The Sun.
London, England, 1868-06-15 00:00:00

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LOIVDON, MONDAY, JUNE 15, 1868.

A little learning is a dangerous thing is a well-
known saying, but we think that those who peruse
Mr. MILL'S letter to one of his constituents, which
to-day appears in print, will be inclined to think
that too much 'learning may sometimes tend in an
unsafe direction. A more unfair state of things in
Jamaica can hardly be conceived than that which
is put before us in this communication. It appears
that Mr. MILL had received information to the
effect that many of his " warmest supporters" at
the last election were displease I at his conduct
wick reference to Mr. EYRE. In consequence of this
he has written this letter, in which so far from
giving a satisfactory explamatiou of his views, he
seems to glory in r; iterating all his prejudices, and
in fiffiting his battles over again with might and
main. Never in the whole course of his life has
Mr. MILL felt himself called upon to take " practi-
cal action 03 any matter on which he felt more char
as to the course indicated by the principles which
he holds, and has always endeavoured to promul-
gate." lie disclaims anything like personal ill-
feeling towards Mr. EYRE, but he at the same time
declares that it is impossible for him to look upon
Mr. EYRE'S conduct in Jamaica without the deepest
indignation, or as an Englishman without a senti-
ment of humiliation. Can anything be more ab-
surd than this? And is it not annoying to sec
how people can deceive themselves by looking at
things through a false medium. The Jamaica
Committee began by exaggerating everything they
heard respecting` the intelligence received from the
scene of the disturbances, and then went on to pre-
judge the facts. Mr. MILL'S letter could only be
justified had he received confirmation of the wild
rumours that filled Exeter Hall, and raised the
negropholists to a state of frenzy. To say that
there is the slightest excuse to be made for his
words, as they now stand, would be to mistake the
case. At any rate, if Mr. MILL persists in being
so prejudiced himself, we must protest, in the name
of common sense, against his attempting to drag
in others to share his views, and against his
wholesale declaration that the great majority of his
countrymen was " denied judicial inquiry" into the
matter. We defy Mr. MILL to prove that there
has ever been any approval to the prosecution of
Governor EYRE anywhere but at the meetings of
the faction. Whenever there has been an opportu-
nity of_ the ganeral public making its voice heard
its testimony has always been in favour of the ex-
Governor of Jamaica. As for a general desire exist-
ing that judicial inquiry should be made, no such
a thing can be substantiated. We hope that the
electors of Westminster will do their best to
undeceive Mr. MILL on this point, and show,
by the return of another candidate, what is
their opinion of the persecution which Mr. EYRE
has undergone. As for the danger which he ap-
, prebends that the character of Engiand will be
rowered in the eyes of all foreign lovers of liberty,
that is a very idle argument. In the first place, it
is not all likely to be fulfilled, and if it were we
are not to act contrary to all our sense of right and
justice, and forward the plans of those abroad. It
was not the way that this country became great,
and that it will ever remain so, to be changing and
turning in order that this prejudice may suited, and
this hope not disappointed. Mr. MILL'S indignation is
also excited against Mr. EYRE, became he seeks to
shield himself from any " judicial examination,"
and does not " eagerly challenge and earnestly in-
vite the utmost possible scrutiny into 'whatever
justification he thinks he can urge." But Mr. MILL
appears to forget that the case for the defence was
not heard, because in all the cases referred to the
charge was declared untenable and the case dis-
missed before proceeding into detail. We have a
great deal of " human Fyrnpathy" and " moral
condemnation" in this letter, but we would advise
Mr. MILL to steer clear of all this fine-sounding
phraseology, and to act a little more in accordance
with the details of common sense and justice, by
which means he will arrive at more correct con-
clusions.

The interesting account of the incidents attend-
ing the departure of the Duke of EDINBURGH from
New South Wales reaches us by the Overland Mail,
and it is satisfactory to find that the visit so eagerly
' anticipated, so auspiciously begun, and so painfully
interrupted, closed with pleasantness and general
good feeling. On Monday, the 6th of April, the
Galatea started on her homeward voyage under the
rays of a brilliant Australian moon, while throngs
of people crowded every spot from which a view of
the harbour was attainable to take a last look at
the vessel, and give a last cheer to the Prince.
Earlier in the day his royal highness had been in-
vited to Luncheon at Government House, where a
number of specially invited guests assembled to do
him honour. After the health of the QUEEN had
been drunk, Lord BELMONT proposed a toast which
was received with the utmost enthusiasm, " The
health of the Royal guest of New South 'Wales."
The Prince was much affected by the warmth of
feeling manifested by those present, and read in
answer a brief address excusing himself from an
extempore speech. This was, in fact, his public fare-
well of the Australian colonies, and he expressed
his sense of the hospitality and enthusiasm
with which he had been everywhere re-
ceived. In alluding to the unfortunate occurrence
which had so abruptly terminated the festivities of
his visit, the Prinae expressed his regret that any-
thing should have detracted from the success of his
visit. " The event, however," added his Royal
Highness, " cannot in any degree shake my convic-
tion of the loyalty Of the colonists at large, nor her
MAJESTY'S confidence in her Australian subjects."
The Prince said very justly that he thought the
disaster would have a contrary effect, as the meet-
ings and expressions of sentiment called forth
throughout the colonies by the attempt on his life had
shown that the Australians not only had loyalty but
affection for the QUEEN and her family. If there was
any disaffection amongst any part of the community
it would be the duty of the Government to put it
down, and he was certain that all classes would
render them the •most cordial support in so doing.
[laving been advised to return home direct his
Royal Highness had been compelled to forego his
promised visit to New Zealand, at which he was
very much disappointed, and he feared that the
New Zealanders would also be disappointed at this
alteration in the plans. However, we may be glad
that it was decided to forego this part of the
expedition on other grounds than the risk
.o the Prince's health. The same jour-
nals which give us the account of the
Prince's departure give also the particulars of
O'F.kneELL's execution. The criminal, who con-
(acted himself with great calmness and self-pos-
session to the last, expressed his satisfaction that
the Prince had escaped with his life, and a few
lours before his death be sail be was glad that the
royal visitor had not gone to New Zealand, as he
eared he would have been shot there. As O'Fart-
aux, was evidently in communication with others
of the same reckless and desperate character, there