The _Sluggard_, Coast Defence Seventh Class Armoured Cruiser, having had the boilers from the old _Phlegethon_ fitted to her new triple revolving expansion engines, made her experimental trip over the measured mile yesterday afternoon, under forced draught. Somehow, the speed realised under the circumstances, appeared to disappoint the experts who had come to take note of the proceedings, for though the captain gave the order "to pipe all hands to sit on the safety valve," and himself by putting his own cabin furniture into the furnaces, managed to set both the smoke-stacks on fire, only 5.08 knots could be got out of the ship. This, under the existing conditions, was considered "bad going," and it is probable that if the _Sluggard_ has to be attached, as it is stated she is to be, in time of war, to a flying squadron in the Pacific, she will have to be supplied with another set of boilers, a more powerful engine, and possibly a new hull. The authorities at the Dockyard, it is stated, are taking the matter under consideration, with a view to the application of one or more of these remedial alternatives. Her Majesty's First Class Battle-ship, _Hamilton_, has received the second of the four 75-ton guns that are to complete her armament. It is confidently hoped that if the same satisfactory rate of production can be maintained, she will be nearly ready for active service at the end of the year after next. * * * * * THE FIRST SWALLOW!--Look out for it! It will be a rare sight! Quite enough to "make" a summer at the Aquarium, when SUCCI takes his first mouthful at a square meal. * * * * * A (PITCHED) OUTING. [Illustration] _Monday._--Start off in the coach we've hired, for a week's jolly Easter coaching trip in Southern counties. Just read "leader" in _D. T._ on subject, and letter from "MACLISE" saying that _he_ did it with twelve friends, and total cost only one pound a head per day! Lucky to have secured such a good amateur whip as BOB to drive our four-in-hand. Don't mind a pound a day--for one week. Original, and rather swell way of taking a holiday. Lovely warm day when we start. Should say, when we're off, only word "off" suggests unpleasant possibilities. _Tuesday._--Only did ten miles yesterday. Ought to have covered twenty-five. Provoking! BOB didn't seem accustomed to the reins. Said they were "a rum lot, and _he'd_ never seen any like them before." Got them entangled in legs of off hind horse (think this is what he's called), and it took an hour, and the help of five wayfarers (down near Putney), to disentangle them. Each of the five demanded (and got--to save a row), half-a-crown for the job. BOB rather sulky. We had to put up for the night at a country inn, somewhere beyond Raynes Park. Gentlemen of party slept on kitchen floor, among suburban black-beetles. Pic-nicky, but would have preferred beds.