The Sun.
London, England, 1852-12-27 00:00:00

line, and noted some of the landmarks, was, even in the
eyes of the world, a life of unfailing labour and of arduous
strife with circumstances.

But those only who closely knew the man, and who
could watch the ardent and strenuous efforts to which he
compelled his intellect, and forced his material energy,
could judge with what firm courage and resolved self-
sacrifice the course was urged to the last.
Nature had given to Mr. Borthwich a mind endowed
with singular powers of rapid acquisition and a memory
the most comprehensive and widely retentive that we have
ever known. A fine taste and correct appreciation of the
excellent and beautiful led him to a complete possession of
the great masters of our own literature, in addition to a re-
fined and scholarly acquaintance with those originators of
thought in the elder world, to whom all literature stands
so deeply indebted. An intellect thus stored with the best
elements and sources of production could hardly fail to
respond to cultivation with ready and rich results. No-
thing less than the singular ease of expression and happy
readiness of illustration which flowed naturally from the
deep and clear well of knowledge could have enabled their
accomplished possessor to meet with such unfailing ability
and success the. constant demand on his powers as a public
writer which his position and pursuits entailed. There
was no subject in, the sphere of public discussion from
which he shrunk—none to which he was not prompt to
bring the aid, of his clear and firm judgment, and the light
of his eloquent and felicitous style. But the class of ques-
tions which most surely brought forth the full strength of
the writer, and excited all the warmth and generous energy
of the man, were those in which the weak were to be de-
fended—the injured to be redressed—the rights of the suf-
ferer to be vindicated—or the character of the slandered to
be cleared. Wherever such work as this offered, itself, the
head and the heart were always ready—the advocaey was
untiring, fervent, and devoted.
Such qualities, as these which we have endeavoured
faintly to shadow forth, distinguished theintellectual life.
The mind was clear, ready, and accomplished—governed by
generous impulses—enriched by varied acquisition—guided
by a pure and refined taste.

But, however valuable these mental gifts and powers may
have been to society7--however widely popular they may
have made their owner, the character and course of his
moral being were the great sources of that devoted attach-
ment with which his nearer and dearer friends clung to
him who has been taken from them.
No kindlier or warmer heart ever won the love or riveted
the friendship of those to whom it was given to feel its
truth and merit—no more dauntless courage or more gene-
rous spirit ever battled for the right, or withstood con-
tumely, wrong, and slander--no more sterling honesty and
unswerving perseverance in all objects of duty and prin-
ciple were ever displayed in undeviating self-sacrifice and
self-denial—self-sacrifice, alas ! carried out to the utter-
most ; for the unsparing energy with which Mr. Borth-
wick devoted himself to the most harassing and severest of
occupations undermined a physical constitution originally
of iron strength. Laborious days—sleepless nights—an
anxious sense of responsibility, and a restless energy which
nothing could quell, originated at length the severe illness
of which the fatal termination has imposed on us our
present melancholy task. This heavy dispensation has de-
prived society of a most useful member, has robbed many
among us of a very dear friend, even in the prime and
fulness of his career—at an age when an organisation of
such vigour should but have reached maturity, and not
have felt the shadow of decay. To those who knew him
best, and therefore lament him most, it seems as yet almost
impossible to realise the cessation of such an example of
vital force and mental energy as he exhibited up to the last
fatal stroke, which severed so many kindly ties, broke
through so many true and well-deserved attachments, left
desolate hearts which repaid with such warm and steadfast
love the devotion which never flagged in their cause—never
ceated to be doing, planning, or working for their sakes.
Of the affliction with which this loss must darken the
home of one through whose life the sources of all home's
deepest love and best affections flowed with so strong and
pure a stream, we will not venture further to speak.
Reverently and silently we leave the mourners to the only
comforter—that one whom the pious example of their
guide, teacher, and friend will surely prompt them to seek.
But the sorrow which there lies so deep, and demands such
respectful sympathy, spreads also widely abroad. Among
the many persons of all grades and of every class, with
whom the life which we have unsuccessfully endeavoured
to characterise was brought into more or less close con-
nection, we will venture to say that there is not one whom
the kindly and generous nature of our friend had failed to
touch and inspire with a true feeling of attachment and
esteem ; not one who does not regret, honestly and sin-
cerely, the loss—to some an irreparable, but to all who
knew him a very heavy loss—of Peter Borthwick.