The Sun.
London, England, 1867-08-21 00:00:00

LORD CAIRNS.

Before the Duke of Wellington grew old, and
while his repute as a statesman was still in its prime,
he felt the necessity of having by his side a lawyer-
lieutenant, to do for him the puzzles in Acts of
Parliament and questions of practice and precedent,
with which every party leader in either Lords or
Commons is beset. His insight into charac-
ter would naturally have fixed his choice upon
Lord Lyndhurst, even though that astute,
accomplished, and ambitious politician bad
not saved him the trouble by making choice
of himself. It was said of Sir James Graham
that he did not receive the confidence of Sir Robert
Peel :he took it. The Duke was au equally diffi-
cult man to deal with in this fashion ; but Lord
Lyndhurst knew instinctively what the great
soldier stood in need of, and how he could supply
that need. It was not only the inexhaustible re-
source of the best mode of expression, the
clearest method of elucidation, and the most
potent charms of suasion and invective that the
ex-Chancellor had at command. Ile was bold
and ready in council, crafty as a diplomatist, subtle
as a pleader, and daring as an Arab chief ; and
when the stratagem failed, or the device proved
abortive, he was quick in turn, and prompt to cover
the inevitable retreat of the followers whom he had
misled for the day. Few partisan leaders were
oftener beaten ; yet few retained longer the confi-
dence of their party. Since his death the Tories
have had no one in the Upper house to take his
place. Lord Kingsdown, though endowed with
many high qualities, possessed neither the eloquence
or ambition, the plot or the passion requisite for the
purpose; and neither Lord St. Leonards nor Lord

Chelmsford was ever fitted to exercise influence or

guidance among the dull and dogged majority of
the Peers. The elevation of Lord Justice Cairns
to the rank of nobility was accepted by the public
and the profession, as no more than the just
recognition of forensic merit, and the confession of
a legitimate wish to replenish the failing judicial
strength of the Supreme Court of Appeal. Little
if anything more was thought about the matter ;
and little more for a time might have come of it,
had it not been for the unusual exigencies of the
Tory party during the present session.
But Lord Cairns was evidently mistaken, when
he said last year, on receiving his appointment for
life, to the lucrative and honourable but still
secondary post of Lord Justice in Equity, that his
ambition was satisfied, and that he wished only
henceforth for health and the love of his family. It
was natural that one who had run so hard a race
for fortune and for fame, with the odds against him
of a delicate frame and what seemed at one time too
like a debilitated constitution, should in the first
moments of exultation on reaching shore stretch
himself on the warm sands, close his eyes, and say
—I am content and happy. But the habit of
struggle begets in most men the love of struggling ;
and at forty-eight the temptation to use selftion dn
e
power is generally irresistible. The tempta
this case was, besides, more than ordinarily
dazzling to the eye of hesitating ambition. When
Lord Cairns took his seat in the House of
Peers there happened to be little to dos but
as he looked round he could not help feeling that
if much were to be done, there were few fit to do
it. Lord Derby's presence was often interrupted
ar-
by
the attacks of his old enemy, gout ;
and Lord C
narvon, the only other Peer of debating power in
the Cabinet, as at first constituted, had withdrawn
to a pcsition ambiguous, if not hostile ; even the
casual support of Lords Ellenborough and Shaftes-
bury could no longer be reckoned on ; Lord Kings-
down was ill ; and the Chancellor wasp erceptibly
ttipg past work. There has seldom been such an
ge
opening for one so qualified to avail himself of it.
Had Lord Derby been in his place when the
Upper _House went into committee on the Reform
Bill, he would doubtless have swayed its delibera-
tions by his personal influence, as for some years
he has been wont to do, leaving little scope for
the exercise of skill or strategy in any other
member of the Conservative party. But it so
fell out that ou that eventful day the Premier was
stretched upon a bed of pain, and the reins dropped
into the helpless hands of the next in rank, but
perhaps the remotest iu ability, of his colleagues.
The Privy Seal signalised his assumption of the
dtitiefS of locum if nens blundez which curled

every well-bred lip around him into an unspoken
sneer. The coxcoinbry of slipshod articulation is
bad enough ; but lisping grammar is still more ridi-
culous and insufferable, in one who aff•2cts to fill
a political position amongst us. Lord Malams-
bury, who had failed to grapple wits► the taunts
and reproaches of the disentient Lord Carnarvon
on the second reading of the bill, began the dis-
cnssio❑ of its clauses in committee by a tedious
reply to the a' tack which had been made upon
him and the rest of his colleagues, for retaining
office after changing their principles ; and espe-
cially complained of their having been designated
organised hypocrites," thus missing the whole
point and meaning of the sarcasm which every one
but himself had recognised, and so misquoting
what " his noble friend" had said as to render it
wholly meaningless. Everybody but the Privy
Seal remembered how Mr. Disraeli had affixed to
the tactics of Sir Robert Peel, when engaged in
wheedling the Tory party into Free Trade, without
abandoning the forms and phrases of Protection,
thestinging designation of "an organised hypocrisy."
The wit flashed, and the deadly truth, like a point-
blank shot, went home. There was a sharp
and telling humour in turning, after eighteen years,
the drummer's lash on the back of the drummer.
But poor Lord Malmesbury was too much occupied
with himself, and too anxious to tell the incurious
world bow he ,had entertained his ex-colleague at
Heron Court, and sat upbalf a night with him there
during the Christmas holidays, settling how much
Reform they-two would give the people, without
knowing how much Air. Disraeli bad made up his
mind to give them ,=-to &coSect what historic wordif -
the friendless but fearless adventurer had used
when, standing on the topmost roundof the scaling-
ladder, he broke his way into power.
Lord Cairns saw his opportunity, and with a win-
ning air of un-pretension quietly took the lead, ini-
tiating or enforcing a series of amendments admir-
ably calculated for their purpose. That purpose
was to attenuate the strength of the bill as it had
been sent up by the House of Commons. It was a
wise and salutary purpose in the estimation of two-
thirds of the Peers ; and knowing that it would be
so esteemed, recognised, and sustained by them, it
was exactly that which a dexterous and ambitious
aspirant to their confidence might with most effect
decide upon. The angler chose his flies
with judgment, threw them with perfect
skill, and without straining his line drew easily
his fish to land. What mattered it that the
fish when they jumped did not know how they
would be caught ; or that after lying iu the lauding-
net a while the head angler would come, unceremo-
niously take the hook out of their mouths, and fling
them into the water again for future sport ? Lord
Cairns did all he wanted. Ile showed that in Lord
Derby's absence he was able, with little or no aid
from others, to lead and manage the party. He had
been casting wistful eyes at the mantle of Lynd-
hurst, and at the first touch it fell upon his shoulder.
How will he wear it? We shall see.—Examiner.

MR. J. HARDY, ALP., AT DAOMOUTH,

Mr. J. Hardy, M.P. for Dartmouth, on Monday
evening addressed the electors of that borough in
the Subscription-rooms; the Mayor (Mr. R. M.
Mortimer) presided, and among others present were
the Rev. F. M. Walter, Dr. Newman, the Rev. J.
Smart, the Rev. J. Tracey, Captain Lidstone, Dr.

J. Puddicombe, and Captain Hingston.
The Mayor having introduced the hon. member
to the meeting,
Mr. HARDY, who was received with enthusiasticaddress
applause, rose, and, in the course of a long address,
said that the least he could do was to invite their
attendance there that evening to hear the history
of what had taken place during the last session of
Parliament. The great changes that bad taken
place, and the further changes that might ensue
throughout the length and breadth of the land,
were questions in which everybody who claimed to
be good citizens must feel an interest. He oug
n,
perhaps, perhaps, to apologise to his original supporters
Dartmouth for having in his old age, after having
represented Dartmouth for so long a time, all at
once turned what some people might consider an
extravagant Liberal. (Hear, and laughter.) He
did not think any apology was due to the Liberal
party in Dartmouth, most of whom opposed him at
the last contest, he
for thought he had answered
their most sanguine expectation, even if ho had
not gone beyond them. (Hear, hear, and laughter.)
No doubt many people were surprised at such
a wide measure of reform being carried ys
a Con-
servative Ministry, with Lord Derby at b
it head ;
but considering the circumstances f the time,
meat
and
that the subject had been discussed in Parlia
every session during the last fifteen years, Lord
Derby, though he did not pledge himself on the
subject, yet thought it his duty, when called upon
by her Majesty to take the direction of affairs, to
endeavour to pass a Reform Bill during the present
session, and they were taunted as Conservatives
with passing what some Liberals call an extravagant
measure. For his own part he thought the £lO
franchise was a good stopping place, but when once
they left the moorings at £lO he did not know
where they might drift. It was the feeling of many
who had thought deeply on the subject, amongst
others of Sir Roundell Palmer and the late Sir
George Cornewall Lewis, and he had been for many
years of the same opinion himself, that if they once
lowered the franchise the only sure resting place
was household suffrage, with certain qualifications
and limitations, if they could manage to qualify it
in that way. (Hear, bear.) A franchise of that kind
ought to satisfy everybody. Nobody could complai
of it, and he did not believe that anybody did com-
plain of it, unless that it went too far. For himself
he thought there could be no greater evil than to be
continually changing; for if they went on changing
they quickly ceased to reverence. Ile therefore
Conservative ad-
duced that as an excuse for a Consery Minis try
But they
bringing forward a measure of reform.
must also remember that the present Premier inas any
early
life as Lord Stanley was as good a reformer
man in Parliament ; and, therefore, he should not
for
be taunted with suddenly becomin part
a reformhis life.
er,
he bad been one for the greaterof
There had been a great many discussions in the
House of Commons, on any one of which it was
possible at any moment that the Reform Bill might
be dropped ; hut a certain number of those whom he
might call true Liberals were determinea, if possible,
that a Reform Bill should be passed and they sup-
ported it during the whole of the session. The
ght they
question of reform
be as
much one wtrifled withich he thh, ouand had
would admit had bn
been brought forward time after time with a view
to gain political capital by the Whigs. He did
not 1110311 to say that sotne of these gentlemen
were indifferent to reform ; but still so long as
Lord Palmerston was at the head of the Govern-
ment no Reform Bill could be carried. When the
Conservative party were taunted with having car-
ried such a great measure, it was only fair that it
should be remembered how many times the Con-
servative party had rescued the Liberal party from
a dangerous position. He did not think it could
be expected that the Conservative party were
going on for ever incurring great unpopularity,
rescuing the Whigs when in danger. The grand
turning point iu the discussions which took place
was the division with respect to compound house-
holders, who, he believed, were unknown in Dart-
mouth. No doubt that compounding made the
collection of rates more easy and sure ; but Mr.
Henley, a shrewd observer, designated it as the
device of Old Nick, because whatever they abated
made the rates more heavy upon others. That ap-
peared plain enough, and after lengthened discussion
it was decided that, in boroughs at least, there
should be no more compounding. having got so
far, the qualifications with which household suf-
frae,llW44 to be guarded were brought forward for

v)
discussion, and
diately swept a• 4044Sitei •
years' residen(
obliged to AO7 i 7
Yeiti
could not compel the new _
longer period. That consequently wet, nu nsti.
body could say a word in its favour. Then there
was a discussion on the lodger'qrauchise. He did
not suppose it would make much difference in a
borough like that, but in large towns, and partial-
Ispok larly in London, it would all con iiderably to the
Lion
constituency. Notwithstandine• however, he did
e rid, not see that a lodger francliis:'was required when
o flu they had household suffrage. Some persons hail a
Ines- gre ,t dislike to small boroughs. They led a sort
ants of predatory life, seeing what boronglis they might
on disfranchise. Ile thutglit it as reasonable to say
v
'is- , that no man under five feet in height should be
us allowed to sit in the house, as that no borough with
n less than 12,000 inhabitalts should not be repro-
; sented. (Hear, hear.) The men returned by the
small constituencies were as good as the men re-
turned by the large ones, and he appealed to the
' work they did in committees, in contrast to that
performed by the members for the large towns. .
Most of the safeguards, as they were thought, which
had induced many
House,
to support household suffrage,end
were swept away by the feeling of the
of course ministers had to bow to the opinion of
the House, for unless they had done so, noe
presentreform
bill would have been carried during the
session ; and when taunted, as they had been on
all sides, it should be remembered how many
ministries had tried and failed. (Hear, hear.) He
could hardly hope that the House of Commons
would be improved, but they were paying a great
compliment to the working men of England in
giving them a voice in framing the laws under
which they lived. All they could hope was that
they might not abuse that power. (Hear, hear.)
He might refer with some pride to the amend-
ment restricting the votes in the large places
where they had what were called three-
cornered constituencies. Owing to
they coact!' not bring the question to a division
in the House of Commons ; but Mr. Morrison, whom
he might call the Liberal member for Plymouth, was
to have moved an amendment. This was no party
question, as members on both sides of the House
were in favour of it, and others against it. They did,
however, arrive at a division on Mr. Lowe's resolu-
tion respecting the cumulative vote, by which a per-
son having two or three votes might give them all
to one candidate. This gave a chance toa minority
being represented, but he did not, however, approve
of it, because he did not see why any one should
have so many votes. Still if three members were
given to a place, and they restricted the vote to two,
he thought it was a fair measure. But when they
gave a representation to a minority it should bear
a considerable proportion to the majority ; and with
the increased constituencies the minorities would be
more numerous than the majorities in the oldn-
stituencies ever were. He had voted ,gains the
uestion, and he was glad to
Government on this q
see that the House of Lords had adopted the motion,
He
and that the House of Commons accepted it.
touched upon the claims of the large boroughs for
additional members, and compared Mr. Bright, in his
persistent demand for additional members to the
great boroughs, to the daughter of the horse-leech,
who was continually crying " Give, give." If the
franchise was taken from Dartmouth it would be to
give it to such a place as Sheffield, which he con-
tended, with the present disgrace hanging over it,
had no claim whatever. He did not mean to say
that they should create small boroughsbut as
they had grown up in our social system they ought
not to be deprived of the privileges which they pos-
sessed. The small boroughs returned men of diffe-
rent classes ; but if they gave four or six members
to one place they would probably be all of one mind,
and in close divisions they would be able to carry
any question. This would lead to those disgraceful
proceedings they witnessed in America, by which
everything was settled in what was calld a
were a
caucus
outside the house. Small constituenceies
counterbalance to members of that descripHe com-
tion, and
he hoped they would always be retained.
plained of the attacks made by Mr. Bright on the
borough of Dartmouth, and that he should have
alluded to anything which took place so long ago.
He went on to comment on Mr. Bright's opposition
to the restricted vote, on account of the apprehen-
sion he entertained that his vote in the house wou
to
ld
be neutralised. He should not have objected
all boroughs under 12,000 losing one member, and
that they should be given partly to counties and
partly to boroughs ; but disfranchisement of that
kind would grow by what it fed on. The bill ought
to last the lives of all present. If people were not
satisfied they would come to be a democracy like
that of America, where, under the rule of the ma-
jority, a reign of terror prevailed, and nobody
hardly dared express an opinion. In conclusion, he
ent for their attendance, and
thanked those pry
hoped Dartmouth would continue a borough n
it
longer longer than he should live to represent
(Applause.)
Mr. GASKILL said he had been requested on the
l electors to thank Mr. Hardy
part of many Liberal
for the vote he gave on the third reading of the
Reform Bill. That measure was a Radical ofne, their
member filled them with delig to
ht and asnishment.
There was one thing wanting, and that was that be
should support the ballot ; and unless he would do
so there might be a fight at t next election.
Dr. PUDDICOMBE jocularlhe y suggested that the
Liberals should take Mr. ardy as their candidate,
and that the ConservativHes should look out for
another. (Laughter.)
After some further remarks from Dr. Paddi-
combe the proceedings terminated.

THE WORK OF CONGRESS.

The following is a full list of the acts and joint
resolutions which became laws at the session of
Congress just closed :
A bill to establish peace with certain hostile In-
dian tribes.
A bill to carry into effect the Convention with
the Republic of Venezuela for the ad
on the Go-
justment of
claims of citizens of the United States
vernment of that Republic.
A joint resolution declaring sympathy with the
suffering people of Crete.
An Act amendatory of an act min theaking -appro-
priations to supply the deficiencies appro-
priations for contingent expenses of the Senate of
the United States for the fiscal year ending June
30, 1867, and for other purposes.
A joint resolution, authorising extensions of the
mail steamship service between China and Japan.
An act to establish certain post roads.
An act for the relief of Melinda Harmon, of the
county of Greene, and State of Tennessee, widow
of Jacob Harmon.
An act for the relief of certain soldiers and sailors
therein designated.
Joint resolution authorising the Secretary of the
Navy, to admit to examination Maurice Rico
Evans, for admission to the Naval Academy, iu
September next.
An act E,uppleinentary to an Act entitled to pro-
vide for the more efficient government of the Rebe
States, passed on the 2d of March, 1867, and the
act supplementary thereto, passed on the 23d of
March, 1867.
A joint resolution of the House to carry into
effect the several acts providing for the more
efficient government of the Rebel States.
The following bill did not become a law by the
refusal of the President to sign it, the adjournment
of Glngress preventing its veto.
A bill to secure equal rights in the District of
Columbia.

THROWING AQUAFOI T 15.-00 Monday night a
crowd gathered round the house of a joinerattr named Gregotho
ry,
residing in Conway-street, Liverpool, dby
(Toning the front (.1,(:)-1- ho
cries of his wife, whom Gregory was ill-u Ping. The siOit
of a nutuber of persons round his door (1111%17,rd (Ir,,lrory
more than ever, and suddenly
iitiihs,lealutdeythe.o
Glartetegruiys
threw the contents of a bottle of apiafortis over the por:o
ume elide
Ql.l
toob
locoerts
sighta Ii d s:
in the street. Some of the aquafortis went over the fa; es
incoeintsenqa
loifketis;oin
yrtkg remanded.

COVENT-GARDEN CONCERTS.
COVEN T-GARDEN THEATRE.
EVERY EVENING at 8.
Under the sole Direction of Mr. J. RUSSELL.
Madlle. Sarolta, Madlle. Eraclio, M. J. M. Wehli, Mr. R.
Levy, Mr. Reynolds. The Courtois Union, and Band a
100 performers. Conductor, Signor Bottesini. Conductor
of the Dance Music, Herr Johann Strauss, from Vienna.
TO-MORROW (THURSDAY), a MENDELSSOUN
NIG HT.
Box-office open from 10 till 5. Promenade, Is.
Doors open at half-past Seven.

11\HEATRE ROYAL, HAYMARKET,
Sole Lessee and Manaze.r, Mr. Buckstone.
THIS EVENING, AN UN EQUAL MATCH. Mesrm.
Backs tone, Chippendale, Itozers. Compton, Kendal. Braid,
C ark, Weathersby, tt•c.; Me+dames Sedqvuck, Buckingham
'While, Fitz ;N illiam, TAWS, Coleman, ac.
atter which, TO PARIS AND BACK FOR FIVE
POUN 1)S. Mr. Buckstone.
To conclude with PET S MINK.
ComEmence at Seven.

gi lIEA'FRE ROYAL ADELPIII.
Sole Proprietor and NianaLrer Mr. B. Webster.
THIS EVENING, THE _BARONET ABROAD. Miss
Roden.
Atter which, at 8, THE lIITNCHBACK, seri. IT.
Neville, Itilllngton, J. Clarke, A shlc y. Stuart, C. 11. Ste; hen-
eon, W. Eburne ; Miss Kate Terry, Mips Ellcn Terry, &c.
To conclude with A SLICE OF LUCK. Mossrs J.
Clarke, J. G. Taylor, C. Ti. Stephenson, C. J. Smith ; Miss
A. Seaman and Miss E. Pitt.

ROYAL OLYMPIC THEATRE.
New Management.
Sole Lessee, Mr. B. Webster; Manager, Mr. H. Wigan.
TO-NIGHT, SIX MONTHS AGO. Mr. Clayton, Mr. H
J. Montague, Miss H. Palmer.
After which, THE GRASSHOPPER. Messrs.H.Wlgan,
D. Murray, and J. Clayton ; Mesdames Ada and Emma
Webb. and Sheridan.
To conclude with BETTY MARTIN. Mr. G. Vincent
and Miss E. Patron.
Doors open at half-past Six; commence at Seven.

LAST TWO NIGHTS.
ROYAL PRINCESS'S THEATRE
Sole Lessee, Mr. Vining.
Under the Management of Mr. Hermann Vezia.
THIS EVENING, the performance will commence with
THE DAY AFTER THE WEDDING. Mr. E. Price and
Miss Nelly Moore.
After which, at 8, THE IVIN.IST 0' AIItLIE. ;meg Hare-
bell, Mr. Hermann Vezin ; Messrs. E. l'rice, 11. Forrester,
be. ; Misses E. Stuart and Nelly Moore.
To conclude with AN UNPROTECTED FEMALE. Miss
roll/ Marshall.
Doors open at 7 ; commence at halt-palt.

p OYAL AMPHH ITEATRE AND CIRCUS.
nor,Botor.
OPEN EVERY EVENING.--BRILLIANT AND UNABATED

SUCCESS.
THIS EVENING. an) her Chan,e of Programme. En-
g ,gemeut ot Lt Pulite Taglioni, the Juvenile Wonder of the
World. The "Vanishing Clown,' by the Eccentric Abbott,
rece.ved nightly with shouts of laughter and rounds of ap-
plause. The Brothers Daniels, Muatcat Clowns ; M. Airec's
thrilling Trapeze Act; the ‘i ondertul Fire Ilor.e Zamor."
&c.; together with SCENES IN THE ARENA by the
3latchlesi Troupe of Equestrians.
Commence at Eight.

TAGNIFICENT HORSES.

UNEQUALLED RIDERS.

" IE Feats are of the Most Varied Kind, and
AL every one of them is executed to perfection."—Times,
May 27,15(7.

GRAND MORNING PERFORMANCE at the
RoYA I, AMPHITHEATRE and CIRCUS, High
Holborn, every SATURDAY at 2.30. Carriages may be
ordered for a Quarter to Five.
Box-office open daily from Ten till Five.

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•
‘al-F4-11"k
(17,1,

LONDON, WEDNESDAY, AUG. 21, 1867.

To-day terminates a session which will long be
memorable in the history of Parliaments. In some
respects this session of 1867 deserves more notice
than any which has passed since 1832, for it can
count a Reform Bill among its achievements. At
any. time during the period which has elapsed since
that date would such an event have been notice-
able, but it has become far more important,
and of much greater significance just now, on
account of the many hindrances that have
beset the way, and the great difference of
opinion that has prevailed on the subject. Reform,
indeed, has been the stumbling-block of Cabinets
and the bugbear of Parliament for many years past,
and the worst of it was that each session closing
with inaction made it more difficult for any legislators
to renew their efforts, while it rendered the nation
at large more and more impatient and indignant at
the delay. Lord DERBY and his friends came into
office at a most critical time, and it is no exaggera-
tion to say that they could not have been placed
in a more awkward position than they were. A
Reform Bill had just been thrown out, and it was
the fashion among the disappointed friends and fol-
lowers of the Government to say that the Conser-
vatives were the cause of the failure and defeat of
the late Ministry. This was not true by any means,
that result being due to the insufficiency of the
scheme laid before Parliament, and to the unwil-
lingness of some of the influential members of the
Liberal par'y to have Reform considered just
then. Be it as it may, the Conservative
Government came into office unfettered by promises
and unbound by pledges, but they have contrived
during the course of this Session to effect more than
those who were bound by the most solemn pledges
ever did•during the lapse of long years. This is
the plain truth, and it seems right and fitting that
it should be impressed upon the public to-day, when
the thoughts of all naturally turn to the considera-
tion of politics, and when men are likely to speculate
upon the doings of that Parliament, whose hours
are numbered.
The difficulties which were in the way of Minis-
ters were very great indeed, and the fact of those
of the members of the Cabinet suddenly leaving
their colleagues on the eve of the introduction of a
change so momentous, of course did great injury to