The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-21 00:00:00

THE SUN, Lo

genuine Reformers, and not mere schemers or
party disciples, will rejoice to find the good in
view, and the obstacles, which at one time
threatened to be so formidable, disappearing one
after another, and leaving that way clear before
them to proceed to a settlement. It is something
gained for the Chancellor of the Exchequer to have
reached a point where he may discuss the
probability of sending up the bill to the Mouse of
Lords, and he may well be proud of doing so, for on
him has rested the chief responsibility of carrying it
through the House of Commons, and it has been
no light task to accomplish.

The grand state ceremonial of yesterday passed
off with brilli tut success, so far at least as the royal
programme was concerned. The visitors, who were
delayed in getting away from the gardens had some
reason to complain of the altered aspect of the skies,
but fortunately the soaking rain, which continued
almost uninterruptedly during the whole afternoon,
was sufficiently considerate to reserve its operations
until the stone was laid, the address read, the
music sung, and the royal carriages ha I fairly
driven out of sight. The audience, as was naturally
to be expected on an occasion which had succeeded
in drawing her MAJESTY forth from her prolonged
retirement, was numerous and brilliant, nearly
7,000 visitors being ranged in the sort of amphi-
theatre provided. Her'MAJEsTY, who appeared in
good health, was warmly received, and an additional
interest was lent to the proceedings of the day by
the presence of her two eldest sons. It is to be hoped
that the design will be fully realised, and that a
really fine and commodious building of worthy
proportions and of national character may be
reared on 'this appropriate and convenient site.
The Hall of Arts and Sciences, as it is to be
termed, is intended for the following ob-
jects :—Congre,sv,s, national and international
musical performances, distribution of prizes by
public bodies, scientific and artistic conversazioni,
exhibitions of various kinds connected with the arts
and sciences. Many continental countries possess
such an adornment to their capitals, and there is
very little doubt that it will prove a valuable and
useful addition to our architectural stores. We
want some great and commodious place of general
assembly, easily accessible from all parts of the
metropolis, and the site chosen by the committee
combines these advantages, with many others. Its
association with the name and memory of the
PRINCE CONSORT is in every way appropriate, since
the Exhibition of 1851, and its origin was mainly
due to him, and it was his constant and anxious
endeavour to cultivate and foster a love and admira-
tion for the arts and sciences among all classes of
the people. Much of the general improvement in
taste and culture, the increasing interest taken in
pictorial exhibitions, and in scientific music, owe
their origin to the steady encouragement which he
always afforded. The English had been so often
, told that they had, nationally, no taste for art that
they came to believe it, and exhibitions and per-
formances which demanded something more than
mere pleasure-seeking or sight-seeing were at a dis-
count. The salutary change which has been wit-
nessed during the last twenty or thirty years is
not, of course, entirely owing to the influence
of Prince ALBERT, but his influence and example,
the prestige of Court favour, and, what was more,
the intelligent interest and appreciation of the
labours of the artist, be he creator or only illustrator
of the works of others, all gave a stimulus to the
:avourable progress. In some things we might
profitably imitate our Continental friends, and a
larger admixture of the higher and pleasanter arts
would tend to soften some of the ruggedness and
reserve of our insular nature, to harmonise our
manners and refine our tastes. We may hope that
the new Hall of Arts and Sciences will help to for-
ward this good work, and that it will do so there is
ttle doubt should it fulfil the design and inten-
ons of its originators.

The intelligence which reaches us from India is,
on the whole, satisfactory. There seems to be
more vigour in the various public departments, and
the several imperial works are being pushed forward
with some degree of energy. The VICEROY, who
left Calcutta for Simla at the close of April, was
to open the railway between Delhi and Meerut—a
marvellous sight for the ancient Indian city. Had
that line been in existence ten years ago, how many
precious lives might have been saved ! The Indian
mutiny would have been crushed at its very
outset, and the hard - fought siege of Delhi
would have exacted a less costly sacrifice of
gallant Englilmen ! We have had reasons enough
ou the necessity of increasing the means of commu-
nication throughout India. What war failed to
teach us famine has still further impressed upon our
attention, since it has been admitted on all hands

that more powerful and vigorous measures of pre- I
paration might have saved many lives. We may hope
that the terrible visitation of last year will not have
been without its uses. The new Lieutenant-Gover-
nor has been installed, and he intends, it is said, to
visit the famine-stricken districts. This he should
certainly do if he means to deal practically and effi-
ciently with the difficulties of the case. Had such a
visit of inspection been paid twelve months ago there
would have been less risk of mistake and misstate-
ment. It is common enough in reports of national
misfortunes to ba exaggerated, but those in autho-
rity should remember that in a country like India it
is quite as likely that a disaster should be under-
rated as over-rated, and since the terrible word
famine is by no means unknown in India, the first
whisper of it should arouse the attention
of the officials, and induce them at least
to institute a thorough ani searching inquiry. The
transmission of stores and other necessary precau-

- -
ions occupy so much time in a country like India

that it is indispensable to be prepared in time, and
while it is undoubtedly a great evil to pauperise the
people, and to teach them to depend exclusively on
Government assistance, it is a worse error to suffer
hundreds of peaceable subjects to die of actual want.
The accounts from the famine districts are ou the
whole favourable, and the report of the Commis-
sioners has been sent to the Home Government
by this mail, so that we shall soon have
a full and authentic account of the actual
position of affairs, and the truth of the charges of
mismanagement and neglect brought against the
civil authorities can ba fairly examined into.
A public prosecutor has been appointed for
Bombay—an important step, which will be espe-
cially valuable in India. Other matters are
favourable, though there are complaints of business
in Bombay being affected by the unsettled state
of the Continent. The public health is good,

but preparations are being made in the North-
West against the possible inroads of the cholera.

ROYAL ITALIAN OPERA, COVENT GARDEN.—The
performances last evening at the Royal Italian Opera were
honoured by the presence of his Royal Highness the
Prince of Wales, his Royal Highness the Duke of Edin-
burgh, the Grand Duke and Duchess of Mecklenburg-
Streiitz, and Prince Adolphus of Meeklenberg-Strelitz,
his Serene Highness the Diike of Leuchtenburg, and Le
Prince d'Alemberg.
SIR ARCHIBALD ALlSON.—During Saturday the
worthy sheriff seemed a good deal batter.. Yesterday he
had again a slight relapse, but up to S o'clock last night
the symptoms continued more favourable than they were
on Thursday.—Glasgozo Herald of Monday.