RESPECTFULLY OFFERED TO RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 4, Issue 183, 22 March 1860, Page 3

RESPECTFULLY OFFERED TO RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.

FROM PUNCH. Some talk of an invasion As a thing whereat to sneeze Ami say we have no occasion To guard our shores and seas : Now Punch is no alarmist, Nor is moved by idle fears, But lie sees no harm that we should arm As Rifle Volunteers! Lest sudden foes assail us, Tis well we be prepared ; Our fleet—who knows ? may fail us, Nor serve our shores to guard. For self-defence then, purely, Good reason there appears, To have on land, a force at hand Of Rifle Volunteers!

To show no wish for fighting-, Our forces we’d increase ; But ’Tis our foes by frighting We best may keep at peace. For who would dare molest us When, to buzz about their ears, All along our coast their swarms Of ' Rifle Volunteers! Abroad ill winds are blowing,. Abroad wars vermin warm IFhat may hap there’s no knowing, We may not ’scape the storm, Alliirst for blood the eagles May draw our doves-nest near, But we’ll scare away all birds of prey., With our Rifle Volunteers!. No menace we’e intending,.

Offence to none we mean, We arm but for defending Our Country and our Queen ! To British hearts ’tis loyalty, ’Tis love her name-endears Up! then and form-! shield.her from.harm ! Ye Rifle Volunteers!

A meeting, took place in London for the foimation of an Irish volunteer corps. It was held at Freemasons’ 2’avern, under the chairmanship.of the d/avquis of Donegal,who was-careful to say that he had no fears of: the Emperor of the French, though he thought the feelings of the army and clergy and people of France,, in general, were to be regretted and guarded against. One of the speakers contended that the enrolment of an Irisli corps in London should be delayed until it was deemed advisable to put Ireland upon an equality with England by giving Ireland the opportunity to arm. This speaker was much cheered when he proceeded to say that our Government was casting a slur upon the Irish. One of: the other speakers was Mr. Samuel Eover, who thus makes his appearnce in a new capacity., Sir Ji S. Lillie suggested that every house in every town and village should contain a revolver and a bayonet. A woman the wife of a cattle drover,who had been in attendance at the cattle fair in Newcastle, has been found lying dead in a passage at the I7e ad of the Side. From information which has been given to the police it appears that the deceased had been drinking for the last three months, having been scarcely sober during the whole of that time. One afternoon she was at a public house very intoxicated, dancing to the music of a violin A short time afterwards she went out, and was never more seen alive..

lIUTT RACES. [From the Wellington Independent.'] Of our many national English pastimes not one is bo popular as horse-racing, and questionable as the assertion may seem, we think it highly commendable, as tending greatly to improve the breed, and consequently increasing. the value of this noble animal, and in this laud of our adoption English prejudices and English pastimes are as keenly fostered and as eagerly indulged in as if we trod the very earth of England. For the last two years we have missed our annual holiday to attend the races, for up to that' period Burnham Water used to be the battle ground upon which was decided tho pretensions of our various equine favourites; hut since the return' of Mr. Crawford, we have been obliged, in legal phraseology, to change the venue, as that gentleman immediately and at great cost commenced various improvements in that neighbourhood. And though our sister provinces have held out many a flattering invitation and friendly chal • lenge to compete with them in this national amusement, still with two or three exceptions we have not gone beyond our own boundaries, and therefore it was with no small delight that we heard the announcement that our holiday was to be again restored, aud that at the Hutt suitable ground had been secured. The Committee and Stewards elected by the public worked con amore and with great success to give unusual eclat to this year’s proceedings, and in unison with the energy and activity they displayed, aud in-.auswer to their appeal, the public liberally responded, and by their generous subscriptions enabled the prizes to be of soma significance and value. Wednesday last, the 14tb instant, was the first, day, and was observed almost as a close holiday in town. The weather was delightful, not a breath of wind to either raise that very disagreeable attendant on a crowded road, namely, dust, or to ruffle the ladies’ beautiful and carefully arranged tresses. At an early hour in the morning equestrians, pedestrians, and vehicles of all. descriptions were seen wending their way to the scene of engagement; there was the aristocratic carriage and pair, the sporting dog-cart, the family chaise, the more plebian cart, and even a donkey cart, all freighted with pleasure seekers; old aud youug, rich and poor seemed fully determined to make a day of it. 5

FIRST DAY. Wednesday, 14th March, 1800. Wellington Produce Plate —value at least .£4O, added to a sweepstakes of five guineas, p.p., open to all horses foaled in the colony, and that have never run in public. Weights—-3 yrs. 8 st, 7 1b..; 4 yrs. 9 st. 7 lb. ; 5 yrs. 10 st. 2 lb. ; 6 yrs. and aged;. 10 st. G> lbs. Two miles, one event. The second horse to save his stakes. Mr. St. Hill’s c. g. Prophete, 5 yrs. 9 st. 12 lb. A. St. Hill 1 Mr. Boteraumd’s b.g. Turco, G yrs. 10 st. 2 lb. J. Nicholl ...... ... 2 Mr. Me Kora Lucy Grey, 3 y.rs. 10 st. lO lbs. McKoy ... 3 The following also started r but were not placed. Moonbeam, Jane Grey, and Fifeshirc. Am objection has been lodged we believe by Mr. Rotermund against the winner on. the ground that she- ran. at Canterbury.. The stewards will of course investigate and decide. River Hutt Stakes.— Sweepstakes of £2. 2s. each, p.p'., with <£4o added, weight for age ; 3 yrs. 8 st. 0 1b..; 4 yrs. 9 st. lO lbs.; 5 yrs. ID" sfe. 3' 1b,.; aged, lOst. 7 lb. Heats—a mile and a half; second: horse to save liis stakes. Capt. 'iraffurd’s b. m. Sybil, 4 vrs. 9 st, 7 lbs. Walker ' ~.11; Mr. Day’s Hector Norman, aged, 10 st. 7 lbs. Owner *3 2. Capt. Blewitt's Chloroform, 5 yrs. 10 st. 3 lb. C. Broughton ... 23; 7’liis race may be briefly described* as the mare had it all- her own way, and was most admirably jockeyed by Walker—a good race for second place in. the deciding heat, whichwas won by Hector by a couple of lengths. The next race which invited a struggle was the Ladies’ Purse, and the gift) of our fair ; friends brought three good horses to the post, but as usual Wanganui again claimed victory; the race;.however, only in reality lay between the winner and St. Patrick. Sybil only starting to comply with the conditions. The race was an exceedingly good one, the /Saint pressing the gelding hard in both heats, but eventually the horse was beaten. Subjoined is the-, result: The Ladies’ Purse —of £ , added to a sweepstakes of three guineas each, p.p., open to. all horses ; gentlemen riders; second horse to save his stakes ; weights, 3 yrs. old, 9 st.; 4 yrs. 10 st; o'yrs. 10 st. 10 lbs.; 6 yrs. and 1 ' aged, 11 st. Heats, twice round the course. Dr. Jowett’s c.g. Rarey, 5 yrs. 10 st. ' 10 lbs. Owner ... 1 1 Capt. Hunter’s c. h. St. Patrick, aged, 11 st. Thorpe -2 2 Capt. Trafford’s b.m. Sybil, 4 yrs. 9 st. 10 lbs ...withdrawn Turco was also entered but did not start. After a brief interval the bell again rang for saddling, but ou arrival at the starting post we found to our regret that only three horses were going to compete for the Publican's PuioC, ami one of these simply starting to secure the public: money. It was the easiest won race of the meeting, Hector in both heats having it his own way, and though held hard wiiming in a canter. This animal is really a splendid one, and his appearance on the ground was a credit? to his owner and trainer Mr. Day. The prize was:

The Licensed Victualler’s Purse —of: guineas, added to a sweepstakes of 2 guineas each, p.p. Heats, twice round the course. Catch weights. Second horse to save his stakes. Mr. Day’s Ilt-ctor Ahorman, .aged ... 1.1 Mr. Arnell’s c. g. Dutchman ... ... 22. Capt. Blewitt's Chloroform ... withdrawn> Sybil was also entered but did not start, her , owner, like a prudent general, reserving her. strength for to-morvow's great struggle. After the advertised races of the day had been disposed of, five horses. entered for a Hack Race, which was won easily by Mr. Cameron’s Ilarkaway, Maorie’s Jack being a bad sccoud.

SECOND DAY. Tiiuusday, March 15, 18G0. At an early hour this morning the /Felling--tonian3 were on their way to the scene of action. The course was very crowded, great excitement being felt as to the probable issue of the great prize, namely, the Gold Whip; and Sibyl, Rarey, Chloroform, Turco, I'Mfeshire, and others, each found numerous admirers and supporters, but the mare and gelding seemed to divide public favour ; but it was currently reported that Captain Trafford’s horse was not well, aud perhaps this might have been the case, it did not however diminish in the slightest her backers’ confidence, who were not however kept long in suspense,. aud the following is the result: 7'he Gold Whip —value .£lO, and a sweepstakes of three guineas each, p.p., £ added ; open to all horses; two miles and a half; weights—3 yrs. 8 st. 9 lb.; 4 yrs. 8 st. 12 lbs. ; 5. yrs. 10 sb 7 lbs. 6 yrs. and aged, 10 st.. 10-lb. Dr. Jowett’s c. g Rarey, 5 yrs. 10 st. 3 lb. Owner ... ... i Capt. Trafford’s b.m. Sybil, 4 yrs. 9 st. Walker ... ... ... 2: Capt. Blewitt’s Chloroform, 5 yrs. 10 st. 7 lb. C. Broughton ... 3: The following also started but were not placed} Hector Norman, Turco, Fifesbire, aud Moonbeam, Mr. Amell’s Dutchman was withdrawn. This was decidedly the best race of fche-meeting, Turco jumped off with the lead, at a most tremendous pace, followed closely byHector Norman, Chloroform} and Fifesbire,. the mare and gelding evidently desirous to. make a waiting race of it. At the turn Hector challenged Turco, and he in turn gave way to Chloroform, Sybil and Rarey gradually edgings to front places, but the distauce told too strongly against the young and half trained's

horses, and Moonbeam, Fifeshire, Turco, and Hector, seeing that the fortune of war declared against them, prudently withdrew. Chloroform was now leading, closely followed by Barey and Sybil; at the distance post the horse swerved, and immediately lost all chance of the prize ; Sybil then challenged the gelding, but after a most severe struggle Dr. Jowett (who is a splendid rider) managed to land his horse a winner by about half a length, Chloroform a good third. On coming to the scales to be weighed the winner was loudly cheered. •Sybil’s owner must bear his unusual defeat good temperedly, and console himself with the reflection, that all that good training and experienced jockeyship could do was done; but though we may deserve, we cannot always command success. The value of the stakes we learn will be about £6O. The Maoei Race —value £lO, added to a sweepstakes of £1 each, owned and ridden by A/aories. Heats twice round the course. Post entrances. Catch weights. Second horse to save his stakes.

There were five entrances, the race was amusing and well contested, but pre-.ents no feature worthy of particular Qommcnt. It resulted as follows: Mahubaka’s Sam 1 1 Kuko’s black gelding 3 2 Epuni’s chesnut gelding ... ... 2 3 "Previous to the foregoing race the stewards had handicapped for the next, The following are the weights as decided. Barey, 10 st. 10 lb.; Sybil 9it 10 lbs.; Chloroform, 9 st. 7 lb. ; Hector Norman, 9 st. 7 lb.; and Turco 9 st. Turco and Barey refused to accept, so only three horses started for The Handicap Race —value £4O, added to a sweepstakes of 2 guineas each, p.p. Open to all horses. Second horse to save his stakes. Two miles and a distance; to be handicapped by the stewards, or whom .they may appoint, immediately after the race for the Gold Whip. Capt. Trafford’s b.m. Sybil, 4 yrs. 9 st. 7 lb. Walker 1 Mr. Day’s Hector Norman, aged, 9 st. 7 lb. Nicholl3 2 Capt. Blewitt’s Chloroform, 5 yrs. 9 st. 7 lb. C. Broughton ... ... ... 3

This was a splendidly contested race, and the closeness of the running was a verification of the good judgment of the stewards in handicapping. /Sybil was, however, too much for her opponents,''and though hard pressed by Hector towards the finish, Walker managed to secure for his favourite another and her best triumph. In the i.,terval between the above result and the trial for the Consolation stakes, which as usual is the last race of the meeting, a hack race, for which there were some six entries, was decided in three heats in favour of Mr. Arnell’s Charley, Mr. Jillett’s Win-if-you-can being second. Immediately on its conclusion the bell rang for saddling, and Chloroform, St. Patrick, and Lucy Grey ap peared to contest for the last prize. The Consolation Stakes— of £2O, added to a sweepstakes of 1 guinea each ; open to all horses not winners daring these races. Post entrances; twice round the course; single event; second horse to save his stakes. Capt. Hunter’s c. h. St. Patrick, aged, Fawcett ~ 1 Mr. McKoy’s Lucy Grey, 3 yrs. McKoy ... ... 2 Capt. Blewitt’s Chloroform, Broughton 3 At the commencement of the start Chloroform bolted; and though his rider recovered as quickly as possible, the delay was fatal to his chance of consoling himself with this £2O for former defeats. It was a gallant race however between the other two, and though beaten the little mare shows great promise of future excellence. To make the hill of fare, however, complete, the following three horses entered for a liurdle race; we did not witness the running ourselves, hut the following was the issue. •Once round and a distance. Mr. Speedy’s Grey ' 1 Mr. Serancke’s Gay ... 2 Mr. Ames’ Clear-the-way 3 This concluded the Ilutt Races for 1860 The weather was throughout all that could be •desired, and the course was visited during both days by his Honour the Superintendent and others, the elite of Wellington, Wanganui, anti elsewhere, and we cannot hut here again express (ur highest commendat'on of the management of all who have in any way been instrumental in promoting these sports. A more efficient clerk of the course than Mr. Cudby, a more competent judge than Mr. Hickson, a more courteous and active secretary and manager than Mr. Horner, and more energetic stewards than the gentlemen holding those offices, it has rarely been the good fortune of the public to associate together; no wonder then that success crowned their every effort, nor must we withhold our grateful acknowledgments for the courteous accommodation provided for the press. In conclusion, although feeling naturally a little chagrined that Wanganui has appropriated bo much of our money, still the winners are old friends, and we cannot but hope that at some future period they will give us our revenge. In the meantime we bid them heartily farewell, assuring them v r e shall long and pleasantly remember this last re union, .Woburn, the seat of D. Eiddiford, Esq., from the splendid and genial hospitality there practised during the holidays, reminded us most forcibly of its aristocratic namesake in the mother country. The residences of Messrs. Fitzherbert, Carlyon, and other gentlemen were also crowded during the .day with select circles of distinguished guests. We regret to have heard of one or two accidents in the course of the day, one of rather a : se.rio.u3 nature, the-result however of rather a rash attempt to take' a heavy jump on an unstrained animal; the sufferer, however is in good hands, and we hope for a more favourjable result than was at first anticipated,

LOSS OF THE “FLORA TEMPLE,”

AND EIGHT HUNDRED COOLIES.

[From the Hongkong Register .]

The Flora Temple, as fine a merchant ship perhaps as ever entered the China sea left Macao for 7/avana, on Saturday morning, the Bth October, 1859, having on board a crew of 50, all told, and 850 Chinese coolies. On the following Friday, the 14th October, at 7 30 p.m., she struck upon one of the numerous reefs not marked upon the charts, which render the navigation of the China sea so uncertain and dangerous.

For two days previous a gale of wind had been blowing from thy S. W., accompanied by a high sea, during which sail had been reduced to double-reefed topsails and courses; and although on Friday morning the wind had much abated, it still remained S.W. (shifting westerly), and the captain was unwilling to make more sail, fearing lest a current should have set us to the eastward, in the direction of the reefs marked upon the charts. Fortunately the sights at twelve o’clock and in the morning were good, and our position seemed to he so far, 26 miles to the westward of the most westdrly reefs in the latitude in which we then were, that the ship coming up to S. | E., and having ordered a good look out to he kept on the fore-topsail yard, the captain apprehended no danger from standing on until 8 p.m., at which hour he had given orders that the ship should be put about. It was about 7.20 p.m., that, ou coming on deck from the tea table, he inquired if a good look-out was kept from the topsail yard. The officer of the watch said, “ Yes” ; he was sent forward to see, however, and had barely reached the forecastle, when we heard the cry of “hard-up” from the look-out. 7'lie helm was instantly put hard up, and the spanker lowered. No sooner was this done than “ hard down ” was heard from the officer, who by this time had come aft again to the gangway. In fact, the ship was within a very short distance of breakers, which could now be distinctly seen and heard from the after part of the poop where we had been standing, and which extended in a curved line from about four points on the starboard bow to about three points on the port bow —they were close aboard. It seemed impossible a long ship like the Florv Temple should escape them ; and although the yards were braced round and the ship hove aback, she struck, first slightly, aud then, very soon afterwards, several times with a tremendous crash, the breakers running very high alongside. Pieces of her timbers and planking floated upon her port side, and after some very heavy humps, she remained apparently im movable, with a heavy list to port. The water had rapidly increased from two and a half feet in the well, till it reached the between decks where the coolies were. Such was the position, from which it was found impossible to extricate her. There was not the shadow of a ground for hope that the vessel could be pre served.

While this was going on—indeed almost immediately after the ship first struck—a fear that the coolies would rise and murder all on board, seemed to have possessed itself of the minds of the crew ; and to such a height did this rise, that the captain (having at the time, however, no intention of abandoning the ship' had the two quarter boats lowered, and placed an officer and five men in each, with orders to remain close to the ship, so that refuge and assistance might be at hand if by any chance they should become needful. The crew were thoroughly unmanned their only anxiety seemed to be to get out of the ship, no matter how ; and had it not been for the captain, his indefatigable brother, and a very few others on board, the boats would have left the ship absolutely unprovided with the merest necessaries of life. The men could he got to do nothing.

These boats were lowered about 10 o’clock ; about 12 the other small boats were got out safely, and there then remained only the longboat, which the panic-stricken men had declared it was “impossible” to get out. Fifteen, all told, were all that remained onboard., and the labour and difficulty of getting this boat out was immense, but at last it was got over the side at about 4 a.m., and, with its crew, passed safely through the breakers. Before leaving the ship the lead was hove —four fathoms was found under the bows and stern, and three fathoms amidships. Imme diately through the breakers there was no bottom at 14 fathoms.

The earliest lights of morning were now showing themselves in the east, and soon afterwards the blank day broke. The ship then appeared to be almost without motion, all her masts wero standing, she had a strong list to port, her hack was broken, and the main and monkey rails and waterways were also broken amidships, the sea making a clear breach over her starboard quarter. The coolies, who had remained below all niglit, were now up, and clustered on the upper decks. Having passed round the northern extremity of the line of breakers, the captain joined the starboard quarter boat, which had 1 the smaller boats in company-—the port quarter boat, with second mate in charge, having deserted during the niglit, alarmed probably at the guns which were fired from the ship, to their terrified ears seeming to denote the dreaded outbreak of the coolies. The crews of the dingies were then transferred to the longboat and quarterboat; and about 9 a.m. sail was made to the westward. In a very short time the wind increased until it became a severe gale from W.S.W., accompanied by a tremendous sea and heavy rain—the boats parted company, and henceforth I can only speak of the one (the longboat) in which, by the Providence of (7od ? after a fortnight’s (Xu

posure, we arrived safely at Touron, C ochin China. During Saturday (October 15), Sunt lay, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thurso lay, and part of Friday, the gale continued wiithout abatement, and we remained hove-to urn Her a close-reefed mainsail, with a bucket veer ed out to twenty fathoms. The boat was an opt m one, and we were drenched with the seas tha 1 broke over us, and with the rain which, night and day, continued almost without intermission as it seemed to us. Most of us had saved nothing but what we stood in, and had no I change—we were covered with salt water boils i —our feet were much swelled, covered with 1 sores, and very painful—a biscuit and half a 1 pint of water a day was all we dared venture 1 on —sleep, in a time so rude, was almost im- 1 possible. The men sat moody, wretched, and 1 disheartened. Little wonder, for how an open \ boat, so small as this one we had, could live • in such a sea was a mystery. Some few of us ; were never disheartened, hut when the cheer- ] less day declined into a more cheerless night, and we remained in an open boat, with a heavy i gale of wind and a tremendous sea —overhead ' the angry sky, with lightning and thunder of 1 the most startling kind —none of us can have been so stolid as not to feel what it is to watch 1 as those do “ who wait for the morning.” On ' /Saturday the wind and sea abated and Sunday 1 was fine. Fortunately the captain had saved his sextant aud a chart, and as wc found our- 1 selves drifted by the gale as far as 13 degrees i N., he determined to make for Touron, the French settlement in Cochin China —hoping to 1 fall in with a sail upon the way. On the following Wednesday, the 12th day from the wreck, we made the land to the south of Tou- j ron, remained all night tied to a fishing stake,

on account of the strong current which had swept us to the south the day before, and the next evening, to. our great joy, came in sight of the masts of the French squadron. It was impossible for us to weather the cape so as to reach them that night, and we therefore went ' into a small harbour at the foot of the moun- ' tain to the south of the outer bay of Touron, where the inhabitants of a small fishing village received us hospitably, and we agaiu enjoyed I

the luxuries of warm food and fire. The next 1 evening, October 28, exactly a fortnight from ' the wreck, we reached Touron, more feeble 1 and exhausted than we ourselves believed. We were immediately received on board 11.1. M. ! st. Gironde, and from the French authorities 1 generally the utmost kindness and attention 1 was bestowed upon us. , 1 We were 31 in number, including Captain 1 Johnson and his brother. The starboard quarter J boat contained the mate, Mr. Marshall, and ! nine men and two boys ; the port quarter boat, 1 which deserted us, contained the second mate, Mr. Walton, and five men. Serious appre- 1 hensions must be felt for the safety of these boats. The gale w® experienced was most 1 severe, and was accompanied by a terrible sea, 1 in which it was feared the boats must have 1 perished. Immediately on our arrival at Tou- 1 ron Captain Johnson called on the French 1 admiral, M. Page, and begged him to send In ] search of the missing boats, as well as to the 1 rescue of the coolies. With the greatest readi- 1 ness this request was at once complied with, I aud the Gironde was despatched with orders ( to proceed to the scene of the disaster. Our ' men were transferred to another vessel, to be 1 sent on to Hongkong. Captain Johnson,, his i brother, and myself proceeded in the Gironde. (

On Wednesday afternoon, the 2nd Novem her, at two o’clock, we were again in sight o the reef. Unrelenting seas still rolled anc broke as before, but no remnant appeared o the gallant ship we had left there; till on pro ceeding closer in a boat, her port side, fron the main chains forward, could bo seen float ing, attached to the remainder by the rigging together with what seemed to be the mail skysail mast. Of the 850 coolies no trace! remained.

Cltse to the reef, within a short distance of the wreck, on the S.E. side, the boat sounded and found no bottom at 27 fathoms, and within a mile to th® N. W. there was no bottom at 70 fathom?. The breakers extended about a mile in a curved line, from N.E. to S.W.; they were very narrow, and not over 150 yards in width. The position, according to the calculatians on board the Gironde, was 10 deg 19 m, N., and 113 deg. 34 min. E.; while Captain Johnson made it in 10 deg. 16 min. N., and 113 deg. 20 min. E.

Nothing remained to be done. The unhappy coolies had doubtless perished, and we at once shaped a course for Manila, where we arrived on the evening of the Bth of November.

The loss of this ,splendid ship cannot fail to excite a general interest,-when it is remembered that in all probability 850 human beings (not to speak of the eighteen Europeans in the missing boats) have perished with her. It was impossible for us to make any attempt to save these coolies.. More humane men, men of a truer and more determined courage than Captain Johnson and his brother, Mr. J. T. Johnson, do not exist —hut the crew was so terrified on that disastrous niglit, that it was only by the exertions, almost beyond belief, on the part of the captain, his brother, and a very few others, that. the safety of the crew was secured. They would have hurried from the ship in the small boats without provisions, and would infallibly have perished. What could be done with such a crew in the way of providing for the removal and feeding of 850 coolies ; and moreover what confidence could be placed in the forbearance of the latter, that they would not rush upon the remaining boats, swamp them, and thus destroy the only chance by which any of us could hope to be saved? ' But we had the most serious reasons for distrusting the coolies at this crisis. As 1 have said we left Macao on Saturday the Btli October, Qn the following Monday a’l seemed

settled to their places, and the coolies appeared comfortable and even cheerful. I can affirm that no intermediate passengers, not even English soldiers in an English transport, received better treatment on board ship than did those coolies on board the Flora Temple. : Every thing relating to them was perfectly well ordered and clean—-their food was plentiful and good, and was regularly served—their luxuries, even, were plentiful; they were objects of the first consideration on board—the necessary order and discipline among them was enforced fiy their own headmen exclusively., I had an i nterest in the subject, and I took care to inform myself of all that went on. .1 expected ti > find all the provisions made for them coarse tii id roach. I was entirely mistaken. I know

in uch more of the coolie trade than I did before I went on board the Flora Temple, and cei rtainly I have no intention of going ever so lit! ie out of my way to soy anything in its su] >port; hut the panegyric in which I have ind ulged is necessary to appreciate properly win it follows, which also must be told before a proj >er judgment can be formed upon the course Captain Johnson thought it best to take after the Flora Temple struck. Oi i the Monday after we left Macao all seemt ul quiet and cheerful—an outbreak wa ■> the la st thing we anticij ated. On the next morni ug, at 7 a.m., however—three days after we ha' 1 left Macao, the watch on deck being scatter ed about the ship, and the guard at the port gate of the barricade, which was erected between- the coolies and the crew (who slept aft) being away from his post, the coolies, who had collected on deck in large numbers, suddenly fell upon the guard at the starboard gate, struck him on the head with an iron

belaying pin, as he was stooping down —drew out his sword, and having cut him with it frightfully, afterwards, with cruel ferocity, despatched him , with a hatchet. They then, made a rush through the barricade towards the cabins. While this -was going on aft, others of the coolies were calling “ Fire, fire,” to in duce tine watch, who were in the fore part of the ship, to go down below. Fortunately-the captain had come on the poop just in time to see the rush aft. He immediately ran to his cabin, seized his revolver, called me up, his brother armed himself also, and half a dozen shots put them to rout —-not before one of the crew was hacked to pieces and killed, and several others wounded. The coolies were armed with the cook’s axes, tl. e chain hooks, iron belaying pins, handspikes,, and every weapon they could lay their' hands upon; some of the more adventurous had penetrated even to the cabins, and, but for the sudden panic which the unexpected shots from the revolvers produced, it is impossible to say what could have saved ns—a few determined men amoug, them, and all must have bean lost. A strict inquiry brought to light a deep-laid widely, extended scheme for killing us all, and taking possession of the ship ; those who agreed to join in it giving up their contract paper, as a kind of pledge or guarantee to the ringleaders, from whom they were afterwards to have received ten dollars a man. We could dis- \ cover no limit to the number of those who, di- : rectly or indirectly, were implicated in this 1 plot; it was impossible for us to place confi- 1 dence in any of them for the future ; we must be constantly on our guard, and this it was l that, as soon as the ship struck, produced such I apprehension and terror in the minds of the crew.

’ 2'he boats were no more than sufficient to [• save the crew, now forty-nine in number. We [ were'3oo miles at least from any land ;it was p impossible to raft 850 men so great a distance, much less feed them, even had we been jusfcii fled or encouraged in trusting our lives to their . forbearance ; and Captain Johnson felt—we nil felt —that the only chance of saving even one | of the unfortunate coolies was our falling in } with a ship which perhaps might be induced to go to their assistance. For fourteen long days p and nights, our hope was deferred. Although [ we crossed the most frequented part of the i China Sea, not a sail of any kind did we see until we reached Touron, and then Admiral Page immediately complied with Capt. John- ; son's request, and humanely despatched the I Gironde to the reef. As I have said before, , scarcely a relic of the vessel remained, and in . all probability she went to pieces on the Saturday night, and all on board then perished. Our most grateful acknowledgements are due to the French admiral,‘M. Page, and especially to the officers of the Gironde , for the i great hospitality and kindness with which they received ns; nor eau I close this narrative without bearing my humble testimony to the conduct of Captain John son and his brother. I shall always feel that all of us who remain ; owe our lives to their intrepidity and fore- , thought. These brave men were to us instruments of the benign providence of Almighty God. A. P. Childs, F t It.C;S., Eng. Hongkong, 16th Nov. 1859.

, ENGLISH AND FRENCH SOLDIERS. } Captain Vernon, M.P., was one of the speak- ( ers at the annual dinner at the Abingdon Agricultural Society on the 21st. The hon. and gallant captain, after glancing at the succession . of wars in which we have recently been engaged, said I shall not touch upon the political question of the Chinese war. It has re-

commenced in disaster—disaster, however, which still goes to prove that the fighting men of England are of no ordinary stamp. (Hear, hear.). I regret that in repairing this disaster ■ we have not undertaken the war single-handed. If I, had a voice in the question I would not allow a Frenchman to pull a trigger in the [ quarrel. (Applause.) We are men enough i to vindicate our arms with our own resources I —(hear, hear) —without the aid of any fo-

reiguer; and we have thousands of veil disciplined natives in India—not /Sepoys—who, based on our indomitable resolution, would have been amply for the purpose. (Hear, hear.) It diminishes our prestige to admit the participation of France in our wars. (Hear, hear.) Continental ..Powers assert that we cannot do without such aid. This is a. gross mistake. (Hear.)- In the time of thefirst Napoleon England, almost without assistance—for Portugal was little and Spain none —we, I say, paralysed all his efforts, though he was backed by all the nations of Europe, and commanded armies of fabulous numerical strength. The army he. led to leave its bones in Russia was 700,000 strong; speaking eight different languages. The antechamber of bis tent was crowded with kings and princes ; and foreign nations, obedient to his. nod, were swayed by bis Imperial will. (Hear, hear.) Is the present Napoleon a greater man than his uncle, the hero of a hundred fights ? History says “No” to that. Are the French soldiers of this day superior to the< 30,000 Frenchmen who, opposed to 80,000 Austrians and Sardinians, in fifteen days overran Italy, fought six battles, and killed 25,000 men ? Magenta and Solferino say “ No” to that. I have just returned from the continent, where, with a view to possible coming events, I made it my special business to examine the armies that will next have to stand opposed to France. The French army I know by heart. I say that our army and navy need fear no comparison with those of any nation under the sun as to officers, to men, or to the materials of war. (Cheers.) We heard much of the Austrian staff. Wonders were expected from them. They failed utterly. General Gyulai seemed iguorant of the first principles of war, and hia successor i/ess was no better. The strategy of the French was little superior. The battles in Italy were fought by the. men ; the hand-to-hand fighting on either side was desperate and admirable. “ Send me help,” cried the French General Niel, “ they are turning me ! ” 15,000 Zouaves rushed to the rescue, and 500 only came out unhurt from the murderous struggle. Either, then,, the Austrians are much improved, or the French have fallen off since the days of the first Napoleon. But, for argument’s sake, let us admit that they are equal to the heroes of Marengo and y/usterlitz; we should not reckon them a rush, —we were better men then, and we are better men now. (Applause.) The general military spirit- of the country has increased. (Renewed applause.) There is-nofc a man throughout the length and breadth of ithe land who is not prepared, for the defence of his home, to cast in his lot with those whose profession it is “ to seek the bubble reputation even in the cannon’s mouthT (Cheers.) The rifle movement is a great fact. (Hear, hear.) It has an important physical effect in England, because it in some sort increases our effective d efences. It has a great moral effect on the continent, because it shows England, bristling with bayonets, and the hardiest people in the world Anglo-Naxon raee - standing shoulder to shoulder- to protect the land from invasion. (Loud cheers.) I believe that, exclusive of volunteers, we could by means of our railways place 100,000 men, regulars and militia, artillery, horse, foot, and dragoons, on any part of our land in twenty-four hours. (Hear, hear.) I believe that three thousand in this quarrel—for “ thrice is he armed that hath his quarrel just ” —would equal double the number of foreigners. I believe that our fleet and our sailors would never suffer a French soldier’s foot to touch the soil of England. I believe that if we permitted the French army to land—such is the military spirit; now pervading England-—it would be no war, it would be a crusade. The country would rise as one man, and not a Frenchman would live to see his native land again. (Hear, hear.) I have no fear of France; still we do well to be on our guard. It does not befit a great people to be. taken unawares. That conntry is most certain of peace which is best prepared for war. (Cheers.) Well, we are prepared. „ I have it from the highest, military and. scientific.authority in the land that our coast defences are formidable. Our navy is the finest in the world, our artillery matchless. (Cheers.) I do not believe Louis Napoleon has any intention of his own mere motive against England, but the more I study his political career, the more do I see that, like an adventurer, he is the sport of fortune, driven hither and thither by . the circumstances of the moment. Already he has lost half his power in his country by the defection of the priesthood ; lie. now depends entirely on the army. Wax is necessary to them. Turbulent, excitable, and vainglorious, they may compel Napoleon to take steps against his better judgment. (Hear, hear.) They say they have a Waterloo to revenge ; wfl have no defeats to revenge ; from Cressy to Waterloo we can contemplate our encounters with the French with great complacency. , It needs not the gift of prophecy to reason on past events; and I venture to predict that if the present generation attempts by invasion of England to revenge Waterloo,, they will bequeath to their posterity tlie task of revenging ( a defeat more complete, more disastrous, and more decisive. (Loud cheers.)