The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1879-07-05 00:00:00

A COSTLY SWORD.

Not only is the sword of honour presented by the
Emperor William to Czar Alexander on the occasion
of his jubilee as Colonel of the 3rd Prussian Lancers,
a work ot art, but it is also an object of considerable
, value. It is stated to have cost the venerable Kaiser
four thousand pounds—a vast sum in appearance
when translated into German marks. The hilt is of
solid gold, upon which are enamelled the Russian
Order of St. George and the Prussian Cross "For
Merit," the two decorations invariably worn by both
Emperors upon all public occasions, The Czar
upon receiving this splendid gift from his uncle's re-
presentative, the service colonel of his regiment, at
once attached it to his left side, saying, "Tell his Ma-
jolty that I shall ever regard this sword as a treasure,
and that I shall wear it at every solemn ceremonial I
may have to attend." The soldier-Kaiser's present to
his Imperial nephew is, in more than one respect, a
symbol of the strong personal sympathies that are
common to both Monarchs. Its very ornaments are
rife with historical retrospect, as honourable to the
giver of the sword as to its wearer. The Cross
of St. George, was the first decoration ever conferred
upon William of Hohenzollern for actual military
service; and at one Viola he was the only living man
of Royal lineage endowei with the first class of
that illustrious Oder. The Czar, though Chief of
the Order by his Emperorship, down to three
years ago only • wore the fourth class, bestowed
upon, himr,.when he was a mere stripling for ,)an
act 15f, bridery in the Caucasus. He refraihed
from, edieAising his inborn right to wear the in-
signia' of the • classes, until he had actually cosh-
mended a victorious army in the field. The
Prussian Order of Merit is no complimentary
distinction, like the more august Black Eagle, and
therefore is eagerly coveted by foreign Sovereigns as
well as by Prussian notables. The exceptional circum-
stance that Czar Alexander is a Knight of this rarely
given Order is gracefully emphasised by its incrusta-
tion into the hilt of his commemerative sword, side by
side with the German Emperor's first decoration—the
Russian St. George.—Daily relegovph.

HER NOTION OF IT.—A suceenful diamond-digger,
returning from the Cape, was overheard bolding forth
to the passengers on the delights and merits of his
native Kilkenny. " Shure," saidhe, "in the part of
the cnnnifyl ittinenfroga. divas tileugrardmtlanalließ.
in the kingdom. His wife here tut in—" Well,Mike,
I don't think much of your grand families. When we
were at Kilkenny Castle, blessed if I didn't see two
young ladies playing on the same planner, as though
vrlth all the money there they 'clouldn't have one
apiece! Mean things, I call 'em l"

DEATH OF LORD LAWRENCE.
(From The Times, Saturday, June 28.)

"We regret to have to record the death of Lord
Lawrence, late Viceroy and Governor-General of
India. For some time he had been in a delicate state
of health. He had lost the sight of one eye, and that
of the other was much affected. A. chill caueht a few
days ago led to a serious illness, which terminated in
death between ten and eleven o'clock last eveuieg at
his residence, 23, Queen's-gate-gardens, Kensington.
Lord Lawrence had reached his 69th year,
"John Laird Mair Lawrence was born on March 4,
1811. He was about five years younger than his
brother Henry, who gained great distinction as a
soldier and administrator in the ,Indian service, and
who was killed by a shell at the bucknow ,Resideney
in 1857. From his boyhood the Younger brother
was Oietined for service as a civilian in India.
Having passed through a course of education at
Foyle College, Londonderry, he was sent to Halley-
bury, and in 1829 he received his nomination
as a writer. In those days the voyage to India
was still performed by way of the Cape, "the over-
land route" being yet unused. In 1831 John Law-
rence was appointed Assistant to the Chief Commis-
sioner and Resident at Delhi; in 1833 he be-
came an officiating magistrate and collector; in
1836 he received the post of joint-magistrate and
deputy-collector of the southern division of Delhi. At
the end of the same year he was made officiating
nciagistrate of the southern division, and in 1838 he
was engaged in settlement duties in Zillah Etawah.
Early in 1810 he took his first furlough to Europe,
an was absent from India for nearly two years. In
August, 1841, he married Harriette Katherine,
daughter of the Rev. Richard Hamilton, rector and
vicar of the parish of Culdaff and Cloud's, county
Donegal, and who survives her huakand. Some time
after his return to India he be6,me magistrate
and collector in the central district of the Delhi
territory, and earned by his diligence and abilities
the important post of Commissioner of the trans-
Sutlej Provinces, to which be was appointed in 1848.
For short periods about the same time he acted
also as Resident at Lahore. The second Sikh war,
which broke out in 1848, and resulted in annexation,
browght important duties to both the Lawrences, who
were appointed, together with Mr. Charles Grenvill
Mansel, as a Board of Administration for the Puejab.
An onerous task devolved upon this Board, The
population of the extensive territory committed to its
care included warlike races, and was bitterly antago
nistic to the British. A state of lawlessness, moreover,
had hitherto prevailed. It WWI the duty of the Board,
against all obstacles, to carry out the principles ot
British rule in the newly-acquired territory, and the
success of the administration was signally manifest
during the Mutiny of 1857. At Lahore, in that ter-
rible emergency, the vigilance and energy of John Law-
rence made themselves felt, and contributed mate-
rially to the work of upholding English supremacy
in India. He had already, in 1856, been made a
K.C.B. for his work in the Punjab, and in 1857 he was
promoted to the dignity of G.C.B. for his services on
the outbreak of the Mutiny. In 1858 he was further
honoured by being created a baronet. He was made
a member of the Privy Council, and on the institu-
tion of the Order of the Star of India was created a
K.S.I. The Court of Directors of the East India
Company granted him a life pension of £2,000 a year,
which, under a special Act of Parliament, he con-
tinued to enjoy, together with his full salary, when be be-
came Viceroy of India, He succeeded Lord Elgin in
that post in December, 1863, and held it for the usual
period of five years. In April, 1869, he was created
Baron Lawrence of the Punjab and of Grately, in
the county of Southampton.
"After his final return from India Lord Lawrence
took a prominent part in philanthropic and educa-
tional movements in this country. On the formation
of the London School Board in 1870 he was chosen to
be its chairman, and he held the post till November,
1873, when he resigned. In questions of Indian
politics he continued to take an active interest, and
within the last year there have been frequent. Letters
from him in these columns warmly opposing the
Afghan policy of the Government, a policy which was
a distinct departure from that which he had carried
out in India, and which had been described by the
phrase of 'masterly inactivity.'
"Lord Lawrence had four sons and six daughters.
The eldest son, John Hamilton, of Brocket-hall,
Welwyn, Herts, who succeeds to the title, was born
in 1846, and married, in 1872, Mary Caroline Douglas,
daughter of the late Mr. Richard Campbel, of Auchin-
breck, Argyllshire."

The Times of Saturday had the following leader on the
Indian career of the late Lord Lawrence :

"Englishmen of all parties and Natives of all creeds
will truly mourn the loss of John Lawrence of the
Punjab. The son of a soldier who had gained Matisse-
-thin in India, Lord Lawrence's thoughts as a boy were
-turned to the East, where two of his brothers were
then serving: At the early age of 16 he carried off the
chief prizes at Haileybury, and in 187 entered upon
his career as a civil servant of the Honourable East
India Company. The early years of his service were
passed in magisterial and revenue duties in the North-
West Provinces, and there he laid the foundation of that
deep insight into the condition of the peasantry of India
which enabled him in after years to complete so satisfac-
torily the settlement of our newly acquired province of
the Punjab. As a political officer he accompanied Sir
Henry Hardinge during the first Sikh war, and on
the conclusion of peace was appointed Commissioner I
of the ceded territory within the Sutlej. His adminis-
trative abilities now found ample scope, and the dis-
trict intrusted to his charge, though peopled with
Sikhs against whom we had but lately been warring,
and with whom it was evident we should soon be once
more engaged, speedily became as tranquil as any in
our Empire. Under his guidance a brigade of local
troops was recruited from the peasants themselves, and
when the second Sikh war broke out these men showed
themselves worthy of the confidence John Lawrence
had placed in them by loyally acting against their own
countrymen. In the interim between the first and
second Sikh wars Lord Lawrence on more than one
occasion acted as Resident at the Court of Lahore, and
on the annexation of the Punjab he, together with his
brother, the late Sir Henry Lawrence, and Mr.
Manse), was appointed a member of the Board of
Administration selected to rule over the kingdom of
Ruejeet Singh. The Punjab at that time was in a
most deplorable condition. The Sikhs, the dominant
race, were a purely military people, who despised and
trod under foot the more peaceful of their fellow-sub-
jects. The province was overrun with disbanded
soldiery clamouring for arrears of pay, or endeavouring
to carry out the system, permitted by their late mt narch,
of extracting from the Mahomedans of the country a live-
lihood for themselves, The exactions of subordinate
officers had been °tarried on practically unchecked for
generations. Tyranny was rite, and misery the normal
condition of the people. Mr. Lawrence stepped in as
champion of the oppressed. The barbarous laws
which the Sikh oidefs enforced at their pleasure
were abolished, and the Indian Criminal Code
promptly introduoed. A survey of the country
1 for revenue purpoees was thoroughly carried out,
' and the land settled on a fair and equable basis.
As local police forest was established, many of the
old disbanded soldiery being re-enrolled in its ranks,
and the Punjab irregular Force for the protection of our
North-west Frontier was incorporated with the local
regiments raised by John Lawrence when Chief Com-
missioner of the Uis-Sutlej States. The force as then
constituted comprised five regiments of Cavalry, four
regiments of Sikh and six of Punjab Infantry, the Corps
of Guides, and five batteries of Artillery ; and it was
practieelly under the immediate orders of the Board
of Administration, who were responsible for its pay,
equipment, and discipline. Of the unfortunate die*.
reernent between the brothers it boots us not toe peak.
Sir Henry was removed to Raj pootana, and John re-
mained Chief Commissioner of the Punjab. Possessed
of an iron frame, of indomitable courage, unbending
will, and untiring energy, John Lawrence visited every
part of his kingdom, which covered an area of up-
wards of 50,000 square miles. The border tribes' who,
under the Sikh regime, were wont to descend from their
mountain fastnesses and ravage the whole land be-
tween the Suliman range and the Indus were made to
feel that their reign of blood was over. They were
permitted to trade with us as of yore, but the incur-
sion of armed bands was promptly repelled by force.
The headmen of the clans were summoned to con-
ferences with the Chief Commissioner and invited to
settle in our districts. In a few years the Trans.
Indus border changed its character. When John
Lawrence took over charge no traveller dare move
unless accompanied by a considerable escort, Now
the frontier highway is as safe as the Bath road. The
disarmament of the Punjab—a step forced on us by
the lawless nature of its inhabitants—was carried out
with much tact and firmness, owing mainly to the
judicious orders issued to his subordinates by
Lawrence.

On the outbreak of the Mutiny all eyes turned to
the Punjab, our latest acquisition. Peopled by a race
naturally warlike, who bated every dynasty except
their own, who regarded the British as the worst
because the most powerful of usurpers, and who looked
upon us as the gaolers of their Sovereign, it would
have been a matter for small surprise had the Sikhs
taken advantage of the Mutiny to rise against us. The
crisis called forth the magnikcent administrative
abilities of Sir John Lawience. He knew his
subordinates were, like himself, men of iron, and
he trusted them, Right loyally did they stand
by their chief. The Sikh likewise knew and
trusted him. Chieftain after chieftain personally
tendered his allegiance and offered the use of
his own contingent. The offers were accepted, and
names which now have become familiar as furnishing
detachments during the Afghan war then first came
into note as swarming down to our aid at Delhi. The
Punjab Irregular Force was doubled; its gallant com-
mander, Neville Chamberlain, hurried down to the
army in the field; and Lawrence set his whole
energies to work to draw from the military population
of the Punjab an army which should subdue the faith-
less Sepoys from Oude. He proved himself a true
general, for he detected generalship in others, and he
shunned no responsibility. Reference to higher autho-
rity was impossible, and though he had no more autho-
rity to grant commissions than he had to create bishoprics
he deemed the emergency so great as to admit of any
stretch of authority. Major Nicholson, the district
officer of Bannon, was made a Brigadier-General, and
as such took precedence of men who held her Majesty's
commisaion as colonels. It speaks well for the dis-
cipline of the army that such a step passed unchal-
lenged, but it speaks volumes for the character of
Lawrence that he dared to undertake it. By holding
the Pubjab in his iron grip, by diverting every avail-
able soldier to Delhi, by mercilessly stamping out re-
bellion wherever it reared its demon head, Sir John
Lawrence enabled Archdale Wilson to storm the
capital of the Great Mogul before a single rein-
forcement reached him from England. With the
fall of Delhi the hopes of the mutineers were ex-
tinguished. Our power in India was re-asserted
and the pacification, not the subjugation, of the
country became the task for its rulers. For his share
in suppressing the Mutiny Sir John Lawrence was
created a Baronet and a Grand Cross of the Bath. But
-leirtyecontinuoust yearaa L active slervice fully entitled
the Saviour of India to a rest, and at the close of the
Mutiny he gladly handed over the Punjab to one of
his most trusted lieutenants and retired to his well
earned pension in England. He was immediately
elected to the Indian Council at home, where his luau
and varied experience, We 000 l judgment, and flunk

of purpose were soon felt. Five years later, during a
serions embroilment with one of the most powerful of
our Iborder clans, Lord Elgin, the Viceroy of India,
succlimbed to disease, and with a commendable
promptitude Sir John Lawrence undertook the oilers
ous duties which fell to his successor. His career as
Viceroy was marked by no startling episodes. The
Umbeyla war was at an end when he landed in India,
andi with the exception of the Bhootan and Hazara
expeditions, his tenure of office was of unbroken peace.
Hid one endeavour was to ameliorate the condition of
thellndian poor, and to lighten as far as poss,ible the
burg' en of taxation which falls so heavily on them. In
thirl he was but partially successful. His rehaions
with foreign States have recently been much crit cised,
an his policy of 'masterly inactivity' is by many
co idered the main cause of the recent Afglia,n war.
1111868 his term of office expired, and he returned
ho e.. He was rewarded with a peerize, and, minds
ful of his past career, he chose as his title Lawrence of
1 Punjab, and as 'his supporters an officer of the '
Jo pa of Guides and a Sikh Irregular Cavalry officer;
[
part in all ,
vi
.hAtslasevaepeprripoLonriaidteLmawortetno,ce'ttureaandayc.t'ive
e ates en Indian polities, 'and though latterly much
lieebled inibealth, and suffering from a partial loss
' sight, his interest in Indian matters was no whit
minished. He died in harness; last Thursday week
!spoke in the House of Lords during the debate on
dian finance, condemned the remission of the cotton
ties, and warned Government of the danger of
lucing our armies in India. Lord Lawrence's
ser is one on which Englishmen may look with
.donahle pride. He not only helped to build, but
vaa one of the saviours of our Indian Empire."

cateel

PRESENTATION TO LORD
• BEACONSFIELD.
A deputation waited on the Premier on Tuesday to
present him with the freeiom of the Ancient Guild of
Gri cers. Previous to signing the necessary doettment,
Lord Beaconsfield, in a brief speech, expressed his
thanks for the honour done him; remarked on the
value he attached to the good will and commendation
of his fellow-countrymen, without which the support
of .the Sovereign and powerful political parties would
be of little avail. He also apologised for not
having received the presentation in a more public
manner; but the pressure of public business Was so
far his excuse, though he must also say that, acting on
the advice of those who were best judges, he found it
necessary, for the sake of health, to refrain from at-
tending public dinners. He hoped, however, he might
yet have the opportunity ; but whether or not, he con-
cluded, "you may depend upon one thing, that I shall
pursue the same course in public life which, through
good report and evil report, I have always adhered to,
and that very effort that I make in that public life will
be to improve the condition of the country to the best
of my power, and to maintain that glorious Empire of
which you are so proud to be members.
The necessary declarations were then signed, and
the deputation soon after withdrew,

ARMY MEMORIAL TO THE PRINCE
IMPERIAL.
In consideration of the late Prince Imperial having
received his early military education under English
institutions, and met his death in the field with our
troops in South Africa, it was suggested to the Field.
Marshal Commanding-in-Chief that he should permit
the liaising of a general army subscription with a view
to erecting a memorial to record their regret at the
Prince's untimely and lamented fate. His Royal
Highness entirely approved this proposal, the subscrip-
tion not to exceed El, so as to be within the reach of
all ranks. A large number of effioers have agreed to
a resolution to the above effect, and have consented to
act as a provisional committee, with power to add to
their number. Field-Marshal his Royal Highness the
Duke of Cambridge, KG., &c., has consented to act
as president ;And the list includes the names of Field-
Marshal Sir Charles Yorke, G C. 8., Field-Marshal
Lord Strathnairn, G.C.13., and many other
gallant officers.