The Sun.
London, England, 1857-03-30 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, MONDAY EVENING, MARCH 30, 1887.

humbled—who is utterly and signally defeated.
Remembering what Mr. COBDEN has been before
now, remembering what he has already accom-
plished, remembering what he might still have

been, and what he might still have accomplished,
had he but been true to his owa antecedents—
we can only mourn at an occurrence which is
only the culmination or climax of what has
been to us during the last few years a
source of bitter and protracted disappoint-
ment. While, however, we cannot find it
in our heart to exult over this downfall as
far as Mr. COBDEN is individually con-
cerned we regard it at the same time as
an event involving in itself so profound a
lesson to politicians generally that we conceive it
absolutely and imperatively demands, from us all,
very particular observation.
Mr. COBDEN'S defeat, we repeat, is a defeat
doubly if not trebly ignominious. Never was
there a more painfully ludicrous illustration of the
engineer--" hoist, with his own petard 1" It is
HOGARTH'S Clown seated astride upon the sign-
post protruding from the wall to which the wise-
acre has his face directed at the very time he is
coolly sawing the beam supporting him in midair !
Here is the Originator of the whole of this grand
Political Agitation—the Mover of the " Resolu-
tions" upon which the Cabinet was placed in a mino-
rity, and thereby driven to a dissolution of the
Legislature—himself sacrificed ! It is the contriver,
the Brazen Bull of Phalaris—himself roasted alive
in it, first of all by way of experiment. It is Dr.
GUILLOTINE—himseIf guillotined ! It is GUY
FA.WKES—blowing himself up by mistake instead
of the Houses of Parliament ! Never was there
a more preposterou% political recoil—a more
laughable election eerin g ti- climax ! The quondam
glory of Stockport, afraid to adventure upon a
struggle for the West Riding of Yorkshire, with-
draws from the latter constituency and tries to
win over to his cause the electors of the little
borough of Huddersfield. There—at Hudders-
field—he is deliberately weighed in the balance
and Rejected ! Rejected for a comparatively un-
known man (Mr. ACKROYD) by the liberal pos-
sessors of the elective franchise in a small borough,
having in round numbers not more than 1,500 as its
Constituency ! Mr. COBDEN is not merely rejected

himself by a clear majority of 246 out of the n urn

ber of that constituency of "True-Born English-
men," the independent, and patriotic, and out-
spoken electors of the borough of Huddersfield.
But he goes to Manchester a little before that : and
there, in that recognised capital of his Political
School, advocates, as energetically as his bold
voice can advocate anything, the cause of his
two most conspicuous political associates, Mr.
GrnseN and Mr. BRIGHT—onIy to find them im-
mediately afterwards peremptorily and haughtily

refused as their representatives by the free and
honest electors of the populous and intelligent city of
Manchester. Honour to these British Voters !
Honour to these men of Manchester and of Hud-
dersfield ! They have in a signal and startling
manner demonstrated the utter unpopularity of
the really monstrous views latterly advocated by
the Manchester School of Politicians ! They have
entered their emphatic and decisive protest against
the miserab!e Peace-at-any-Price Humbug They
have responded to the appeal made for their de-
cision by Messrs. COBDEN and GinsoN—but they
have done so in a manner those gentlemen little
anticipated ! Who was in the right now, Mr.
COBDEN t What views do you think, now, are
popular, and what unpopular ? Verily, there
was much wisdom in that sagacious observation
of the landlord of the Lansmere Arms, in My
Novel—" Gamptious is gutnptious, and bump-
tious is bumptious !" &MEW); we need not
say who, was wonderfully cockahoop of late—but
the " crow" has been suddenly taken out of him :
shall we crack a pleasant little joke about it
and say—we have had to pluck it with biro ?
Nevertheless, while in the abstract, politically
speaking, we cannot but exclaim, with OTHELLO,
" 'Tis better as it is !" we cannot, at the same time,
but lament that such an " is" should have been
rendered in any way necessary. We cannot but
regret that Mr. COBDEN should have rendered it

imperatively requisite for a liberal constituency
to reject him, as he has been rejected— ieliberately
and ignominiously rejected—by the liberal consti-

tuency of Huddersfield. So it has fallen out,
however, and Mr. COBDEN has only himself to
thank for that the House of Commons volt hence-
forth miss (for some time at least) the perverse
logic and vigorous rhetoric of the Mr. BUCKET of
Debate with his undercurrent of forefinger!

Lord PALMERSTON has ample cause for self-
gratulation at the results of "the appeal to the
country"—more so than even he himself could
have contemplated when he delivered his post-
prandial oration at Tiverton on Friday evening.
That oration was the natural sequel to the Address
to the Electors already noticed in The Sun. it
was delivered in the very hour of his individual
triumph, when he had enjcyed an easy " walk
over the course," and been returned without op-
position for his favourite constituency. At such
a time, and under such circumstances, he might
have relaxed a little, and offered even a faint out-
line of the domestic policy which he intended to
pursue. Although ho no longer required such aid,
it might have been valuable to his avowed sup-
porters—might have turned the scale with many
wavering voters, and returned triumphantly Pal-
merstonian Candidates who may yet feel the want
of such assistance. The Noble Lord, however,
clung to his strong position —to the
potent intreuchment from which he could
not be displaced. In his address he slurred over
the domestic policy as a matter of comparatively
trivial importance. He stood on the China ques-
tion, the only point on which ho had been left in

a minority, and on which he was well aware that
the voice of public opinion was altogether in his
favour. There he was unassailable. There the
people were altogether opposed to the factious
majority, and there he was certain of a complete
triumph. But on matters on which the welfare
and prosperity of the nation greatly depended

on the all-important questions of Parliamentary,
Fiscal, Financial, Monetary, and Legal Reforms,
he was contented with a few vague platitudes, not
containing the shadow of a Principle or a Policy.

It is true that ho declared that "at home his
guiding principle will be a judicious and well

regulated economy (an admirable phrase, but no

committing him in the slightest degree), progres-

sive improvement in all (!) that concerns the
welfare of the nation, the continued diffusion of

education among the people, and such well-consi-
dercl reforms as from time to time may be required
by change of circumstances, and by the increasing
growth of intelligence." All this is very line. But the
most
uncompromising Tory might have said the
very same,
and could not have been called to ac-
count for any vote he might subsequently be
pleased to give.

As we have stated, the subsequent oration does
any degree help the preliminary address.
It does n'
oes not even touch in the slightest way on these
interesting and important topics. Everything
that could be desired is given respecting that of
which the nation was already satisfied. Nothing
where information was required, and Where the

utmost anxiety was entertained as to the views of
the popular Premier.
Now, we would earnestly desire that the eleo-
tors, where there is yet time, should obtain de.
cisive pledges from the claimants for their suffrages
on these topics. We believe that more can be ob-
tained from Lord PALMERSTON than from any other
possible Minister. He will give just as little
as practicable, but as much as may be indispen-
sable to the maintenance of his position as First
Lord of the Treasury. He would not bind him-
self when his return was certain. But he is for-
tunately not pledged on the other side, and any
reform, however extensive, may still be enforced.
There is no opposing "principle. It is merely
the vis inertia? that is to be conquered. Yield-
ing to a judiciously and well-applied "pres-
sure from without," Lord PALMERSTON will go as
far as can reasonably be anticipated. But there
must be that pressure. The prize must be won
by the Reformers. They must prove themselves
worthy of that for which they profess to be
striving. The first great issue is on fo-
reign affairs, and there the " Chinamen." have
not a leg to stand on. Even those who voted in
the majority are ashamed of what they have done,
and whining apologies are offered by a large pro-
portion of those who have dared to come to the
scratch ? That problem has already been solved,
and without in any measure endangering the great
issue. Internal matters may now receive a fair
share of attention. It depends on the several con-
stituencies whether they are to be shelved for a pro-
tracted period ! We trust that professing reformers
may prove equal to the emergency. The critical
moment has arrived, and on the events of the next
few days will depend the fortunes of the country
for, perhaps, the following seven years. Electors of
England—a great trust is confided to your charge •
Exexecute it faithfully and honestly, and you will
have cause to rejoice in blessings that will descend
to, and be appreciated by, your children, and your
children's children, during many successive gene-
rations.

It is very noticeable how egregiously the in-
tendel Defeaters of the Government have over-
reached themselves. Out of the memorable
Majority on the China Question in the House of
Commons, how many, do you suppose, have been
defeated in consequence? Why, already positivley
as many as THIRTY-FIVE 1 Beginning the list of
these Thirty-five Unfortunates with—actually—
the "Two Tellers" themselves ! Several of the
unhappy delinquents who have thus summarily
expiated their vete in favour of Mr. COBDEN'S.
Motion have, it is true, fallen, without any ado,
voluntarily ! Acting upon the Fat Knight's hint
that "Discretion is theibetter par:, of valour,"—
Ten out of the Thirty•five have "Retired" from
the contest, thus warding off the blow
which must otherwise have descended
upon them overwhelmingly. For example,
Mr. BALDOCK retired from Shrewsbury.
)) 79 Dover.
2,1) Devizes.

Viscount CHELSEA
Mr. HENEAGE

Admiral HERBERT ,, „ Dartmouth.
Sir H. MADDOCK s, „ Rochester.
Mr. SANDARS 7, „ Wakefield.
Capt. SCOBELL... I) „ Bath.
Mr. SUTTON
" Newark.
Mr. VERNON

Mr. WADDINGTON
Nine out of these ten exceedingly modest or " re-
tiring" candidates being Conservatives, who dis-
appeared from the scene in order that they might
make room for Liberal substitutes—Reformers.
However, besides these, Ten voters in the Obnoxi-
ous Majority (one Liberal and nine Conservatives)
who have thrown themselves overboard rather
than be roughly pitchforked over by their respec-
tive constituencies—there are twenty-five others
who, with a certain amount of pluck, appear
to have stood up for the contest precisely for the
very purpose, it would seem, of being knocked
down ! Foremost among them, as we have be-
fore intimated—

„ Harwich.

THE Two TELLERS !

Mr. COBDEN defeated at Huddersfield.
Manchester.

Mr. GIBSON .

WITH TWENTY-THREE OTHER OFFENDERS.

Earl of ANNESLEY defeated at Great Grimsby.
Mr. BIGNOLD ,, Nor wich.
Mr. GEO. BUTT
Marquis of CHANDOS Buckingham.
Mr. T. S. COCKS Reigate.

Mr. H. B. COLES... JP Andover.
Mr. J. DRAX........
)) Wareham
Hon. W. DUNCOMBE s) East Retford.
Mr. B. FOLLETT..... Bridgewater.
Capt. J. GLADSTONE 3) Dm :zes.
Lord W. GRAHAM.
33 Grantham.
Mr. H. GWYN....... /, Penryn cC Falmth.
Lord A. HERVEY... ff Brighton.
Sir E. LACON Yarmouth.
3)
Mr. A. H. LAYARD. „ Aylesbury.
Mr. J. MACGREGOR Sandwich.
Mr.J.P. MURROUGH Bridport.
Sir S. NORTHCOTE.. ), Dudley.
Mr. J. OAKES 7) Bury St Edmund's
Mr. R. PALMER 1) Ply mouth.
Mr. J. G. PHILLIMORE 33 Leominster.
Mr.R.J.PHILLIMORE )9 Tavistock.
Captain STUART Bedford.
Altdgether twenty-five who voted in the ma-
jority on Mr. COBDEN'S Motion (including Mr.
COBDEN himself and his seconder, Mr. GIBSON)
have been formally, because of that vote, rejected by
the constituencies. Ten others, as we have seen,
having deemed it more prudent f 3 withdraw before
the certainty of an equally ignominious discomfi.
ture. In all, "Thirty-five" of the Majority,
directly or indirectly, have paid the penalty of
dancing the kotoo into the Lobby of the Opposi-
tion to the sweet pipings of the two unfortunate
Tellers- —six out of the Thirty-five being Liberals,
and the remaining Twenty-nine Conservatives.
It must not be imagined, however, for
an instant that the Ministerial Gains are re-
stricted to these Twenty-nine. Not a bit of it I
Upon the first rough calculation, while the losses
of the Ministry may be estimated at 19 or 20—
their gains may be taken at the very least at 39
or 40. Leaving a balance of about a score, just,
to begin with ! The precise details of the op-
posing catalogues we give elsewhere in our
impression of this evening. From which it will
be seen, almost at a glance, how heavy has been
the vengeance already wreaked upon the Opposi-
tion—and how large, even at this stage of the
General Election, the consequent advantages ac-
cruing to the Government.

I sides, should difficulties ever arise between the two
Governments, these will be easily adjusted, in a
spirit of mutual forbearance and concession. I re-
turn your Lordship my thanks for your kind ex-
pre,sions and wishes in reference to myself, and feel
confident that in our future intercourse we shall
proceed harmoniously and satisfactorily in dis-
charging our respective duties."
Intelligence had been received of a dreadful ca-
tastrophe which occurred on the Great Western
Railroad of Canada on the 12th.
The afternoon train from Toronto to Hamilton
ran off the track when approaching the bridge over
the Des Jardines Canal, near Hamilton ' • the engine
cut through the timber work of the bridge, the
structure gave way, and the locomotive, baggage-
waggon, and two passenger cars fell from a height
of 40 feet into deep water. There were 97 passen-
gers in the two cars. Of these '7O were in-
stantly drowned or crushed to death. Sixty bodies
had been recovered up to the evening of the 15th ;
but all had not been found. The coroner's inquest
had commenced, but stood adjourned till the 17th.
Mr. S. Zimmerman, the wealthy contractor and
banker of Niagara, is among the victims. The Par-
liament which was sitting at Toronto adjourned
when the intelligence of the disaster arrived in that
city. _ _

On the Pennsylvanian Railroad, at Altosa sta-
tion, an emigrant train had been run into by a
freight train ; six persons were killed and 10 or 12
others mutilated.
On the Salt Lake Plains the past season had been
so severe that the Indians had been compelled, in
many instances, to devour their own offspring to
avoid s'arvation.
The George Law had arrived at New York with
the California mails and a small amount in specie.
Dr. Bates, the State Treasurer, was a defaulter
to the extent of $124,000.
Advices from Aspinall state that the Filibusters
under Lockridge had taken the Fort of Serapgin
and had captured a steamer and the town of Cas-
tellon. These accounts are not reliable.
From Peru we learnthat the revolutionary party
had been successful to a partial extent. Castillo
had taken Paita and Para. Iquique and Arica re-
mained trnA to the Government.
Islay and the Chinchas have declared in favour
of Vivanco. There was a reaction in Arequipa in
favour of Castillo.
The belligerents had fought another naval en-
gagement in the harbour of Callao, but without
either side gaining any material advantage.
The Costa Rican Envoy had been unsuccessful in
his attempts to negotiate a loan for the purpose of
carrying on the war against General Walker, and
nothing was said of the projected treaty for the
union of the South and Central American States
against Filibustering enterprises. Everything was
quiet at Bolivia. At Valparaiso business was
reported as dull, the only transactions of impor-
tance being in silver and copper. The scarcity of
specie was being more sensibly felt by the continued
exportations of silver coin. Freights to England,
per ton, English, 3/. 10s. to 4/.
Mexican advices state that the troubles at San
Juan and Tampico had been terminated. The
rumoured revolutionary movements at Blancarte at
Guadalaxasa created no alarm. The New Congress
is to assemble on the 16th of September. The
Mexican Congress had not been in session since the
sth, the great day on which the new constitution
was sworn to, in default of a quorum. The
Monitor has intelligence of new revolutionary
movements in Puebla ; via New Orleans dates
from Tampico had been received. Possession had
been given to General Morena, but Gaza threat-
ened an attack upon the place. The conducta des-
tined for the city was expected to pass through
Monterey. General Tidaurri had been elected
Governor of the State.
From Havannah we learn that active prepara-
tions for the invasion of Mexico were proceeding.
General Concha had reviewed 15,600 men. Slaves
continued to be landed on the island. Sugars
were firm.
In the New York stock market there had been a
considerable advance on the leading descriptions.
In the money market there was a decided im-
provement. The demand, though large, was fully
met by the supply. The current rates were B.}
to 12 per cent. for prime paper according to date,
and 7 per cent. on call. Exchange on London Bto
81. In cotton the unfavourable accounts per Ame-
rica had been counteracted by news from the south
of a large falling off in the receipts at the ports, and
the market closed firm. Flour and wheat were dull.
Pork had declined. Beef was buoyant. Tir2pentine
was quiet. Iron and tobacco were in request.
Freights were without material change.

peace," I have already offered some remarks upon ,
the subject, hnd need not return to it. But the
right hon. gentleman says that the result of Lord
Palmerston's Government is, "excessive expendi-
ture and heavy taxation," and the cubs' itute which
he proposes is " reduced taxation and social
improvement." Now, what I would undertake to
show is that_ excessive expenditure and heavy
taxation have not been the policy of Lord Pal-
merston's Government, but, on the contrary, that
it has been :diminished expenditure and reduced
taxation. (Applause.) The only way to ascertain
She facts of the case is to compare our present ex-
penditure and taxation with what they were during
the war. The estimates for the army and navy
for all purposes of war, which were presented at the
beginning of last session (1856-57), were 56,865,0001.
Tho ‘e estimates were made upon the assumption
that the war would continue, but happily we signed
a pease about Easter. The Government lest no time
in revising the war estimate, and iu producing re-
duced estimates, adapted, as far as possible, to the
new state •of peace. It is scarcely neces-
sary that I should remind you that the enor-
mous establishments created in a time of
war cannot be removed by the stroke of a
wand. We must bring home our fleets and armies ' •
and I need not enter into detail, because it must
suggest itself to the mind of every one thatthere are
a great number of expensive operations attendant
upon the transition from a war, which had created
a foreign expedition on a great scale, to a state of
pease. The revised army and navy estimates
amounted to 38,061,0001. Well, that was at once
a ,considerable reduction. Now, these were esti-
mates for a year not actually of war, but a year in
which many of the expenses incident to the war
had to be borne, and as compared with the preced-
, hig year a saving of 17,000,000/. was effected.
But then, you will say, what is your calculation for
the year commencing the Ist of April next ? Exclu-
sive of the Coastguard and packets, which are not
for military purposes, the estimates for the year
1857-8 have been reduced to 18,870,0001. as com-
pared with 38;000,000/. in the preceding year.
Now these are positive facts, about which no
doubt can exist, because they rest on papers pre-
sented to Parliament. I ask, therefore, whether it
can be said: that excessive expenditure, tried by the
test of a great reduction of expenditure, has been
the policy of the Government ? (Hear, hear.) But,
then we are told that "reduction of taxation" is
Lhe policy-which Mr. Disraeli recommends, as con-
trasted with the policy of Lord Pahnerston.'s Go-
vernment, which one must presume is that of in-
creased taxation. Well, now, what are the facts ?
The income tax—no small part of our resources—
las been reduced from 16d. to 7d. in the pound,
:and other redactions of taxation have taken place,
partly in consequence of propositions of the Govern-
ment, and partly by the operation of prospective pro-
visi ens in statutes; and for the year 1857-58, as com-
pared with the year 1855-56, there has been a reduc-
tion of nearly 11,500,000/. I think, therefore, I
have proved by figures, which admit of hosioubt, that
" excessive expenditure. and increased taxation"
are not the policy of the present Government.
(Hear, hear.) I may perhaps mention, as showing
the extent to which the expenditure has been re-
duced in the present year, since the, charges at-
tendant upon the transition to peace were defrayed
—that the actual diminution in the present quarter
(from " January to the first of April) is about
6,500,000/. as compared with the corresponding
quarter of the previous year, which was nut a
period of active war—that is to say more than
2,000,000/. in each month—rather more than
500,000/. a week, and very nearly 100,000/. per
day. (Cheers.) These facts must, I think, con-
vince you that Government have resolutely put
their shoulders to the wheel for the peepose of
effecting reductions in the military and naval ex-
penditure of the country. (Hear.) The right hon.
gentleman proceeded to show the practical difficulty
of at once reducing establishments framed on a
war basis, contrasting it with the easy work of
writing on paper a reduction from 30,000,000/. to
20,000,000/. or 10,000,000/., and then continued :
"—With regard to the circumstance that led imme-
diatly to the unexpected dissolution of Parliament
—the vote upon the Chinese question—it is proper
that I should make some remarks upon it, as it is
the question on which the appeal has been made to
the country. The hon. gentleman who did me the
honour of proposing me very clearly pointed out
the peculiar position of our agents in China, sepa-
rated by many thousands of miles and many weeks
of postal communication from England,—a few
Englishmen surrounded by an enormous and, it
may be, a hostile people, and he has shown that
under such circumstances it is not wise, it is not
fair, it is hardly decent, I may say, for the Govern-
ment to scrutinise with a jealous and hostile criti-
cism all the acts of their subordinates, if they act
with perfect good faith, and when there is no
imputation upon their honesty, or " upon their
desire to serve their country. Now, our agents
in China have not been charged with rapa-
city, with any desire to enrich themselves at the
expense of foreign countries, nor of seekirg to ag-
grandise their country by taking territory from
foreigners. No, the most that can be said is, that
from an excess of zeal, Sir J. Bowring somewhat
erred in asserting the rights of his country, believ-
ing that a treaty had been violated ; and I say
that the Government which should be over-hasty
and over-disposed to censure their subordinates
would justly excite the disapprobation of the coun-
try. (Cheers.) lam not called upon to maintain
that Sir John Bowring's conduct was faultless and
immaculate ; it is not necessary for me to show
that his judgment and that of Mr. Consul Parkes
was the most perfect and the wisest that could
have been exercised under the circumstances.
What the Government have to consider in such
a case is, whether their agents acted to the best
of their judgment and with a reasonable discre-
tion. Well, now, let us see the ground upon which
the Government' acted in the case of Sir John
Bowring. When the news first arrived it was im-
possible for us to know that the next packet might
not bring intelligence that the whole matter had
been settled • but when that packet arrived we
found that the b:each had been widened rather than
narrowed, that fresh grounds of differences were
added, that the Governor of Canton showed a most
unconciliatory spirit, and that the quarrel, which
was originally of small dimensions, threatened to
assume an extensive and even an alarming cha-
racter. Under these circumstances what was the
resolution of the Government ? They thought it
expedient to send out a person possessing ampler
powers of negotiation than had been given to Sir J.
Bowring, who was put in possession of their views,
,and who couldgo out with the authority belonging to
ale-6861f proceeding directly from the central Govern-
meut,. and who might, by his authority and by his i
Superior knowledge of the views of the Government
be able to direct operations on the spot, and to ne-
gotiate with the Chinese Government. The right
honourable baronet, after alluding to some mea-
sures of social improvement which the Government
had been obliged to abandon in consequence of the
attention of Parliament being concentrated on the
war, proceeded to touch upon the extension of
the country franchise question. It must not (he
said) be forgotten that the 40s. franchise gives votes
to a large number of persons in counties, while no
such franchise exists in boroughs. He expressed
himself decidedly in favour of very considerably
reducing the present 50/. county franchise, but
would not pledge himself to the exact amount of
the reduction, whether to the full length of 10/. or
not. He thought it would not be wise to put the
same restriction upon county voters as upon
borough voters (freemen), and thus prevent a. man
from voting unless he resided within a distance of
seven miles. Mr. L. King's motion assimilated the
right of voting in counties and boroughs, the policy
of which he doubted, and_ which, he observed,
would be introducing into counties an entirely new
element. The law of voting could not be simply
transferred from boroughs to counties ; some adapta-
tion was necessary, and, subject to these restrictions,
he was decidedly in favour of Mr. L. King's Bill.
In fact the Government had agreed to support the
introduction of that bill, but afterwards found
that on account of some questions of form rather
than of substance it could not be conveniently in-
troduced ; and that was the reason why they voted
against its introduction.. (Hear, hear.) The
right hon. baronet next alluded to the Church-rate

question, remarking that the recent decision of
the House of Lords had placed the law on this sub-

ject in a position which rendered the present state
of things intolerable. While contending that the
Church-rate was a charge upon rent, and that its
abolition wonld have the effect of at once putting
some 300,0001. or 400,0001. a-year into the pockets
of the owners of the soil, he showed the feeling of
injustice with which it was regarded by Dissenters,
and expressed hiS opinion that,
unless those
friends of the' church who at present would listento no proposal for an alteration of the law, shoUld
assent to a reasonable settlement that would relieve
the Dissenters, not many years would elapse before
the rate would be abolished and the church esta-
blishment be maintained by voluntary effort. He
had no fear that such effort would be adequate to
maintain our churches ; but the burden would t e
likely to fall more heavily upon the present abd the
liberal than upon the absent and the illiberal.
(Hear, hear.)
The right hon. gentleman,
after a
few further expressions of his thanks to the elector s
conferredlauded. upon
his seat very loudly pp
A vote of thanks to the returning officer closed
the proceedings.

DEATH OF ME. ADAM LEFFLER.— This well-known
bass singer,
who at one time held a leading position in
English opera, died suddenly on Friday night.