The Sun.
London, England, 1863-04-02 00:00:00

by the coincidence of the dominant powers of the
European Continent. Before the ultimate decision I
could be arrived at, before the new arrangement,
whatever that might be, could be carried de-
liberately and dtfinitively into effect, the senti-
ments of France, of Russia, of Germany to a
certain extent, would have seriously to be con-
sidered. But for this, the arrangement proposed
by Greece seemed on the face of it so very
admirable and so very easy of accomplish-
ment ! His Royal Highness Prince ALFRED to be
proclaimed King of Greece. England to be relieved
from the long vexation of her irksome Protectorate
over the lonian Islands,by giving those seven islands
up gracefully and graciously to the Greek People,
who had so long covetted that particular
acquisition—handing over the lonian Islands
to Greece as the munificent dotation ac-
companying her new Sovereign. H. R. H.
the third son of Queen VICTORIA, might then, it
was presumed by the more sanguine, have succeeded
to the expectant post hitherto occupied by his Royal
brother the new King of Greece—Prince ARTHUR,
in other words, assuming that brother's position)
heretofore, as the Heir Presumptive to the reigning
Duke of SAXE COBURG.

Than all which, in simplest truth, how really
preferable in every way is the newly suggested and,
to all appearance, virtually accomplished arrange-
ment! The result in all essential respects is
virtually to the Greeks themselves, almost as if they
had carried out their own original proposition.
It is not alone that they have got a young
Sailor-Prince for their new Constitutional
Sovereign. That they have that, is little more than
an interesting little coincidence, odd enough in its
way, but in itself nothing at all to the purpose. They
have had offered to them, moreover, and have judi-
ciously accepted, with the good grace of an instant
cordiality, a young Sailor-Prince, very much indeed
of the same age as Prince ALFRED of Englann%
What renders this ultimate selection of Prince WIL-
LIAM of Denmark as the new occupant of the
Throne of Greece especially propitious for Greece
herself, is the consideration that it is a choice
by which Greece secures to herself, still, the earnest
sympathy of England in all her after fortunes—
Greece by the acceptance of Prince WILLIAM (hence-
forth to be known to Europe as King GEORGE I.)
placing her liberties quite as directly under
the tegis of the Constitutional Government of Eng-
land, as if Prince ALFRED himself had been en-
throned at Athens as the Greeks had originally
intended. Nobly and with a most exemplary
self-command, have the Greek people been biding
their time while the question of their future King
has still remained undecided and problematical.
A haughtier or a more irritable race, under the
.ike circumstances, might have been goaded into
declaring themseives petulantly for a pure demo-
cracy. Wiser in their generation than men like
Mr. BRIGHT, the Greeks have all along recog-
nised the superior advantages accruing to
a civilised people who give their choice, by
a very decided preference, not to a purely
Democratic, but to a Constitutionally Monarchical
form of Government. Looking at the full and rational
liberty enjoyed by Er gland under the mixed sys-
tem of King, Lords, and Commons, Greece, if she
has failed to secure for her new Monarch the
brother—has eagerly accepted the brother-in-law—
of our future SOVEREIGN.

Lord ..PALMERSTON is certainly resolved to make
;he most of his Easter holidays, and he appears to

reap golden opinions wherever he goes. He left
Glasgow only to receive new homage at Edinburgh,

and wherever he goes he continues to meet the
wishes of all classes by his happy style of address,
and his amusing manner of combining instruction
with amusement. His speeches are not of the

highest order of eloquence, but it is to be
questioned if a much more brilliant discourse
would have answered the purpose so well, or

have suited the requirements of the audience.

His lordship was presented with the freedom of the

city. The remarks of the Lord Provost were signally
appropriate, and he made one of those gracious and
genial speeches which are so pleasing at the time,

and afterwards linger in the memory of those who
hear them, and stamp their composer as one who is

equal, on an important and momentous occasion, of
rising to the height that is due. This is a faculty
that does not always exist even when the speaker
possesses great gifts, no quality is mare rare
than ready adaptation to circumstance, and
few more useful or more agreeable. The
Lord Provost said that the corporation esteemed
it no small privilege to have an opportunity of tes-
tifying their acknowledgements of " the manner in
which his lordship, for the last fifty-seven years
unceasingly, devoted his whole energies and powers
of mind to the prosperity and welfare of the coun-

try." He also said that they did not consider him
so much as the leader of a great political party, as
the statesman, whose object was to enhance
the security and honour of this great empire.
This next passage is most suggestive, and interest-
ing to cont.mtplate, " Since his lordship left the
roof and guardianship of their distinguished Scot-
tish philosopher, DtGALD STEWART, more than
sixty years ago, his life had been one of toil and
tumult, from which he might be said never to have
rested, but which had now led him to the first place
and to the highest honours. In almost all the
conflicts of that eventful and stormy period he
had borne a foremost part ; but they saw him
there again, verging on four-score, in the full pos-
session of bodily health and strength, with intellect
not enfeebled, and, better than all, with heart not
embittered." This was language worthy of the
occasion, and Lord PALMERSTON was equally
happy in his reply. He observed that
there were circumstances, both personal and
genera', which rendered the gift bestowed upon
him that day peculiarly gratifying and
satisfactory. "It was, as you have observed,
life, in obtaining
within this city
that
rem stpheen
Universityaof hEfdminy-
burgh a
instructions which I have received,
part, and I will say the most valuable
part, of the
'ons of auld larg syne,
and therefore from recollect'
I value the
Igo that the city
me. I cannot but remember a
gift which you have conferred upon
of which I have now the honour to be a mem-
ber, enrolled among a list of eminent and dis-
tinguished men, is a city
w
of the most faous in the history of the
world for its traditions and gloriousna achievements."
vein: enotns:"
His lordship then went on to expatiate on the in-
conceivable benefits that resulted from controversy,
and wisely asserted that it was by the free and
unfettered exercise of opinion that truth was
arrived at, and the public good secured. He also
said that there was one condition which should rule
and control party spirit, and that was expressed
in an, old Dutch proverb—that 'men may
agree to differ. There was nothing which
should prevent men from entertaining the
most diverse political opinions, and yet
preserving for each other the most profound respect.
They should not seek to win their adversaries to
their own opinions by the wind which made them
wrap their cloaks more tightly round their shoulders,
bat by the warmth of friendship and persuasion.
This doctrine comes most appropriately from Lord
FALUERSION, who is distinguished for being the