The Sun.
London, England, 1868-07-28 00:00:00

„Th

M 2. 1101?SMAN Off Tat POLlttcrAr
SITUATION.-

Tho Right Hon. Edward Horsman has issued an address'
to the electors of Stroud soliticing re-election. He .deciaresi
himself in favour of the disestablishment of the Irish Church'
the abolition of religious tests in the universities, the belief;
and a reform of the House of Lords. As to the latter, ha
says—" My first reform of the House of Peers would be by
the removal of the bishops; and while the character of
the Legislature would be improved, I believe that the
in-
terests of the Church would be much promoted by con-
Suing its dignitaries to spiritual duties. My second
reform would be the creation of life peers ; and my third
would be to give to the House of Lords a popular
and representative character by some mode of selection
from their own body, so as to narrow the merely
hereditary title to legislation, which confers privi-
lege without securing capacity." Mr. Horsman then
appeals to the constituency not to discard him on
account of the past. Ho has been invited, he says, by
more than one Liberal constituency to become a candidate.
but prefers to adieu() to Stroud. He admits that his
course on reform gave offence to his constituents, but he
declares that he maintains his honest opinions, and refers
to some historical precedents in deprecation of his punish-
ment by expulsion. He alludes to the loss of their seats
by Messrs. Cobden and Bright in 1857, on account of their
vote on the Chinese war, and to the rejection by Oxford of
Mr. Gladstone ; and states that "Oxford already feels
the disgrace of that dismissal, the constituency that ex-
pelled its candidate now venerates his memory, and Man-
chester has shown its penitence for the punishment of
Ur. Bright by electing his brother to the place from
which he was degraded." "If, therefore,"; he
adds, "by following the example of greater anon I have
exposed myself to their penalty, and should even undergo
banishment from public life, I could still feel that time,
which has avenged them, would also do justice to me."
Still ho admits the pain and mortification which a loss of hie
seat for Stroud would give him. In a second address, ape•,
:Jelly to the " operatives newly enfranchised," Mr. Horsmah
asks them to invite him and his opponents to a public meet-
ing, and judge, after hearing them both. He admits the
right of the working men of Stroud to return one member of
their own choice, but entreats them not to let it b 0 4 man
toss liberal than himself.

DINNER TO LORD NAPIER OF MACIDALA.

On Monday night the members of the Oriental Club
rave a grand banquet in honour of Lord Napier of lag..
Bala, G.C.E. and G.C.S.I. The chair was taken by Sir
Cecil Beadon, K. C. S.I.
After the usual loyal toasts,
The CHAIRMAN said he now rose to propose the health
,f their noble, gallant, and distinguished friend, Lord
Napier of Magdala,—the ',man who now stood foremost
in the esteem and admiration of his countrymen, and
was scarcely less renowned among foreign nations, as
the hero and embodiment of modern chivalry, prudent,
firm, and sagacious in council ; prompt, bold, and
decisive in action ; brave and yet how gentle ; with
naltivatecl and refined tastes, and unbounded sympathies
for all his kind, and one in whom a stern sense of duty
was quickened and ennobled by the natural instincts of a
loyal and sound heart. It was almost impossible to speak
)f Lord Napier in his presence without seeming to exagge-
rate the praises of one whose very nature was truth, and
wounding the feelings of the man whom they had met to
honour ; one whose eminent characteristic it was to
think so lightly of himself and so much of others.
Lord Napier stood conspicuously before the public as the
;onqueror of Abyssinia; and in the halo which had been
shed about him by the signal and complete success of the
late expedition, and by the display of those brilliant
qualities by which that success was insured, the other
and perhaps stronger claims he had upon their regard
had been somewhat eclipsed. Whether they► regarded
Lord Napier as the able and fearless engineer who
;overed the Punjaub with a network of imperial roads
worthy of the ancient Romans, or who evolved, as at
Lucknow, a city of stately avenues from the chaos of a
native bazaar—as the statesman who for a series of years,
is the colleague of successive Governors-General, and him-
self for a brief period filling that high office, had laboured
ndefatigably in the promotion of every good and useful
measure—as the soldier who struck terror into the flying
hosts of Tantio, Topee—who had so ably seconded
the operations in China under the command of that
distinguished general, Sir Hope Grant, and who had
now achieved his crowning glory by leading an army
through 800 miles of the most difficult country in the
world, almost, it might be said, without the loss of a
man, capturing a fortress of unparalleled strength, and
tarrying out the policy dictated by Parliament, even to the
very letter, with consummate skill, and, what was more,
tv4th consummate moderation and justice —at all times and
ander all circumstances, his conduct through life entitled
him to the highest meed of praise they could offer,
and to the lasting gratitude of the country. Of Lord
Napier's private life and private virtues it would ill become
him to speak. There were many there who had known
him longer and more intimately than himself. But having
been his colleague for some years in the Governor.
lleneral's Council, and having enjoyed as he did the
privilege of his friendship, he might be permitted to add
his testimony to that of Sir B. Frere, and to say that no
man commanded the confidence and love of his friends and
ill who were brought in contact with him more than their
noble guest.

The name of General Staveley was coupled with tho
;oast.

In returning thanks, Lord NAPIER said : It is not for me
to scan the measure of commendation which my friend Sir
Cecil Beadon has bestowed upon me. I can only acknow•
;edge gratefully his kind expressions, and assure you that
lis with the greatest gratification that I heard the health
)f my gallant colleague Sir Charles Stavely coupled with
she toast of the officers and men of the Abyssinian
army. I can only say that, whatever plans or design*
[ formed, no general could have had better support than
I had, both from the authorities in England, from the
excellent body of staff officers and officers, and from the
staunch body of soldiers under my command. Lord
Napier then passed on to the subject of the East India
service, expressing himself proud in having belonged to itk
lie spoke in high terms of the services rendered by Dr.
Campbell, General Baker, and General Thuillier, and
zoncluded by saying that it was extremely satisfactory to
Um to think that in what he had done he had been pp;
porting the credit of the British service.

ROYAL STRAND THEATRE.
Sole Lessee and Manageress, Mrs Swanborough.
THIS EVENING, at 7.30, SISTERLY SERVICE: Messrs.
Belford, Harcourt; Miss Sheridan
After which, THE FIELD OF THE CLOTH OF GOLD.
Messrs. Thorne, James, and Robson; Mesdames Swanborough,
Lydia Thompson, Sheridan, Hughes, &e.
To conclude with MARRIAGE AT ANY PRICE.