ried the daughter of the King of Italy. | are still visible and traceable on the The emperor's sister married the Prince east side-the line crossing the governde Joinville and the Prince d'Aquila ment property close by the powder mag(Naples and Sicily). The Empress of azine. The camp had in old times been Brazil (Austro Bourbon of Naples) is accessible to the Danish galleys by the sister to the ex-Queen Maria Christina, Swin, and a passage of water still winds of Spain, and to the late King Ferdinand, up through the sands to the same spot to of the two Sicilies. The Emperor the remains of the fortifications. A small, Maximilian, of Mexico, is a blood rela- old-fashioned house, now used as the of tive of both Dom Pedro II. and his fice of the Royal Engineers, was originalempress, and the royal houses of Prus-ly known as Shoebury Hall, and its digsia, Denmark, Holland, and Belgium, are remotely allied by blood and marriage to the imperial House of Brazil.English Paper. London Society Magazine. SHOEBURYNESS, AND THE BIG GUNS. THE very mention of Shoeburyness suggests all kind of combustibles: heavy charges of powder; high velocities; ballistic pendulums of the past; Navez's electrical instrument of the present; big plates of old England; small plates of France; "Big Will" (Sir William Armstrong); monster tickler; Whitworth's ship rib roaster with hexagonal shells; Lancaster's oval cannon which hurled forth the "Whistling Dicks" of the Crimea, the pioneer, in 1854, of rifled artillery and all the sisterhood, as guns are always feminine. We have, too, Lynell Thomas-the persevering Commander Scott-rockets. Hale and Stout -mortars, bombs, and cohorns; and wind up with all the offensive and defensive iguanodons and ichthyosauri of modern war. But of these hereafter. Having come to see Shoebury in its entirety you should know that its antecedents are interesting. Less than twenty years ago, Shoebury was a sandy waste, with its long sands running out at low water to an immense distance-a pleasant recreation ground for gulls, sea birds, crabs, and crustacea; and, not to slight the vegetable world, we would mention the horrors of marine stingingnettles, which make bathers tingle again, and for some time afterwards. But the site is one of antiquarian interest. The derivation of the present name is taken from the early period of the Danish settlements of which Schu Berg (ness) was the first. Danish intrenchments nity is still recognized by its establishing a right of way through the grounds in spite of its being the government property a privilege which our continental neighbors would not long tolerate. It is a credit, certainly, to the tight little island in which we live that the freedom and convenience of the subject is so much considered. Shoebury is not easy of access. Accustomed as we are nowadays to have stations at every visitable place to Southend by railway is the first step, thence by fly about five miles, or three and a half by the beach. We will go by the latter, passing through the lower part of Southend. We leave the town, and, much to our satisfaction, a parish ditch, which is enough to typhoidize any man, woman, or child, except an habitué of this "charming locale." Past the tea and shrimp invitation boards, we start along the upper part of a bank covered with most luxuriant weeds, grasses, and wild flowers innumerable. Passing under the coastguard station we come upon sandy, rabbity soil, which ushers into the practice ground. By this time passing the black boundary, we come to the palings of the "sacred ground," as a big-gun enthusiast once termed it, and now more rabbits than ever. Why are cannon and rabbits so intimately associated? For at Woolwich the rabbit warren is the place where the guns are stored. Keeping the upper bank, we leave on our left the débris of the iron-plate strife and the targets, and pass a basin for pontoons, where Canadian, Uphir, Belgian, and other bridges are constructed, and artillery officers work in their long course of shirt-sleeve labor. On our right are the sands over which we look to the Nore Light, the Isle of Thauet, and Sheerness: along these is an unlimited range-10,000 yards if required. The general appearance at first suggests rather the idea of a marine Rifling, number of grooves Width over trunnions...... 70 lbs. powder. 10 grooves and shunt. 6 ft. 2.5 in. The gun is built up of eight layers of coiled cylinders-barrel inclusive. Total weight, 22 tons 18 cwt. The segment shell fired from it contains 510 segments of 6 oz. each, and the steel shell carries a bursting charge of 24 lbs., which is covered by a hollow castiron head in front, in order that the powder may take effect forward after piercing through the iron plates. The figures of the gunners working this monster seem very small, but the very tompion which stops up the muzzle reminds one of the cover of a water butt. The projectile is raised to the muzzle of the gun and hooked on by means of a cradle, which done, the sluds are ready in position to run into the grooves and be rammed home. The 70 lb. charge leads one to expect a great crash; but although every one must be struck with the tremendous boom of its fire, yet it is not proportionately great compared with the smart crack of the old 3 and 6 pounder brass guns, which generally make the ears of No. 2 tingle smartly. But how one longs one's self to hear the lion " gymnasium, for there are long lines of Charge..... Breadth of breech roar his dreadful thunder." How can the giant be worked-the projectiles so massive-how can they be adjusted to the studs to take the grooves without damaging the latter? Of course, as this is only an experimental gun, the time now taken to load is longer than if the regular working gear were arranged and organized for service; necessarily the time now taken to load is comparatively long. At present a gin, or triangle, is placed at the muzzle of the gun, and the shot, placed in the cradle, is hoisted up and hooked on the muzzle ready for ramming home, then to come down upon a cartridge which may be described as a perfect bolster carried on a man's shoulder. Strange contrast to the careful way in which No. 7 covers up the insignificant 1 lb. 5 oz. charge of a 6pounder, and runs from the limber up to the gun. The first time of seeing "Big Will" fired is certainly a red-letter day 22 tons 18 cwt. in our gunnery calendar. "Ready, sir, was soon heard from the officer in command to the commandant, and every one 15 ft. 3 in. 4 ft. 3.5 in. 13.3 in. rushed to a favorable place to windward, careful at the same time, for the sake of one's ears, not to stand broadside on to the monster reporter of the day--about twenty yards is a respectable arm's length. Soon the word is given, Fire! The earth shakes again-the concussion is considerable, and we saw the ponderous missile puffing, grunting, and fizzing till its strength is exhausted, and a destination reached where he may lie for generations, and then be investigated by an archæological meeting some 500 years hence. August 16th, his strength was to be tried against the Warner plates and backing; and as this material is rather expensive stuff to build up only to be knocked down and destroyed, the target was made about 12 feet square, and the velocity of the shot reduced to that of 2000 yards, by making the charge 50 lbs. instead of 70 lbs.-the target being placed at 500 yards, so that the projectile should strike it with the same velocity as if it had been 2000 yards. This is a most important point to settle, as on it depends forts or no forts at Spithead. The question of penetration is the one to be settled, after that there is little doubt that at more than 4000 yards plates may be perforated. The final appliances for working huge guns, such as hydraulic power, etc., would soon be applied, the only difficulty per contra being, that in actual war fast steamers are not so easily hit at long ranges as stationary targets at 500 yards, and speed is after all a most important element, and one more baffling to any antagonist. The next space beyond the Shears is used for the field - artillery, 9 and 12 practice, 1000, 1500, and 2000 yards being their ranges. Behind them, on the left, are the mortars, which are not fired at targets, but at a certain area marked off by bannerets, into which the shell is thrown; and most beautiful is the curve described by the shell in its flight. To trace it well one should be a little out of line with the mortar. A few yards beyond the light guns are some experimental platforms, where a new carriage was being tried, and the gun much depressed to try the working of the carriage in firing from the bank. The shot strikes the water some 50 yards from the muzzle; the water rises in an immense volume, far finer than the Grandes Eaux de Versailles, and falling in spray, spoon drift, and mist, forms a rainbow cloud of the greatest intensity of prismatic coloring, the shot in rising from the water generally ricocheting about 1000 yards. I dare say the heart of many a bargeman has quaked from the unexpected proximity of some of these erratic spheres. We now approach a sentry. Another a sentry who jetty, and we come on has strict orders not to allow any one to touch the projectiles piled up on either side, these being intended for the now pending competitive trials of Armstrong and Whitworth. The Whitworth are all on the hexagonal system, and those of Armstrong of the shunt and leadThe comparative coated formation. durability of these guns is one of the principal objects now being tested. We are now at a breast work, where mounted. several 110 pounders are There is a snug safety-box on either side for watching the effect of shot. Here we find Hall's rockets being fired-and fearful things they are. The rush with which they start, with a sound like tearing calico on a large scale, the fiery train and smoke in which we lose sight of them, are all things not easily forgotten. When they burst, they leave a black train of smoke, and, at the same time, tear up the water by the pole at which they are fired, and towards which they are levelled on a conducting tube placed at an angle to suit their range. Turning to the left we come upon the store or museum of experiment in projectiles, where they are stored up for instruction and reference in every form of smash, crash, and dash; some in their normal state; some having struck iron plates, through iron plates, and into iron plates; some, too, the effusions of the well-intentioned, that never even got so far as being entertained by the committee or any one else save the energetic inventor. The large square now before us has a convenient suite of offices for the commandant, brigade major, and staff, and a photographic department, a branch now so desirable as a faithful reporter of facts and results to those not present at the time. | The remaining part is composed of a heavier, till at last they could hardly move in their iron-clad prisons, and gradually left it off as powder weapons improved. It would be a curious repetition if the very heavy ship armor met the same fate. The Warrior plates are very interesting also. park of artillery, sheds for guns, magazines, and bygones of artillery; stepping-stone efforts which have cost much private and public money, but which have brought us up to the present, and placed us well, we hope, for the future. The remaining part of the government property is devoted to the quarters of officers and barracks; and curiously enough, there is no racquet-court, the usual accompaniment to all artillery barracks. Leaving the officers' quarters on our left, with the mess room, reading. room, etc., we come upon the engineers' offices already alluded to, with the commandant's house lying back. Beyond it is a gymnasium, lecture-room, and a very fine drill house for big guns, 190 feet Be this as it may, the fact of the long; and most interesting it is to see "1864" experiments is this, that the the men manning the naval breech-load-guns beat the plates, and the only ers, the 7-inch naval, the garrison guns for breast work and for casemates, 40pounders breech-loaders for field service, with all their appliances. This is a very stirring sight, and one cannot see it without wishing to join them, reminding one of days on board the old Excellent, and almost wishing, with the excited volunteer in Punch, that one could only put in ball-cartridge. We have now only to pass more barracks. We arrive at the brick-field, where barges stop the practice occasionally, and turning round, work back by the target ground. Hitherto we have seen the offensive, now we come to the "Protectorate," and sad colanders they and are generally large-plate men, say 20 feet by 3 feet 6 inches. The foreigners are small-plate men, 2 feet 5 inches by 5 feet 10 inches; and to judge from the last riddle-target of La Gloire model, composed of 6-inch wrought-iron plate, then 10-inch oak, horizontal in grain, 11inch vertical, and 6-inch horizontal; in all, 27 inches of oak behind the 6-inch plate, the large plates carry the palm, and have greater stability and strength. In the sixteenth century, the armor of knights was gradually made heavier and NEW SERIES-VOL. I., No. 1. The French plates are screwed with a very long, well-made screw into the wood. Some plates are bolted, but the concussion brings off the head. Some skeptics assert that the Shoeburyness edition of the Gloire is incomplete, and requires an inner iron plate to make it a faithful representation of the French iron-clads. chance for ships lies in their speed and clever handling. The insular position of England suggests the idea of a large ship with a first-rate platform, so that, as a non-aggressive power, she is comparatively secure. It is a great credit to the government that the Shoebury school of gunnery is the only one in the world; and all who visit it will join in testifying to the kind manner in which they are received and treated by the commandant and officers of this interesting and scientific establishment. CROMWELL REFUSING THE CROWN, [EXPLANATION OF THE PLATE ENGRAVING.] AT the head of this number of the ECLECTIC will be found a fine steel-plate engraving illustrating an important event in the life of OLIVER CROMWELL, who was Lord Protector of England from Febru ary 16, 1654, till his death, September 3, 1658. He had taken an active and leading part in the public affairs of England for a number of years previous to his solemn installation to the high office of Lord Protector by a Council of the offcers of his army. The character and public life of Oliver Cromwell are too well known to every reader of history to require any extended sketch in this place. All that seems to be needful is to present a view of the circumstances connected with the offer which was made to him of the English 9 crown, and the reasons which influenced him to decline the tempting offer. As a member of Parliament, he had acted a conspicuous part in the councils of the nation in opposing King Charles. He had been appointed to high military command, and had been uniformly successful in gaining victories against the king's forces. After the death of Charles he had been chosen Lord Protector of England. The first Charter of the Commonwealth was drawn up by the same Council of officers. The second, called the "Petition and Advice," was framed in May, 1657, by the Parliament which the Protector had assembled in the previous year, and by which Oliver Cromwell was de facto King of England. After various conflicts with secret foes and open enemies, he issued an order by which he excluded a hundred members who were obnoxious to him. Thus purified, the Assembly voted a renunciation of all title to the throne in the family of the Stuarts, and Colonel Stepson moved that the crown should be bestowed upon Cromwell. A conference was soon afterwards appointed, at which the Protector's scruples respecting the assumption of the title of King were stated and argued. His mind wavered at first, but his prudence ultimately prevailed. He knew that the danger of acceding would be P O E AFTER THE STORM.. ALONG the shore, along the shore, Of breakers rolling slowly in, Turns, as she walks, her tearful eyes: "I see no sail, no boat, no bark— Alas! alas!" she weeping cries. Along the shore, along the shore, The fisher's wife still hurries on, And scans the tawny ocean o'er, Still heaving though the storm has gone. Last night the gale that fiercely blew Loud soughed against the window-pane; She could not weep-ah! well she knew What bark was on the angry main. Along the shore, along the shore, Where roll the waves with ceaseless din, The fisher's wife shall see no more The red-sailed lugger coming in. imminent. The odium in which the army had been taught to hold the regal title could never be overcome, and therefore he consented unwillingly to reject it. The engraving represents the Council holding the conference. Cromwell has arisen from his chair, and appears addressing the Council; stating his views and objections, and refusing the crown. John Milton, Cromwell's secretary, appears sitting at the table pen in hand. Next to him sits Sir Richard Onslow with his finger on the book. Behind Milton's chair stands the Earl of Tweeddale. Next, in front of him, Sir Thomas Widdrington, the Speaker. Behind Sir Richard appears Lord Brochil, and behind him stands General Whalley, who afterwards fled to the United States, and was buried near the Centre Church, in New-Haven. Behind these men are Cromwell's military friends and bodyguards. On the other side of Cromwell, nearest to him stands Sir John Glynn, the Chancellor. Next to him the Hon. William Leuthall, Master of the Rolls; and next behind him stands LieutenantGeneral Desborow; and in the rear other distinguished friends and officers of Cromwell. This brief description and explanation of the personages represented in the engraving will aid the reader to understand the great historic event which it aims to depict before the eye. |