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

R. ALFRED MELLON'S CONCERTS
EVERY EVENING, at Fight.
ROY AL ITALIAN OPERA HOUSE, COVENT-GARDEN.
LAST WEEK BUT TWO.—GOUNOD NIGHT.
Mdlle. C. Patti, Mdlle. Krebs, and Madame Parepa ; Mr.
L evy, Mr. Lewis Thomas. Mr. John Hill, Ali Ben Sou-alle.
and Mr. R. S. Fratten. The Selections from " Faust " and
"L,l Reine de Saba " this Evening. To give increased effect
to the ,ibove selections, Mr. Mellon has engage
ichd the Bands of
the Grenadier and Coldstream Guards, wh, together with
his magnificent Orchestr will form a total cf 150 performers.
Conductor, Mr. ALFRED MELLON.
Promenade, Amphitheatre Stalls, and Amp Shitting hitheatre, One
; Dress Circle, 2s. Ed. ; Private Boxes, £1 is. and
10s. 6d.
On Thursday next, he THIRD and LAST hIENDELS-
SOJIN NIGHT.
on Friday next, a HANDEL NIGHT.

ritATRE.RoY AL, DRURY-LANE.
Managers, Messrs. E. Falconer and F. B. Cha,terton.
The public fel respectfully informed that this Theatre will
OPEN for the DRAMATIC SEASON on SATURDAY
NEXT, September 24, wh,n will be performed, in conse-
quence of the unqualified succes which attended its revival
last s( ason. the First Part ot Shakespere',, flay of HENRY
THE FOURTH. Sir John Falstaff, Mr. Phelps; Hotspur,
Mr. Creswick.
On SATURDAY, Sept. 21, Mondiy, 26, and during the
week, the performances will commence with the Farce of
AN AP SIB FOOL.
After which, at half-past 7 o'clock each Evening, the First
Part of Shakespere's Play of HENRY THE FOURTH.
Principal characters by Messrs. Phelps, Creswick, Walter
Lacy, Henry Marston, R. Roxby, G. Belmore, Edmund
Phelps, A. Raynor, F. Matthews, J. Cormack, &c. ; Miss
11. len Howard, Miss Arabella Smyth (harp cbligato to song,
Mr. Frederick Chatterton), Mrs. C. Melville.
To conclude with the Farce, by John Oxenford, Esq., en-
tit:cd BEAUTY 011 THE BEAST
At the termination of the Play the National Anthem will
be sung.
Doors open at half-past Six, commence at Sevenobtained
Full prospectus of the Season Arrangements to be
at the Box-office from 10 till 5 daily.
On Saturday, Oct. 1, will be performed the Second Part of
HENRY THE FOURTH.

TrHEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET.—
Lessee. M. Buekstone.
TILTS EVENING, BACCHUS AND ARIADNE.
After which, at half-past 7, O'Keefe's revived Comic Opera
of Till,' CAST LE OF ANDALUSIA. Messrs. Weiss,
Buckstone,
Chippendale, Compton, Rogers, Farren, Malthi-
eon, ; 34, sdames Weiss, Keeley, Griffith, &:•,.
To be follov.'ed by (first time at this Theatre) Morton's
ND WAGJLES. Horatio Waggles (his
Farce of FRIE:
original character;., Mr. Compton.
concluding with A KISS IN THE DARK.
To commence at 7.

ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE.-
Sole Lessee and Mana,-4-er, Mr. Geo. Vining,.
THIS EVENING, BORN TO GOOD LUCK. Caddy
O'Raiferty, Mr. Dominick Murray.
Atter which, THE STREETS Or LONDON. Messrs.
Vining, J. W. Ray, D. Fi her. D. J.
Miss Em Nelson,
ma
11.
Forrester. H. Mellon ; Mrs. Henry Mu
rray,,arston,
Barnett, and Miss Fanny Gwynne.

INTEW THEATRE-ROYAL, ADELPIII.-
Rale Proprietor and Manazer, Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, A WOMAN OF BUSINESS, Messrs.
Toole and Billington.
After which, sth time, STEPHEN DIGGES. Messrs. J.
L. Toole, It. Phillips, Bitlington, Stephenson ; Mrs. Billing-
ton, Miss ii. Simms, and Mrs. Alfred Mellon.
And T FIE BABE.; IN THE WOOD. Messrs. J. L.Toole,
P. Bedford, C. J. Smith ; Mrs. A. Mellon, &e.
Commence at 7.

THEATRE ROYAL. ADELPHI-
Mr. BENJAMIN WEBSTER'S ANNUAL BENEFIT
and LAST NIGHT of the SEASON.
SATURDAY next, September 24, the successful Drama of
STEPHEN DIGGES, by John Oxenford, Esq. Mr. J. L.
Toole.
Revival of the celebrated Comic Drama, by Planche,
Esq., of WHO'S YOUR FRIEND. 31r. B. M..bster.
And the celebrated Burlesque, by H. T. Byron, Esq , of
TTIE BABES IN THIS WOOD, Mr. J. L. T0.,1e, hire. A.
Me lon, Mr. Paul Bedford.

OYAL ST. JAMES'S THEATRE.
Manager, Mr. Benjamin Webster.
EMINN.N r TALENT AND COMEDY.
This popular Theatre is now Open for the Winter Season.
hHIIyS EVENIN (tor the 7th time) Mr. Arthur Sketchly's
igh-successfulG and original Comedy of HOW WILL
TIIEY GET OUT OF IT. After which, F. C. Burnand's
Laughable Travestie of FAUST AND MARGUERITE.
To conclude with UNDER THE ROSE. Those cele-
brated artists Mr. and Mrs. Char es Mathews are re-engaged.
Mr, Stirling, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Matthews, Mr. F. Robin-
son, Mr. Ashley, Mr. J. Clark, Mr. Chamberlain, Mr. Joan-
stone, Mr. 11. Montague, Miss Cotterel , Miss Fanny Joseph
Miss Patti Josephs, &O. Szo. Scenic Artists, Mr. Gates and
his pupil. Acting Manager, Mr. J. Kinioch. Musical Con-
ductor, Mr. Wallenstiene. Stage Director, Mr. F. Webster.

POUNTRY and SEASIDE DRESSES.
CO
Messrs. JAY, of Re2.ent-street, have now In stcck a
variety of WAS EIING SILK DItEiSES, suitatle for the
country and seaside, and at the c:earing-out price 01 only
.£1 lis. ed. the dress.

JAY'S,
247, 249, and 251, Regent-street.

BLACK SILKS.—The price of Silks in the raw
material has already r sen 15 per cent., and it will soon
reach a far treater per-centage. Messrs. JAY, therefore,
lavite their numernis patrons to take advantage of the stock
they have on hand, which they can now dispose of on favour-
able terms; but the same qualities will naturally more
costly as the price of silk fluctuates to a higher average
JAY'S,
217,240, and 251, Regent-street.

COALS.—The LILLESHALL COMPANY'S
COALS.
_Direct from their own Collieries.
Marquis'. 23s. per ton. I Double.. °Os. per ton.
Top 225. „ I De( p
Well screened and delivered within five miles of their De-
pots, Westbottrne Park-road, %V., and 17, South Wharf,
Paddington, W., and Maiden-lane, N.
Best Coke

Terms cash.
JOHN 6COTT, sole Agent

THE THIRD EDITION OF " THE SUN,"
j. Containin,c, the Latest SPORTING INTELLIGENCE,
DUI be had Every Evening of
G. R. GLENIE, NEWS AGELfT,
No. 4, Connaught-terrace, Hyde-park.

THE LATEST EDITION of " THE SUN'
supplied, as soon as published every Evening by
HENRY 13.1tOOKS, Newspaper Agent, 24, Old Cavendish-
street, W.

H WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.
TSie DAY.—Morning, 4h. 10m.—Afternoon, 4z.300a.
go-broxuow.-Morning, 4h. 5002.—Afternoon, sh. 12m.

•
--.
, ,
441.itt.
diNv 44,444

LONDON, MONDAY, SEPT. 19, 1864.

It will be with great regret that all classes have
heard of the untimely death of Captain SPEKE.
Such a sudden and unlooked-for calamity is
startling to the most sober, and brings to the mind
a striking proof of the uncertainty of human exist-
ence. I❑ the midst of life we are in death is well
kno vn, if seldom recognised, but it seems strange
that one who has been in such perils in foreign
lands should thus have succumbed to a chance
accident at home, Few men in their day have gone
through more perilous exploits than that in which
Captain SPEKE suceeeded in making his discovery
which will be famous for all time, and now when
he was resting on his laurels and engaged in the
pursuits of a quiet life he has been called away
suddenly from this scene. In some respects his
decease reminds one of the lines which refer to a
warrior of the olden times—
, When Vera sought death, armed with the sword and
shield,
Death was afraid to meet him in the field

But when his weapons he had laid aside,
Death like a coward struck him, and he died.

If anything could add poignancy to the bitterness
of the feeling with which we regard this deplorable
event, it would be that at the very time when he
was taken from U 9 the Captain was to appear be.
fore a great assembly who were waiting for him in
eager expectation when the intelligence was
brought that he
.had been found dead. Still,
though so prematurely removed from among his
fellow-men, it cannot be said that Captain SPEKE
has not done enough and more than enough
to serve his generation, and in so doing he has
made himself a name that will last when all men
treading the busy round of life's mazes shall have
slept in dust. It is always a satisfactory thing to
reflect upon that the one departed from earth has
so lived during his sojourn as to be honoured and
respected. Captain SrEKE was a true English-
man, a worthy representative in foreign lands of
that country which has sent forth explorers to the

remotest bounds of the world, who have endured

perils and privations with ❑nflinching fortitude
and determined zeal. The courage and constancy
of these adventurers have been of signal service
to others less dazing, and great are the advaL.
tegee that accrue from the information they afford.
They present the world with the spoils of know-
ledge, not won in secluded halls and stately col-
lages, but gained on the battlefields of life ; won
in no sham fights, but the result of personal effort
and dear bought experience. Captain SPEKE had
served in our Indian army for some time, and thus
be served his country not only in one capacity;

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 an 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 Ed ourn. 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 leave 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 do 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 laurel
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,
it is with the conviction that, according to the
light of human understanding his 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 E uch 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 meed 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
peac3 and war, and not among the least of these
endeavours are those which point the path through
the wilderness, and track the ocean, and to land on
❑ew 20i1, 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,
prudent 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 Joule LAWRENCE must be left
in a great measure a free agent. The Governor.
General of India has always held an independent
position, responsible of course to the Crown and
to Parliament, and influenced to a great extent by
the instructions of the Indian Minister 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 ordis
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
difficult, 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
and, secondly, if he were gifted it h
such preternatural
ernatural sagacity, the time lost in con-
sulting him would be as 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 PPEot of

affairs, and that Sir CHARLES WOOD not finding
sufficient exercise for his ability or energy is in a
great measure taking the government into his own
hands. More and more the power of government
is being centralised in Downing-street, more and
more the exercise of authority is being with-
drawn from the Viceroy. By a recent order he
has been forbidden to appoint any official with
a salary of over 400 rupees a month without the
consent of the Indian Secretary. Those who are
familiar with the rate of Indian salaries will at
once perceive that this limit, under £5OO a year,
can only include very unimportant offices, so that
all the legal appointments rendered necessary by
recent changes will have to be dictated from home.
No importent measures are now, it is said, originated
at Calcutta, and to Sir CHARLES WOOD every eye
is turned in expectation. That expectation is not
a very hopeful one, for the two kat measures ema-
nating from the Indian Office have spread general
dismay, and excited general discontent and indig-
nation. But the Indian Secretary is not inclined
to rest satisfied with disgusting the medical ser-
vice and irritating the army. He was so well
pleased with the manner in which he administered
the Imperial finances, that, being no longer in a
position to deal with them, he is about to exercise
his arithmetical ingenuity on the Indian Treasury.
It is currently reported that when Sir CHARLES
TRETELYAN leaves India, which will probably be
in the course of next spring, no new Finance Mini•
ster will be appointed in his place, but there will be
a head clerk merely, under the direction of Down-
ing-street. Happily before April we shall have
Parliament sitting, and be able to hear what inde-
pendent members think of such an arrangement.
Englishmen are not as a rule very fond of cen-
tralisation, as the strong affiction which the people
cherish for their old forms of local government and
their municipal institutions testifies. York or
Chester would not be well pleased to have their
affairs settled in London; while the good citizens
of London town itself stoutly maintain their an-
cient rights and priNileges. Sir CHARLES WOOD
has not given such satisfaction, either to India or
to England by his obstructive and red-tarist policy
that his attempts to supersede Sir JOHN LAWRENCE
should be regarded with favour even if the prin-
ciple were sound. But it is one which is always
regarded with disfavour in this country as the high
road to despotism, and neither India nor England
is likely to profit by its adoption.