The Sun.
London, England, 1859-02-01 00:00:00

THE lONIAN ISLANDS.

CORFU, Jan. 25.—Sir John Young left Corfu
this morning for Italy. His Excellency and Lady
Young embarked in the lonian Government steamer
with the usual military salutes and honours, the
state barge in which they proceeded to the steamer
being, on this.occasion, manned by officers from the
garrison. A vast concourse of people assembled to
witness the departure of a Lord High Commissioner
who, in conjunction with Lady Young, has done
more to promote kind feelings between the lonians
and the English than any of his predecessors, and
who, during a period of nearly four years, has dis-
pensed the splendid hospitalities of the Palace,
without regard to political consideration, in a
manner that will not easily be forgotten in these
islands.
Previous to his departure Sir John was enter-
tained by the officers of the different regiments
quartered at Corfu. On Saturday, after dining with
the 9th Regiment, his Excellency spoke at some
length ; and after paying a tribute to the admirable
manner in which the balance of justice had been
maintained between the military and the lonians,
owing to the judgment and moderation of Sir Geo.
Buller, commander of the forces, Sir John pro-
ceeded to say that to the moral effect produced
by the presence of the English forces he attributed,
in a great degree, that security to life and pro-
perty and preservation of law and order which
now exist in all these islands. And he earnestly
expressed his belief that, should our forces at any
future time be withdrawn, the result would be
disastrous to the peace and prosperity of the lonian
people.
Mr. Gladstone assumes the office of Lord High
Commissioner to-day ; and in justice to the good
taste and feeling of the inhabitants of Corfu it
must be confessed that only one opinion exists as to
the impropriety of his taking possession of the
vacant throne. Such conduct towards a friend,
even the political world has seldom witnessed. The
feeling of indignation is the stronger because every
person acquainted with the islands is sensible of
the folly of sending out this roving Commissioner
Extraordinary, which can, under no circumstances,
effect any good, and which must, by exciting the
vanity of the people, and encouraging the agitating
elements of lonian politics, be injurious to, the best
interests of the country. The lonian Parliament
opens today with a message from Mr. Gladstone.
The deputies have agreed then to petition the
Queen to take into consideration, in conjunction
with the other Powers, the question of union with
Greece, and until an answer has been received to
the prayer of the petitioners, the Chamber will de-
cline to consider the question of the reform about
to be proposed by Mr. Gladstone. A more miser-
able and unhappy position than that now occupied
by, the new Lord High Commissioner it is difficult
imagine.to' Mr. Gordon, secretarytolllr. Glad-
stone, is said to be so much annoyed with the whole
proceedings that, acting under the advice of his
father, Lord Aberdeen, he has sent in his resigna-
tion, and returns forthwith to England, hopeless of
effecting any good by remaining here.

SPORTING NOTES.