The Irish standard., 1892-07-30

Canada in company with the late Lore
Milton. Lord, Duferin's "Letters from
High Latitudes'' marked distinct
epoch in his life. The little work at.
tracted Lord Palmerston's attention in
1867, and he appointed it's author British
commissioner in Syria, to inquire into
the massacre of Christians by the law.
less Druses. So we'll did the young dip
lomatist discharge the difficult duties of
an Office which brought him into contact
with all the duplicities and intrigues for
which the East has always been re-
nowned that on his return he received
the highest compliments that the for
eign Office could bestow npon him, and
the more substantial reward OF knight
commanderehip of the Bath.
Lord Dufferin's public career has been
one OF unbroken prosperity. Under Sec
rotary of state for India from 1864 to the
beginning of 1866; under secretary for
war until Lord Russe]l's ministry came
to an end in the latter year, Lord Duf-
ferin remained out of Office until Mr..
Gladstone succeeded to power in Decem-
ber, 1868, when he was nominated chan
cellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, which
Office he held until April, 1872, when the
grandest opportunity of his life dawned
upon him in the appointment as govern
or-general of Canada. From that mo-
ment forward he has occupied none but
the very highest positions. From Cana
da he was transferred to ST. Petersburg
as ambassador, and soon became per-
soma grata to Prince Gortchakoff. His
previous experience of the East marked
him out as ambassador at Constantine
pie, and for the still more arduous re-
sponsiollity Of British pienipotentiary in
Egypt, then convulsed and torn by
Arabi's rebellion. In November, 1884, he
proceeded to India as viceroy, and has
left behind him reputation not inferior
to that obtained by William Bentinck
and. Lord Dalhousie. Few minor Incl
dents have more deeply impressed them
selves upon the memories of all who
were present at the proclamation of her
majesty as Empress of India than the
tact and presence of mind with which
Lord Dnfferin divested himself of the
cloak which in pouring rain he wore over
his brilliant uniform, and exposed him
self and all the surrounding officers and
civilians to the pitiless downpour, be-
cause a Russian officer who was present
had sneered at the efeminacy of soldiers
who mutfed themselves up. The post to
which Lord Dufferin was appointed on
the death of Mr.. w. III. Smith links him
with a. long line Of distinguished prede-
cessors, and is a futing climax to brilli-
ant and diversified career. The Cinqne
Ports, OF which, he to-day becomes lord
warden, we're so named by William the
Coneueror, and have figured conspicu-
ously in English history. Con6ning our
selves to the present century, we
know that William Pitt, the great Duke
of wellington, Lord Palmerston and
Lord Granville have occupied that low
browed old castle in which-meet wit
ness of such scene-the Iron Duke
breathed his last. For many years to
come we trust that the high office Of
British ambassador in Paris will be held
by an occupant SO worthy of it as Lord
Dufferin. Nor, in any review Of the
causes which have aided him in his re-
markable career, would it be fair to omit
mention of his accomplished wife-the
chronicler of his vice-regal doings and
the foundress of the benefcent system of
providing female medical aid to Indian
women. An occasional change from the
gay capital of France to the rugged old
walls of Walmer will enable the new lord
warden to show that the 'genius loci'' is
as precious in his eyes as in those of his
last three predecessors.