The Sun.
London, England, 1863-07-07 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, JULY 7, 1863

LONDON, TUESDAY, JULY 7, 1863.

Foremost among the most liberal of our weekly
contemporaries, the Examiner has, during the
chief part of its existence, been also very conspicu-
ous indeed for its shrewdness, its wit, and its
general ability, alike in the world of politics and in
the world of literature. *Who amongst our elders is
there, who does not bear in more or less agreeable
remembrance the days of its once youthful viva-
city, when the Examiner's volatile humour rose
almost at times to a sort of arch impertinence ?
Those were the days when LEIGH HUNT
wielded the editorial pea, there, with so
sprightly a turn to each sentence that its every
movement one might say was inevitably suggestive
of a wag. Those were the times, in fact, when the
blithe young poet-journalist could quote with a
grave face, but the sliest twinkle in his eyes, the
preposterous phrase of adulation applied to King
GEORGE the Fourth upon his Majesty's coronation
by the inane Court Newsman—LElGH HUNT
capping the compliment of the Court News-
man with a cruelly matter of fact addi-
tion, to the effect that, in his coronation
robes, King GEORGE THE FOURTH "looked like
an ADONIS—of Sixty An innocent jest enough,
deserving only to be laughed at, but one that in
those bewildering days had actually to be expiated,
as we all know, by LEIGH HUNT'S endurance, for
several months consecutively, of incarceration. A
later, but it may even be added a yet more brilliant
epoch for the Examiner was that during which
ALBANY FONBLANQUE penned, currente calarno,
Contemporary History, as it opened up be-
fore his shrewd glance, week by week,
both at home and abroad. As caustic, as witty,
as sarcastic, as all the Saturday Reviewers rolled
into one, ALBANY FONBLANQUE, session after ses-
sion, reflected in the pages of the Examiner the
fluctuations, the changes, and the transformations
of several successive Governments. His congenial
coadjutor—eventually, and for several consecutive
years afterwards his vigorous and gifted succes-
sor—was, as the town well knew during his
regime, as it still remembers not ungrate-
fully now that his connection with the
Examiner has for some time ceased, that able
man of letters, barrister at law, scholar and gentle-
man, who has securely associated his name from
this time forth at once with our political history
and with our literary history—as the annalist of
many of the most remarkable scenes and worthies
of the Commonwealth, and as the Biographer par
excellence of OLIVER GOLDSMITH. True to the
liberality of its principles to the last, true to its re-
putation also for ability, and for vivacity, and for
vigour, the Examiner, however, does occasionally of
late—as HOMER sometimes nodded—stumble into
errors both of manner and of matter. In its very latest
number, the number, that is, published only last
Saturday, it has floundered thus, and floundered, as
it appears to us, very notably—both in regard to a
mere matter of style and in regard to a mere matter
of fact. Referring to that certainly very remark-
able speech recently delivered by the Right
Honourable Gent:ematt the leader of the Op-
pcsition, the speech delivered by him to what
is called the National Conservative Associa-
tion, the Examiner quotes, among other things,
from that harangue of Mr. DISRAELI, or, as our
contemporary is so very fond of printing his name,
with spiteful pertinacity, DISRAELI, as a tediously
iterated reminder, usque ad nauseam, of Mr. DIS-
RAELI'S Jewish origin ! The Examiner, we say,
quotes among other passages from the recent
speech addressed by the leader of the Opposition
to the Conservatives, the following surely suffi-

cien comprehensible passag,e
" I would on this occasion recall your memory to
the state of the Tory party only some few years ago.
Why, only tv/elve years ago there was no record
in the history of England of a political connection
so utterly forlorn, so hopeless, so prostrate, as was
then the Tory party. That eminent man whose
great sagacity and great heart had rallied us round
him at a moment so unforeseen and unprecedented
had just met an untimely end. I will never men-
tion his name or recall his memory without ex-
pressing the sentiments of admiration and affection
which I fee!. At that moment we did not literally
count in the House of Commons by any means one-
fourth of its members."

'the itslicy noticeable in the above, we would here
especially remark, are the Examiner's own and not
ours. And the words thus signally emphasised by

the Examiner are the very words inregard to.which,
83 we will now show, the Examiner, itself has so
egregiously blundered. Among political observers
of every party, or section of a party, nine hundred
and ninety-nine out of every thousand could hardly
fail, we feel perfectly well assured of this, to recog-
nise, in those particular words of Mr. DISRAELI'S
another of his already numerous allusions, graceful
and generous allusions always, to his friend,
his colleague, in one sense even his prede-
cessor, as the Leader of the Conservatives—.
the noble son of a noble house, Lord GEORGE
BENTINCK. Yet, with its eyes wide open, but
blinded by one of its most doggedly-cherished
antipathies, its antipathy of Mr. DISRAELI, we beg
our contemporary's pardon, of Mr. D'IsnAELI, the
Examiner—how shall we exprss it?—runs
its head against the stone wall of a mis-
apprehension the most obvious, takes a deliberate
header into a very quagmire,or Slough-of-Despond,
of a mistake ! The leader of the Opposition, in the
above passage from his recent speech, refers—as we
have already said, to the apprehension, we should sup-
pose, of almost anybody else but his implacable foe
the Examiner—to the late Lord GEORGE BENTINCK.
cnOtt il n
y
For the life of it, Examinerhowevera,btshoetelymakes a totally
a
any way perceive this, but absolutely
different application of the words it
quotes and italicises—thereupon plunging
at once into the following obtusely
sarcastic commentaries; e remember one occa-
sion," it says, " upon which Mr. D'ISRAELI con-
gratulated the eminent man to whom he has here
referred with such high praise, on his ' most
courageous conscience ;' and a most courageous
conscience the utterance of this eulogy re-
quired, considering that up to to the time of
the great man's untimely end he had been
incessantly the object of Mr. DISRAELI's most
biting sarcasms and unsparing onslaughts. He
may have corrected his opinion, it is never too late
to do that ; but in such case surely the grace of some
expression of penitence for past injustice was due.
And when Mr. D'ISRAELI speaks of Sir ROBERT
PEEL'S great sagacity and great heart, which had
rallied " us round him," is there not an error in his
Parliamentary history ? for as well might it be
said that BRUTUS was rallied to C2ESAR in the
Senate House. There was an ancient superstition,
that if the assassin touched the body it would bleed
afresh. Is it in defiance, or in challenge of
this ordeal that Mr. DISRAELI touches the
fame of PEEL." The Examiner forgets, it is ob-
servable, in the midst of all this taunting bitterness,
that another besides Sir ROBERT PEEL came
to "an untimely end !" That while Sir ROBERT
was picked up speechless on Constitution-hill
upon the stumbling of his horse, Lord GEORGE
was found dead in the water-meadow, near his old
ancestral home. It is an error—it is a misappre-
hension. But, the recognition of it, might
at length induce our contemporary to recognise
that it is actuated by over bitterness of
feeling whenever it undertakes to comment
upon the words or upon the acts of the right hon.
gentleman, the leader of her MAJESTY'S Opposition.
We say this as advocates no less earnest than our
contemporary of those Liberal principles, and
of those still unrealised reforms which the
Examiner has for years past so consistently and so
energetically championed.

As to the mere matters of taste referred to as
having been dragged under notice by a certain curi-
ous manner of late adopted by the once refined
as well as scholarly Examiner. What shall we say
to its remarking in the very article to which we
have, here, been making reference ?—" Instead of
referring to past greatness, he has to refer to past
littleness, and the burden of half his speech is the
cry we hear every hour in the streets from the
hawkers of plants a-growing.' The Tory party
is all a-growing, &c." Or referring to the
article which immediately follows this bungling
onslaught on "Mr. Disßam"—What shall we
say when we find that next article beginning its
first paragraph thus—" In Swift's Polite Conversa-
tion some one runs a dozen miles to suck a bull."
And when we find it beginning its second para-
graph thus—" Mr. ROEBUCK returned in something
like a state of pregnancy. He was big with
Imperialism." What ! —is it asked ? Why, simply
that vulgarity is not vigour.

We are glad to see that the second reading of the
Anchor and Chain Cables Bill is fixed for to-mor-
row. We have for a lengthened period urged upon
the Legislature the necessity that existed for a mea-
sure of this description. It is needed not only on
account of the loss of life occasioned by the penu-
riousness of the small shipowners in providing their
vessels with cheap and inefficient anchors and
cables, but also in the interests of the consignees of
cargoes and the insurers. A short time since a

large number of cables were tested at Liverpool-
-80 per cent, of which were found wanting—i. e.,
not capable of holding a ship to her anchors ir a
gale. A few years back an American trader rode
out a hurricane at San Francisco, in a most exposed
situation, at single anchor, with her top -gallant
yards crossed, while the majority of the vessels
under comparative shelter drove ashore, notwith-
standing every precaution that seamanship could
suggest. The Yankee knew that his cable was
sound and that his anchor would hold. A similar
of justifiable reliance was shown not long
g
N.E. coast, when a brig being observed
to
a shore in a heavy tideway, the life-
boat instance
a on t
e station put off to her assistance, calcu-
latingof anchor °ll
doubtless from previous experience that she
could not bold her own and must drag ashore. On
coming alongside and tendering assistance, the
gallant boatmen were thanked for their trouble,
but the mate observed coolly that he had two good
anchors and plenty of cable, and could ride it out
comfortably where he was. So much for good
ground tackle. But turn the page ; consult the
wreck chart, or the statistics of the National Life-
boat Institution, and it will be found that in
nine cases out of ten, when the lifeboat
has been unable to rescue life from shipwreck, it bas
been either from the dragging of anchors or parting
of cables. The Bill now before the House has been
introduced at the suggestion of the Peninsular and
Oriental and other leading
companies, who soli-
cited Government intervention in this
know by experience the value of sound tackle, and
as from the number of vessels forming their fleets
they are their own insurers, it stands to reason that
it is their interest to take the best possible care of
their ships. Not so the small shipowner. It is
too often to his advantage to lose an old worn-
out vessel and buy a new one out of the insurance
money. The lives of tile crew are of no value to
him—there are plenty more men in the market.
Such selfish recklessness deserves the severest re-
probation, but there is no doubt that it exists to a
great extent. We have now made a step in the
right direction, but more is required. We do not
call upon the Legislature to enact too stringent
laws regarding cur mercantile navy, nor do we
wish for a moment to embarrass honest and up-
right shipowners with a surveillance which is un-
necessary ; but while there are thousands of money-
grasping adventurers who
Speculate, not on the
profit of the voyage, but on the profit of the insur-
ance, we are sure that honest men will gladly sub-

mit to some inconvenience to rid themselves of such
despicable associates, No shipowner of respecta-
bility can object to this measure—it is only those
who, careiess of the crews of their vessels, send them
forth at a minimum cost, and trust for a return for
the venture to a lucky escape or a fortunate ship-
wreck. The framer of this bill deserves all credit
for bringing the matter forward, and we should be
sorry to hamper it with an amendment.
" Well is our country's work begun,
But more, far more, must yet be done."

It is when a vessel drives on a lee-shore or sand-
bankl e
us
naarveo cdaalbl el
ed
ai
enetio.
play. Stress o weather and
or
someb
that her anchorsf
dent may bring this about, but we are sorry to say
that in the majority, nay, in almost all cases on
our coasts these disasters occur from the unservice-
able state of the sails and gear. Let anyone who
has had the misfortune to be on board a coaster
in a heavy gale when it was necessary to beat to
windward, say how much canvas she dared
show. We do not wish to interfere with
the measure by suggesting any addenda, but
if it is carried, as we confidently trust it may
be, we shall look forward next session to a sup-
lementary bill to place some restrictions on the
owners of vessels and compel them to provide
serviceable and secure rigging and sails to their
ships before they get' their clearance. Moreover,
no ship whatsoever should leave a home port
unprovided with lifeboat accommodation for the
human beings who are on board of her. We
have continual proof of the unseaworthiness of
many of our colliers and small traders. In a late
gale, four colliers went down at sea—the crews
being saved in their boats. What must have
been the condition of these vessels when their
boats could live in a sea in which they foun-
dered ! Should men be permitted to go sea in
coffins ?

An interesting account is given of the visit of
the Prince of WALES to Wimbledon. His Royal
Highness could not have done a better thing than
thus to encourage by his presence the noble insti-
tution that has of late years sprung into life and
assumed a position of such vast importance. Con-
trary to what has generally occurred when the
Prince has appeared at day exhibitions the weather
was fine—indeed too fine to be altogether favour-
able, the great glare of the sun militating against
the effective performance of the rifle shooters. The
Prince made several essays, which were nearly all
successful, and his Highland experience proved of
great service to him in his firing at the "running
deer." His Royal Highness intimated that he
hoped to be present with the Princess on the 13th
inst. to witness the match between the Lords and
Commons, and the contest for the Alexandra Prize
given by the Association. The preparations are
being made on an extensive scale for the great dis-
plays, and a programme is given of the several
arrangements. The Prince could not better wind
up his career of gaities during his first season than
by thus enrolling himself as it were among the
Volunteers. Additional interest will be imparted
to the proceedings by the fact that he came the
first day to watch the conduct of affairs, and to try
his hand and test his skill, thus manifesting a
desire to take part in some measure with the per-
formers, and to invest the affair with a personal
interest. No better institution has been made of
late years than this of the Volunteers, and it is
therefore most satisfactory to find them encouraged
in high places. There can be no doubt that there
will be great expectations afloat concerning the
13th, and it is to be hoped that the weather will
prove more propitious than it has hitherto done for
the Princess, so that no untoward event will pre-
vent her full view of the proceedings, or deprive
the spectators of the sunshine of her presence. Un-
fortunately there seem to have been of !ate many
disputes and discussions concerning various arrange-
ments made for the ordering of the Volunteers, but
on this auspicious occasion all feuds and angry
feelings are likely to be forgotten, or at all events
laid aside for the time. This is the special advan-
tage of one removed from the sphere of " angry
bickering and debate" taking part in such exhibi-
tions ; and the Wimbledon Prize Meeting of this
year promises to boast of so many and such unri-
valled attractions, that it bids fair to eclipse its
predecessors, and afterwards to rank high in the
estimation of all who take part in it, and to be
remembered among the brightest and most success-
ful of their endeavours.

The star of Mr. GLADSTONE is not in the ascen-
dant this session. He meets with one cont, e.lemps
after another. In his famous budget he was obliged
to withdraw several schemes of his pet fancy for
" mulcting charities," and he afterwards had to re-
linquish the notion of taxing the clubs. Last week
his suggestion of purchasing the Exhibition Build-
ing was ignominiously rejected. Some years ego
it would have seemed incredible, and indeed im-
possible, that such a Chancellor of the Exchequer
should be denied anything he desired. Yesterday
a case was decided in the Court of Exchequer, in
which Mr. GLADSTONE was condemned. An at-
tempt was made to compel Lord SEFTON to pay
an enormous sum for a piece of waste land, on the
supposition that it might be built upon, and then
would assume a considerable value. The Board of
Inland Revenue charged the Earl with succession
duty for this ground, among the possessions he
came into at his father's death. By a majority the
Court of Exchequer rejected the claim of the Go-
vernment. This is a very desirable consummation,
for a more manifest piece of injustice could hardly
have been perpetrated, and a more unfair means of
extracting large sums could scarcely have been
claimed even by the subtle and sagacious Chancellor
who rules over the Exchequer, and seeks to fill its
coffers with an unsparing hand,regardless of the com-
fort and convenience of many. Happily he has met
with his match. Oppression is never put down till it
attempts to tyrannise over one wealthy enough to de.
fend himself. It is quite true that some stop should
be put to these wholesale extortions, and the result
of yesterday's deliberations in the Court of Ex-
chequer is a most satisfactory one. The Govern-
ment do not come off with flying colours from their
legal contests this session, any more than they can
exhibit many trophies in their parliamentary
skirmishes. They were defeated in their case pf
the Alexandra, and though they profess to be will-
ing to appeal against that decision, it does not at
all follow that a second venture will be more suc-
cessful. It must be a great relief to them that the
period of discussion is nearly over. It can hardly
be said that their holidays are drawing near because
they have had no work to do, and there is very
little exertion to rest from ; hut still it will be satis-
factory, no doubt, not to have to encounter oppo-
nents of all kinds without the requisite skill to meet
their attacks and to overcome them. This affair of
Lord SEFTON will, of course, be established as a
precedent, and it is to be trusted that it will have
the effect of deterring many similar attempts at
extortion on the part of any future officials, who
are inclined to take people's' money nolens volens,
and who appear to think that the chief duty of those
coming into estates is to give away as much as
possible for the benefit of the Exchequer. It is not
to be tolerated that such a system should prevail,
and the decision of yesterday is most satisfactory

in every way, not only as regards that particular
claim, but as relates to a general rule and practice
for all similar cases utider dispute.