The Sun.
London, England, 1857-04-27 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDA

Politics were, therefore, eschewed, but there was
something of scarcely less importance, that might
safely be touched on. There were the indefatig- '
able and efficient services rendered to the con-
stituency at large—the earnest attention and
energetic action in every cause where the
interests of the borough, or even of indivi-
dual electors, were concerned. The moment
the election was over and the return made, the
member was the representatiVe as well of the
minority by whom he had been opposed, as of the
majority by whom he had been chosen. Sir A.
COCKBURN never forgot that wholesome rule.
Although engaged in legal practice, he sedu-
lously attended to commercial interests. Time,
peculiarly valuable to the eminent advocate,
was readily bestowed in every matter interesting
not only to those who had shown their just appre-
ciation of his high qualifications, but also to
others who had, through political differences, con-
scientiously opposed him. He remembered only
that he was their representative, the legitimate
channel through which their wants and wishes
should be expressed. And therefore, the warm
and sincere gratitude of the commercial
men was bestowed on him, who had well deserved I
it.

This is a salutary lesson to other Members.
It teaches them what is required at their hands,
and also encourages them to proceed in the right
path, in the expectation that conduct like that
which was so justly eulogised, may meet a simi-
lar reward, which even the moat exalted,
might refer to with pride to the last hour of his
existence. To other Members, who hope to retire
with honour from Parliament, we commend the
example of Sir ALEXANDER Cociatatx, and em-
phatically say, " Go thou and do likewise."

We trust, however, that the political career of
Sir ALEXANDER COCKBURN has not altogether
terminated. There is ,yet a mode by which his
brilliant oratory, and sound common sense, a no
less important qualification, may be made avail-
able for other beside judicial services. He can-
not obtain a seat in the House of Commons, but
he may in the Peers. The hereditary branch
of the Legislature, the tribunal of ulti-
mate appeal requires such a man. Of course
we do not presume to dictate to our SOTEREIGN
as to the mode in which she may be pleased
to exercise her undoubted prerogative. But
should she be pleased to call Sir ALEXANDER
COCKBURN to the Upper House, it would not only
be satisfactory to the entire community, but at-
tended with vast advantage to the national
interests. He has proved beyond the pos-
sibility of doubt that he possesses that
grasp of intellect that enables him to take
enlarged views of the great questions of
legal reform, and the power of giving clear ex-
pression to his opinions, so that he who runs may
read. The only person who could suffer
by such an exercise of the prerogative is—him-
self. He would have new duties, the conscien-
tious performance whereof, and his past career
affords the best evidence that they would
be conscientiously performed, would involve
great additional labour. Lord COCKBURN could
not be more honoured or distinguished than Sir A.
C•CKBURN. Would that we could see him carrying
out, or even aiding and assisting in carrying out
the admirable measures of legal reform on which
he has so frequently spoken. He is not " the mere
lawyer" or the persuasive advocate, but something
more—not only a legal machine fitted to pronounce
judgments, but one peculiarly qualified to take
large and comprehensive views, and to achieve
the arduous task of cleansing the Augean Stable.
To the knowledge of the truest technicalities of
the law, he adds the discriminating power, which
enables him to see where there is a fault, and the
creative one to suggest an adequate remedy.

HEALTH OF THE DUCHESS OF OLOU-

EY_ENING, APRIL 27;4 1867

the last century. The following are their relative
dimensions :

• .i . .=
f." 2. (5) ' g ,-..- .4
•-4,1 a :1
tr O'g Q. 13
Dimensions. .. A. 2 Ebo ol" of o ~..,
.. o E A-L'. ' -4. A j g 7)
A '0... • as •-•
.... cn
.......--. —......--- --....—.—... — --•
Ft. In. Ft. In. it. In. Ft. In.
Length from forepart)
of figurehead to after ;- .. 278 6 286 4 280 $
part of the taffrail.. )
Length between the t 156 0 240 6 245 6 210 7
perpendiculars ...... )
Length of keel for t
153
f% 201 11% 206 3% 201 11%
tonnage .....• ....
Breadth extreme 5l 6 60 0 i 61 24 GO 0%
Breadth for tonnage...: • • 59 2 GU 4% 59 2%
Breadth moulded.— .. 58 4 69 63. 58 43-a
Depth in hold ••• • .. . 21 6 25 4 25 10 25 4
Burden in tons... 2,164 3,79 4-94 4,00030-94 3,765 40 94
Horse power . •

It will he seen by the above figures that the steam
three-decker ipf the pres?nt day is nearly 100 feet
longer than the old sailing ship, and is as much au
improvement in all internal requirements as in ex-
ternal appearance. It would be impossible to frame
a handsomer or more graceful body of the same
great dimensions than the Royal Sovereign, and
the eager desire manifested on the part of all
classes to obtain a good view of the launch proves
that the interest of such national spectacles has not
died away or diminished with the frequency of the
exhibition. The time appointed for the ceremony
of naming the ship and releasing her from the
stocks was about 20 minutes to 12, but by 9 o'clock
the public began to crowd into the dockyard. Com-
fortable accommodation was made by Admiral-
Superintendent Martin fur the berthing of about
10,000 spectators in stalls, and a grand stand was
erected at the head of the ship for the Admiralty
and military authorities and their visitors expected.
Her Majesty's ship St. Vincent and the receiving-
ship Bellerophon, which were moored off the front
of the slip, were crowded with company, and nu-
merous yachts and steam-packets, as well as a great
flotilla of hired boats, all laden with company, and
themselves gaily dressed in flags, lent a picturesque
feature afloat to the animated scene ashore and
within the building shed, which was handsomely
decorated in various ways, and resounded with the
lively music played by the band of the Royal Ma-
rine Light Infantry of the Gosport Divi ion.
The stands were not much more than half full at
11 o'clock, at which time the tide had risen so high
that. the ship manifested symptoms of getting
" and it became imperative to name and
launch her to prevent the annoyance of her hunch-
ing herself. A shout was raised, and Miss Seymour,
the eldest daughter of the Commander-in-Chief,
took the bottle of wine from Mi.. Abethel, the
master shipwright, and, pronouncing—" Success
to the Royal Soevreigo, and honour to all who
serve on board her," dished it against the st-nn,
and in five minutes more the stupendous fabric
glided majestically and securely into the sea,
amid the reiterated plaudits of 40,000 spectators.
She " broke on launching " three inches, and
her draught of water when afloat was—forward,
14 feet 6 inches ; aft, 20 feet 2 inches. Her en-
gines, of 800 horse-power, by Maudsley, are already
here and waiting to be fitted to her, which will be
done under the superintendence of Mr. Rob,rt
Taylor, Chief Engineer, R.N., late of her. Majesty's
ship Golossus. Never was the axiom of " time and
tide wait for no man" proved more aptly than in
the launch of the Royal Sovereign, for not even the
necessary presence of the First Lord of the Admi-
ralty was waited for ; the time of tide having ar-
rived delay became dangerous, and off she went.
But Sir Charles Wood's disappointment was shared
by the Duke of Richm.md, the Prince of Saxe-
Weimar, the Commander-in-Chief, Lieutenant-
Governor, and other dignitaries, as well as by thou-
sands ou thousands, who flocked into the dockyard
from country places, excursion trains, km. Sir
George Seymour, Admiral Martin, Mr. Abethel,
and other officials all entertained large parties of
visitors on the occasion, which was made a gala
day in and out of the dockyard.