The Sun.
London, England, 1868-08-27 00:00:00

LOIVDON, 7HURSDAY, AUGUST 27, 1868.

A farewell dinner has been given to Mr. Du
CANE, and it attracted a large gathering at Col-
chester. The affair was altogether very interesting
—and, indeed, it could not be considered exactly
as a party affair, because the hon. member is retir-
ing from Parliament, and his acceptance of the
office of Governor of Tasmania has necessitated his
departure from the scene of his former interests,
and the severance of the tie that bound him to his
constituents. There is always something very pain-
ful in a leave-taking of this kind, however bright

may be the prospects and cheering the anticipa-
tions that await the departing guest in his new
sphere of action. As the chairman observed, how-
ever, in his effective address, hope sprang up in
the human breast, and they might indulge the hope
of welcoming Mr. Du CANE home again iu future
days. The affairs of this country could not be
conducted with success and advantage, and the in-
terests of the distant dependencies of the Crown be
efficiently cared for, if men of distinction and at-
tainments were not forthcoming who are willing to
forego the claims of home and the attractions of
social ties, in order to serve their Sovereign and
adapt their talents to the task that awaits colo-
nial government. In the present instance there
is no fear that Mr. DU CANE will prove a failure,
for he has displayed so much assiduous attention in
the business of his own department that he has a
fair chance of realising the hopes of his friends, and
doing credit to the choice of the Government which
has sent him forth. Too much importance cannot
be attached to the claims of the colonies on our no-
tice and attention, and on the other hand the
dwellers in those distant parts should duly ap-
preciate the compliment the authorities at home
pay them in deputing for their government thos3
who are valued arid prized at home. Mr. Du CANE
was received with great applause, and made an
interesting discourse. He confessed the difficulties
he was labouring under in responding to so distin-
guished a mark of consideration as he then
received, and expressed what would be
the feelings of many in such circumstances,
when he declared that he could wish the curtain
were rising instead of falling upon the events of
the last eleven years. The responsibility of his new
venture rested with those who surrounded him, be-
cause, as he ingeniously showed, it was their sup-
port which gave him popularity, and their encour-
agement urged him on to exertions, whereby he
became a member of her MAJESTY'S Government,
and the❑ followed his appointment. As often hap-
pens in such cases, the hon. member had to contra-
dict some rumours which had been afloat concern-
ing the reason of his departure to Tasmania. He
declared that he went actuated by the hope of being
of service, and justifying the flattering hopes of
his friends, and that it had nothing to do with the
state of affairs in the representation of the county.
It must have been inspiriting to the assembly
that Mr. Du CANE expressed in such glowing
terms his sense of the powers of his friends, and
his favourable opinion of the result of their ap-
proaching contest. At the same time he contributed
to the entertainment of the meeting by quoting
against himself some lines from an anti-Jacobin
ballad, as one who sheathed his own sword and
bade others draw theirs :

" Bold John was a gallant captain,
lii battles much delighting ;
Ile fled full soon on the first of June,
But he bade the rest keep fighting."

Certainly spirit and determination were not
wanting in this speech, and the new Gover-
nor seems entering on his task with zeal and
energy well calculated to insure success and
inspire confidence. Under the circumstances
of the case it was not necessary for Mr. Du CANE
to enter into a general discussion of politics, as he
was for a time taking leave of them ; but some of
his remarks were true enough, as, for instance, when
he said that their opponents are now taking the
lion's share of the Reform Bill of last year, which
could not be called by too bad names by them when
before the House, and which in many a political
battle they sought to overthrow. However, in tak-
ing leave, he declared his best wishes would attend
all parties, and he trusted that the welfare of all

would be promoted by PROVIDENCE, whether they
were blue or yellow.

The public will learn with satisfaction that affairs
are more likely to prosper now in the inquiry that
is taking place at Abergele. The last intelligence
informs us that an assessor has been appointed to
assist the coroner in the task of inquiry at the in-
quest ; and this is a very fortunate arrangement.
So much dissatisfaction was expressed in all dirc,

Lions that it would have been quite impossible to
have proceeded with anything like success had not
some charge taken place. The facts of the case
are most clear, and many will wonder that the: o
could lave arisen such a misconception
as to the correct mode of conducting
the business ; but, of course, allowances must be
made for the unusual character of the calamity, and
due regard should be had to the feelings of the re-
lath 'es of those killed by the accident. This cannot
be Zone while strife and contention are the order of
the day ; and the relief experienced at the settle-
metit of the dispute will be great in all directions,
for the sympathy of the country has been fully
aroused by the sad affair, and it will not abate its
interest until a complete knowledge has been
gained of all the chief particulars of the melan-
choly case. It is true that the question of
compensation will not come before the jury now
sitting, but then the most trifling details assume an
importance on such an occasion as this ; and the
mourners are not alone in their eagerness that no
time should be lost in investigating the matter, and
also that the inquiry should be conducted in the
most suitable manner. All things taken into con-
sideration, it must be considered the best has been
done in the last arrangement entered into, and we
shall look forward in the hope of seeing the melan-
choly task completed as satisfactorily as the case
will allow. ;

The more ambitious portion of the feminine sex
have found an able advocate of their claims and
exponent of their grievances in the person of Miss
LYDIA. BECKER, of Manchester. This lady has
seized the opportunity afforded her by the meeting
at Norwich to lay before the public her views on
those general questions which especially affect
women. Miss BECKER had the satisfaction of col-
lecting a large audience for the Economic Section,
before which her paper, "On the supposed differ-
ences in the minds of the two sexes of Man," was
read on Tuesday last, some of whom, it is to be
hoped, were convinced by the lady's logic, or at least
silenced by her eloquence. Miss BECKER complains
that while there is no question as to women's phy-
sical wants being the same as those of men,
their moral and intellectual necessities are sup-
posed :to bo widely different. Every one admits
that they are equally liable with men to suffer from
hunger and disease, but the conditions which men
find most profitable and most calculated to pro-
duce the highest enjoyments they appear to regard
as unsuitable or unnecessay for women. To remedy
these inequalities Miss BECKER proposes two con-
ditions. First, a liberal education, and the
opportunity :of using the advantages it confers;
and, secondly, political representation or a voice in
choosing the Government or the laws. It is evident
from these proposed remedies that Miss BECKER at
least belongs to the class of strong-minded ladies
who are quite ready to place themselves in the van
and bear the brunt of the battle of life. Sa far as
the question of a liberal education is concerned, the
common sense of the public supports Miss
BECKER. It is no longer thought necessary to
confine the studies of an intelligent girl to
the acquisition of mere superficial accomplish-
ments, and there are many facilities for the
prosecution of serious studies. No girl need now
remain ignorant because it is not possible for her to
gain knowledge. There are colleges, and classes,
and lectures for their benefit. One of the univer-
sities has organised a system of periodical examina-
tions for female students, and, according to the
testimony of Mr. lIEYwooD, the University of
London proposes next year to confer degrees upon
female students who pass a " stiff " examination.
It is not therefore reasonable to complain that
women are absolutely debarred from the higher
intellectual enjoyments open to man. No doubt
there are great deficiencies existing in the education
of the majority of girls, but these are owing rather
to their own and their parents' indifference to any-
thing better than to absolute difficulties. In spite
of Miss BECKER'S confident assertions women are
generally very little disposed for bard study and
continuous application. Some ladies, like herself,
may prefer intellectual enjoyments to all others,
but these are no more to be taken as samples of their
sex than the doctors and professors and philosophers
now gathered at Norwich are to be accepted as
specimens of the common tastes or acquirements of
mankind, It is one thing to say that the educa-
tion of women should be extended and improved,
should soar higher and go deeper, should be
directed to the study of principles rather than to
the acquisition of mere surface knowledge—and
quite another thing to declare that there is no re-
cognisable difference in the natural abilities and
mental qualifications of the sexes. When Miss
BECKER, in answer to the chairman's ob -
servation that delicacy and refinement are espe-
cially necessary in the female mind, declares that
delicacy and refinement are equally necessary for
men, she confirms our impression that in one respect
at least she shares the common mental failings of
her sex, and is only able to see one side of a
question.

As for the opportunity of turning the knowledge
acquired to honourable and profitable account it
is a branch of the subject which concerns a good
many. There is one career or profession specially
adapted for women, and for which they are
in every way suited, which is being more and
more taken out of their hands. We allude of course
to the teaching of the young. Even Miss BECKER
can hardly think this a derogatory office, since the
lords of creation are very ready to engross it.
Common sense, however, argues that an intelligent
and well-educated woman must be fully competent
to direct the studies of any child of ten or twelve,
and it is very much to be regretted that strong-
minded women do not turn their attention towards
securing this profession for their fair clients instead
of aiming at the lawyer's wig or the doctor's
lancet. The Americans in this, as in some other
respects, are far in advance of us. The largest
proportion of teachers in the Statei are females,
who generally have the instruction of children of
both sexes. Yet no one can pretend that their
standard of education is too low, it being, in fact,
much higher than our own. We hope to see a
radical reform in the fashion in this respect, and we
are sure the cause of education would not suffer
from it if once women were fairly trained.

THE BUTE FESTIVITIES.—The corporation com-
mittee appointed to carry out the festivities at Car-
diff aro very active in arranging the programme for the
decorations in the town and the illuminations at night.
The festivities will Commence on Saturdiy, the 12th of
September, and will continue for seven days. The illumi-
nation of the Town Hall, the erection, decoration, and
illumination of the two triumphal arches, and the devices
and ornamentation of the Bute Memorial Statue, have bee❑
entrusted to the eminent house of Messrs. J. Defries and
Sons, of London, whose marvellous success in the new
brilliant art which they are popularising have never been
surpassed in the grandest cities of the continent of Europe
Over 300 men are now at work at the castle for the great
event. The decorations and illuminations are being car-
ried out on a more magnificent scale than that which they
did this time last year for the reception of the Belgians.
A GIRL KILLED BY LIGHTNING.—During one
of the late thunder- storms D.Z. Perrard, a farmer at Cha-
vangea (Aube), was engaged, with the aid of his wife and
daughter, aged sixteen, in helping his men to cart some
oats, when the electric fluid struck the girl and set her
clothes on fire. The father rushed to her assistance and
put out the flames, but she had been killed by the light-
uths, and bor body was burnt in sewn! places.