THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, K.G.

Press, Volume VI, Issue 673, 26 December 1864, Page 3

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE, K.G.

We regret to announce the death of his Grace the Duke of Newcastle, K.G., late her Majesty's Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies, who expired on the 18th of October, after a lingering illness, at the family seat, Clumber-park, Nott3. The late nobleman, who was born in 1811, and wa3 consequently in his 54th year, received his education at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, where he was contemporary with Mr. Gladstone, Mr. Cardwell, the late Lord Herbert, the late Sir G. C. Lewis, Mr. Lowe, kc. As Lord Lincoln, he was first returned to Parliament foa South Notts in 1832, and joined the small minority with which Sir R. Peel for some years vainly endeavoured to stem the irresistible influence acquired by

i- the Whisr pirtv in consequence of the prestige and success of the groat Reform Bill. In 1534, during o Sir Robert Peel's brief Administration, Lord Lincoln c became a junior Lord of the Treasury, and, on tho downfall of the Melbourne Ministry in 1841, f iceepted the souif-what subordinate past of Commissioner of Woods and Forests. He adhered ; to Sir Robert Peel in his policy which led to the repeal of the Corn Laws; but, unlike i most of his colleagues, felt himself bound, on f his change of opinion, to vacate his seat, which he did • by accepting the post of Chief Secretary for Ireland, lie lost his re-election by a large majority, his father, a rigid high Tory of the "old school, and his tenantry, . to Woug"ag:ieultural Protectionists, taking tlio • chief lead in opposing him. The schism was never • thoroughly healed, and the late Duke at his death left to his "second son all the property over which he had the power of disposal. On the break up of Sir Robert Peel's last Government, Lord Lincoln became a conspicuous member of the IVelite party. He succeeded to the family title in ISSI, and on the formation of the Coalition Cabinet, under the auspices of i the Earl of Aberdeen, late in the year 1552, his Grace became Secretary of Suite for the Colonies. With that department* was, by some strange organisation of olden times, associated the administration of war, and it fell to the lot of the Duko of Newcastle to conduct the preparations for the Crimean war and its progress during the first year of its continuance. With a department utterly without organisation, experience, or preparation, the Duke failed, and the warnings of the lute Duke of Wellington of what would inevitably occur if the country became enu' >2ed in a first-class war were realised to the letter. Feebly supported by his colleagues, who were forced into* the struggle by public opinion, and distrusted by Parliament and the people, the Duko encountered a failure which would have inevitably overwhelmed the ablest administrator. A political intrigue to make him the scapegoat recoiled on its authors ; but the Government had to give way, nnd the Duke, with his Peelite colleagues, retired into private life, but, unlike them, with a high-minded chivalry he abstained from thwarting the efforts of tho successors to repair the faihire of the past and bring, as they ultimately did, the war to a successful issue. As far as he could privately, the Duke lent his active aid to this result, and with great self devotion repaired to the Crimea and personally made himself acquainted with the causes of" the previous breakdown and the best means of placing the War Department on an efficient footing, The Duke soon lived down the odium and personal unfriendliness of which he was at one time the object, and ample justice was speedily done to his sincerity, industry, and dovotion to his duties, although he would probably never have gained the character of a first-classadministratorin difficult times, for which he did not possess determination, temper, or decision of mind. On the formation of Lord Palmerston's second Government in 1859, tho Duke again became Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies —in which he gained for himself considerable credit, although his administration was marred by scandals in connection with the lonian Isles and some of the West India colonies. In Australia his name will be remembered with affection and respect, and espec'ally in New Zealand, for before his resignation, owingto failing health, he had madehimself, with great patience and industry, thoroughly master of the very difficult question of nativo affairs. Ho was thus enabled to check the intrigues of Sir George Grey and the missionary party at home, and to his firmness it is chiefly owing that the New Zealand Government have been able to deal with the question so satisfactorily. Ou the transportation question we have reason to believe that he was overruled by his colleagues, and that ho reluctantly carried out their policy; aud under the present excited aspect of this question the present Government will greatly miss his prudence, his caution, and his knowledge of the feelings of the colonists.— Home News.