NEW SOUTH WALES.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume XIII, Issue 574, 4 May 1868, Page 3

NEW SOUTH WALES.

itEFAiuiJu.it; Ok fIUNuE aLeIIED rOlij E:\GLAMD. I (From Hie Sydney Morning Herald, 7th April.) . ikstekow ii.ii.ii. liie iiuke in Edinburgh i quitted rorl Jackson. His parting words will lie found in another column. They produced an effect on those who heard them such us is rarelv forgotten. They were delivered with a sensibility which proved they came from tiie heaif. lie will be followed by the prayers of the devout and the good wishes of the loyal. These aspirations will include his companions—many of whom are worthy ol him. The ship he commands possesses every advantage which human skill and foresight can supply, and he may expect to reach his native shore w ith speed and in safety. Ur-fore he shall cast anchor the news of his reception, his danger, and his deliverance in all (heir chief details will have readied Ins home. The millions of Europe will watch for the signal of his arrival, and from every friendly Court and mercantile city the tokens of sympathy and congratulation will await him. Mothers who have such a son can alone imagine the joy of the Queen as she will catch the tirst sound of Ids chariot. The fatigues and perils of the voyage will he forgotten, and all the sorrows of home in that moment of gladness. The most fatal blow has been struck against the cause of rebellion. It will he seen that England only fears when her foes are in darkness. Face to face with this frightful conspiracy, which supplied the inspiration of this deed, the heart of the nation will grow strong, and every loyal subject in the three kingdoms will swear—rather than bend before the Satanic power which has degraded even the cans- of revolution—to die.

We hope the Duke will ever think of us kindly, lie will not forget his sojourn. The scar which be bears will be an indelible memorial. But it lias left a counter soar. Long may be his life ; but to its utmost stretch the awful day will not be forgotten by him, —nor by Australia for ages to come, — when, surrounded by thousands of loyal subjects, he was struck down, as it seemed no more to rise. Then burst forth the universal wail—such as was never before heard on the shores of Australia. But God was good to us all. He was merciful to teach us mercv.

To some men such an accident arising from such a cause would render life sombre and create perpetual distrust. Since the Duke’s recovery, of course every soul lias exulted in confidence and courage. We may hope, therefore, that those nervous alarms which so often take from life its comfort, and make all movements hesitating after a great siiock, will not be felt by him ; but, guarding against every needless peri!, that he will fee! life is not darkened or its freedom diminished by the remembrance of that day.

The Duke, charged with a mission alm-rd poll-; tical—to represent tin* sympathies of the Queen and the goodwill of the English nation—has been! 'everywhere followed, feted, and cheered ; sometimes, perhaps, to the point of weariness. These manifestations of loyalty have received aii die re-1 cognition which reasonable persons could an‘ici-j pete. The supers which have sometimes mocked at the continence and acclamations of the people] will never be welcome, to a princely mind, conscious that in dealing with great multitudes there must ever be things at which a philosopher may smile, hut which are the scorn only of fools. If report be not untrue, some have shown that vulgarity which could alone make litem conspicuous—thrusting their clumsy hands at the Prince—addressing him in (“rms of insolent familiarity—and hunting after relics with a dishonest pertinacity. These long-cared specimens of bad English and bad manners only set off the respectful and cordial loyally of the masses of the people, who have shewn their knowledge of what was due alike to their visitor and to themselves. This will hr

readily admitted. The portraiture of Australian society Ims indeed a political importance. America, for two centuries, was affronted by caricatures, cruel, often ungrateful, and most unjust, because Few things would be more painful than to read, some five mouths hence, criticisms surcharged with ridicule, and in forgetfulness of the recent origin of everything colonial. Such will never have the sanction of a son of Victoria, (o whom, above all else, is dear—the outpourings of the human spirit. The Duke of Edinburgh, although not perhaps very much interested in local politics, has been the spectator of some of its more striking phases, lie: has been present at more than one Ministerial crisis, lie has seen the men in whose hands the local government of flic colonies is vested—some of the true British type—some seeming to illustrate the Darwinian theory of development. We begin low; we shall perhaps ascend high. Under these! first essays of nature there may be disguised the powers and faculties such as, wo arc told by those) great authorities, have turned the monkey into the man. Australia has within it all the element si of things—all the germs of commercial, perhaps ofj political greatness. The stages of progress will! not. be measured by the chronology of Europe. But the Duke has seen only a small part of Australian life. lie has seen well-dressed crowds. He has seen the competition of our circles of colonial fashion. He has seen a display of colonial vanities as they float upon the surface of tilings. He has seen the deeper, stronger emotion which stirred the Australian breast, lie has seen the people in the passion of grief and anger at the dishonor of their country—the danger of their guest—thinking of the anguish of their Queen, and of the erics of lamentation and reproach which would echo through Europe. He lias seen all tins, but he has not seen the interior life (such, as the Queen has recently depicted with such fondness) of hundreds of families who rarely appear in the front lines of politics, or fashion, or Government—people who Jcvoie their time uj ihe relief of "be. poof and sick —who prompt and support all cherts to resist evil and promote good. Their influence is felt, not in the contention for civic distinction or nnHtical power, but in the constant quiet and ordcrlv discharge of the duties of domestic and social life. Whenever the latent energy of this numerous class is called forth, it shews itself in forms such as were seen by the Prince when loyalty was to be expressed by condolence, and when this sentiment was to be illustrated by charity.

The Duke will heir to England Australia's salutations and tokens of kinsmanship. Many have laid before him the fruits of their skill; hut'whatever he may carry with him as presents from the people, none will be r-o precious in his own estimation —certainly none will b» so to his Sovereign and ours—as the evidence of the loyalty of the colonial heart and the warmth of its pulsations whenever her name was sung. True, the country is not

without disaffection • but it is not of Austrian growth. But for this, (here would he only one sentiment—loyalty to the Crown, snd desire for me unity ana prosperity of the whole empire. . Occasionally predictions are uttered that these ties are uoomed to early severance. Mo one ran. foresee what will be Die course of time. But no appreciable party have any desire to hasten an event which may perhaps some dav he inevitable. V.hat would it he to boast “I w,i it New Sn Q fb Welshman, 1 or “• f am a Port Phillipian,” or “ I am a Vandemoninn ” or “lams New Zealander.” It is something to say, “Romania tum~l am a member of a grand Empire, and have the protection | of laws which the mightiest monarch does not dare Ito question or the proudest nation to infringe.” Denmark and Chili warn us against the vanity lof premature independence. Now, drift i 5 p..,.. or electricity the news would he spread of insult and aggression, and the avenger would come. No people are safe unless (hey have behind them tho power which can speak on their behalf, and cau enforce, if necessary, its words with blows. The Duke came ns son of the most popular Sovereign of Europe, and one of the noblest phiLmthropist? of the day—one to whom industry in all its branches, suffering in all its forms, were under the highest obligations. He had shed upon him all the glory of such an illustrious parentage, and with it descended all the weight of such a serious task. In the opinion of those who have witnessed his career, his position, so grand and yet so responsible, has been fairly sustained. Eulogy could say no more. So, in the name of our readers, we say farewell; | and we may repeat for our own part the blessing recorded with such tenderness hy the Queen : | ‘ .Vi/?/ (h e Lord atfrndye vrith mirth and joy / and \ m <iy die ever le with ye here and hereafter ! ”

The following were the parting words of His H'yal Highness the iDukc of Edinburgh referred to in the loregoing article, and which were read at the luncheon which took place on the day of his departure from Australia “ Gentlemen, ‘l have no doubt you will allow me to read the few words that I desire to say to you, as I do not feel equal f o the task of speaking extempore. (Encouraging cheers.) In returning yon my host thanks for drinking my health, 1 must express my regret at having to bid you farewell, ami I take this opportunity of thanking you for 1 lie enthusiastic and hospitable manner in which I have been received and entertained in this as well as all the Australian colohios. The universal manifestations of lovalty to the Queen, and attach,meat to her person and throne, have, ere this, been made known to her Majesty, and cannot fail to have given her the liveliest pleasure. (Applause.) I must now, however, allude to the unfortunate occiiTcuce connected with myself, which marred your festivities and cast a temporary gloom over the community. I siiicrely regret, on your part, that there should'have occurred any incident during my sojourn amongst you which should have detracted from the general satisfaction which I believe my visit to Australia has given. (Loud and prolonged cheering.) The event, however, cannot in any degree shake my conviction of the loyalty of the colonists at largeapplause—nor her Majesty’s confidence in her Australian subjects. Indeed, the meetings and expressions of sentiments which have, been called forth by the recent attempt on my life will show their fellow-subjects at home, and the world at large, that they not only have loyalty, but affection for their Queen and her family (cheers.) If there is any disaffection tending to disloyalty amongst any community in any section of this portion of her Majesty’s dominions it will be the duty of the. Government to put it down, and I am certain that | there it will receive every support from nil Misses. (Prolonged cheering.) Through the merciful inj terposif ion of Providence the injury I received was | hut slight, and I believe no further evil consequences are to lie anticipated from the wound, (Loud cheers.) It has, however, been considered that I shall be unequal to any great exertion for some time, and, therefore, it has been decided (hat it would be most advisable for me to return home direct. It is a great disappointment for me not to be able to visit New Z Miami, and I am afraid it 'will also very much disappoint the people there,. |ln thanking you once more for your kindness to me during my visit, I must tell you how much f have enjoyed it, and regret that it comes to an end to-day, Before I conclude I will ask you to join me in a toast. I propose “Prosperity to the Colony ofXe.w South Wales;” and as this is the last opportunity I shall have of addressing au assembly of Australians, 1 beg to couple with it the toast. ‘Prosperity to all the Australian colonies.’ ” The speech of his Royal Highness was received with the most enthusiastic cheering.

The Galatea was unmoored at ft p.ra. out 1 e fith April. The Sydney Herald thus concludes its long and interesting account of the departure of his Royal Highness;—

The steamer Morpeth— generously placed at the disposal of the public by the direction of the company—the Phantom, Vesta, H erahl, Dreadalbane, and Fairy, filled with passengers, waited o:T Fort Denison to escort the departing voyagers to t! c Heads. In the evening a royal salute was fired by the Vernon, The rays nf a glorious Australian moon had already lit up the scene ere (he notes of “ Horae, sweet home,” by the band of the Challenger came stealing over the waters ; the ensign of the Galatea then gave place to two lights at the gaff end, side lights wete adjusted, adieus were exchanged between friends in boats and those on board the frigate, the engines resumed their duties, and the Galatea voyage commenced. As soon as it was perceived that she was moving ont of Farm Cove, cheer after cheer was given by the ships about Fort Denison, the occupants of the boats which studded the harbor, and the assembled multitudes on shore. On every rook and rising ground from which a view of the harbor could be obtained crowds of people stood and took a last long look at the noble vessel as sbe sped through the water on her way back to the dear old country which so manv of us call “ home.”

The steam flotilla followed in the Galatea’s wake down to the Heads, which were reached about S o’clock, the tide being then full, and giving plenty of water over the bar. Off South Head the Breadaibane burned blue lights and discharged a shower of rockets. Farewell cheers were giver, for ‘lie Fnr.ce, and earnest wishes expressed that pro-por-ous gales might vouchsafe a safe and speedy voyage to the mother county. Some of the steamers lingered at the Heads until the, receding outlines of the noble frigate faded away to the eastward, and a cloud of smoke was all that remained to indicate the course she was pursuing. The homeward passage will be made v ; a Cape Horn, and efforts will be made to arrive ui England as soon as possible after the receipt of the mail which left here on the 27th ultimo. The Galatea lias about S(X> tons of coal in her bunkers, and if a further supply is needed to expedite her voyage she will call at \ tnratter,