The Sun.
London, England, 1864-04-26 00:00:00

The Weather—Sun Office, April 26, 1864.

THERMOMETER.
TbJ s day at Two o'clock 53
Barometer-29.60.
Wind—N.lV.; light breeze, and cloudy.

11 :MR WATER, AT LONDON BRIDGE.
THIS 3 )AT.—Morning, 4h. 40m.—Afternoon, sh. Om.
I o-Nor aow.-Morning, sh. 21m.—Afternoon, sh. 20m.

• .

LONDON, TUESDAY, APRIL 26, 1864.

It has long been considered a desirable thing to
assimil, tte, as far as possible, the method of admini-
stration, throughout the three kingdoms. Ever since
the fatuous union of the Parliaments, accomplished
by aid of Lord CASTLEREAGH'S good offices, events
have been tending more and more towards a com-
plete identity of government, and the removal of
these local barriers which ancient custom or pre.
sent indifference nity have placed in the way of
that prompt and effective system of government
which is what Englishmen chiefly desire to possess
for themselves. Whatever difference of opinion
there ma/
be respecting the principles of political
or social rule, there can be little divergence in the
views of those who betake themselves to the amend-
ment of the law, at least is the objects which they
are desirous of accomplishing. All must desire, as
far as practicable, to possess a simple and compre-
hensive legal administration, encumbered as little
unnecessary courts and oMcials, and
as may be with
rendere d as little costly a, it is
possible for such a
departrrient to be. Bat however much unity there
may be 'with regard to the objects to be attained,
when it womes to the dt tai!a there is always plenty
of room I )r difference of °Pinion. Even it persons
profess a he same wishes there are always two
ways of carrying them out, and
accordh
i gly the attempt now made to alter the
admiais tration of the Chancery Court in Ireland is
opposed by acme and criticised by others. Mr.
O'HAGA.N'S Bill is framed upon the recommenda-
tions of the several commissions which have been
appointed on this subject. Ir. 18i4. it was rccona_
mended that \ he system of masters in Ireland
should be abolished, and that the equity system
should be tmiitni!eted to that of this country. So
late as 1062 another Royal Commission came to the
unanimous cent:las:on that the assimilltion of the
equity jurisprudence of Ireland and England was i 1

highly desirable. The principal features of Mr.
O'HAGA x's measure are the appointment of chief
clerks; the abolition of the three out of the pre•
sent four Masters in Chancery; the reform of
process and procedure in the Irish Court of Chan-
cery ; and some alteration in the matter of fees
and stamps. There are, of course, a great num,
ber of miscellaneous details in the bill, but such
are the chief outlines. It is proposed to select the
chief clerks from the profession of solicitors accord-
ing to English custom, cr from the examiners in
Chancery, whose cffices would be abolished by the
bill. The latter plan would, we should consider,
be the fairest, since these gentlemen will lose their
present appointments through no fault of their own.
The entire existing staff will according to Mr.
0111AGAN be still employed, €n I no new officers
Rill be created, with the exception of the Vice-
Chancellor and the chief clerks. It is in-
tended that the Court of Equity shall consist of
the three principal authorities, of the Lord Chan-
cellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Master of the Rolls,
with two chief clerks—one for the Vice-Chancellor,
one for the Master of the Rolls. In this, as will be
seen, the example of England has been followed,
and it is proposed to assimilate the practice, of the
Irish Court to that of the Engii;h in all respects.
It remains to be seen whether the measure will be
passed in its entirety, or whether subsequent
examination will not show some necessity for im-
provement or modification. Mr. WHITESIDE, no
mean authority, objected to it on several grounds,
and declared that it was in a great measure opposed
to the beneficial changes introduced by Sir JOHN
ROMILLY some years ago. The public will, pro-
bably, agree with the right hon. gentleman in
thinking that ample time should be allowed for the
consideration of a matter of such importance,
effecting the:welfare and happiness of such count-
less numbers. Such measures cannot be hurried
through Parliament without detriment to the
objects which they profess to serve, and since it is
a case in which, however necessary an eventual
reform may be, an immediate change cannot be
urgent, we trust that full and fair time will be
given for the consideration and consolidation of this
important legal change.

One of the least obtrusive but certainly one of
the most appropriate of the festivals which com-
memorated the birth of SHAKSPERE was the
"Actor's Celebration" :tut Friday night. As the
company assembled shortly after midnight it may
be said that they were the first to celebrate the
great occasion. The speeches were characterised
with great good feeling, and it was a very pleasant
idea to associate with the day that so many could
sink prejudices, and banish jealousies, and come
forward to do honour to the memory of the im-
mortal bard in a spirit worthy of the occasion.
Mr. EIICKSTONE proposed "The birth of SHAKE-
SPERE," a suggestive subject in itself, and one
which in his hands become doubly impressive.
Sometimes the mere mention of ordinary everyday
occurrences bring before us the relative merits and
important associations of a theme more effectively
than the grandest sounding words or the most
high-flown phrases. Thus, when Mr. BUCKSTONE
made allusion to the birth of a baby boy in the
low-roofed room at Stratford-upon-Avon he put
before his hearers a picture of everyday existence
simple and commonplace. He then went on to
trace the combination of ideas and the train of
thought in connection with this event, and
emphatically declared concerning the mother's
feelings that she never dreamt of the immortality
awaiting the little stranger, " never thought that
that boy would not be of any age but of all time--
that he who could but murmur inarticulate sounds
would live to give a petic and lasting lustre to
the English tongue it had never known before,
and bequeath to England • those imperishable
plays that have made our country's drama
the noblest in the world." Such thoteghte
are worthy the occasion for whi:at they
were uttered, and reflect great credit 01:1 him who so
skilfully, yet so simply, put tt
..em forward. 1.7, te,
indeed, most appropriate to consider the thank that
would have existed in our language and literature
had this infant Dever appeared on the scene, or
never lived to strut his hour on the stage of life.
Mr. Buclis:zoNit was also very happy in his allu-
sion to 'the unity that appeered among the company,
and the large gathering of English actors was, in-
eieed, a good offering to lay at the shrine before
which all were to bow in reverent homage and wor-
ship in proud devotion. It was an assembly the
like of which had never been before, and certainly
a better occasion could not have been found for it.
There is nothing more delightful than to witness
unity reigning among a band of workers. It is,
however, well known that from various unhappy
causes the actors, as a body, have never heartily co-
operated with each other or harmoniously consorted
in large bodies. This has been a bright except:on
to a rule that it was most desirable to break, and it
must be remarked that the unity which reigned
paramount on this festive occasion, found a striking
contrast to the want of goodwill and the lack of
cordiality which have appeared in some other ar-
rangements that were made far the same great oc-
casion. Mr. WEBSTER'S speech on the "Immortal
Memory of Shakspere" was very excellent and en-
tirely imbued with the sentiments most fitted for
the theme. When he said that the " kingdom of
genius is the greatest inheritance on earth," he
spoke of a truth which cannot be too fully recoge
nised, and he gave a glorious illustration in the
hero of the hour. What King ever sat in such state
as SHAKSPERE enthroned in the hearts of all man-
kind ? This is the true way to look oa such a
subject, and the real and right appreciation of him
who was indeed " a dear son of memory and a great
heir of fame." It is a welcome sight amid the tur-
moils of existence to notice these little landmarks
on the way-side, which serve to refresh and reanie
mate the pilgrim in his course. A meeting like
that referred to is a most delightful retrospect, and
one that does honour to all concerned. Long will
it live in the thoughts and recollections of those
who were there, and it is to be trusted that the
spirit of unity which then prevailed may live on
now the occasion is over, and thus form a most
graceful testimony to the influence of the great
departed. If so, a very appropriate recollection
will be kept of the time, and the most enduring
memory will illumiue the associations of
"The hallowed morn when WILL was born
In the spring time of the year."

In the sixtenth century, when the population of
Europe was becoming very considerable, and the
forests of necessity gradually fading away, those
who took the trouble of considering the possible
position of after generations vere sorely puzzled
as to what they would do for fuel. Although the
existence of coal was well known, and its inflammable
properties understood, it was never supposed that
it could be procured in sufficient quantities to meet
the requirements of an ever-increasing population.
That era passed away, the world seemed to be pro-
vided with an inexhaustible supply of fuel. Again
a doult arose, steam machinery and manufactures
so increased the demand for the article, that in
spite of all the improvements in r&ning that science
could bring to bear, doubts were entertained as to
eutEeient coal to meet
the poseibiloy of precut jog