THE FEBRUARY MAGAZINES.
THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.
The first article, by the Prime Minister of Australia, is a very pointed and concise argument for Imperial Preference from the point of view of the Dominions. We often wish, however, that in the fiscal controversy there were more accurate definitions. Mr. Bruce spends some time upon showing that we have never really had Free Trade, because the hopes of Bright and Cobden that other nations would follow our, example in admitting imports free (except a few for revenue purposes) were never realized. But, after all, what the normal Free Trader in England is concerned to prove is not that Bright and Cobden were true prophets, but that the policy of free imports has paid us over and over again. It would really be better if Free Traders" were called "Free Importers." The Bishop of Durham in his article on " Reunion " criticizes and deplores the discussions at Malines with representatives of the Roman Church. We generally agree with the Bishop, but we cannot accept his arguments in this case. It used to be the habit of the Roman Church to ridicule Anglican Orders, and the very willingness to enter into a conference—though an unofficial one—on equal terms is a point to the good. We agree with the Bishop, all the same, that nothing definite in the way of reunion will come of it. Rome will never abandon her doctrine of supremacy. Mr. Edward Wakefield concludes his articles entitled "Walks with Thackeray." Perhaps the most inter- esting point is Thackeray's unreserved tribute to his great rival, Dickens. Thackeray advised Mr. Wakefield to imitate De Quin.cey. "No author," he said, "has such a gift of flowing into pure Saxon." Among several other interesting articles,we must mention Sir Hubert Cough's moving account, which he calls "Legacies of the War,' of the suffering of refugee populations—suffering which has come under his personal observation in the course of the splendid work of succour carried on by the Imperial War Relief Fund.
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