28 MAY 1881, Page 3

We regret deeply to notice the death of the Right

Hon. W. P. Adam, Governor of Madras, which occurred on May 24th, at Ootacarnund. Mr. Adam had been from 1853 to 1858—that is, through the great Mutiny—private secretary to Lord Elphin- stone, then Governor of Bombay, and had a high Indian reputa- tion ; but he was known in this country as the successful and trusted Whip of the Liberal party, of which he was the manager during its period of depression from 1874 to 1880. His skill in that function was amazing, and it was popularly believed that much of the victory of 1880 was owing to his judgment in the selection of candidates, and the use he made of the varied powers of his chiefs. It was expected that he would be placed in the Cabinet, but Mr. Adam always disclaimed Parliamentary leadership, and was, besides, for personal reasons, willing to accept the Governorship of Madras. It was given him, and he seemed likely to become a most successful Governor, when he suc- cumbed to an old bowel complaint, complicated by the agony consequent on biliary calculi. His successor is not yet named, but what Madras wants just now is a great engineer, with no wish for an engineer's reputation,—that is, a man who will restore the old native works thoroughly, indifferent to the fact that he will not, therefore, be recorded as a man of original genius. A sub- ordinate engineer is sure to want to make a name.