The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-24 00:00:00

THE SUN, LOSDOS, MONDAY EVENING, JUNE 24, 1867

gratifying on account of the absence of party feeling,
it having been understood that no appeal was made
to that sentiment, but, on the contrary, that they
testified the respect and good feeling of the com-
munity towards those who endeavoured to do their
duty to their Sovereign and their country accord-
ing to the best of their abilities. We can well be-
lieve that Mr. DISRAELI spoke the simple truth
without exaggeration or reserve, when he asserted
that this sort of testimonial was far more flattering
and gratifying to them than if they had met to cele-
brate a " triumph of party," or enunciation of any
particular set of opinions. Mr. DISRAELI himself
is not at all a party man in the prejudiced accepta-
tion of the term ; he takes too comprehensive a view
of the state of affairs, and looks too much ahead
to keep within the narrow limits that bounds the
thoughts of mere partisan politicians; but at the
same time any statesman of eminence must often
turn from his immediate surroundings to con-
template the position he holds with respect
to the great body of the people. As
the right honourable gentleman forcibly put it
to the assembly, " After all, it is in the respect of
all well-considering fellow subjects that we must
receive our best reward for any exertions we can
possibly make ; and it is to the calm verdict of the
unimpassioned portion of the nation that we must
appeal for our justification."
Real popularity does not depend upon the posses-
sion of a majority in the House of Commons, or in
the construction of a strong Cabinet, or even a
talented one. It consists more in the general appre-
ciation of the efforts of the Administration, and in
the conviction that sinks into the mind of the com-
munity with respect to the course pursued by those
in authority; and in this respect the present Admini-
stration have made great strides during their tenure
of office, for people are getting tired of the exclusive
line adopted by certain parties, who seek to mono-
polise all public questions of interest and importance
to themselves, and yet do nothing when they have
opportunity given to them for action. This
year has shown that far more may be gained
from a Conservative Government, really roused
to exertions from a sense of the great
responsibities devolving upon it, and the significance
of the political situation, than from soi-disant
Liberals, whose great forte is in talking, but who
seldom put their precepts into practice. No one
who knows anything of public affairs will deny the
truth of the Chancellor of the Exchequer's
assertion that the present Government succeeded to
office under circumstances of peculiar difficulty,
and indeed that difficulty has increased rather than
diminished during the months that have rolled
on since their taking the burden of office upon them.
Foreign affairs have occasioned great anxiety of late,
and it is indeed a source of satisfaction to every one
that Lord STANLEY should have achieved such a
striking success in the management of the Confer-
ence. As Mr. DISRAELI said, he was " echoing not
only the universal opinion of all Englishmen, but of
the subjects of all countries, that his noble friend,
by his prudent and sagacious management of affairs,
had secured the peace of Europe."
Referring to home politics, the right hon. gentle-
man said he would not touch upon any controversial
points, but the Deputy Master had alluded to his
exertions during the session which had been made
when quoting the words of the song last sung--

" The stormy winds do blow."

Respecting the great measure of this year, Mr
DISRAELI said that he would say for the policy of
Her MAJESTY'S Government that with reference to
Foreign affairs they sought to secure the peace of
Europe, and with domestic affairs to secure the
peace of England. Lord STANLEY made a short
speech upon British ships and British sea-
men, declaring that they had managed from
the earliest days to the present to hold their
own perfectly well, " both in the way of navi-
gating and the way of fighting, and we don't
seem to see the time when they will cease to hold
their own." Coupled with this toast was the name
of Dr. LUSHINGTON, to whom the noble lord paid a
high tribute, declaring that all would share in the
general regret when he retired from his present
position of Judge of the Court of Admiralty. The
Duke of RICHMOND made an entertaining speech
in returning thanks for the commercial and mari-
time interests of the country. He said that he had
been so much more accustomed to plough the land
than the sea that his present position at the Board
of Trade was rather strange. Referring to the
Constitution of the country, he said that it seemed
to him that it was like one of their old wooden ships;
" she had been taken into dock, and was being
thoroughly overhauled, under the aupices of that
very eminent shipwright the Chancellor of the
Ex.lhequer, but she would soon be fairly afloat
again, and they need not apprehend any
danger." Mr. CORRY also delivered a speech
of great interest, and he expressed his high
sense of the great services which the Brethren of
the Trinity house had rendered to the nary, and
to the maritime interests of England and the world.
The elder brethren in particular had conferred im-
portant benefit by the efficiency of the navigating
officers. 'With respect to matters relating to his
own department, Mr. CORRY said that the nu-
merical superiority of the fighting vessels
had been diminished by the substitution of
armour-clad ships for wooden ones, but he
was happy to say that there was no navy in which
" the same number of ships represents a force equal
to the ironclad fleet of England." We fully agree
with Mr. CORRY in his opinion of the naval reserve,
and as he says he would meet any emergency very
differently if he had that naval reserve under his
lee than if he had to go into the market with
bounties in his pocket, and to send press-pangs into
the streets." Altogether this last entertain-
ment at the Trinity House was a very
satisfactory and successful one, and an additional
interest must always attach itself to an affair of
this sort, where, beyond the immediate amusement
of the hour, there is a historical association im-
parted
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A3l ATEUR THEATRICALS.—On Friday evening the
London Rifle Brigade Amateur Dramatic Club gave their
first public performance at St. George's Hall, Langham-
place. The entertainment, which was under the most dis-
tinguished patronage, consisted of Sheridan's comedy of
"The Rivals," a selection from Knowles's play of "The
Wife," and the farce of "The Rifle, and How to Uso

In the comedy Sir Anthony Absolute found an excellent
representative in Ensign Rush; and Corporal Meadows, as
Bob Acres, supported the part with all the humour and
self-possession of a professional. Mrs. Malaprop, Lydia
Languish, and Julia were represented by Mrs. Newberry,
Miss Eburn, and Mies Bufton very excellently. In the
selection from "The Wife," Private Blagrove, as Julian St.
Pierre, gave a very forcible and talented embodiment to
the part—a circumstance demanding great praise, con-
sidering the difficulties that present themselves to an ama-
teur in this particular character. The farce brought out
the capabilities of Privates Hall, Blink, Leete, and Palmer,
and merrily concluded a very creditable evening's enter-
tainment.

At the Newington Sessions, on Wednesday, 50
tradesmen were fined for having in their possession un-
just weights, scales, or measures. The list comprised 12
licensed victuallers and beer retailers, 4 butchers, 1 eat-
ing-house keeper, 6 bakers, 11 chandlers, 5 grocers and
cheesemongers, 6 coal dealers, 2 greegrocers, 1 plumber,
and 2 marine store dealers. The fines amounted to £76
10s.—South London, Press.

OM PA,III/3.