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

LONDON, THURSDAY, 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 in 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, iu 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 and 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 then 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. lie
declared that he went actuated by the hope of being
of service, and justifying the flattering hopes of
his friends, and that it bad 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,
Iu battles much delighting ;
He fled full soon on the first of June,
But be 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 aosessor 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 direc-