The Sun.
London, England, 1859-01-07 00:00:00

SIR JAMES C. MEL VILL, E.C.B.

A testimonial has just been presented to Sir Jas.
Cosmo Melvill, K.C.8., by the members of •the
home service of the. Government of India, upon his
retirement from the office of Secretaiy to the East
India Company. It consists of. two ,handsome
silver, vases anda pair of raised fruit dishes mado by.
Messis. Garrard, of the Haymarket, and was ac-
companied by an address expressive of the high
admiration and affectionate esteem in which this
able and indefatigable public officer was held by
those, who served under him.
To this compliment Sir lameg has returned the
following reply :

".Gentle.meiii-:-.4 acknowledge, with emotions of pride
and satisfaction, the receipt of your address, and I request
that you will accept my sincere thanks for the_gratifying.
terms,in which you have expressed yourselves towards me,
and for the handsome and valuable testimonial in which
you have given shape to your feelings 'of esteem and affec-
tion. To all, and to each one of you, I would tender my
wannest acknowledgments. Your names are associated
with some of my happiest recollections, and with many
long_ established friendships.
_ _ .

"-When I retired in February last it became my pleasing
duty to reply to an address from the service at large. The
sentiments which I then expressed are those which animate
me on this occasion, and which must endure while life
shall last.

"Regarding, as. I always did, the respectability and ern-
•ciency of the home establishment as essential to the good
-government of India, it was incumbent on me:to. promote
its importance and welfare; and I rejoice in the assurance
.which your address conveys to me, that my efforts in fur-
therance of that object were not altogethet ineffectual.
" I am deeply sensible of many imperfections in my offi-
cial Condua, 'and am also fully aware that in the position
which I so long occupied it was my lot, occasionally, to check
as well as promote individual wishes and expectations. That,
under such circumstances, so large a body of my late col-
leagues, not content with having subscribed the general
address, should again come forward for the purpose of pre-
senting me with a substantial testimonial of their regard, is
a circumstance most gratifying to my feelings, -assuring me
as it does of their generous appreciation of the public motives
by which my conduct was influenced
" I cannot allow this opportunity to pass without repeat-
ing my thanks to you all, individually and collectively, for
the able and friendly co-operation and assistance which I
ever experienced from you, nor with Out assuming you that,
though the tie of official . relationsip no longer unites us,
my heart is still with the service, whose efficiency and high
character will, I am convinced, only become more apparent
themore prominently it is brought before the public.—l
have the honour to be, gentlemen, yours most faithf44.
" JAMES C. MELT ILL. '

ROYAL ENGLISH OPERA, COVENT
GARDEN, under the sole Management of Miss Louisa
Fyne and Mr. W,,llarrison
THIS,' EVENING will be presented an entirety new and
romantic Opera, by Mr. W. Balfe, entitled SA.TA2NELLA ;
or, THE POWER OF LOVE.
Conductor—Mr. Alfred Mellon.
To conclude with the new Pantomime of LITTLE RED
RIDING HOOD ; or, 'Harlequin and the WRolf in Granny's
lothing.