The Sun.
London, England, 1867-11-01 00:00:00

Admiral Farragut's Reception in England

We doubt whether a foreign sailor has yet been
received in England with the marked respect and
cordiality extended to Admiral FARRAGUT. The
American Admiral combines in his own person both
the highest rank and the most distinguished services
of any officer afloat. His official post corresponds
with that of Lord High Admiral in England, which
has not been filled since 1828. Like General GRANT
Admiral FARRAGUT had his grade created for him.
The United States carried into the profession of
arms the Republican notions which restricted the
elevation of men above their fellows. Each succes-
sive war has compelled the Republic to extend its
grades upwards. It is found necessary, however
strong might be the Republican prejudice, to make
rank correspond with command. Whatever might
be the designation, practical experience taught the
Government the necessity of increasing the number
of grades, and as it could not go lower it had to go
higher. The officer at the head of a fully ap-
pointed army exceeding 100,000 men might be
termed a Brigadier-General, but then what were his
suborbinates to be termed until the end of the scale
was reached where the command consisted of
four or five soldiers? The junior ranks could not
be abolished, for small parties must constantly be
detached, and one must assume the command.
As the army swelled in number, the requirement
increased for the more elevated grades of the
armies of Europe. 'Thus SCOTT and GRANT reached
posts created for them, and never before held by
American officers. So also with the navy, where
it was seen to be as requisite to make the
rank correspond with the command, and Repub-
lican notions had to give way when the absurdity
was apparent of sending to sea the most powerful
fleets under the command of a Commodore. The
brilliancy of the services of such soldiers as GRANT
and such sailors as FAR.RAG UT not only reconciled
the people to the innovation, but made them urge
its adoption. They wished to re.vard their faithful
servants, and to pl Lee their most renowned war-
riors in ranks corresponding to the highest con-
ferred. More especially was the necessity for this
felt in the navy, where the duties of the officers,
brought them into contact with the naval commanders
of other nations, and into foreign ports. Thus it
happens that Admiral FARRAGUT has risen by a
series of the most splendid victories, and of services
to his country, which cannot be exaggerated, to
the highest naval rank now held. The brilliancy
of his career would, under any circumstances, have
secured for the American Admiral the most respect-
ful greeting, but where etiquette reigns supreme,
as in the navies of the world, high rank was re-
quired to give full scope to hospitable intentions
and honours. The Lords of the British Admiralty
seized on this rare opportunity (for a seaman of
this rank is seldom afloat), to mark not only their

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own admiration, but that of the country they repre-
sent, for the distinguished sailor, and for the navy
to which he belongs. It was intended as a sponta-
neous tribute of the English people to the gallant
navy of their cousins across the Atlantic ; and we
are assured that Admiral FA►;RAGUT and his
brethren in arms felt it so, and no mere olliciJl
parade.

That no such reception has hitherto been accorded
due to the fact that no such opportunity bad
before been offered. Since the deal body of NEL-
;ON teas landed in mournful triumph in England, it

has; not fallen to the lot of a British sailor to achieve
the successes of AJiuiral FARRAUUL Officers of
the highest social rank have been received at Eng-

lish ports with thundering salutes and visits of
ceremony, official details accorded as a matter of
course. Admiral FARIZAGUT'S reception was one of
a totally different kind, lie carried with him the
marked respect of all classes, but more especially of
the British navy, those best able to appreciate his
exploits. This was shown in the most unmistake-
able manner from that unimpressionable body the
Board of Admiralty, down to the tars who manneil

the yards. It was this heartiness to which we
desire to draw the especial attention of our contem-
poraries over the water, as it means more than is at
a glance apparent. The British navy is trained in
the conviction that the true sailor is the product
alone of England. Science may enable foreign
nations to build vessels to compete, or they may be
purchased from the yards of the English shipwright.
But the crews, in his opinion, differ as widely as
ever, those of other navies being but a poor imita-
tion of his own. The Prussian, the Russian, the
Austrian, even the French, are but soldiers afloat,
and the only country the crews of whose ships he
really respects, is America. It would be impossible
for men so trained to give the same reception
to any other navy that they accorded to the
American. There might be any amount of cere-
monial, noise, and smoke ; but there would be
wanting that innate feeling, as they met on the
decks of each other's ships, that they were extending
the hand of hospitality to men who as foes were
worthy of their steel. Whether in war or in peace
this feeling is distinctively marked when the Anglo-
Saxon race meets another. Those they despise—
whether as ally or foe—may perceive it, for it is
clearly enough shown, either in the bivouack of
their own camp, or whore outlying pickets peace-
ably mingle as they sometimes do with those of the

enemy. The fierce conflict, instead of engendering
hatred, appears to excite respect, and it was iu
tribute to this feeling that the American squadron
met in England with so warm a welcome. It has
often been noticed that her MAJESTY'S ships of war
avoid American ports. Whether this be by design
is not for us to say ; but if so, we may now hope
to have seen the end of the folly. There are no
people more hospitable than Americans. 130
the visitors distinguished in literature, in art, in
arms, or merely in rank, they unite in bearing tes-
timony to the genuine cordiality and hospitality of
their reception. 'Why, then, should the British
Navy form an exception? We feel assured, and
British officers may rely on the fact, that the
next ship of war that visits any great port
of the United States will meet with a hearty
greeting. Ships of the United States navy
visit every port of the British empire, and
her MAJESTY'S vessels cruising off the American
coast, instead of avoiding the ports, should lose n°
opportunity of anchoring there and exchanging
hospitalities. It is desirable that relations of respect
and friendship should grow between the two
navies of the world, having sprung from the samestock, speaking the same language, and there-
fore offering greater facilities for kindly intercourse.
It is then the more fortunate that the admiral who
rules, and who is likely, if he lives, for years to rule,
the navy of which he is the darling, was the reci-
pient of this cordial greeting, and of which we hop°
Ile will retain a lasting and pleasing remembrance.
—Anglo-American Times. greatest