The Evening Star. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1872.

Evening Star, Issue 2877, 9 May 1872, Page 2

The Evening Star. THURSDAY, MAY 9, 1872.

THERE are many differences of opinion respecting national thanksgivings. Some object to that which has been held to-day on religious grounds, some on political, some on personal. The first class assume to be philosophically theological, and characterise the whole proceeding as based on superstition. We have no objection to this assumption of superior wisdom, if it please them, excepting on the consideration that the ridicule of minds of that class is infectious, and liable to lead those who do not think for themselves to treat subjects of common concern as frivolous, and high moral lessons with irreverence. Then we have political objectors, who imagine that events, involving in some degree the destiny of a nation, are more or less under human control. They do not realise the idea that for aught they know to the contrary, human agency iy

a mere secondary cause) and that the evolutions of national character point to deep seated principles pervading the mass of the people—in fact, to what may be termed their spiritual life. As for the third class, we consider them utterly beneath comment. We do not say that the personal character of His Royal Highness is or ought to be a matter of indifference to the people; but it is not his personality as a man, but as heir to the tin-one that has rendered his recovery of such high probable importance to the future of the British Empire. There is, in our opinion, something very solemn and impressive in the idea of the people of an Empire spreading over so vast an area, being animated by a common sentiment of reverence for its national institutions. The assembling together of some four millions of people to express sympathy with Her Majesty and family when they went to return thanks for the Prince’s recovery, was only the outward expression of the national sentiment. It was not a mere transient burst of loyal feeling, nor even of personal attachment to the Queen herself, although the latter had no doubt a share in evoking it. But it was a voluntary expression of the convictions

of the people, of satisfaction with their institutions, and may be taken as significant of their determination to abide by and uphold them. Such convictions are beyond the mere influence of an accident. No tragic event is needed to call them into existence. They are part of the national creed, and exist wholly irrespective of time an I distance. It is owing to this that even in the most remote parts of Britain’s Empire there has been a willing response to the invitation from the throne to rejoice with her who sits upon it. The bickerings and jealousies of party are set aside, for it is felt we form one family, united in heart and sentiment, and that she who wields the sceptre is the head of it. The spectacle that the world now witnesses is that of a hundred millions of people animated by the same spirit, having the same sympathies, expressing it in the same manner, a)'d what dissevers this outward sign of feeling from all idea of its being evanescent is, that with the exception of Great Britain itself, the whole of the dependencies have deliberately, and at different times voluntarily complied with Her Majesty’s invitation to return thanks for the Prince’s recovery. The sympathy of the Empire has been as that of one man, but intensified and rendered solemnly grand by being shared in by numbers.

The Outgoing Mails. —We have been requested, by the Chief Postmaster, to state that the mails for Europe, by way of San Francisco, will positively be forwarned by the Wellington, as advertised, and they will be sent forward from Auckland by the City of Auckland. The Suez Mails will be sent from Dunedin by the Tararua about the 15th inst.

Mayor’s Court.—There was a clean sheet this morning.

Accident. town at 3,40 p.m., that a man, whose name was not then known, had been dangerously wounded by a shot fired by the volunteers practising on the Anderson’s Day Range. Princess Theatre. —The spectacular drama of the “Sea of Ice” will be presented to-night with entirely new scenery and effects. We hope to see a good house. Acclimatisation. —A traveller from Queenstown to Arrowtown last week informs the Observer that, on coming along the Franktown road, he disturbed a covey of nine Californian quail. He has no doubt about them being quail, being well acquainted with the birds.

Thanksgiving Services.— -The Governor’s proclamation to observe to-day as a thanksgiving day for the recovery of H. R. H. the Prince of Wales, was generally obeyed in the City. Almost every place of business was closed ; and in several of the churches service was held. Wc shall notice the services in to-morrow’s issue.

Souiiern Cemetery.— We observe that the late rains have caused two more land slips in the embankment immediately under the Southern Cemetery. One of these extends to the fence, alongside of which are cracks in the earth of considerable depth. The present state of this particular cemetery should be an additional reason why every effort should be made (and in due time) to get the one at the north end of the City legally transferred to the Corporation, and placed under their management. Electoral. —In tbo published lists of persona objected to which accompany this evening’s issue we observe the Registration Officer nas objected to a large number on the ground that “ the property is insufficiently described. ” The objection, as our readers will notice, is in almost every case taken against a “leasehold qualification,” and we would urge tho-e objected to on this ground to supply the Registration Officer, before the revision day (16th May) with such information as will enable him to correct the list, as, in the event of their not doing so, their names, in all probability, will be expunged. Lecture.— The sixth of Mr James Smith’s series of lectures—that on David Copperfield—was delivered last evening, and attracted a full attendance. The lecturer briefly narrated his personal recollections of Dickens, traced his early career as sketched by himself in the pages of the work selected for treatment, and read from it with that elocutionary power with which he is gifted the author’s touching account of his mother’s funeral, winding up with a recital of Copperfield’s love experiences. In drawing his admirable lecture to a close, ho acknowledged the kindness he had received on all sides

during his stay here, and resumed his seat ami ist loud applause. Mr Beveridge, in proposing the customary vote of thanks, invited M r Smith to meet the members of the Mutual Improvent Society at a social gathering to be held on Monday, which invitation Mr Smith cordially accepted. Masonic Hall.—Professor Haselmayer’s entertainment was again well att< nded and highly appreciated last evening. The marvellous transmission of a lady’s watch from the hand of a lady, who held it high above her head, into a small glass case, contained in the innermost of series of six or ten rosewood boxes neatly fitting one with the other, and which had all the while remained on the stage in full view of the audience, excited intense wonder and loud applause. The other illusions were, without exception, good and well applauded. This afternoon the Professor gave a special entertainment in aid of the charities, and at which the children from the Benevolent Asylum and the Industrial School were present. The former were kindly brought in by Mr Chaplin ; and the Asylum children by Messrs Gourlay and Hutton. After the performance, which was also witnessed by many adults and families, thechddren were plentifully regaled by the Professorr with fruit and confectionery.

Dunedin Hospital. — Another attempt is to be m-'de this session to place the Hospital on a different footing irora what it occupies just now. On Friday Dr Webster is to move a series of resolutions, affirming that only half of the expense of the Institution should be defrayed by the Province ; that the other half should be defrayed by voluntary subscriptions ; that an honorary committee of seven members, such as recommended by a select committee in 1870, be at once appointed to manage all non-pro-fessional matters ; that when the voluntary subscriptions amount to half of the total expense, a committee of management of twelve be appointed—half be nominated by the Government ; the others to be nominated by subscribers, and to take the place of the honorary committee before alluded to ; and that four medical officers, exclusive of the resident surgeon, be appointed to take charge of the Hospital, Lunatio Asylum, and Gaol, and that the duties of the two latter establishments be undertaken during three months of the year by each of the medical officers in his turn.

Loyal Address. The following addr.ss, prepared by a select committee, was on the motion of Mr Sumpter, adopted by the Brovinc al Council last evening: “Most Gracious Sovereign—We, the the Represent itives of the people of Otago. New Zealand, in the Provincial Council, desire to take the earliest opportunity on re-assem-bling to convey to your most gracious Majesty expressions of our deep sympathy with your Majesty and tier Royal Highness the Princess of Wales in the anxiety earned by the late dangerous illness of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales ; to offer our heartfelt congratulations on His Royal Highness’s convalescence; and to join with Your Majesty in expressing our gratitude to Almighty God for the life so graciously spared. We fervently hope that His Royal Highness will soon be restored to perfect health, and that he may have a long and prosperous life. We trust that Your Majesty will be graciously pleased to aceept this expression of our loyalty and affection.

Mr J. Cargill’s Committee will meet at Mr Couzens’s Hotel, this (Thursday) evening, at 7 o’clock. The depasturing right over sections 21 and 31, Block XL, Otakia district, will be offered for sale by Mr Milner, at the Land Office Dunedin, to-morrow, at the upset rent of 6d per acre.