The Sun.
London, England, 1856-09-25 00:00:00

ROYAL THE A.TRE ADELPIII.
Proprlstor and Manager, Mr. B. Webster.
Directress, Madame Celeste.
THIS EVENING,
IRELAND AS IT 13.

Followed by
DOMESTIC ECONOMY.

To conclude with
LUCIFER MATCHES ; OR, THE YANKEE ---

ASTLEY'3 ROYAL AMPFIITFIRATRE.
Lessee and Matmer, Mr. Wm. Cooke.

THIS EVENING,
Eighth Week ! Shakspere's RICHARD THE THIRD, with Mr.
W. Cooke's Equestrian Illustrations. " Saddle White Surrey for the
field to-morrow !" &c. Crowds.? audiences testify the effect of novelty
and the influence of the favourable opinion of the press.
After which,
The SC ENEA in the CIRCLE.
To concinCe with
•
ROMBASTES FURIOSO.
Commence at Seven. Box-o" 1, open from Eleven till Fonr. Stage
Manager, Mr. W. West. .Equestrian Director. Mr. W. Cooke, jun.

IG a TATER. AT TAO \T DO g BRI DC4 T4'..

MIS DAT—Mora. 46 z-ain. aft. 11—Evening 0 min. aft. 0
TI-Mostow—`:torn. 16 min. aft.l2 —E7cning4o min. aft. 12

THE WEATHEEL--SuN OFFICE, SEPTEMBER 25.
THERMOMETER, IN TTIR SHADE.
63—highest since noon yesterday.
51—lowest this morning Ind dnrintf the night.
61—this day at noon.

PA"WITI777I,
WIND, W.—Fresh, with dull, cloudy weather.. A good
deal of rain fell during the night.
THREE O'CLOCK.—Heavy shower.

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e • Tl/4.
Cfr:f
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,7

L.ONDON, THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 25, 1856.

Field-Marshal Viscount HARDEN-GE yesterday
died at his.country seat, war Tunbridge WrcllF.
The severe attack which led to his resignation of
Gen eral-Cormnand in g-i n-Ciliof was never re-
covered. The gallant veteran was not long per-
mitted to enjoy the otium cum dignita to which he
had so nobly earned. He has been taken to a
better world, full of years, and full of honour—
having achieved no ordinary success in " the
battle of life."

No officer ever more completely succeeded in
gaining the confidence of his superiors while in a
subordinate position ; and had he not achieved
the highest rank in his profession, had he not
been placed at the head of the army, he would
have descended to the grave without the slightest
blot on his escutcheon. But his triumphs were
of the field, not of the Cabinet. In the former
he only listened to the inspirations of his fearless
heart. In the latter he suffered himself to be
made the supporter of a mischievous system,—
to be the nominal commander while another
wielded the real power. Had the Duke of WELLTSG-
TON survived, Lord HARDINGE would have de-
scended to his honoured grave without the
slightest breath of censure or reproach ; and we
believe that all that can be alleged against him, is
.hat he to© meekly yielded in his advanced years
to an influence which be considered to be
irresistible.

It was no ordinary success for the son of a
respectable country clergyman, who was neither
possessed of extraordinary wealth, nor had any
aristocratic blood in his veins, to acquire two steps
in the Peerage, to become a Grand Cross of the
Bath, a Field-Marshal, Master-General of the
Ordnance, and successor of the Iron Duke at the
Horse Guards. Nor was it merely in military
matters that he distinguished himself. He also
filled, at various times, important civil posts ;
having been Secretary at War, Secretary of S tat e
for Ireland, and Governor-General of India. In
the latter position he united the military and civil
capacities, acting as second in command to Lord
Gouau in some of his most important contests at
Moodkee, Ferozeshah, and Sobraon. From his
position he might have assumed the chief com-
mand, but with proper feeling he abstained from
depriving his illustrious companion in arms of the
honours to which he was so well entitled.

It was not, however, solely his merit that ad-
vanced him. He formed a matrimonial connexion
that materially assisted his views. The sister of
the Lord CASTLEREAGH, the Foreign Secretaryand
Minister Plenipotentiary at the Congress of Vienna,
bestowed her hand on the gallant young officer,
who had rendered his name illustrious on many a
well-contested field, and identified it with the
glorious name of Albuera. While the annals of
the Peninsular army remain that day can never
be forgotten, and the hero par excellence of the
brilliant victory, might receive any preferment
within the gift of the Prime Minister without
justifying a charge of nepotism.
Lord HARDINGE was also the cherished friend
of his illustrious leader, the Duke of WELLING-
TON ; and when, as Premier, his Grace thought
it necessary to vindicate his honour by challenging
the Earl Of WINCHILSEA, the then Sir HENRY
HARDINGE was the person whom he selected as
second.

As we have stated, his career was without
blemish until he became Commander-in-Chief,
and became responsible for the selection of the
Crimean officers. We believe, however, that the
real errors might be attributed to other quarters.
That he committed grave mistakes is indisputable;