The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-19 00:00:00

but to all intents and purposes he has been the
explorer of Africa; and as the discoverer of the
sources of the Nile, he belongs to England; and
science will welcome his name among those true
disciples and stedfast votaries who spread her
kingdom and make universal her reign. It is well
to reflect upon such a career as that before us,
before it passes into that shadowy sphere which
enshrouds even the most memorable when they
have left this world of active life. Surely such a
life leaves ample testimonies of what a man has
done, and which others may follow. Captain
SPEKE was a brave soldier, who served in many a
battlefield, but he did not give all his time to the
pursuits of his calling ; he contrived to find oppor-
tunities to do much besides his ordinary avocations,
and thus he was enabled to light upon a discovery
that has spread through the length and breadth of
every land from the rising to the setting of the sun.
It is not a lucky hit or a chance event that led to
his discovery, but the result of thought and the
consequence of great care and judgment being ex-
ercised. When in India he used to make many
expeditions, and seek to acquaint himself with the
various subjects of interest that were around him.
While all that is mortal of the daring adventurer
has returned to dust, his works still remain to im-
press and influence others, and to point to new
spheres of travel, research, and adventure. Many,
without attaining the eminence of this great tra-
veller, may do much in their way to familiarise
themselves with the lands through which they
pass or in which they temporarily sojourn. The
way is open to them as it was to others, and it is
often only the will that is wanting. To those who
waver and hesitate as to the use and expediency of
undertaking so much exertion and enduring so
much fatigue, the example of Captain SPEKE is a
salutary warning and a strong incentive. He shines
out a bright and particular star in the firmament of
of explorers. Geography and science leavta, much
to be indebted to him for, and his spirit and
energy have done honour to his country, as they
have greatly tended to promote his success and
gain his object. It may, then, be truly said, that
in departing he has left behind footsteps on the
sand of time, which remain to encourage others to
go and de likewise. It is well that he has re-
turned to this country to receive the meed due to
his services, and to feel the appreciation that was
his due. It would have been said if he had fallen
a victim to the terrors and dangers of Africa,
that in any case his work was done, his laure
won, when he had reached the wished-for desti-
nation, Captain SPEKE often risked his life in
the service of his country, but he also exposed him-
self still more in his efforts to serve mankind in the
peaceful spheres of science. He has left an honour-
able recollection behind him ; he has achieved a
trophy of success that will long survive the moth
and rust of the chance and change of passing time ;
and thus, when we pronounce his requiescat in pace,
t is with the conviction that, according to the

light of human understanding hie has been
a satisfactory career, and his a name which his
countrymen hail with pride, while the promoters
of science will point out his example to
those who endeavour to tread the same way.
This country may boast of many such eminent names
in discovery, and some more famous in their results
and more enduring in their pilgrimage after their
objects of discovery, but the renown of these does
not eclipse or overshadow the particular weed due
to Captain SPEKE, and England unquestionably
ranks him among thos3 dear sons of memory and
great heirs of fame, who have made this little island
renowned among nations for many achievements of
peacs and war, and not among the least of these

nleavours are those which point the path through

the wilderness, and track the ocean, and to land on
new soil, and among these hosts the discoverer of the
source of the Nile will hold an honourable place.

When Sir JOHN LAWRENCE was appointed
Governor-General of India the selection, unlike
most official appointments, gave universal satisfac-
tion. It was admitted on every hand that the

choice was a wise one. Sir JOHN LAWRENCE knew

the people he had to govern, and was known by
them. He was a man of high principle, undoubted
ability, great experience, and unusual firmness and
decision. He was qualified not only to govern India
in time of peace, and to reform those long-standing
abuses which are calling loudly for attention, but
to face, if need be, the brunt of another catastrophe
like that of 1857, and to steer the whole of our
Eastern Empire as well and wisely through its
dangers as he brought on that occasion one of its
most important provinces. And it was not with•
out need that a man of some eminence and of espe-
cial fitness for his task was appointed to the vice-
regal office. Thanks to a succession of delays, and
to the premature death of the late lamented Lord
ELGIN, the ordinary routine business had accu-
mulated to an oppressive amount, while Indian
officials—both chief and subordinate—are never
remarkable for their promptitude and industry.
There were and are now many important matters
needing immediate attention and vigorous mea-
sures. Prominent among these were the sani-
tary questions of India, both town and country,
the deficient supply of water, the arrangements for
national education, the progress of public works,
the removal of the seat of Government from one of
the unhealthiest cities in the empire, the adminis-
tration of public justice, the condition of the prisons
and many other topics vitally affecting the public
health and well-being of Indians and Anglo Indians
alike. With many of these Sir JOHN LAWRENCE
has already dealt vigorously. The public business
has been pushed forward at a rate unknown to the
quiet indolence of Calcutta officials; the adminis-

tration of justice has been improved, and still
further reforms are in progress; arrears have been
cleared up, public works encouraged, sanitary
measures strongly enforced, while at the same time,
prudont regard has been had to the traditions and
prejudices of the people. But it is evident that

to accomplish any considerable part of the great
work before him Sir JOHN LAWRENCE must be left

in a great measure a free agent. The Governor!
General of India has always held an independen
position, responsible of course to the Crown and
to Parliament, and influenced to a great extent by
the instructions of the Indian llinister at home,
but left to judge and to act for himself in the
majority of oases, especially those of local
Government. In the matters concerning the
Imperial interests, such as making war or peace,
annexing a State, promulgating important ordi.
nances, &c., it is wise and right that the central
authority should make itself heard, but in all
Union matters the less the central power has to be
openly consulted the better. In the first place, it is
dacult, if not impossible, for a Minister on this
side of the Pacific to comprehend as readily as a
Minister in Calcutta the wants and requirements of
Ilindostan ; and, secondly, if he were gifted with
such preternatural sagacity, the time lost in con.
sultiog him would be es great as to paralyse the
Viceroy's hands and weaken his authority with the
people. On these principles our Government has
generally acted, especially since the direct power
came into its hands. It has exercised a prudent
supervision, but has left a wide margin for the dis•
cretion of those on the spot. It seems, however,
that a gradual change is coming over the aspect of