rullintial.

The Liberals of Carlisle and East Cumberland celebrated their triumph at a dinner on Monday. It was characterized by speeches from Mr. Philip Howard of Corby, Mr. Marshall, and Sir James Graham. Sir James, after devoting some sentences to a song of triumph, turned to foreign affairs— It is melancholy to see that the passions of three or four men, uncontrolled by popular assemblies or by a free press, should, from mere wantonness, in- volve Europe in war " I have read the proclamations of the Emperor of the French on the one hand, and of the Emperor of Austria on the other. It is vain to balance were the fault lies. I think the whole fault arises on the part of the Emperor of the French, but Austria abandoned her vantage ground in not standing on the defensive, and not becoming the assailant. But it is vain to adjudicate between parties in a question of degree. The question is what is the policy of England ? Her policy ielpeace, and he will be the best Minister who seeks effectually to keep this country out of war so long as the honour and safety of England is secure. (Loud cheers.) I am for peace if possible ; and with peace you will have retrenchment, and you will have reform. If you have not peace instead of retrenchment you will have a boundless increase of taxation ; and I warn you that with respect to reform it will be put off to some day so distant that I cannot hope to live to see it. Therefore I hold that peace, retrenchment, and reform are still sound maxims of British liberal policy ; and with him I sin disposed to maintain that principle to the last moment, consistent with honour." Coming back to home matters Sir James dwelt on the corrupting mea- sures brought to bear in the election, singling out Dover, Berwick, and Galway, as three capital instances. At Dover it is the expenditure on the packet station, at Berwick it is the promise of a new barrack, at Galway it is the grant ol70,000/. a year for seven years to the new steam-ship company. Then the War Department, on the eve of an election, raised the allowance for billeting soldiers from IV. to 4(1. In Ireland Mr. Bowyer held out the hope that the Government would grant a charter of incorporation to the Roman Catholic University of Dublin. In South Lancashire, through Lord Camden, a convert to Romanism, the Roman Catholic clergy were reminded at a critical moment by their bishop of the great things Lord Derby had done for the Roman Catholics. Are not all these things significant ; and do not those touching the packet-stations, billeting, and barracks, call for in- quiry and for remedial measures ?

A meeting at Newcastle-on-Tyne over which the Mayor presided, and at which the chief speakers were Dr. Robinson, Sir John Fife, Dr. Green- how, and Mr. Headlam, M.P., has adopted resolutions, expressing deep thy with the Italian; but declaring that no confidence can be paced in the armed agencies put in operation professedly to deliver Italy, and demanding a policy of non-intervention on our part.

Meetings have been held at Southampton and Bradford. On all sides there is but one cry—neutrality, and ample means of defence.

Preliminary steps have been taken at Birkenhead, Bristol, Newcastle, Sunderland, Shields, to form volunteer corps.

At the annual meeting of the Cotton Supply Association in Manchester, on Tuesday, Mr. Cheetham in the chair, a report was adopted which Mr. Barley and other speakers regarded as giving indications of favourable progress. Not, however in India where the railways are not likely to do much for the cotton districts, and where the Government can do little for the river navigation. Western Africa is looked to as the more likely field of supply.

A proposal is under the consideration of the Liverpool Town Council to form boulevards around the town. The cost will be very great. Many are in favour of a public park.

A dinner was given at Newcastle on Tuesday, in honour of Sir William Armstrong, Sir George Grey occupying the chair. After dinner Sir William made a speech in which, with certain judicious reserves, he gave en account of his famous gun and its origin.

" With respect to the gun of which so much has been said, it is absurd to suppose that there is an - secret about its general construction, which is al- ready known to hundreds of persons, and which has been already approxi- mately described in many publications; but there is a great deal of detail about it which willnot be readily made out, and which would require to be mastered before other nations could make it. Now, without disclosing any of this detail, I may give you in an authentic form some general information re- specting the weapon_ I would begin, then, by telling you that it ie made wholly of wrought iron. My original gun was partly of steel ; but I now use no- thing but wrought iron. It is a built-up gun—that is to say, it is composed of separate pieces—each piece of such moderate size as to admit of being forged without risk of flaw or failure. By this mode of construction great strength, and, consequently, great lightness, are secured. It has been stated that two of my guns burst at Shoeburyness, but this, like many other statements on this subject, is wholly without foundation. A 32-pounder has already been made upon this principle, besides smaller guns, and I ex- pect you will soon hear of 70-pounders and 100-pounders as well. With re- gard to the breech-loading, all the writers who have professed to describe this gun have spoken of the large screw working in the breech-end of the piece and pressing against the stopper for the purpose of closing the bore; but they have all either ignored the fact of this screw being hollow, or they have misunderstood the purpose of its being so. There can be no secret in a process which is now daily practised by the artillery, and I may therefore state that the gun is both loaded and sponged through the hollow screw, and that it is a great mistake to suppose that it would be possible to introduce either the projectile or the charge at the contracted slot which receives the stopper. The stopper is a piece of small dimensions, widely different from what has been shown in the several fancy portraits which have appeared of my gun, and is chained to the gun to prevent its being casually lost. There are many peculiarities about the carriages, the eights, and other appendages of these guns, with which I need not trouble you, further than by observing that in the carriage for naval or garrison service an inclined slide is applied, upon which the gun recoils on being fired, and then slips forward into its original position by the action of gravity. This arrangement is of great im- portance in the case of heavy guns, inasmuch as it will obviate the necessity of employing a large number of men for the purpose of running out the gun after each discharge. I will now speak of the projectiles. which are in all cases made of cast iron, thinly coated with lead, and being of somewhat larger diameter than the bore of the gun, the lead is crushed into the rifle grooves, by means of which the necessary rotation is given, while all shake and windage are prevented. The projectile for field service admits of being used as solid shot, shell, or common ease. It is composed of separate pieces so compactly bound together that it has been fired through a mass of oak timber nine feet in thickness without sustaining fracture. When used as a shell, it divides into forty-nine regular pieces, and about a hundred irregular pieces. It combines the principle of the shrapnel and percussion shell, i.e, it may be made to explode either as it approaches the object or as it strikes it. Amongst friends it is so safe that it may be thrown off the to of a house without exploding, but amongst enemies it is so sensitive and mis- chievous that it bursts with a touch. The reason is, i that the shock it re- ceives in the gun puts the percussion arrangement, as t were, from half cook to full cock, and it then becomes so delicate that it will burst by striking a bag of shavings, as has been proved at Shoeburyness. Moreover, it may be made to explode at the instant of leaving the gun, in which case the pieces spread out like a fan, and produce the usual effect of grape or canis- ter. In short it may be made to explode either at very long or very short distances, and either by impact or by the action of the time fuse, and wher- ever it bursts it operates like grape shot. I could give you hundreds of ex- amples of the effect produced by those shells during the experiments of the "committee on rifled cannon," but I will confine myself to a single in- stance, which I select merely because an unusual number of persons happen- ed to be present, comp 'rising the Duke of Cambridge and several officers of distinction. Two targets, each of nine feet square, were placed at a distance of 1500yards from the gun, and seven shells were fired at them. Now the effect of these seven shells was, that the two targets were struck in 596 places. Similar effects were on other occasions produced at distances ex- tending to 3000 yards ; so I leave you to judge what would be the effect of these shells in making an enemy keep his distance. For breaching purposes, or for blowing up buildings, or for ripping a hole in the side of a ship, a dif- ferent construction of shell is adopted ; the object in that case being to in- troduce the largest possible charge of gunpowder. Nearly all the writers who have undertakeu to enlighten the public on this subject have stated that the grand defect of my shell was its small capacity for powder. Now, if these writers had stated that the great advantage of my shell was its large capa- city for powder they would have been much nearer the truth; for the fact is that the shell of my 32-pounder gun contains nearly twice the quantity of powder that is contained in the shell of the common 32-pounder. It has also been urged as an objection to my projectile that it would make so small a hole in passing through the side of a ship. So far as the shot is concerned there may be some reason in this objection, but as regards the shell the small hole is the very thing wanted. The shell is caused to explode at the instant of passing throu"h the timber, and the smaller the hole made by penetration the more confined will be the explosion, and the greater will be the shattering effect produced. The gun must be judged, not in relation to the shot, but to the shell, which is beyond comparison the more formidable projectile, and which will be almost exclusively used with my guns. " To go back to the commencement of my experiments, I may tell you that they began upwards of four years ago—my first gun having been com- menced 'in December 1854, and completed early in the following spring ; although this gun was constructed upon the same principle as those which I am now making, it did not in the first instance afford satisfactory results. Schemers, whose inventions merely figure upon paper, have little idea of the difficulties that are encountered by those who carry inventions into prac- tice. For my part, I had my full share of such difficulties, and it took me nearly three years of continual application to sdrmount them. Lithe height of summer my experiments were for the most part carried on at the sea coast, between the hours of three o'clock in the morning and six ; for after that time people began to move about and were apt to get in the way. At other seasons I availed myself of the wild moors belonging to my friend, Mr. Beau- mont, at Allenheads, and there I had a but constructed on a mountain ridge, 2000 feet above the level of the sea. My targets were placed-upon the opposite side of a deep valley, where nothing more valuable than grouse or lean sheep ran the risk of being shot, and well it was that such was the case, for I had constructed an instrument for maintaining a fire upon an object (a breach, for example,) after darkness had set in, and I used to awaken the denizens of the heath by firing shells at my distant target in the middle of the night; and I may observe in passing, that when this:in- strument was fully. perfected I was enabled to strike a distant object in a pitch dark night with the same accuracy as in broad daylight. At the end of the three years I had succeeded in bringing to maturity both guns and projectiles. Several new guns had been made on my own responsibility, and considerable expense incurred on experiments; but all my disburse- ments were refunded by the Government as soon as the results were ascer- tained. I mention this because some misapprehension prevails on the sub- Pct ; and I take the same opportunity of observing that General Peel, Lord anmure, and the Duke of Newcastle, the three Ministers at War who have held office since my operations commenced, have at all times afforded me all countenance and support that I could desire. I have the same ac-

knowledgment to make in regard to all the permanent authorities at the War Office. Early in last year a committee was appointed to investigate the whole subject of rifled cannon. They consisted of naval and military officers of great knowledge and experience in gunnery ; and after having given the greater part of their time for a period of five months to the guns, projectiles, and fuses which I submitted to them, they gave a unanimous verdict in favour of my system.

" With respect to the precision and range which has been attained with these guns, I have butlittle to add to what General Peel, has stated, but may observe that since his statements were made very improved results have been obtained. At a distance of 600 yards an object no larger than the muzzle of an enemy's gun may be struck at almost every shot. At 3000 yards a target of nine feet square, which at that distance looks like a mere speck, has on a calm day been struck five times in ten shots. A ship would afford a target large enough to be hit at much longer distances, and shells May be thrown into a town or fortress at a range of more than five miles. lint to do full justice to the weapon when used at long distances, it will be ascessary that gunners should undergo a more refined and scientific training than at present; and I trust and believe that both the naval and military departments of Government will take the necessary measures to afford the proper instruction both to officers and men.

"It is an interesting question to consider what would be the effect of the general introduction of these weapons upon the various conditions of war- hire. In the case of ships opposed to ships in the open sea, it appears to me they would simply destroy each other like cats if both were made of timber. The day has gone by for putting men in armour, but I suspect it is only ap- proaching for putting ships in armour. Fortunately, however, no nation can play at that game like England; for we have boundless resources both in the production and application of iron, which must be the material for the armour. In the case of a battery against a ship the advantage would be greatly in favour of the battery ; because it would have a steady platform for its guns, and it is made of a less vulnerable material, sup =in g the ship to be made of timber. But, on the other hand, in bomber g fortresses, arsenals, or dockyards, when the object to be struck is very extended, ships Would be enabled to operate from a great distance, where they could bid de- fiance to land defences. In the case of invasion, which is, perhaps, the most interesting case to consider, the possession of such an artillery would be all-important to the defenders. It would probably be impossible to effect a landing if opposed even by field batteries of such guns ; and if a landing

were effected, the retreating force would generally be enabled to avail itself of cover, while the attacking party would have to advance on the open, where they would be awfully cut up.

" I will nowsay a few words with respect to the personal arrangements between myself and the Government which are not at present clearly under- stood. From the first I never intended to take any compensation from Go- vemmesit for the improvements which I expected to effect ; and I therefore abstained, in the first instance, from taking any patents. I soon found my- self, however, driven into the arms of the patent laws—not for the purpose of securing monopoly, but to protect myself from usurpation. Finally, when the report of the committee had been made, I addressed a letter to the Government, placing at her Majesty's disposal for the public service all the improvements which the committee had recognized. This was followed by an intimation from Government, as stated by General Peel, that they were willing to make me a pecuniary compensation, but this I declined to receive. i'wo questions, however, arose ; first, how were the Government to be in- structed in the art of making these guns; and, secondly, how were any fu- ture inventions originating with me to be dealt with ? for, considering that the whole subject was still in a state of progress, it was not to be supposed that my improvements would stop at that particular stage. To remove all difficulty upon these points, I proposed that if the Government would pay me a salary of 2,3001. a year, commencing from a period of three years back, during which nearly my whole time had been given to the subject, and continuing for a period of seven years to come, I would give them the benefit of all my information and experience, and would relinquish in their favour all future inventions relating to the sub- ject. Now, this is a very different matter from receiving compensation for 'what I had previously given up. It is, in fact, an arrangement applicable to services and prospective inventions, and if my services were to cease, as as they might do by death or otherwise, the salary would terminate. Al- though I deeply appreciate the gracious recognition of my services which has been made by her Majesty, yet I do not value the arrangement I have entered into except as a means of enabling me to ride my hobby with more effect, as well for the public advantage as for my own satisfaction ; and if the Government should at any time feel that they are not getting value for the salary I receive, I shall need but a slight hint to relieve them from the engagement. Of course I never dreamt of giving up my present business ; on the contrary, it was distinctly stipulated that I should remain at liberty to carry on any business that I chose. This may or may not be in accord- ance with precedent ; but I trust the public will feel assured, from the ge- neral course I have followed in this matter, that personal aggrandisement is not the object I have in view. I am simply ambitious to perfect the mat- ter I have taken in hand, and care little for the emolument. I must not conclude without adverting to a matter which requires some notice on in part- It has been perseveringly stated that some persons from the Elswick engine-works have gone ;into the service of some foreign state, taking with them full plans of the gun. I can only say that to the best of my know- ledge and belief, no person who has left the establishment since my opera- tions began, and who was competent to give information on the subject, has taken any plans, or betrayed any confidence, or gone into the service of a foreign government."

It need hardly be added that Sir William's speech was listened to with the greatest attention, and welcomed with hearty applause.

An inquiry before a full bench of Magistrates at Richmond, Surrey, into the charge of cawing the death of Isabella Bankes, preferred against Tho- mas Smethurst, surgeon, has ended in another remand. We are now in -possession of a fuller amount of this extraordinary case. Miss Bankes was a lady who, said Mr. Ballantine for the prosecution, "moved in very re- spectable society." She was forty-three years of age. She had a life in- terest in 50001. and an absolute right to 17001. or 18001. At a boarding- house in Bayswater, Miss Bankes met Mr. Smethurst, then living there with a woman he said was his wife. When Miss Bankes moved to another lodg- inghouse, Smethurst moved there to. Here he induced the foolish woman to go off with him, and tolmarry him at Battersea in December last. Miss Louisa Bankes her sister did not know for two months what had become of tier. She knew of the intimacy with Smethurst, but not of the marriage. In February last, Isabella wrote to Louisa, and in April Smethurst wrote to her, asking her to go to Richmond and see her sister, and directing her to ask for Dr. and Mrs. Smethurst, at 10, Alma Villas. Miss Louisa went and found her sister very ill ; but tenderly nursed by Smethurst and quite happy. This illness increased. The poor lady suffered from diarrhcea and vomiting. Although Smethurst had declined to call in a Mr. Lane, who is a relation of the Bankes family, he did call in Dr. Julius and Mr. Bird, the leading prac- titioners at Richmond. These gentlemen could not trace the origin of the disease ; it baffled all their endeavours. Dr. Julius desired to tart the se- cretions, did so, and found symptoms of poison. Dr. Todd was called in and prescribed. None of them used any arsenic or antimony in the medicines prescribed. In the meantime Smethurst called on a gentleman in Richmond named Senior, and said that a lady wished to make her willt and he wished him to draw it up for her. He produced a document, winch he said was prepared by a barrister in town. Mr. Senior said he had no objection, and would come that day, (Saturday, April 30,) to see it executed, but Smet- hurst said the lady was too ill to do it that day, and requested him to come on the following morning. He at first objected to go on Sunday; but on being assured that it was a case of neeessity, he consented. He went ac- cordingly on Sunday morning, at nine o'clock, and was taken up to the lady. He had previously expressed a wish to have a medical man present, but the prisoner said that was not necessary as she was perfectly competent to make a will. He gave as a reason for not wishing to have a medical man present that he was not married to the lady, though he was living with her as his wife, but that he should marry her as soon as her health would per- mit. The will was executed in the presence of the landlady's daughter. When he went up to the room, the lady produced from under her pillow the draft of her will, which was the same document Dr. Smethurst had shown to him, and was in the prisoner's handwriting, and which he stated was drawn up by a barrister in town. [The document was here put in and read. It was the draft of a will drawn up in her maiden name, bequeathing her personal property to the prisoner, whom she described as her ' dear friend."] Miss Louisa Bankes produced several letters written to her by Smethurst, describing the progress of " dearest Bella's" illness, stating that he was puzzled, and holding out hope. Miss Bankes was summoned to see her sister, and saw her four days beforeshe died. In describing the interview she said that Smethurst took outside the room, " to cool," some soup brought by witness, and afterwards did the same with some arrowroot pre- pared by her. In either case the patient retched violently after swallowing it. But the next day, when the control of Smethurst had been removed, food was given to the poor woman which she did not vomit. She died on the 3d May. The examination of the contents of the stomach has been made, and Mr. Ballantine promisee proof that either arsenic or antimony had been administered to the deceased.

It appears that Smethurst is a married man. A letter to his wife, directed, and ready for the post, was taken at the time he was arrested, on the 2d ifay, before Mies Banker' died. In this note Smethurst expressed a hope that he should soon see his wife.

Banbury was the scene of serious election riots. The rough allies of the defeated candidate, Mr. Samuelson, attacked the houses wherein resided the voters for Sir Charles Douglas, broke the windows of his committee-rooms, and of Gillett's bank, and assailed the Mayor with eggs and stones when he appeared to declare the poll. Sir Charles was assaulted, and compelled to retire from the town. About thirty persons have been apprehended and ordered to pay the expense of repairing the damage they had done.

An accident has happened on the Cornwall railway. A train proceeding from Devonport to St. Germane, ended its career in the water below the Grove Lake viaduct. The engine swerved upon the parapet and went over, carrying with it a second and a first class carriage. All fell into the water and mud below. The coupling-iron connecting the other carriage, second- class, with the first, broke, and thus its occupants were saved. All those in the first-class carriage escaped. At an inquest held in St. Germans, before Mr. Coroner Yam nothing was elicited that tended in any way to explain the accident. It was shown, however, that the guard Padden really saved the inmates of the third car- riage by putting on the break so strongly as to snap the coupling irons, and that afterwards he, together with Spencer, a waterman, gallantly saved the people in the carriage in the water. The three persons killed were the driver, the stoker, and a guard. The Jury returned a verdict of accidental death. The Railway company have determined to lessen the speed on the inclines of the line.