The Sun.
London, England, 1868-02-19 00:00:00

ing by the doctors in attendance stated that his
lordship continued to improve in a " very satisfac-
tory degree." We may, therefore, reasonably hope
that the worst of the attack is now over, and that
with time and care the noble earl may be restored
to health and strength. The sad intelligence
of the critical state of Lord DERBY'S health caused
great alarm among his friends in London, and,
indeed, spread a gloom over all circles. Perhaps
there never was a statesman who more thoroughly
commanded the respect of all men than the noble
lord now at the head of her MAJESTY'S Govern-
ment, and he possesses those high feelings of honour
and that independence of spirit which are always
looked upon as particularly characteristic of Eng-
lishmen. It is always a feature of our political
life that when misfortune and losses assail our
men of mark the bitterness of antagonism
is put away, and the fierce discussions of
party strife are cast into the shade. The higher
and better feelings of our nature rise superior to the
more paltry and trivial ones which concern self-
interest, even if that interest brought one to the
fulfilment of exalted services to the country and the
realisation of a noble ambition. But we would go
further, and indulge in the confident belief that the
sentiment extends still further, and goes yet beyond
the moment of excitement and the day of trial and
emergency, and that those who yesterday grieved at
the sad condition of the noble lord will to-day re-
joice at his improved state, and would to-morrow
hail the intelligence of his chance of complete re-
storation. Should it please Providence to permit
the noble earl to return to the duties of his exalted
position he will be warmly welcomed by all those
with whom he mixes in public life and political
duties, and the country at large would vie with
them in feelings of gratification. By his own party
Lord DERBY has been justly appreciated, and the
confidence he has always met with, and the devo-
tion which he has inspired during the darkest days
of defeat and depression, have exhibited a marked
contrast to the manner in which some other
political leaders have been treated by their
followers.

• Without passing any disparaging remarks upon
, others, we may be permitted to say that no man
ever deserved their confidence more than Lord
DERBY has always done, for he has at all times been
sincere and straightforward, and has always ranked
the claims of justice and the considerations of
honour above the more immediate gains of the
moment and the inducements of power and in-
fluence. It is peculiarly unfortunate that Lord
DERBY'S health should be in so critical a state at
a time when he is of so much service to his
Sovereign and his country ; but it is
doubly distressing when we consider that
it has been in a great measure brought
about by the sacrifice be made in assuming the
Premiership. It is well known that the noble earl
did so because he felt that the emergency was
great, and that his duty to the Crown and the
country no less than his responsibility to his party
demanded it of him. It is premature to talk de-
finitively of other arrangements now, but it is
evident that the Government could now do better
without Lord DERBY than it could have at a
previous time. Had he relinquished the onerous
duties of office last year at this time the
Reform Bill could never have been car-
ried, but there is now no such anxious
and exciting project before Parliament.
These things are, however, to be left to the consi-
deration of a future day; and we trust that, amid
the changes so constantly arising among us, it will
be long before it ever become the practice among us
to speculate upon the results that may follow upon
the retirement of a leading statesman, and still more
upon the consequences that may ensue from his
death. We should act more in accordance with
good taste and right feeling if we content our-
selves with taking things as we find them,
instead of wandering away to reason and augur
upon events which may not take place for a
long time to come. The lives of our leading states-
men always attract a great share of public notice
and attention, and the family and friends of Lord
DERBY may feel convinced that they have many to
sympathise with them ; and that not only those of
his own immediate circle, but the community at
large, will rejoice to hear of the improvement of his
health; and while there is nothing in his career that
one could wish forgotten at a time like this,
they will lose the thouget •of political aspe-
rity, and only remember his devotion to
his country and his upright career as a
statesman, and his high and honourable reputation
as a Minister. It is true, that nothing the noble
earl can do could increase his fame, or add lustre
to his distinguished career ; but we, in common with
his contemporaries and the public, cannot but feel
that we can ill afford to lose his services ; and
whether at the head of the Government, or only in
his private capacity, the House of Lords will cherish
the hope of retaining among its members one who
has been for long years its most distinguished orna-
ment, the pride of the aristocracy, because he has
shown of what excellence it is capable, and to what
lofty heights it may attain.