The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-01 00:00:00

Parliament seem also very well planned, and, so
far as they can be judged of in principle, without
experience of detail, they are calculated to meet the
requirements of the case, and to overcome the diffi-
culties that must necessarily be encountered in such
a comprehensive change. The main object which
the framers of the scheme have set before them
seems to be to make provision in the arrangements
as far as possible "in the power of Government,
to give the necessary unity and strength of action
to the Central Government." We are glad to find
that a clause is introduced in this Bill to bind the
Provinces to proceed at once with the great work of
the Intercolonial Railway, which has been most
truly considered to be the " actual backbone of the
whole scheme of union."

Mr. ADDERLEY pointed out to the notice of the
House as the main feature of the Bill the scrupulous
adherence which had been manifested by the colonial
draughtsmen to the features of the Home Constitu-
tion. We think that is at once important and
interesting, and it should reassure all who have
surmised that the introduction of this scheme would
result in the severance of these Provinces from the
mother-country. The description given by the
right hon. gentleman of the causes that have led
to Federal Union, we would point out to the
serious attention of those studying this question.
" It was simply," he said, " the consequence of the
absolute necessity. of the.adjustment of inveterate
local interests and the balance of mutual compro-
mises between the Provinces." It obviously re-
quired some external body or authority to give
effect to Federation. 'We consider that the present
Government, as well as their predecessors in office,
have taken a broad and comprehensive view of this
matter, and exhibited the chief qualities of states-
manship in their dealings with the question. As it
was aptly expressed in this speech, the time has
gone by when the Parliament and the
Government .can teach colonies like these
their own interests, for they know them
lynch better themselves. Taking into account
all the peculiarities of the case, we do not think
that the subject of the Federation of the North
American Provinces could have been brought before
the House in a more efficient manner, and this was
evidently the opinion of the House. It was, he said,
a great undertaking in which we are now engaged,
that of liberating to its natural destiny, one of
self-reliance, a large portion of the fairest part of
the earth; and when we remember " with what rapid
strides America has taken her place among the
Powers of the world, and when we reflect that the
vast extent of these Provinces is as yet inhabited by
not one-hundredth part of the life that will soon
replenish them, it will be seen that it is a serious
occupation to be taking even a share in their future
destiny."

Mr. CARDWELL expressed his satisfaction at the
motion before the House, and his share in the great
work now being consolidated will not be forgotten
by any one who watched his labours of last session.
He arrived at a very just conclusion when he said
that " the colonists had not acted as they had done
with a view to future separation from this country,
but had been, on the contrary, animated by a
loyalty to the British Crown, and an attachment to
British institutions, which cannot be surpassed even
by the Assembly which is about to ratify their act."
Mr. BRIGHT made some remarks which were quite
uncalled for, and did his best to show how thoroughly
un-English are hie sentiments, and how widely he
differs from all who take national views of such im-
portant questions. We may safely infer from the
tone of his observations that he is unwilling to have
any scheme propounded which may tend to the
increase of the power of Canada ; and very likely
he would not object to have the North American
Provinces finally become mergedinto the Government
of the United States. Be this as it may, the bitterness
of his speech was most remarkable, and he
was nearly wound up to the pitch of virtuous indig-
nation which actuates him in making speeches on
Reform and the misdoings of his political opponents.
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the early part
of the evening, spoke as if the matter was one of
extreme urgency, but Mr. BRIGIIT cannot see that
there was any urgency at all. It is pretty well
known by this time that Mr. BRIGHT has not much
faith in the sincerity of others, and that he can be
positively unjust and decidedly unfair when he gets
excited and irritated upon any topic ; hence it is not
surprising that he should have given utterance to the
extraordinary remark that " there
..are persons
in this country, and there are also some in the
North American Provinces, who are ill-natured
enough to say that not a little of the loyalty which
is said to prevail in Canada has its price."
We look upon Mr. BRIGHT'S speech as quite
unworthy of the occasion, and asexpressive of mean
and paltry sentiments. " The time has come," says
this sapient judge, " when it should be clearly un-
derstood that the taxes of England are no longer to
cross the ocean to defray the expenses of any kind
within Canada or within the Confederation which
is about to be formed. It is really ludicrous to
find Mr. BRIGHT charging the Government
with being deficient in " tenderness, generosity,
and consideration" in their dealings with Nova
Scotia. A more complete refutation of Mr. BRIGHT'S
declaration could not have been given than is found
in the news from America yesterday evening. The
hon. member for Birmingham waxed very wrathful
at the notion that the American Government, or
that any one in America, wished to interfere with
Canada ; and we find that a resolution has been pro-
duced in the House of Representatives, asking the
PRESIDENT for information as to the estab-
lishment of a Canadian Kingdom, which it
declares would be hostile to the safety and
peace of the. Republic of the United States. This
intelligence assorts very ill with the vehement asser-
tions of Mr. BRIGHT, that it is quite an. " halluci-
nation" to suppose that there is any risk of American
aggression or interference: Sir J. PAKINGTON'S ob-
servations were very much to the point, and he very
justly addressed himself at once to the objectionable
remarks of Mr. BRIGHT respecting the state of feel-
ing in the colonies. The right hon. baronet said
that he did not know whether or not the hon. mem-
ber for Birmingham stated it as his opinion, but it
left a very painful impression on the House, and he was
sure that in the colonies " a very painful impression
would be created if it went forth that the House of
Commons for a moment believed that the loyalty of
Canada had its price." We have not forgotten, as
Sir J. PAKINGTON truly says, the events in which
the loyalty of Canada has been so strikingly dis-
played. We entirely agree with the right hon.
baronet that there is nothing so noticeable in the
career pursued by Canada in this matter as the de-
votion she has exhibited towards this country.
This again, however, attracted the notice of Mr.
BRIGUT, who in his speech took care to ridi-
cule that portion of Mr. ADDERLEY'S discourse
which alluded to it. Certainly no one need
apply the expression which amused him and his
friends to himself, for under no circumstances could
he be charged with exhibiting too much " filial
piety" to the institutions of England, if he took up
his sojourn on a distant shore. With the excep-
tion of Mr. BRIGHT there was no opposition worthy
of the name made to the Bill, and we congratulate
alike the House aLd the Government upon the suc-
cess of the s.eheule. The beA intere.• of the Colo-

nies are concerned in its adoption, and all our in-
terests are indissolubly connected with all that is
connected with their progress and prosperity.

Notwithstanding the many exciting subjects
which are just now engrossing public attention,
both at home and abroad, we are glad to find that
the Royal National Lifeboat Institution does not
lose its hold on popular favour. It is an association
of which Englishmen have good reason to be proud,
being not only the first which carried the general
desire of saving life from shipwreck into a science,
but also one of the most efficient and successful of
our public institutions. Its influence has been felt
more or less throughout the whole of Europe,
and its endeavours have stimulatel other
maritime countries to similar exertions, while
the constant and indefatigable endeavours
of its managers to discover the best means of
diminishing the inevitable risks of a seafaring life
have popularised some important improvements,
and thus the number who are indebted to its
existence for life and safety is far beyond the
amount stated in the annual returns. Even taken
at the actual figures, however, the result is very
encouraging. The total number of lives saved in
the year 1866 by the lifeboats of the institution
was 426, and during the same period 495 rewards
for saving life by fishing and other boats have been
granted, thus making a grand total of 921 lives
saved by means of its direct or indirect agency.
The society is far from wishing to appro-
priate to itself the credit of independent
effort and self.devotion ; but they cannot help
feeling that they have given great encourage-
ment to all such exertions, besides diffusing
a general knowledge of the best means of ?roc°,
dure. The Coast Guard, which acts in cordial
'co-operation with the Lifeboat Institution, has this
year saved 350 lives, independently of the 921
already referred to. The Coast Guard effected this
great result by means of the rocket apparatus pro-
vided by the Board of Trade. For the perfection
to which this apparatus is brought the Lifeboat
Institution may claim the credit, and a striking
instance of its efficiency was given in December
last, when 123 lives were saved by its means at one
time from the wreck of a Swedish vessel. The
number of lives saved has rapidly increased during
the last few years, partly from the incrase of our
trade and shipping, and partly from the greater
number of boats now possessed by the institution
and the increased efficiency of all the departments.
Too much praise cannot be given to the managers
and officers of the institution, who have from its
first establishment laboured:earnestlyland indefatig-
ably in promoting its interests. They are re-
wardeti for their endeavours by the list of no less
than 15,901 lives saved by their means during
the 43 years which the association has been in
existence. The first year, 1824, showed a return of
124 lives saved, but since the number has gone on
increasing, though with variations, according to the
changes of the weather. The highest number
reached was in 1852, when 773 persons were saved,
after which the average, up to 1863, was about
450. In 1863, however, the number rose again to
714, precisely the same, strangely enough, as in 1865.
In the intervening year the number saved was 698 ;
so that 1866, as we have seen, has the highest re-
turn of all. The year has been exceptionably
stormy and disastrous, and it is sad to remember,
notwithstanding all the heroic efforts which have
been made, and the ,‘ glorious harvest" which the
committee may well rejoice over, how many valu-
able lives have been lost during the past twelve-
months. The year was ushered in by storms of
terrific severity. The loss of the steamship London
on the 11th of January created a widespread feeling
of regret, and it was quickly succeeded by terrible
disasters on our own coasts. In connection with the
loss of the London, we may mention that the Wesleyan
Methodists have chosen the most worthy and suit-
able memorial of their lamented minister, the Rev. D.
T. DRAPER, who perished in that ill-fated vessel, after
having distinguished himself by his noble and
Christian exertions to cheer and support the suf-
ferers. Mr. DRAPER was a native of Cornwall, and
the Wealeyans having presented the institution with
the cost of a lifeboat in his honour, the committee
have decided upon establishing a station at Mullion
Cove, about six miles from the Lizard station. A
fearful wreck occurred last month at Mullion Cove,
and the whole of the crew perished, owing to the
inevitable delay in bringing the lifeboat to the
scene of action. Thirty-three new lifeboats
have been built during the year ; thirteen having
been provided for new stations, and the remainder
to replace old or inferior boats. These 33 boats
have been built at a cost of £17,000; all of them
stpioenciaalreg,ifhtso.weTvehre, gneenceesrsaalrielxpeyvnesresy
hoefavtyhe
itu ;
beinglnst
the total outlay of the present year being upwards
of £40,000. To keep in efficient working order a
fleet of 174 boats, continually exposed to the
roughest weather, is of itself no light under-
taking ; and the Committee express their sense
of the heavy responsibility, which in-
creases with the extent of their operations.
The 426 lives which have been saved by their life-
boats were most of them rescued under circum-
stances when no other description of boat could
with safety have been employed. There is room
for even further exertion on the part of the Associa-
tion, for the Wreck Register of the Board of Trade
tells us that in the past year there have been no
less than 1,787 shipwrecks, with a loss of 602 lives.
Had it not been for the ample and efficient organi-
sation, of the National Lifeboat Institution
what a terrible list of casualties we should
have to record! No doubt the weather during
the past twelvemonth has been very tempestuous,
but we must remember that this is a matter over
which we have no control, and that we shall always
be liable to stormy seasons of exceptional severity.
The immense increase of our shipping, too, tends to
increase the number of lives risked, and we are glad
to find that the institution, not content with exert-
ing themselves in their own particular department,
are doing all in their power to diminish the risks
incurred by our sailors and fishermen. They
are now preparing some improved fishing-
boats, with safety fittings, hoping gradu-
ally to introduce such improvements into
the smaller class of fishing-boats on our coasts,
whose faulty construction leads to so much loss of
life. There are several other plans of this kind
which might be gradually introduced, and might be
the means of greatly diminishing the inevitable
risks of a seafaring life. The dangers incurred by
the brave men who form our lifeboat crews has just
received a melancholy illustration in the loss of five
men belonging to the Padstow lifeboat, on the coast
of Cornwall. The boat was upset, and though she
immediately right,d herself, the violence of the surf
prevented five of the crew regaining her. Surely if
so many men can be found thus willingly to incur
such risks, those who live in safety may well con-
tribute liberally towards the necessary expenses.
The meeting yesterday was honoured by the pre-
sence of the Prince of WALES, who has always taken
a warm interest in the operations of the institution.
His Royal Highness presided over the meeting,
and forcibly urged the claims of the association
upon the sympathies of his hearers. He observed
with great truth that in a great maritime

country like ours an institution of this kind was
almost a necessity, and that it was wholly different
to other charitable or benevolent undertakings,
inasmuch as its operations could only be carried on
at the personal risk of those engageul. His Royal
Highness remarked that the Institution was doing
its work so efficiently that any decay through loss
of friends would be the more to be regretted.

The meeting had also the support of the First
Lord of the Admiralty, who made an interesting
address, and dwelt especially on the exertions of the
men engaged. All the efforts of the promoters,
and the generosity of the public, would, he said,
be vain, without the happy combination of bravery
and humanity, which had ever been the charac-
teristics of the true British sailor. Sir JOHN
PAKINGTON expressed his satisfaction at
the increasing interest on the part of
the public in the institution, particularly from in-
land towns in all parts of the country. That very
morning he had answered a letter from Worcester,
which was about to lend its aid, and give a lifeboat to
the society, though few places were more remote from
the sea. Lord HARDIVICKE, SiS STAFFORD NORTH-
COTE, and several other speakers addressed the meet-
ing ; and the Prince of WALES, in acknowledging
the gift of a model of the Albert Victor lifeboat,
expressed a hope that his little boy might look at
it years hence with the pleasant recollection that
his nautical namesate had, before he was three years
old, rescued 30 lives. During the meeting, which
was in every respect most successful, the gratify-
ing fact was announced of a gift of £6OO from an
anonymous lady, besides other handsome subscrip-
tions. We hope the example and encouragement
thus afforded will be the means of still further ex-
tending the operations of this valuable institution.