The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-27 00:00:00

THE GOVERNORSHIP OF GREENWICH

HOSPITAL.

A. great push seems to be making to impress the public
with the claims of Rear-Admiral Sir James Gordon for
the governorship of Greenwich Hospital—his services are
now being paraded through the newspapers. We regret
this, for although Sir James is a gallant and very dis-
tinguished officer, and has seen a great deal of hard
fighting and sharp service, and, moreover, has suffered
loss of limb in engaging the enemies of his country, it
cannot fail to be known that they will not bear compari-
son with the services of his seniors, Lord Dundonald,
G.C.8., and Sir William Parker, G.C.B. It is a pity
that Sir James Gordon is not allowed to enjoy his pre-
sent position. He must be very comfortable where he is
as the lieutenant governor, and his friends are acting a
most indiscreet part in thrusting him before the publics
as a rival candidate to the two officers above men-
tioned. We are compelled to say that, whilst Sir
James Gordon has been nursed in successive shore
berths for the last twenty years, with a pen-
sion of 3001. per annum for his wounds, in addi-
tion to the emoluments of his appointments—half-
pay and salary, both Lord Dundonald and Sir William
Parker have been actively employed on foreign stations
—the latter in Lisbon, China, and the Mediterranean,
and the former iu the West Indies, where he spent all
his pay in reforms and improvements.
The comparison of claims and services is most invi-
dious. With the utmost bad taste it has been repro
sented as against the appointment of the noble earl that
he is too old, and the inference is suggested that he is
only fit for the infirmary. The only reply to this incon-
sistent and unfeeling allusion is that the admiral is as
active, perhaps more so, than most of the flag officers
on the list. He is in full possession of all his extraor-
dinary faculties, and• has a mind fresh enough and
energy sufficient to detect, root out, and reform my
prescriptive abuses that may exist in the Royal Hospital
Greenwich.
We repeat that if service claims are considered to have
their just recommendation in the selection of the officer
to fill the vacancy at Greenwich, Admiral the Earl of
Dundonald, G.C.8., gazetted on no less than nine oc-
casions for his daring exploits, will be the new governor
of the hospital.—Morning Herald.

THE NAVY CONTRACT.—The quantity taken on Irish
account is very large, and a considerable portion of it
will be made up in this city by the house of Messrs.
Gould and Co., Mr. Selby Clare, Messrs. George Madder
and Co., and Messrs. P. Murphy and Son, the two lat-
ter firms having been so fortunate as to have their ten-
ders accepted at higher figures than any other contract-
ing parties. The quantity to be made up in Ireland is
4,050 tierces and 1,100 barrels of beef, and 7,800 tierces
and 3,900 barrels of pork ; on French account, 1,000
tierces and 600 barrels of beef, and 1,300 tierces of pork ;
on American account, 1,100 tierces of beef, and Dantzio
account 400 tierces and 600 barrels pork. The making
up of such a large quantity of the contract in the city,
and the extensive labour it will afford to the coopering
trade, &0., as well as to other branches of employment,
will be of no small advantage during the winter season.
—Cork Constitution.
ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.---A new branch of
this excellent and flourishing institution will be opened
on Wednesday evening, at the house of Br. D. H.
Whiting, Sir Ralph Abercrombie, Charles-street, Hat-
ton-garden, by Br. Peters, District Chief Ranger of
the London United District. A large number of the
most influential members of the order will be pro-
' sent on the occasion.