The Sun.
London, England, 1865-12-11 00:00:00

HIGH WATER AT LONDON BRIDGE.

Txia DAY.—Morning, Bh. 20m.--Afternoon, Bh. 52m.
Ta-Mogßow.-Morning, 9h. 25m.—Afternoon, 10h. Om.

tfrip "
Iv .-EY;PP.L. deNC

LONDON, MONDAY, DEC. 11, 1865.

__..___

The news which was yesterday received from
Belgium will be received with general regret
though scarcely with astonishment. The death of
King LEOPOLD, full of years and honours, has long
been apprehended ; for although his age was not
extremely advanced, yet for several years his health
has been in a precarious condition. Since the last
attack there bas been little hope that he could sur-
vive much longer, but nevertheless the sorrow felt
for his loss will be as sincere as it is general. We
in this country will naturally regard the melancholy
event with especial concern, as affecting ourgracious
SOVEREIGN, who has thus lost a near relative, and
one who from his age, experience, and position,
was invaluable as an adviser, and a guide in any
time of uncertainty or perplexity. The uncle both
of Her MAJESTY and of the late PRINCE CONSORT,
connected with this country by many endearing
memories, King LEOPOLD has always taken a warm
interest in the personal fortunes of our Royal
Family, and has been able to understand and ap-
preciate in a great measure the character of the
English people. The days of his brightest hopes,
the prime of his career, and the promise of his most
brilliant fortunes were associated with this country,
and though the generation whose acclamations hailed
the weddin 0-of 1816, and who mourned over the catas-
trophe of the following year, has wellnigh passed
away, still the name of Prince LEoroLD belongs to
our national history, and his memory is cherished
among us like that of one of the most popular mem-
bers of our Royal Family. The silent chamber at
Brussels witnesses the close of a career in which the
strange vicissitudes of life were especially remark-
able. Born in 1790 in the midst of wars and
tumults, Prince LEOPOLD was not devoid of those
military talents which in such days were almost in-
dispensable to success. Very early in life he began
to play his part in war, in government, in diplo-
macy. He shared the perils of the great war which
at the beginning of this century desolated Germany,
he conducted the Government of his native duchy
during his brother's absence, and after the marriage
of his sister to the Russian Grand Duke CONSTAN-
TINE be accompanied the Emperor ALEXANDER to
Erfurt, where he was present at the famous meet-
ing of the two Emperors. He held the rank of
general in the Russian army, which, however, he
was forced to resign at a hint from NAPOLEON, who
it maybe observed, had formed no mean opinion of his
military talents. lie consequently resumed his posi-
tion. However, when after successf ally accomplishing
a Politicalmission of greatiroportance to the Emperor

ALEXANDER, he distinguished himself in the cam-
paigns of 1813-15, and finally entered Paris with.
the Allies.

The next prominent event in the life of King
LEOPOLD was his visit to this country. He early
entered the lists as a candidate for the hand of the
Princess CHARLOTTE, but at that time her marriage
with the Prince of ORANGE was in contemplation.
Nevertheless, the obstacles to his suit were not of
very long duration, and the wishes of the young
Princess herself were believed to be on his side.
Early in 1816 Parliament received a message a:a-
nouncing the intended marriage, which was univer-
sally popular. The votes for the dowry of the
Princess and the income of the royal pair were
unanimous, and joy and gladness prevailed through-
out all classes, though loyalty was not then so
strong a sentiment as now. Every one knows the
mournful conclusion to so bright and hopeful a
beginning. The curtain of death fell on the gay
and smiling scene, and filled the homes of Eng-
land with tears instead of laughter. Great
as was the loss to the nation, the calamity
was a hundredfold greater to Prince LEO-
POLD. The shock for the time completely
overwhelmed him, and when he had in some degree
recovered it he devoted his time principally to study.
The next 12 years of his life passed in retirement
and comparative obscurity, and very probably he
thought himself, and others thought of him, that
the story of his public life was told, and that he
had missed his chance of the gifts of Fortune. But
a change came over the scene, and after the decision
of the Five Powers to erect Greece into an indepen-
dent kingdom, the crown was offered to Prince
LEOPOLD. The Greek question in our own day has
excited comparatively little interest. We have be-
come accustomed to the chronic condition of Minis-
terial crises and general political disturbance. But
in those earlier days the dream of Greek indepen-
dence was the vision of statesmen and reformers, of
philanthropists and poets. The pages of BYRON
and CAMPBELL reflect the feelings with which Great
Britain watched the struggle, and when, 'in 1829,
the crown of the new kingdom was offered to Prince
LEOPOLD, the selection seemed in every way suitable
and appropriate. However, though the Prince
at first accepted it, he soon found reason to retire
from a position which offered so many difficulties,
with regard to the Greeks themselves, as well as
with regard to the very uncertain attitude assumed
by the protecting Powers.
Fortune had yet another chance in store for her
favourite. He had missed the hope of sharing the
greatest throne in Europe, he had refused the crown
of Greece, but yet he was to be a King closely con-
nected with the crowned heads of Europe. The
impossibility of reconciling the antagonistic ele-
ments of Holland and Belgium led, in 1830, to the
erection of a separate monarchy for, the
latter state, and after much difficulty, owing
to the entanglement of political relations and the
conflicting interests and prejudices of the time,
Prince LEOPOLD was selected to fill the vacant
throne, and by his marriage with the daughter of
Louis PHILIPPE to reconcile the French interest.
Thus his singular fortune attended him in his
domestic relationships, for both his marriages were
with princesses of the very highest rank. His
career since that time is familiar enough to most
politicians. He has steered his course safely and
wisely amid the various difficulties and perplexities

of his position, and though sometimes temporarily
unpopular, he succeeded in winning and pre-
serving the affections of his people, by whom his
death is regarded as a national calamity. He has
occupied in European politics a position whose im-
portance was due to his own individual character,
certainly not to the size or strength of his kingdom.
As an arbiter and referee, as a mediator and con-
ciliatory interpreter he was without an equal ; and
while his talents could, perhaps, have been easily
matched, and his character never rose into great-
ness, he was frequently instrumental in affecting the
destinies of Europe, and his influence extended to both
hemispheres. But the long story is at last told, and
the inevitable " Finis" inscribed on the leaf ; the
play is played out, and the actor has left the stage.
His successor's position is not altogether an enviable

one, and already the political horizon is dark and

stormy. The unsettled condition of European poli-
tics at this juncture renders the death of King
LEOPOLD a subject of great anxiety and uneasiness,
as well as of personal regret ; and while we may
well grieve that another of the prominent names
that linked the past and the present is silenced, we
must also feel that the removal of King LEOPOLD
opens a chapter of possibilities and perplexities
which may darken and disturb the future.

Mr. C ARDWELL was put upon his mettle on Saturday
when he received a most numerous deputation of the
Anti-Slavery and other kindred Societies, who came
to present a memorial, praying for an inquiry into
the conduct of Lieut.-Governor EYRE concerning
the late disturbances in Jamaica. The deputation
was introduced by Mr. SAMUEL MORLET. Upon
the plea of demanding justice, the members of the
deputation made known their wishes, and conducted
themselves in the most intolerant manner through-
out the whole proceedings. Such vehemence of
manner, and such exhibition of prejudice is rarely
witnessed on the occasion of a deputation appearing
before a Minister of State. Mr. CARDWELL ac-
quitted himself admirably of his difficult task, but he
had hard work with the turbulent assembly. In the
memorial presented the most extraordinary views
are expressed concerning the events that have re-
cently taken place in Jamaica. In short, the Com-
mittee appear to have condemned all the chief acts
of the authorities, from first to last. The Volunteers
should not have fired upon
,the mob, martial law
ought not to have been proclaimed, and deserved the
" strongest reprobation." A drum-head court-
martial ought never to have been constituted to
try Mr. GORDON for " a civil offence," and, indeed,
these sapient judges seem to question the propriety
of arresting Mr. GORDON at all. Such a step might
or might not have been necessary they say, and the
circumstances of the case might have justified the
Governor in violating Mr. GORDON'S privileges as a
member of the Assembly, as if at such a juncture,
and under such
auspicous circumstances, there was
any reason to consider if the offender were a mem-
or not. Justice does not recognise
ber of Assembly
distinction of rank or possession of privilege when
treason and insurrection are the crimes laid to the
charge of the culprit, and the argument is not
strengthened by the introduction of such obser-
vations.

Were it not for the gravity of the affair, it would
be almost ludicrous to notice the terms employed
by the Committee in expressing their views. They
believe it to be highly desirable in the interests of
justice and humanity, law and public order, " that
there should be a full, searching, and thoroughly
impartial inquiry into these deplorable events."
Meanwhile, not a vestige of impartiality was dis-
played by the members of this numerous deputa-
tion, nor does any fair play animate the language
of the memorial. On the contrary, we find a bitter,
virulent, and indignant tone pervade all that is said
or written, to a degree that totally ignores the
ordinary rules of courtesy complied with on such
occasions, and that violates the principles of strict
I order, and calm judgment so ne,:oisary to be

practif Jed in an argumentative Assembly.
The •conclusion of the memorial is couched in terms
higt ply appropriate to follow the preceding para-
graphs. The Committee admit that " great dissatis-
f action" existed in Jamaica. And why ? Because of
the mal-administration of justice, the numerous
" vexations" to which the people were subjected, and
their privations owing to two years' drought, but they
deny that the emancipated classes are " disloyal,"
and " still less" do they admit that there are any
grounds for believing that there is any evidence of
a wide-spread conspiracy. The Committee further
think that the island would be very different if it
were properly governed ; " its resources might be
developed to an almost unlimited extent, and its
population rendered " prosperous and happy."
Certainly these last conditions arc great desidera-
tums, but it is strange that so pious an assemblage
as the members of this Committee should overlook
the fact that no race, black or white, can be really
" prosperous" or truly " happy" unless they con-
form to the principles of right; but all these solemn
truths, recognised in divine and human statutes, are
trivial and secondary considerations to those who
have wound themselves up to fight the battle of in-
tolerance and carry out their schemes to the utter-
most, reckless of reason and indifferent to proofs
that tell against them.

It is perfectly useless to expect to make any im-
pression upon such one-sided arguers as those
referred to ; but the worst of it is that they will not
allow others to have their own opinions, and are
very indignant when any obstacle is put in the way
of the prosecution of their plans. Mr. CARDWELL
was assailed by a torrent of inquiries as to matters
which should not then have come under discussion,
and when the deputation had entered upon discus-
sion the spirit of intolerance ran high. Indeed
some went so far as to suggest that Governor EYRE
should be at least temporarily removed during the
progress of investigation ; and when another mem-
ber of the deputation dwelt upon the advisability
of recalling or " suspending" the Governor, a voice
exclaimed, " Yes, by the neck !" Such conduct
would be beneath contempt, were it not for the evil
influence which such misguided and mischievous
politicians sometimes gain over weak-minded per-
sons, who are led away under the specious pretence
of humanity, and think they are aiding the cause
of justice, when they are in reality impeding its
progress. As for the proposal to recall the Gover-
nor it would be prejudging the case in a most I
unparalleled or unpardonable manner, .and alto-
gether a course quite inconsistent with the character
of the English nation.
After the remarks of the indignant members it is
quite a relief to peruse Mr. CARDWELL'S straight-
forward and temperate statement, which, however,
found no favour in the sight of those to whom it
was made. The right hon. gentleman said that he
regretted the absence of Earl RUSSELL through in-
disposition, but had he been present he would have
told the deputation that he and every member of
his Government felt pain and anxiety respecting
the matters that all referred to. Mr. CARDWELL
then declared that those before him requested an
inquiry to be made of an impartial and searching
nature, but that this request was anticipated by
her MAJESTY'S Government, and they had already
made some of the necessary arrangements, and as
soon as possible they would be completed. A
proper reproof was conveyed to the intolerant
men who sat in judgment and passed sen-
tence without hearing the witnesses of both sides,
when Mr. CARDWELL declared that when the in-
quiry was over, and they had full and perfect know-
ledge, the Government would not be found ready
to palliate or excuse whatever merited reprobation.
"Meanwhile," said the right hon. gentleman, "if the
inquiry is really to be of that character, a sense of
duty imposes on every man, especially on one in-
terested as I am, the necessity of saying nothing,
and even of thinking nothing, incompatible with
the fairness and freedom of inquiry." Nothing can
be better felt than this, and well might those
who heard the statement have laid it to heart,
but nothing was further from their intention or
their desire. Referring to the remarks made upon
Governor EYRE, Mr. CARDWELL said that he was
not known to him personally, but by reputation, and
it " had been all along the reputation of a man of
courage and determination." When he went on to
expatiate upon the distressing circumstances in
which the Governor had been placed, Mr. CARD-
WELL tested the temper of his audience, and they
did not come out creditably from the trial. The
right hon. gentleman went on to say that if he felt
deeply the occurrences alluded to, what must a per-
son have done who was placed in the midst of such
events. " You must all feel deeply, whatever may
be your opinion of the occurrences which have taken
place, the deepest sympathy for a man in that po-
sition. You must all feel that if the disturbances
had not been brought to a speedy close that disas-
trous consequences of the worst kind must have fol-
lowed. At this portion of his speech Mr. CARDWELL
was interrupted by cries of " No, no," and " Ques-
tion ?" Upon this unseemly manifestation of inter-
ference and prejudice, the right hon. gentleman re-
marked, " Gentlemen, you have come here to ask for
a free inquiry, and I therefore hope that the spirit
of fairness will characterise all your proceedings."
As for Governor EYRE, he said, he would be the first

to welcome the inquiry about to be instituted in an
impartial manner. Again, the virulent spirit which
animated the majority of the deputation was ex-
hibited by several members calling out that they
had had no answer on the question of recall. Mr.
CARDWELL said that the arrangements were
in progress for an inquiry, and he thought
those who came in the spirit of fairness
should be content with one announcement and
not " persist in pressing for the recall of Go-
vernor EYRE." Even this plain speaking on the
part of the Colonial Secretary did not succeed in
putting down the hydra-headed monster of perse-
cution before him, and Mr. THOMAS complained
that his question was not answered. He had asked
if the Government at home had received any intel-
ligence during the last six months which might make
them think that the " Government of Jamaica was
sitting on a volcano ?" Mr. CARDWELL answered
this interrogatory by stating he had been in
correspondence with Governor EYRE on the
condition of affairs in Jamaica for the last year, and
that that correspondence, now in the hands of the
printer, would be laid before Parliament when it
met. Thus closed the interview of the deputation,
which stands out apart from others as a specimen of
prejudice and prejudging rarely met with in a
civilised country. Seldom has an English Minister
been brought face to face with so large a body of
men so imbued with the spirit of intolerance, and
so bent on working out injustice under the plea of
These
of men, however, represent an
treatinfluential class
of England the people,
in le,and h
et heParliamentmannerwhiwhich
u
they deserve.

The Persia, from New York on the 29th, brings
us news that great apprehensions are felt respecting
a negro insurrection in several parts of the South
about Christmas. So strong are these fears that
the military authorities in:Mississippi have thought
it advisable to take precautionary measures, while
the planters in Texas have sent their families, cot-