4 APRIL 1868, Page 18

CURRENT LITERATURE.

The Government of England: its Structure and Development. By W. E. Hearn, LL.D. (Longmans.)—This elaborate work comes to us from Melbourne, in the University of which town Dr. Hearn is Professor -of History and Political Economy. He vindicates his title by the learn- ing and clearness shown throughout his book, by his firm grasp of con- stitutional questions, and his familiarity with both the theory and practice of government. It seems to us, however, that there is one fault in the method he pursues. His book might have almost been called, " The Crown of England, its Structure and Development." All that he says of the ancient theory of the Sovereign is perfectly correct, and the sovereign is still, in theory, the centre of government. But then the sovereign is made up of two distinct persons, and has two distinct wills, a personal and an official will. So long as the sovereign acts wholly in accordance with Parliament, his word is law. But when -once he attempts to act as an absolute monarch, he is unsupported by the present theory of the Constitution, and his own servants are bound to take part against him. The ministers, who are officially servants of the Crown, are only bound to obey the Sovereign when he is supported by Parliament. Naturally enough, many of our kings have confounded the dignity with its wearer, and it would be quite possible for them to

find their mistake confirmed by some of Dr. Hearn's words. The result of his dealing with the theory of the English Government, and showing how the present practice has risen out of it, or has modified it, is that his book is more valuable as a historical study than as a guide to the actual state of things. But then much of the history he gives is thoroughly modern, and it is easy for thinking readers to correct his views by his facts.