which, some time ago, so much was heard quite unavailing, and led people to frequent public-houses.

The other speakers were Mr. Cremer, Mr. Pitt, Mr. Howell, Mr. Pot- ter, and Mr. Mager. The meeting declared Lord Robert Montague to be a friend of the people, and adopted these resolutions :- " That we believe our request for a reduction of the hours of labour, justified by the first principles of political economy, and that by the in- creased skill and rapidity of manipulation acquired by the workmen the ne- cessity for the ten hours' system has passed away, the building operatives, in conjunction with machinery, being enabled to produce sufficient for the requirements of society by labouring nine hours per day.

' That this meeting regrets the late refusal of the master builders to dis- cuss the nine hours' question with a deputation from the men, believing such refusal to be inimical to the interests and position of the employers, and calculated to engender embittered feelings between themselves and their workmen, at a time when every effort should be made to render the inte- rests, welfare, and progress of both identical. Being convinced that the con- cession we seek is necessary to the preservation of our physical and the ex- pansion of our intellectual and moral powers, we pledge ourselves to press our claim until it has been conceded."

The Court of Common Council on Thursday, discussed a delicate ques- tion arising out of a visit of the Orpheonista to London. It appears that they were charged 350/. for lodgings in two hotels near the cattle market, Copenhagen Fields ; and that, not finding there suitable, indeed decent accommodation, they quitted the place in disgust. Mr. Stewart moved, and Mr. Holt seconded the motion, that the money charged should be refunded. Admitting that the Orpheonists had been disgracefully treated, Mr. de Jersey and Mr. Taylor declined to refund the money, although Alderman Cubit said that the honour of the City is involved in the ques- tion. The City, as represented by the Court of Common Council, was insensible to its honour, and rejected the motion by 67 to 30.

In the Court of Queen's Bench, Mr. Sutherland Edwards brought an action against the proprietor of a penny paper to recover damages for wrongful dismissal. It appeared from the evidence that the proprietor, Levy, behaved in a manner that made it impossible for Mr. Edwards to ful- fil his contract to write musical criticism; and a Jury found that the plain- tiff Edwards was ready and willing to remain iu the employment of the de- fendant in the capacity and upon the terms of the engagement entered into on the 19th of March • second, that the plaintiff was not guilty of such in- sulting and insubordinate conduct as to be incompatible with the subsis- tence of the arrangement between him and the defendant ; and third, that there was no mutual agreement to rescind the engagement. Verdict for the plaintiff—damages, 40/.

At the Central Criminal Court on Tuesday, Mr. William M'Gall, law- writer at Berwick-on-Tweed, was tried for perjury before a Select Com- mittee of the House of Commons. This ease arose out of the Berwick Elea- tion Petition. Mr. M'Gall swore he did not bribe three men, and these persons swore that he did bribe them. It was a question who should be be- lieved. The Jury deliberated many hours. First, they reported that there was no chance of a verdict, but at length they gave one of Not Guilty.

Mr. Wemyss Jobson has been called to account before the Westminster Magistrate for publishing a defamatory libel upon Sir James Fergussou, M.P. Mr. Jobson is under the impression that Sir James has cheated him of property, and now he imputes to him perjury and other offences. Tlie libel consisted of verses written in gaol. Mr. Jobson believes he is perse- cuted from political motives, and he gave an account of his sufferings in prison. When remanded, he accused Sir James of employing persona to break into his house and steal hisproperty. Mr. Humphreys, who appeared for Sir James, said the whole of Jobson's assertions with regard to Sir James were infamous and libellous falsehoods. Jobson exclaimed, "You lie sir." As he left the court, unable to find two sureties in 20/. each, he said,"Then, I'm to be locked up again ; this is an arranged thing ; this is part of the system of persecution. If I had not last year refused to assist Lord Palmerston in getting up an insurrection in Paris, I shouldn't be here now."

The Reverend Peter Daly, of Galway, and Dr. Gray, of Dublin, were passing along Fleet Street. Father Daly felt a pull at his pocket, an turning round found one Punger in custody of Dr. Gray. The handkerchief was found and recovered. A crowd collected. As Dr. Gray held his pri- soner, another thief stole Father Daly's handkerchief once more. He was seen and arrested. Alderman Lawrence sent the two thieves to prison for three months with hard labour.

Mr. Hall, the Bow Street Magistrate, has decided that volunteers in uni- form, going to or returning from drill, may pass bridges toll free. He fined the toll-keeper of Waterloo Bridge for illegally exacting toll, and made him pay the costs of the summons. A private of the Scots Fusilier Guards has been sent to prison for one month with hard labour, for the dastardly offence of using his belt against a constable. The man was partially drunk, but sober enough to fight.