fierce attack on the signatories, accusing them of "a treacherous conspiracy against the Governor" and intimating that but for liability to misapprehension he would "have suspended them all from office until her Majesty's pleasure was known." He then incautiously declared it " impossible that the relations between the petitioners and myself can, in the face of this conspiracy, be such as ought to subsist between the Governor and gentlemen holding the commission of an executive councillor, whether occupying or not responsible office; and it is at least to be hoped that the future course of political events may never designate any of them for the position of a confidential adviser of the Crown, since it is impossible their advice could be received with any other feelings than those of doubt and distrust." A little later, and a despatch was received from Mr. Cardwell plainly intimating that the Governor's conduct in assenting to the devices of his Ministry for obtaining money without the assent of Parliament had been inconsistent with the policy announced by himself of rigid adherence to the law. The despatch did not, however, go beyond censure. A second, received in April 1866, in reply to that of Sir Charles Darling above quoted, however, contained the mandate of dismissal, Mr. Cardwell pointing out with a cogency which it was impossible to dispute that Sir Charles Darling had precluded himself by his conduct from acting freely with those whom the course of parliamentary proceedings might present to him as confidential advisers. "It is your own act now," Mr. Cardwell insisted with merciless logic, "which leaves me no alternative. You force me to decide between yourself and the petitioners. It must be evident to yourself that you occupy a position of personal antagonism. … It is impossible after this that you can with advantage continue to conduct the government of the colony." On the other hand, the Legislative Assembly passed a resolution asserting that the country was "greatly beholden to him for his steady adhesion to the principles" of responsible government. They further decided to vote a solatium of £20,000 to Lady Darling by way of compensation to the Governor for his forfeiture of the pension which he would lose by his recall. Sir Charles Darling declined to permit any member of his family to receive a gift pending the signification of the Queen's pleasure. In the meantime, on May 5th, 1866, Sir Charles Darling left Victoria, a demonstration of his sympathisers being made on his departure. A vast crowd turned out to bid him farewell with every mark of respectful regret. On his arrival in England, Lord Carnarvon, who had replaced Mr. Cardwell, declined to allow him to accept the proffered gift, intimating that if he did so, he must not look for anything further at the hands of her Majesty's Government. Sir Charles took the hint, and resigned, and a series of rejections and "tacks" now ensued on the proposed vote of £20,000 more insurmountable and irritating, if possible, than those which had arisen in reference to the tariff. Later on Sir Charles Darling made his peace with the Colonial Office, and withdrew his resignation, withdrawing also his acceptance of the much-debated gift The cause of contention between the Houses was thus removed, and almost immediately after came the news of Sir Charles Darling's death, whereupon the grant was "untacked," and an annuity for life of £1,000 a year conferred on Lady Darling, together with a lump sum of £5,000 for the education of her children. Sir Charles Darling, who was created K.C.B. in 1865, died at Cheltenham on Jan. 25th, 1870. He was thrice married, his third wife, who is still in receipt of the £1,000 a year pension from Victoria, being Elizabeth Isabella Caroline, the only daughter of Christopher Salter, of Stoke Poges, Bucks, to whom he was married in 1851.
Darling, Hon. John, M.L.C., was member for West Adelaide in the Legislative Assembly of South Australia in 1870-1 and 1875-6, and for Yatala in 1878-81; and was Commissioner of Public Works in the Downer Ministry from June to Oct 1885. In May 1888 he was elected to the Legislative Council.
Darling, Lieut.-General Sir Ralph, G.C.B., seventh Governor of New South Wales, was the son of Christopher Darling, who was promoted from Sergeant-Major to the adjutancy of the 45th Foot in 1778, and was afterwards Quarter-Master of that regiment. Sir Ralph, who was born in 1775, was employed in the Custom House at Grenada. In May
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