The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-12-29

cue 1vezc uoOeFU0T- 0tH<Tdf " NuHuuo-dpUOuCH-
ing Dissolution Of the English Ministry Tao
tics Of the Opposition The Split bet,ceen Lord
Raglan and the Duke Of Cambridge-THs Aus.
,rian Alliance Sham-Afairs Of Spain The
SouK Interdiet, &c.
short biography Of the new Governor sp'
pointed to Canada may, perhaps, not be alto
gether uninterestin to your readers, succeed
ing, as he does, one who has been 30 sig
nally happy in obtaining the eommendation
not only Of his own government but that Of all
foreigners who have had sny relations With him.
Sir Edmund Head is the only SON Of Sir John Head
clergyman, and formerly tor of Rsyleigh. In the
county Of Essex. The family ia OF some antiquity,
and the baronetcy upwards Of two hundred years
old. The father, Sir john, ~as more remarkable for
the urbRnity of his manners his taste for the arts
and benevolence OF dsp ,siton asn for distinguish
ed talents, although his general capacity was by no
means deficient. His son was educated at Wtnches
ter, and entered as gentleman commoner OF Orial
College, Oxford 3 position which, indie pendent of
giving him the right 10 wear silk 60 Mn, afforded
him immunity from the rigii routine aud compui-
sorry lectures of the collegs-a gentleman COM oner
being regarded as personsgs who fortune Is al
ready made, and whose sooura " the University is
for the purpose Of obtaining every advantage but
that Of literature. Zoe collegiate cayricutups is
three years, after passing aalf this period
in the usual easy manner proper to his position,
his associates were surprised 60 dnd young Head
devotiug himself with the closest application to
tho study of Aristotle, sod deep ia ethics aud
rhetoric-such scienc as in fac, we're ne osssary
to the attainment OF tbt nIgaest classical honors
At the expiration of his terra awarded after
brilliant examination, fret GLASS; la t,fsris huma
niorsbls. Almost imneoiatety after, fellowship
of Merton College becoming vacant, he tried for IT,
was eiscisd, AND offered arter short time the
tutorship-aa Office which ue accepted and sustain
ed for five years. His acceptance Of situation
honorable to his talents IN. considered to be be-
meath his position as q gentleman commoner Of
Orial, aud heir to en- ascient baronetcy, explained
IN acme measure perhaps the secret Of his sudden
iaborious assduity. Pecuniary losses in his family
had, in TACT, told him clearly that he must dspsnd
for his promotion IN life mainly on his own exer
tions. His constant access TO the continent had
carly given him taste fer the acquisition of Ian
guages, and he has the reputation OF being one of
the first hpgnists Of the age While tutor of Merton,
an article of his ia the Foreign Quarterly Rcvi~s
atra csed the sth nton of the Marquis OF LansdO wne
the great English Macanss, 70 whose jndicious dis
elimination England is eadebted for the early rise
Of Bsbingson Macau!ay, tue hssosian The Marquis
found cut the author aud the result of the interview
was that Nj. Head resigned his tutorship, an ap
pointment worth some f600 or f700 year, in order
to devote himself to the study of ecclesiastical law.
He had, however, scarcely taken the preliminary
steps before the government made MIN an offer of
Poor Law Assistant Commissionership with
thousand q year and travelling expenses. In
this situation Mr. Head acquitted himself
30 well that on change of administration,
though opposed to him in politics, Sir James Ora
ham, then Minister Of the Home Department, pro.
NOTED him to be chief comm,ssio ner, with salary
double the former one. Now, however, there oc
CURED change in his tide OF fortune; he had sue
ceeded to the family title, ana shrewd men of all
parties were unauimous in supp 1ring him In the
difficult administration bus Office devolved upon him;
but there arose such camor-prlncipally urged on
by the Times Observation-Disclosures the new p.0r
law, that committee atsr commi. ZEE, and Parla-
mentaIy inquiries without end, we're brought to
bear upon IL; aud though the CT Ssest scrutny could
find hole rent ia thu co lduct OF tue chief CON-
missioner, the Ministry OF the day were obliged to
give way and reconstruct the wooe administration.
The government OF Ne"f uuoaao was then gwen
TO Str Edmund Head, ana knowing his great
talents II las been a matter OF surprise TO his
friends tina. his services have not long ago been
summoned 10 higher sphere. II IL not impossible
-
coalition Ministry may have something to do With
his promotion TO tae government OF Canada. HIS
age il forty nine. It must be- recorded 10 the honor
of Sir Edmund Head, 5nat on conscientious motives
he refused to enter tie profession Of his father
that of the church-in which some of his ancestors
had rieen TO the highest eminence. IL was init
mated to him a. an early period, alter the credit ne
had done himself ut Oxford, that the House
of Lords should be opened 10 him at the earliest
opportunity if he took holy orders. But Sir
Edmund, with that frmness which Is so distin-
gushing feature OF his charsrer, one which he
certainly did NOS inherit from his OF erwise excel
lent father. was deaf % the Syren voice which
wooed him to an early career of purple and fine
linen. His private char ,ter has throughout been
unbiemished, and the same liked VIII winch enaoie1
him to break through the luxurious sosh OF his ma
tural position to refuse every pecuniary assist
ance from his father, and TO carve out line for
himself was evident IN the matrimonial connection
he formed with LAZY Of excelle II family and great
accomplishments but wh) brought MIN little else
besides supporting the title she came to share. II
diligence, perseverance,, sell denial, intense labor
will enable him to be 4 worthy successor OF Lord
EIgin, Sir Edmund Head possesses all tue quauhca'
tions. Whether he has the requisite social endoT-
ments remains TO be seen. His lie nss bseu very
much that of scholar, aud 1t is qoite possible he
may NOT have suficlsnt plancy OF carriage TO en-
force his measures without violating che amour
sroyrs of others. This, IL was sad, was his only
1au1t when Chief Commissioner Of tue Poor Law,
and that smaller man would have suc seeded bet.
ter. Perhaps his position as Governor OF Nova
Scotia may have pointed out to him tae necessity
of less rigid bearing. In honesty OF ,ntenti m ana
religious uprgh ness he is Mt TO be surpa ssed sir
Francis Head, formerly Governor Of Upper Canata,
is his cousin.
The preparation for the parliamentary onslaught,
on the meeting OF the national council, continues
With undated zeal. rhe miniseraiists are to take
their stand on that virtue which certain nnmea
tonebe place Is said to be paved with-nanely,
rood intentions. Lord John Russell Is to make
katsmsnt full Of candor and generous patriotism,
which cannot fail isnow said TO rouse ali the finer
Seengs Of the House; and at the same time, be Will
kndeavor to demonstrate that the very horrors which
have occurred justify the Christian reluctance exh
bited BY his chief. But opinion daily becomes
Atronger, that no eloquence can save the Ministry
from speedy dissolutior. Putting aside the iodeci
sion and innumerable bnrders that have character.
lied their administration Of the war, the mode AID
manner Of obtaining supplies for its future pro
Qrcse csnnot fail 70 exhibit the individual crotcnets
Of the coalition, formed a. 1t is OF number OF men,
the personal talents Of any one OF whom would emil
- Oh. f.(o .tunf m a