The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-12-27

Death Of the Earl or Abertas

The deceased the descendant Of ancient Scottish
house. the common progenitors of the Gordons ears Of
Aberdeen, and the Gordons, dukes of Gordon. Lord
Aberdeen the subject Of the present memoir born
the 2s,h of January 1884, and therefore in tn
seventy seventh year Of his age at his death He
educated at st. Johns College, Cambridge, England
where he graduated in the year 1904 Having completed
very liberal education, he made protracted tour
the continent Of Europe and resided for time in
Italy and afterwards In Greece studying the remains OF
antiquity both countries On his TO England
he wrote introduction 10 wilkins translation
OF "vruvus Civil Architecture, and subsequently, pub
shed distinct work under the title Of Gan Inquiry into
the Principles Of Beauty in Grecian Architecture This
work obtained for his lordship high place among the
scholars Of his day His erudton and perception Of the
beautiful in architecture evident In every page
His ordshp the founder Of the celebrated Athenan
Society of which no one could be enrolled member who
had visited Athens hence Lord Byrons often quoted
line in his Hours Of Idenessn referring his ordsh
as the "traveld observation-disclosures In 1903
he was chosen of the peers Scot
land elected in 1907 and again received the
honor in 1872. His first speech in the House Of lords
delivered the evening Of February IL 1871 when
he moved the address in answer to the Prince Regents
speech the opening Of the session In 1918 he accept
ed special mission the of the Emperor Francis
l., as secret envoy, for the purpose Of detaching
Austria from her enforced alliance with Napoleon.
The effort proved successful, and he soon after
Vienna and arranged the premnares between the
Emperor Francis and Joachim Murat, King of Naples for
the exchange OF his kingdom for other European
States with view TO the restoration Of the Bourbons
the throne Of Naples AS the representative Of England,
he signed the preliminary treaty Of peace a. IOp,z in
after the dreadful battle which took place in the
Of the month. His diplomatic services-more par
tcuary in obtaining the adhesion OF Austria to the ALI
against France-ected the marked appreciation Of
the English government On his return he was created
date of June l. 1914 From this period until 1928 he
took part In various diplomatic negotiations and occa
sonay ioned In the debates OF the House of Lords He
showed himself u be politician Of respectable informa
ton most of the questions that came before the House,
and especially those relating TO foreign affairs
In 1928, the Duke Of Wellington having formed minis
try high tory principles, the Earl OF Aber-
aeen accepted place In .,,,,, as Chancellor Of
State Foreign Affairs The Greek of independence
brought TO close by the total destruction of
the Turkish eet in the battle Of Navarino This event.
which hailed with satisfaction by the people of Eng
land generally viewed with great distaste by the
friends Of absoutism who composed the Cabinet Accord
ngly the battle itself characterized in the royal
speech from the throne an untoward event. phrase
which from that time stuck TO Lord Aberdeen till his
death. This distinguished by the abolition Of the
Test and Corporation acts and by the Catholic Emancipa
ton act Herein the Ministry acted adversely TO the
views Of many Of their staunches supporters but in
formity with popular sentiment Their determined OPP
position, however TO Parliamentary reform again turned
the tide Of opinion against them, and the death
Of George Nv. compelled them to make way for
Earl Grey. Lord Aberdeen took n conspicuous part
in eadeavormg to accommodate the differences
suSa h and wash Resulted in the secession Of
large number Of minister's and in the establishment OF
the Free Church OF scotland. Prom this interference,
although distinguished by moderation and ability on his
part, he reaped only obIoQuy from both parties.
Upon the dissolution Of the Wellington administration,
son January I6 1890 and became the supporter Of the
pretensions Of Don Miguel, whom, while IN power, he
had rdculed and OF Don Carlos both OF whom he aided
well in out of Parliament. The most important act
Of his had been the recognition OF Louis
Philippe saluted King of the French after the memora-
BILE days OF July In the ministry formed by Peel and
Wellington, which endured only for the vacation of
1s435 Lord Aberdeen held the appointment Of Colonial
secretary In 1858 Lord Minto the head OF the Ad-
mray issued orders 10 the British cruisers the
OF spain to prevent the access to spanish ports
Of Sandman and Dutch vessels suspected to bear
torres for lion Carlos. Lord Aberdeen made very
effective opposition speech and expressed his opinion that
he country should understand the real position which
Sir Robert Feel having been restored 10 ONCE in SEN
TENDER, ls4l the subject Of our notice again became
Foreign Secretary. While serving in this government,
he took part In adjusting the difference between the Otto
Porte and the King OF Prussia, which at time
seriously endangered the tranquility u the East He
successfully exerted himself in conjunction with the
French Minister To secure the Of the states Of
Rio de la Plata where desoating and sanguinary
had been carried on and rendered other important
vice in the Foreign department When the Oregon qnes
ton threatened rupture between this country and Eng
land, he took occasion 10 make some remarks from
the House might rely that believing that war
was the greatest calamity that could befal
nation, and also generally the greatest crime
which a nation could commit every effort
with honor would be made 10 avert t. ssIf be
might, without presumption, speak on subject which
was perhaps personal 10 himself he would say that
their ordships might believe that the conduct OF their
transactions would be forbearing conciaory moderate
and just The amicabe settlement of the dispute,
which announced shortly afterwards due in n
great to the fidelity with which the noble Ear
followed the line OF policy he had laid down.
Al length the opening Of the Parliamentary session of
brought evidence OF the coming revolution in re-
srect to the Corn laws. sir Robert Peels change Of
policy cordially approved by the Earl OF Aberdeen,
lie shared with SIR Robert and his friends the ohio
guy to which all who parties to the abolition OF the
Corn laws exposed he resigned oihcc with his col
leagues In June lss6 the government having sustained
signal feat the motion for the second reading Of the
Ir~h Coercion bin.
Again. opposition, he resumed his hostility
to the foreign policy Of Lord Palmerston. lie
took very prominent part on the Greek
question The proceedings In The Greek waters sane
TONED by the government lac contcndcd had excited
universal cry OF Indignation throughout Europe aud
when he locked al his countrys relations with Europe
hut there was this consolation that the nations Of the
Continent fortunately separated the conduct Of her Ma
sys government from the feeling Of the English peo
PIE The Er having been Of the chief exponents Of
sr Robert pecs policy In the upper house, became,
the death Of that statesuan the recognized leader OF the
Ieclte party he presided the great meeting OF sir
Robert admirers, held IN Willis Rooms London, July,
1850 the occasion ~ the Cabinet crisis 1851 the
Queen sent for the Earl with view 10 his undertaking
government with the cooperation Of Sir James Graham
but he declined The responsibility ON the defeat Ct
lord Iethys ministry IN nocembcr, 1s52 the Earl
again summoned by her Majesty. lie then undertook
the formation " admnttraiion, and hence
the memorable coalition Cabinet q 1888 and 1854
Tie invasion u the Turkish empire by the Emperor
Nicholas which led ~ the with Russia. occurred
during ths ministry. For some time 4 felt that
Lord AbcrcecnE known conservative opinions, and his
hong habits ~ personal intimacy with the Ministers OF
absolute monarchs, somewhat dampcd his patriotic zeal
Aberdeen ally peace minister, probably hest
atCd accept the terrible issue a. war aud hoped %
negotiate favorable settlement of the difficulties In
spite Of hr nche Prcmier dtyuton 70 peace principles
tie country drifted into Inc suierincs OF the
British army IN the Crmca aroused the Indignation OF the
people ard when IN January, 1855, Mr. R0cbuck carried
his motion for an inquiry INTO the state ~ the army
before shastopc Aberdeen egDed and succeeded
by Tnrd tlmefsOn The administration 81 Aberdeen
signaircd, however, BY many important legislative
work. Tho change Ia the trnment 81 India. the ameli
Grafton ~ The exclusive system 81 the Oxford University
and the introduction Of several measures tending " the
extension 81 free trade and ~ the foundation Of better
system Of admission to the civil service Of the country,
occurred during the pei iod Lord Aberdeen held Office
FIRST Lord 81 the Treasury From that Nmc until his
d.aih tho farl occupied no prominent position m the
English government