The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-14 00:00:00

hon, gentleman truly depicted the necessity that
existed for some sphere in which those who laboured
so strenuously could meet with some respite, and thus
introduced the immediate object of their meeting
that day. "Here we have," he said, "before ns a
scene in which, as we leap from generation to
generation, the young and old of Farnworth will
seek for health and refreshment after the hours
of honest labour have come to an end," This is
in itself a matter of great and vital import, and
one which may well excite a feeling of deep in-
terest in the minds of all who attentively
study the subject; and, besides the question of
health, there is the afterthought that the mental
and moral requirements of the labouring population
will be better cared for by the opportunity afforded
them for healthful relaxation. Mr. GLADSTONE
may be envied the privilege of thus having his
name associated with a work thus connected with
public good, and which is intimately associated
with the happiness and comfort of the great indus-
trial community of a crowded mart of industry. The
right hon. gentleman was scarcely so happy in his
remarks at Liverpool in the evening, for he made
some attempts to prop up the cause of the Ministry
which were not very cordially received by the
audience, A suspicious cry of " Oh," was heard
more than once during some passages of his speech.
This may, perhaps, tend to impress on his mind,
and also on that of hie colleagues, that all is not so
favourable to the Ministry as they would fain per-
suade themselves that it is. It was a more gracious
and genial task for the right hon. gentleman to
allude to his early connection with the town, and
the sentiments with which he revisited it. Since
the days when he was more familiar with it Liver•
pool has increased in wealth and in importance,
until, as the distinguished guest of the evening
observed, it " may challenge conclusively the place
of the first commercial emporium of the world."
Mr. GLADSTONE spoke impressively of the vast
responsibilities which lie upon this country,
and the due performance of the duties of
legislation for which utterly overtask the
best human energies. Thera was great wisdom in
the right hon. gentleman'e remarks upon the instinct
of preservation that has always been so strong in
this country; but he added this should be combined
with the spirit of improvement, " and the laws and
condition of this country after all that has been
done yet will offer a rich harvest to the wise and
judicious efforts of the statesmen of future times."
Such counsel is correct and straightforward, and it
impresses those who depend upon it with the notion
that as yet there is no occasion for us to consider
that enough has been done in the way of improve-
ment. The surest way of maintaining the present
position of England is for her rulers and population
never to relax in their efforts in seeking for a better
and more approved method of transacting the busi-
ness of the State. This will prove the surest way
of meeting with success ; and those orators who
encourage the spirit of energy and the desire to
excel render a great service to the community of
which they are the pioneers from a glorious past to
an uncertain future.