In the Lords on Thursday, after the Peers had unanimously
rated the grant to Lord Roberts—Lord Salisbury incidentally remarking that we give grants to military men and not to civilians "because we do not depend upon the services of civilians in the sense and to the extent that we do upon the genius of great commanders "—the House reported the Royal Declaration Bill without amendment, the majorities rejecting the several amendments varying between 60 and 71, but in small divisions. The debate was interesting and some- what fiery occasionally, owing to the stinging shafts of Lord Rosebery's wit. We agree with Lord Rosebery that it would have been better to have considered the matter further, especially as regards the possibility of doing away with the Declaration altogether, as affording no safeguard not already provided in a better form, but things having gone so far we suppose it will now be best to pass the Government Bill and close the whole incident. If, however, the Bill does not get through the Commons, then we are decidedly in favour of considering, not what is the best form of Declaration, but whether any Declaration is wanted to ensure that essential of the Constitution,—a Protestant Sovereign.
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