handsome silver bugle from Thomas Potter, Esq., of Manchester. Mrs. William Scrivens, whose husband was captain of the First Company of this corps, in delivering the bugle, spoke in a clear and audible voice as follows:- “Capt Harcourt, Officers and Volunteers of the 4th Cinque Ports Artillery, I am indebted to the liberality of a near relative for the great pleasure I now have in giving you this bugle. This pleasure and interest I feel in the corps are naturally enhanced by the position held in it by my husband, and by my long residence, which gives me, I believe, a knowledge of most of the members who compose it. I may congratulate you on the great proficiency you have attained in your various duties; a proficiency which has been acknowledged by the military authorities, and which entitles you to a high rank among the volunteers of this country. I feel sure that though your duties involve a great sacrifice of time, yet it is one which your patriotism and loyalty will ever induce you cheerfully to make; and if occasion should, unhappily arise when you are called upon to defend these shores, you will ever be found among the foremost in answer to the call of this bugle which I now present to you.”
Capt.-Commandant Harcourt acknowledged the gift as follows:- “Mrs Scrivens – On behalf of the Corps, the officers and myself, I beg to thank you most sincerly(sic) for the very handsome bugle you have presented to us. Those days of the downfall of England prophesied by her enemies must be far distant when the wives and mothers of England are the first to gird their husbands and sons for the fight. If those happy days dreamt of by Mr. Bright and his friends should ever arrive, when the sword shall be turned into the ploughshare and the bugle into the drinking-cup, tokens such as this bugle will best serve to remind our sons that it is to the energy of their fathers that they owe the state of security they enjoy. Mrs. Scrivens, - as I believe this bugle to be worthy of the corps to which it is presented, so I believe the corps to be not unworthy of the gift. I feel sure the “Attention” will never be sounded in presence of an enemy without finding every man at his post; and I can answer for it that “Cease Firing” shall never be heard either till the foe is beaten or the ammution(sic) is expended. I beg again to return you our most cordial thanks”. Mr. Hermitage, the band-master, then sounded a call on the bugle, and gave satisfactory evidence of its good qualities.
A Grand Assault of Arms came off in the Music Hall on the 11th of February in presence of many ladies, in addition to the members of the Artillery and Rifle Corps. The Artillery band and fife and drum band of the Rifles played alternately. Sergt. Shorter acted as master of the ceremonies. Col-Sergt. Stace arranged the plan of the Assault and had the superintendance(sic) of the fighting department. There were 14 items, consisting of fencing, single-stick bayonet and broad-sword, cutting a bar of lead, cutting a leg of mutton and the carcase of a sheep assunder(sic) at a single blow, &c. &c; all of which was cleverly and skilfully done and greatly applauded. -
