28 FEBRUARY 1903, Page 3

. Since our last issue Mr. Leoky has formally vacated

his seat for Dublin University. The entrance of men of letters into the political arena is notalways justified by results, but Mr. Lecky's reputation has not suffered, nay, has rather gained, from his contact with Parliamentary life. He has never intervened in the debates without securing an attentive hearing, and his milis sapientia, his broad outlook, and his independence of judgment have sensibly tended to moderate the asperity of party strife. Mr. Lecky will carry into his retirement— destined, we hope, to be fruitful in further literary athieve- ment—the cordial good wishes of men of all shades of political opinion.