10 JANUARY 1874, Page 3

Lieutenant A. Charteris, Lord Elcho's eldest son, has, we regret

to see, succumbed to fever on board the Simoom.' A Guardsman, and very popular in London society, he volunteered for the Ashantee war, insisted on going, in spite of earnest dis- suasions from his family, and when on the Gold Coast over- exerted himself on very dangerous and difficult duty,—the main- tenance of communication between Elmina and Abrakrampa. We do not know that his death ought to be mourned more than that of many a poor marine, but there is this reason for the special notice taken of his fate. The marine goes because he is told ; Lieutenant Charteris voluntarily quitted a position of extreme luxury for one of extreme hardship, in order to do his duty to his name, his country, and his service. 'That is thoroughly creditable, and it is not men of his stamp who keep up this talk about England having already lost "four officers" in this Ashantee war. It is a necessary war, and if we lose four hundred, their country's duty is to honour their memories, but not to regret that they deserved its honour.