The Sun.
London, England, 1870-12-22 00:00:00

SUN, LONDON, THURSDAY, DECEMBER 22, 1870.

still felt by the general public, forced him at tho
time to a decision that partook very much
of the aspect of mere purism. It was a decision
that was carried out so conscientiously, however, that
respect was mingled with regret immediately it wn

announced. Mr. COBDEN had earned his enrolment
as a Privy Councillor and his nomination to a high
position as a member of Hen. MAJESTY'S Govern-
ment. Ile would. have none of either, however, in
spite of the most urgent entreaties. He happily con-
sented later 'on to confer with the Emperor
NAPOLEON 111. in the Palace of the Tuileries,
in the capacity of Plenipotentiary Extraordinary
from the English Sovereign, and., there at Paris, in
concert with that enlightened and daring ruler, nego-
tiated a Commercial Treaty between France and
England, that introduced for the first time, though,

it must be confessed, at the same moment, in a
very left-handed manner, the principles of Free
Trade into the former country, a country whose
mercantile enterprise had hitherto been based upon a
system of rigid Protection. Mr. COBDEN, however,
closed his eminent and more than useful,
his noble and beneficent career, as a practical Re-
former, as a great political leader and innovator,
having been neither a Pricy Councillor nor a member
of the British Government. That he did so is still
matter for regret among his fellow countrymen.
They would like by that empty prefix, if
you will, of " Right Honourable " to have evi-
denced their own sense of obligation to
the Tribune of the People. RICHARD COBDEN was
precisely one of those whom a nation, no less than a
sovereign, delights to honour. Mr. BRIGHT is just
such another. And, at least, in his regard neither
the community at large, nor the reigning Sovereign
will have cause for that regretful sense
of disappointment. Severe indisposition has
precluded Mr. BRIGHT from any chance
of distinguishing himself as a Member
of Mr. GLADSTONEWS Administration. As to his
capacity there cannot be two opinions. Invalided,
as he has been, so seriously, however, and for so
long a time, Mr. BRIGHT cannot feel an instant's
surprise that his resignation at last is cause neither
for regret nor for astonishment.

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

rrivate schools to which no annual grants can be
made. The Privy Council reserve to themselves the
rower of making further inquiry, if necessary.

will strengthen the ties of allegiance and affection
with the mother country by fostering an intercourse
which has hitherto existed only to a limited extent.
Nine years ago a cable anted by.a private company
between Great Britain and Jersey, ceased to work
shortly after its opening. The Channel Islands
Telegraph Company, seeing the vast advantages
likely to fall to the share of the islands by an English
telegraphic connection, endeavoured by a fresh effort
to obtain further capital, and in this work they were
encouraged by a guarantee given them originally by
the Government. Early in the year now ending
Mr. W. IL Le Fevre, with the assistance
of the old company, succeeded in amal-
gamating a new 'body of directors and
shareholders, who undertook to have a strong cable
constructed, and to see the enterprise fairly pro-
c,)eded with. The cable was successfully laid, and
the company have just now handed over to the
Government the care of the whole undertaking. This is
the brief history of the intercourse with our modest
neighbours in the Channel Islands, which began so
auspicously yesterday. The new lines, it may be
stated, provide for Alderney. The Isle of Man has
for some months past enjoyed the uniform shilling
rate of telegraphy. In the original scheme of postal
telegraphs none of the Channel Islands ware brought
under consideration. In the last Session of Parlia-
ment, however, an Act was passed removing the
difficulties which prevented the extension of the
Government privileges to the islanders.