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The crew of the "Alabama" comprised in all about 150 when she left Cherbourg. Of these, ten or twelve were killed during the action, and a number were known to be drowned. The remainder were brought home by the "Deerhound," being saved by the boats of the "Kearsage," or some French pilot boats which were in the vicinity. The French war-vessel "Couronne" did not come out beyond three miles. The surgeon of the "Alabama" was an Englishman; he had gone below to dress the wounds of some of the sufferers, and went down with the ship.

The wounded men on board the "Deerhound" were carefully attended to until her arrival at Southampton, when they were taken to the Sailors' Home.

Captain Semmes, and his first-lieutenant, Mr. J. M. Kill, took up their quarters at an hotel, the gallant commander being under the medical care of Dr. Ware, his right hand being slightly splintered by a shell.

When the men en came on board the "Deerhound" they had nothing on but their drawers and shirts, having been stripped to fight, and one of the men, with a sailor's devotedness, insisted on seeing his captain, who was then lying in Mr. Lancaster's cabin in a very exhausted state, as he had been entrusted by Captain Semmes with the ship's papers, and to no one else would he give them up. The men were all very anxious about their captain, and were rejoiced to find that he had been saved.

The captain of the forecastle on board the "Alabama," a Norwegian, says that when he was in the water he was hailed by a boat from the "Kearsage," "Come here, old man, and we'll save you;" to which he replied, "Never mind me, I can keep up half an hour yet; look after some who are nearer drowning than I am." He then made away for the "Deerhound," thanking God that he was under English colours.

Throughout the action the "Deerhound" kept about a mile to windward of the combatants, and was enabled to witness the whole of it. The "Kearsage" was burning Newcastle coals, and the "Alabama" Welsh coals, the difference in the smoke (the north country coal yielding so much more) enabling the movements of each ship to be distinctly traced. Mr. Lancaster was of opinion that it was the "Kearsage's" 11-inch shells which gave her the advantage. Both vessels fired well into each other's hull, and the yards and masts were not much damaged. The mainmast of the "Alabama" had been struck by shot, and as the vessel was sinking, broke off and fell into the sea, throwing some men who were in the maintop into the water. Some tremendous gaps were visible in the bulwarks of the "Kearsage," and it was believed that some of her boats were disabled. She appeared to be temporarily plated with iron chains. As far as could be seen, every thing appeared to be well planned and ready on board the "Kearsage for the action. It was apparent that Captain Semmes intended to fight at a long range, and the fact that the "Kearsage" did not

reply till the two vessels got nearer together, showed that they preferred the short range, and the superior steaming power of the latter enabled this to be accomplished. It is remarkable that no attempt was made by the "Kearsage" to close and board the "Alabama," and when the "Alabama" hoisted sails and made as if for the shore, the "Kearsage" moved away in another direction, as though her rudder or screw was damaged and out of control. Great pluck was shown on both sides during the action. On board the "Alabama" all the hammocks were let loose, and arrangements had been made for sinking her rather than that she should be captured.

As far as was known, not a relic of the "Alabama" came into the possession of her successful rival. When she was sinking, Captain Semmes dropped his own sword into the sea, to prevent the possibility of its getting into their hands, and the gunner made a hole in one of the "Alabama's" boats and sank her for the

same reason.

Before leaving the "Deerhound," Captain Semmes presented to Mr. Lancaster's son one of his officers' swords and a pistol, in remembrance of the occurrence and the kind treatment he and his men had received on board the yacht.

The spectacle presented during the combat was described by those who witnessed it from the "Deerhound" as magnificent.

The presence of the "Deerhound" on the scene was a providential circumstance, as in all probability the men saved by her would otherwise have been drowned, and a lamentable addition made to the number of lives lost on the occasion.

The "Kearsage" had about the same number of officers and crew as the "Alabama." The last official American navy list described her as 1031 tons register, and carrying eight guns, being two guns less than the "Tuscarora," to which in all other respects the "Kearsage" is a sister ship.

The "Alabama's" chronometers, specie, and all the bills of ransomed vessels, were saved, having been handed over to a gentleman at Cherbourg before she left that port.

Mr. Mason, the Confederate agent, Captain Bullock, and the Rev. Mr. Tremlett, arrived in the afternoon from London, and proceeded to Kelway's Hotel to meet Captain Semmes.

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PRESENTATION OF COLOURS TO THE HONOURABLE ARTILLERY COMPANY. The review of this ancient civic force by its CaptainGeneral and Colonel, the Prince of Wales, and the presentation of new colours by the Princess of Wales to the regiment, took place at the head-quarters, in Finsbury. There were about 500 men under arms, consisting of one troop of horse artillery, with two field-pieces, under the command of Captain Jay; a troop of light cavalry, under the command of Lieutenant Kearns; a battalion of infantry, in six companies, commanded by Major Robinson and Major Snell; and a field-battery of four guns, under the command of Captain Blockley, the whole being under the command of Lieu

tenant-Colonel Lord Colville. As there were some heavy showers of rain, the Prince and Princess arrived, attended by General Knollys and Colonel Keppel, in close carriages; but before the review had proceeded far, the rain ceased. Besides the people admitted by ticket, thousands saw the manœuvres from the neighbouring windows and housetops. Their Royal Highnesses on arriving were escorted to a spot in front of the saluting-flag, where the Prince alighted and mounted a charger. He wore the uniform of Captain-General of the corps. Behind the Royal party were a number of mounted officers, who had been invited as visitors. The regiment, drawn up in line, with the cavalry and horse artillery on the right and the field battery on the left, received the Prince with a Royal salute. His Royal Highness, attended by the officers of his Staff, then rode slowly along the line, front and rear, inspecting the men and their accoutrements, and, that over, he returned to the salutingpoint. A set of handsome new colours, the gift of the wife of Major Robinson, was then formally presented to the regiment by the Princess of Wales, having first been consecrated by the Rev. Thomas Hugo, the Chaplain of the force. The battalion having shouldered arms, Majors Robinson and Snell dismounted, and, raising the colours, which had been piled over the drum, bore them to the carriage of the Princess. Her Royal Highness, laying her hand upon them, expressed the pleasure she felt in presenting them to the regiment, adding that she trusted they would always serve as the emblems of honour, and never be unfurled except in defence of their Queen and country. The colours were then placed in the belts of Ensigns Webb and Fairlie, who received them kneeling. Lord Colville, addressing Her Royal Highness, said they were entrusted to a regiment of brave men, who would defend them with their lives, if need were. The regiment having presented arms, the colours were borne high in air to the front, with a slow and stately march, under an escort, the band playing the National Anthem; and the time-worn banners which they supplanted, and which were some fifty years old, were carried to the rear to the tune of "Auld Lang Syne." This ceremony having concluded, the battalion broke into open column of companies and marched past the saluting-point, first at slow and then at quick time, followed by the artillery and cavalry, which had been massed in column in the mean time. The battalion then formed three sides of a square, and the Prince with his Staff rode into the centre. His Royal Highness, addressing Lord Colville, said it had afforded him very sincere gratification to see the efficiency which the regiment had attained in all its branches, and the Princess of Wales took a deep interest in the Hon. Artillery Company, as he himself did, remembering that his father before him had commanded the regiment.

30. SPEECH DAY AT HARROW.-This anniversary was celebrated with somewhat more than usual festivity, it having been for some time known that the Prince and Princess of Wales had signified

their intention of honouring the "speeches" with their presence. The Prince and Princess arrived in a carriage and four, shortly after one o'clock, and were received by the Rev. Mr. Butler and the assistant masters on the steps of the school. The Harrow School Volunteers and the local rifle corps were also present as a guard of honour. The Prince and Princess having taken their seats in the centre of the speech room, with Mr. Butler on their right, and the Archbishop of Canterbury on their left, the delivery of the speeches and prize compositions commenced.

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As soon as the speeches were concluded, the company began to disperse, and the Prince and Princess, as they came down the steps of the school buildings, were received with deafening cheers, such as are seldom heard except at our public schools. Palmerston was loudly cheered also, as were the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, the Bishops of London, Oxford, and Natal, Lords Brougham, Stanhope, Houghton, Lyttelton, Cardigan, and Spencer, Mr. Beresford Hope, Mr. Estcourt, &c. Luncheon was afterwards served to the numerous guests in the houses of the various masters, Mr. and Mrs. Butler having the honour of entertaining the Prince and Princess, the Archbishops, Bishops, &c. The Royal guests, after inspecting the new library (named after Dr. Vaughan) and the new chapel, took their departure for London. The prizes were distributed, according to the usual custom on this day, by Mr. Butler.

JULY.

1. METROPOLITAN HORSE SHOW.-A great exhibition of horses, similar in its character to the Annual Cattle Show, which has for many years been an event of great interest to breeders of stock, took place this year for the first time, at the Agricultural Hall, at Islington, and achieved a decided success. The judges were the Earl of Portsmouth, Col. White, Mr. William Williams, the Hon. Wellington Cotton, Captain Percy Williams, Mr. J. Russell Cookes (Master of the Worcestershire Foxhounds), and Mr. W. F. Knight, M.P., for thorough-bred and half-bred stallions and hunters; Mr. W. F. Knight, M.P., Mr. J. R. Cookes, and Captain John Bastard, for hacks, cobs, and ponies; General Williams (late 1st Life Guards), for chargers; and Captain Thomas Francis, for Arabs and Barbs. These gentlemen, in conjunction with Mr. Sidney, the secretary, and Mr. J. Douglas, the superintendent of the show, entered the ring a few minutes after nine o'clock in the morning, and commenced the duties of judging, which continued throughout the day; but in consequence of the great labour, and the thorough determination to do justice to every

specimen entered for competition, their labours did not terminate till a late hour the next evening, when the whole of the prize horses were paraded to the great gratification, and amidst the applause of one of the most crowded and fashionable gatherings ever assembled within the walls of the Agricultural Hall. During the two days, the Pentonville, Euston, and Marylebone roads presented a continuous stream of carriages and vehicles, at one period extending in one almost unbroken line from the Angel, Islington, to Trinity Church, Marylebone, a distance of nearly two miles.

Up to a late hour hundreds of carriages continued to arrive, and set down and take up at both the entrances, and it was computed that notwithstanding the price of half-a-crown, something like from 15,000 to 20,000 persons passed through the show on the first two days. On the 4th, being the first shilling day, the number of visitors had been greatly augmented, on account of the anticipated visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales. Some thousands of well-dressed ladies were admitted at a shilling each to seats in the grand orchestra, and others to the then unoccupied Royal box at a charge of three shillings, whilst a limited number were admitted to the centre of the ring at an extra charge of half-a-crown.

The expected visit of royalty did not take place till the 5th, when the Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Prince and Princess Louis of Hesse, the Prince and Princess of Leiningen, and attended by the Countess of Carmarthen and Captain Grey, arrived at the show about a quarter past one o'clock. They were at once conducted to the Royal box, and the programme was gone through by, in the first instance, the parading in the ring of the splendid prize blood horses. The hunters next followed, and during the jumping great excitement prevailed, and the interest of the Royal party was alike manifest at the splendid leaps and, in some instances, perilous positions of both horses and riders. When the Prince and Princess came to the front of the box, they were greeted with several rounds of cheering. The Princess was much interested in the display of Arabs, Barbs, and ladies' horses, and made inquiries as to the price and character of some of them. The Duchess of Beaufort's beautiful pair of black carriage horses excited special attention; and after remaining upwards of an hour, the Royal party, on leaving, were again loudly cheered by the people, not only inside, but by thousands outside the building. It was computed, that this day but little short of from 30,000 to 40,000 persons paid for admission, and on the closing day the numbers were nearly as great. So that it may fairly be assumed that something like 100,000 persons visited the building in the five days.

7. THE SAVOY CHAPEL DESTROYED BY FIRE.-The old Royal Chapel in the precinct of the Savoy was destroyed by fire. The

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