22 APRIL 1843, Page 8

POSTSCRIPT.

SATURDAY NIGHT.

All the newspapers today teem with matter respecting the Duke of Sussex ; whose death is thus offichlly announced in last night's Gazette- " WHITEHALL, Amur, 21.—This day, at a quarter past twelve o'clock, his Royal Highness Augustus Frederick Duke of Sussex, uncle of her Most Gracious Majesty, departed this life, at Kensington Palace; to the great grief of her Majesty and of all the Royal Family." Yesterday, -visits of condolence were paid to the Princess Sophia, by Prince Albert, and the Duke, Dutchess, and Princess Augusta of Cambridge. The usual demonstrations of respect were observed in Kensington ; the shops being wholly or partially closed, the bells tolling, and the royal standard hoisted half-staff high on the church ; and throughout the Metropolis generally, the bells were tolled, flags half-hoisted, and at night the theatres were closed. In several Masonic Lodges, steps were taken for an early tribute of respect to the departed Grand Master.

The Times has a well-written outline of the Duke's character, from which we extract the chief passages- " Of all the sons of George the Third, the Duke of Sussex was, after the Duke of York, the most popular ; and next to his eldest brother, the most ac- complished. His popularity was in no slight degree attributable to the very marked and very consistent Liberalism ' of his political tenets. * • • He was for upwards of forty years the persevering and unwearied patron and ad- vocate of every charitable institution, of every benevolent project. Though his means were far from commensurate with the dignity of his rank, no parsi- monious considerations ever restrained Lim from aiding by his purse the cha- rities which he supported by his presence and his advocacy. His benevolence was not satisfied with a cold and commonplace lip-service; it was the genuine sentiment of a kindly heart ; it demanded from others what it displayed itself— an ungrudging and practical generosity.

"We have spoken of his Royal Highness's accomplishments. We do not claim for him the title of a profound scholar or a great philosopher ; but his attainments were far from contemptible. He inherited those strong perceptive faculties which peculiarly distinguish his family. He improved them by dili- gent and laudable cultivation. His career at the University of Gottingen, and his subsequent sojourn at Rome, gave him opportunities which were denied to his brothers. Of these advantages he fully availed himself; and during his Continental tour he acquired the art of social intercourse not less than that familiarity with the topics of the day which made his conversation at once so easy and so pleasing. It was to this residence abroad, accompanied as it would be by &temporary assumption of foreign habits, that we may partly ascribe that facility of manner, that affability of demeanour, and that fluency of language, which his Royal Highness never failed to exhibit at the numerous associations over which he so frequently presided. "These courtly virtues, which may seem easy of imitation, but which imply no small surrender of private comfort and indulgence, were' more than any. political bias, calculated to endear him to the British people. But their regard for him was cemented by ties more strong than these. He had identified him- self by marriage with them. Ile had made himself one of them. He had overstepped the barriers of an absurd, impolitic, and indefensible, but most stringent enactment, to unite his fortunes with those of a British subject—he braved the resentment of the Crown—he risked the hereditary dignities of the succession—in order to enjoy the blessings of domestic peace with the daughter

of a British Peer. • a S •

"That his Royal Highness had his faults, is only to say that he was a man. But in extenuation of his errors, let us remember the multitude and the force of the temptations to which his rank exposed him. HOW few men are there who, had they been born in his station, would have led a less [more] blameless life ? Be was not a selfish nor a sordid man. He was not an epicurean, nor a volup- tuary, nor an egotist. Be was a man who employed the faculties which his God had given him in promoting the physical comforts, the mental improve- ment, and the social harmony of his fellow-creatures. Ile did his best to pro- mote the advancement of learning, the interests of science, and the welfare of all who toiled their wearisome way in the museum, the studio, or the labora- tory. And there are many now alive and prospering, who, when they look back on their early struggles and their meridian labours, will bless the memory of the Duke of Sussex.'

The Duke's politics contributed to straiten his circumstances ; for during his active time of life they debarred him from the countenance of the Sovereign and offices of emolument. The Duke's position with his illustrious niece was different-

" It has frequently been observed that our present Sovereign appeared to re- gard the Duke of Sussex more in the light of a parent than she did any other member of the Royal family. This was imputed not merely to the circum- stance that he gave his political support to her Majesty's first Ministry, but it has been currently stated that the Duke of Kent, shortly before his death, re- commended that the Duke of Sussex should be as frequently as possible con- sulted by the Dutchess of Kent and the Princess Victoria on every affair of any political importance."

The Morning Chronicle touches upon the heads of the Duke's poli- tical course- " Though steady in his attachment to Liberal principles from youth to age, he became more decided and distinct in his views as he advanced in years. Thus, in 1806, in the debate on the Restriction of Slave Importation Bill, he joined his brother the Duke of Clarence (William the Fourth) in opposing the measure ; while in that same debate, his cousin' the Duke of Gloucester, made his maiden speech, and warmly denounced theSlave- trade. His speeches and votes, however, were afterwards cordially given in support of the Liberal side of the great questions of the day. The abolition of the slave trade--Catholic Emancipation—the removal of the civil disabilities of the Dissenters and of the Jews—Parliamentary Reform—the amelioration of the criminal law—the promotion of education, and the advancement of whatever might tend to elevate the character of the people—were all subjects which received from him steady, continuous, and availing support."