The new French Ambassador, M. Challemel-Lacour, was entertained at the
Mansion House on Tuesday, when, in return- ing thanks for the toast of his health, he delivered a very neat, French speech, on some points of which we have commented elsewhere. The interests of England and France, so far from being opposed, he said, are fundamentally identical. The only difficulty is to find the exact points where they coalesce, and that, though difficult, is not impossible, to men who bring to the task both care and good-will. Neither country should ask the other to sacrifice its interests, for self-sacrifice is a virtue not of nations or of Governments, but only of individuals ; but what is desirable is that each country should be intelligent enough to under- stand its own true interests. He expressed his admiration for the studious reverence shown to old traditions in the City of London. "This house, these usages, this ceremonial, this purple,—I love them. Why P Because these symbols of tradi- tion piously preserved associate themselves, amongst you, with a lively sentiment of the exigencies of modern life, because the conservatism which adheres to these old forme does not stand in the way of any progress. Thus understood, tradition is not only respectable, but lovable, because it establishes and colours the present with all the prestige of the memories of the past." M. Challemel-Lacour does not fully know us yet. Tradition does stand in the way of much progress. It does not abso- lutely prevent all progress, but it hampers and cripples the progress it permits.
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