Among the first to stir in the matter of self-defence and raising a corps of rifle volunteers was the city of Salisbury--England's Venice. Indeed, a rifle corps, consisting of one company and a sub-division, with its officers and non-commissioned officers, drill and practice grounds, and systematic teachings, had been established and worked before many other towns and cities had done much more than think something really ought to be arranged--of course not by themselves, but by the Government. However all this may be, the old cathedral city of Salisbury, so early as May, 1859, had called a public meeting at the White Hart Hotel to consider the desirability of raising a body of riflemen from the city; and among those attending the greatest enthusiasm prevailed. After some preliminary conversation, Mr. J.H. Jacob, of the Close, was asked to take the chair, and business immediately commenced. Among those present were many of the leading county families, as also the principal tradesmen. Indeed the room was inconveniently filled, upwards of one hundred persons being there. Several gentlemen addressed the meeting, when T.W. Gilbert, Esq., moved, and J. Pinckney, Esq., seconded, a resolution to the following effect: "That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that a rifle corps be established in this city, to be called the Salisbury Rifle Corps, and to be under the regulations received from the War Office." This resolution was unanimously adopted, as also was a second, moved by A. Denis Hussey, Esq., and seconded by Mr. James Brown: "That a committee be formed for the purpose of establishing such, and that they be empowered to enrol members, receive subscriptions, frame rules and regulations, and to communicate with the Lord Lieutenant of the county thereon. That five be a quorum, and that such committee do consist of Messrs. J.H. Jacob, A.D. Hussey, T.W. Gilbert, J. Pinckney, James Brown, E.W. Brodie, E. Fisher, John Read, W. Pain, E. Sidford, W. Fawcett, jun., R. Cobb, N. Davis, with power to add to their number." At the suggestion of T. Pain, Esq., that the command of this corps, with the rank of a field officer, be offered to the present chairman, should the Lord Lieutenant of the county consent to such appointment, the proceedings were brought to a close. The following was given as an estimate of about the expenses incidental to any joining the rifle corps, and receiving no assistance from subscriptions, &c., &c.:-- Rifle (Lancasters) £4 6 0 Suit of Uniform £2 15 0 Chaco and Ornament £0 7 6 Belt and Pouch £1 2 6 -------- Total £8 11 0 In the issue of the _Salisbury and Winchester Journal_ of May 28, 1859, under the heading of "The Salisbury Volunteer Rifle Corps," the names of the chairman and committee of the corps were given in full, and a "Notice" to the following effect was added:--