The English people have manifested their interest in Lord Beaconsfield
in a rather odd fashion, by deluging his house in Curzon Street with all sorts of contributions of nutritious food and drugs in which the senders felt unlimited confidence. The motive of all these gifts is, of course, most praiseworthy and amiable,--except, indeed, where it may happen to be that of advertising a particular drug ; but it is odd that the out- side public should forget what a doctor's business and duty are, and how very little information he is likely to derive from these energetic manifestations of private confidence in particular remedies. Shakespeare, no doubt, makes Portia come to the assistance of the Venetian Bar with the best effect, for the rescue of Antonio; but then Shakespeare was using a convenient legend, which had in it good opportunities both for drama and for poetry. Shakespeare would hardly have deluged a barrister whose client he desired to see successful with the legal hints of lay amateurs.
