The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-16 00:00:00

THE LATE WILLIAM WEIR.

(Front the Daily News.)
In these columns, not lightly to be turned from
public uses, we claim to-day a space for private
sorrow. There are griefs that will not be Sup-.
pressed. The kindly man, the statesmanlike and'
well-furnished journalist who, for the last four-
years, has guided the political course of this news-
paper, is taken from our midst. William Weir died
at 20 minutes past three yesterday afternoon, at
his town residence, after an illness which lasted.
only a few a days.
Our late colleague was peculiarly fitted to engage'
the affectionate reverence of these with whom he
aeted. The credit of the newspaper press of the
present day is upheld by the exertions of men
of broad and deep learning, high literary ability,
wide knowledge of mankind, quickness of observa-
tion, and untiring energy, The combination of these
qualities in one character, however, is rare in any
_profession, They were united in our late Editor.
Mr. Weir was born in 1802, in North Britain, and
having made the best use of the schools of his na-
tive country, completed his academic studies at the
University of Gottingen. In 1826, having returned
to these islands, he was called to the Scottish bar.
Before tt long time had elapsed he exchanged a
legal for a political and literary career, and for
several years conducted one of the most able and
influential newspapers of Scotland. Removing to
London he at once took a high position in his pro-
fession, and joined the Spectator. On the estab-
lishment of the Daily News his vast knowledge
and high ability attracted the notice of its con-
ductors, who associated him to their editorial staff.
In 1854, on the death of Mr. Frederick Knight
Hunt, Mr. Weir succeeded to the principal editor-
ship of this journal. His sure appreciation and
firm grasp o facts, his public spirit and ardent
attachment to the cause of freedom and progress,
are characteristis for which the readers of the
Daily News will at once give him credit. But the
genial qualities which endeared him to all with
whom he came in contact, the never-failing bene-
volence,•the simplicity, and the truthfulness which
shone in every word and act—these are best known
to us, and as we recall them, we are made to feel
how poor and inadequate is this tribute •to the
generous, noble man whose loss we deplore.

INSUBORDINA7'IOX AT ?PORTLAND
CONVICT PRLS'ON.

A somewhat serious conspiracy among the con-
victs at this establishment developed itself on Mon-
day last, but fortunately an intimation had reached
the governor's ears which led to the adoption of the
most vigilant precautionary measures. For some
time there have been evidences of dissatisfaction on
the part of the older convicts at the terms on which
those convicted since the new regulations came into
force can obtain a mitigation of their sentence by
good conduct; and so strong and general had this
feeling become, that a large number would appear
to have entered into a combination to overpower
the warders and break loose. Some of them seem
to have been heard to make their boast of what
was intended, and this led to the procuring of addi-
tional warders from Milbank, and the doubling of
the military force at the barracks. On Monday
morning the convicts were marched down as usual
to the quarries from which the stone is obtained for
the Portland Breakwater, and everything went on
quietly up to 11 o'clock, shortly after which time
about a hundred from different gangs, as if by pre-
concerted signal, made a rush upon the warders.
They were, however, surprised by a strong force of
soldiers, who had been concealed in readiness for
the emergency, Ourroundcd by bristling bayonets,
and firmly secured and ironed. 'Next morning about
60 of the more prominent actors in the above scene
were sent to Milbank for a long period of solitary
confinement, and the others received 65 lashes each.
Notwithstanding the result of Monday's proceed-
ings, there were still signs of insubordination on
Tuesday, several other convicts refusing to go to
work, and further punishment had to be inflicted ;
but since then order has been effectually restored.

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