The Sun.
London, England, 1867-01-15 00:00:00

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LONDON, TUESDAY, JAN. 15, 1867.

There are few things more gratifying to the feel-
ings of those about to proceed to distant lands than
to carry with them proofs of the fidelity of the
attachment of their friends, and signs and tokens of
the esteem and regard in which they are held. Mr.

SEYMOUR FITZGERALD has this gratification to the
full extent, and he may depart to the arduous
duties of his vocation in India, in the full assurance
that he is respected and honoured in his native
country, and that he leaves behind friends and
well-wishers. Yesterday afternoon a large party
assembled at Horsham for the purpose of presenting
the right hon. gentleman with a testimonial
of their regard, and a tribute to his merits. The
subscriptions raised by his neighbours and friends
were expended in the production of a portrait of
himself, which was executed in the highest style of
art by Mr. LUCAS. Mr. DICKENS, who was de-
puted to present it, assured Mr. FITZGERALD that
those who thus sought to do him honour earnestly
trusted that when the term of his service abroad
had expired he might be restored in health and
happiness to his friends and admirers. The
address was couched in appropriate terms,
and declared that the presentation was made
to him in testimony of the high appreciation
in which they held the eminent services he had ren-
dered to the borough of Horsham during the 13
years he represented it, and of their " admiration
of the great talent, ability, and eloquence displayed
by him in the discharge of the arduous and important
duties devolving upon him as Under-Secretary of
State for Foreign Affairs in the Government of the
Earl of DERBY, with their warmest congratulations
on his elevation to the exalted office to which he has
now been appointed by her Majesty the QUEEN."
Mr. FITZGERALD, in his acknowledgments for the
compliment which had been paid to him, said that
he felt embarrassed on that occasion, although he
had seldom been at a loss in addressing a public
meeting, and never in communicating with his
friends at Horsham, but he spoke under mixed
feelings. As he truly styled it, this presentation
made by his well-wishers is a " last and crowning
act that will testify his time has not been spent in
vain ;" and also it will ',serve as an encouragement
to those who come after him that, if they
do their duty to the best of their abilities, they
will not find an ungrateful constituency.
In taking a glimpse at past days Mr. FITZGERALD
alluded to the position which Horsham had held.
when he first had the honour of being its repre-
sentative, and he was able to congratulate himself
and his hearers on the improvement whieh has since
taken place in it ; at that period it did not enjoy
he best reputation among the constituencies of the

country, but by dint of strenuous exertions on the
part of many it has since redeemed itself, and may
now be ranked high among those constituencies
which are distinguished for independence of cha-
racter and for an honest exercise of the franchise
that the Constitution bestows." In taking leave,
at any rate for some time, of his old friends and
associates, the right hon. gentleman tendered some
excellent advice to them, and declared that if spared
to return he hoped to find the borough very much
improved. They bad ancient privileges and an
ancient name. It is a great source of satisfaction
to find that one is leaving only friends and well-
wishers behind, and Mr. FITZGERALD, although the
parting from old associations was painful, had at
least the consolation of knowing that his career
as a public man had been successful, and
that as a private individual he was esteemed
and appreciated among those whom he said farewell
to.

Mr. Lucas, who was warmly congratulated upon
the admirable manner in which he had executed the
task consigned to him of taking the portrait of the
right hon. gentleman, in making his acknowledg-
ment, said that he was not, as had been supposed,
a member of the Royal Academy, " although he had
practised portrait painting in public for the last
thirty-seven years, during which he had had
the good fortune and distinguished honour
of painting no less than thirteen portraits of
the Royal Family ; although he had been called upon
by the late Sir ROBERT PEEL to paint the portrait
of his most distinguished colleagues for his gallery
at Drayton-Manor, and although there was scarcely
a county in England, or a country in the civilised
world, in which his pictures were not ha nging, still
he bad not the honour of being a member of the
Royal Academy." The inconsistencies of this In-
stitution have often before been pointed out, but
surely this is a glaring instance of bad management
somewhere. There can be no second opinion
as to the merits of Mr. LUCAS'S productions, and why,
we may well ask, is he excluded from a privilege to
which he has every claim ?
Mr. FITZGERALD had another opportunity of ad-
dressing his friends at a luncheon which was pro-
vided after the ceremony of presentation had been
gone through. In the course of these brief obser-
vations he alluded to the significant circumstance
that some gentlemen; politically opposed to him in
the town, had joined in this testimonial, and there-
fore, he emphatically observed, that " there
was nothing so encouraging to a man in
public life as tho knowledge that he had
not only the support of those who agreed
with him, but that he had been fortunate enough
in the performance of what he thought his public
duty as to win the esteem of those who were
opposed to him." This idea is illustrated in the
expressive line of BYRON

His mourners were two hosts—his friends and foes ;
but it is a pleasant reflection for those still living
to know that they are respected and regarded by
all parties. There is something very interesting in
this genuine and cordial feeling towards one who
is about to depart to a distant sphere to serve that
Crown on whose dominions the sun never sets, and
that country which has sent forth so many brave
defenders of her rights by sea and land, and so
many eminent men to be the civil servants of her
extended and enlightened Government. We feel
sure that all who have watched the course of Mr.
FITZGERALD'S career among us in this country will
hope that in India he may still go on and prosper,
and receive that appreciation and admiration for
his talents and merits which he so readily deserves,
and of which he yesterday received so signal a
proof that they were not forgotten and slighted
among those who knew him best and delighted to
do him honour.

The condition of our mercantile navy is un-
doubtedly a matter of great importance. It is the
nursery and foundationpf that Imperial navy which
is the best guarantee of our national independence.
Soldiering is from sundry causes going somewhat
out of fashion, but sailoring will probably never
lose its hold on the affections of the English, unless
the whole characteristics of the race are changed.
Islanders are usually expert in seamanship and
fond of a seafaring life, though there is something