20 JULY 1907

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Last Saturday the King, accompanied by the Queen and Princess

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Victoria, opened the new Queen Alexandra Dock at Cardiff. The enthusiasm was very great, and the King declared afterwards to Sir William Lewis that lie had had "a wonderful...

The papers of Monday contain a summary from Reuter of

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the indictment of Generals Stiissel, Reuss, Fock, and Smirnoff in connexion with the surrender of Port Arthur. Generals Stiissel and Fock are accused of sending de- liberately...

On Monday the Italian Press published brief summaries of the

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interview between Baron von Aehrenthal and Signor Tittoni. The meeting confirmed the most cordial sentiments between Italy and Austria-Hungary, and a complete agree- ment was...

NEWS OF 'ERE WEEK.

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T HE Hague Conference seems to be in a fair way to condemn war without warning. The number of wars which have been preceded by a regular declaration is extremely small, and in...

On Tuesday the United States delegate brought forward his proposal

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that the Powers should take no forcible action to recover debts owed by the Government of one country to the subjects of another until arbitration has been offered by the...

NOTICE.—With this week's number of the " Srpersrou" is issued,

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gratis, an Eight-Page Supplement, containing the Half-Yearly Index and Title-Page,—i.e., from January 5th to June 29th, 1907, inclusive.

• e lo The Editors cannot undertake to return Manuscript, in

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any case.

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Sir Henry Campbell-Bannerman, as Leader of the House, dealt only

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with the charge that Members were willing to surrender the freedom of their conscience and pledges because they had received pecuniary assistance from the Whips of the party to...

The House of Commons on Monday discusaed Mr. Lyttel- ton's

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Motion on Colonial Preference, expressing regret that the Government had "declined the invitation unanimously preferred by the Prime Minittafs of the self-governing Colonies to...

For ourselves, though we think that the secrecy attaching both

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to the subscriptions to party funds, and to the uses made of those funds, is always unsatisfactory, and some- times most demoralising, we are bound to express the opinion that...

There was more excuse for the Unionist Free-trade Members who

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abstained, but we are bound to say—and here we feel sure that we speak for the mass of Unionist Free-traders out- side the House of Commons—that by far the wiser and better...

In the House of Commons on Monday Lord Robert Cecil

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called attention to a letter written to the Times by Mr. Lea, Liberal Member for East St. Pancras, dealing with the question of honours and party funds. Lord Robert Cecil...

The House of Commons on Wednesday discussed the Evicted Tenants

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Bill in Committee, and progress was dis- tinctly slow. Mr. Moore asked the Chief Secretary for assurances that the number of evicted tenants to be rein- stated should not be...

Mr. Balfour, who followed, supported the Prime Minister. He had

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not the least doubt that what the Prime Minister had Raid about his own party was absolutely true, and if a similar assurance was required in regard to the Unionist Party, be...

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The polling in the Colne Valley Division, which took place

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on Thursday, has resulted in the return of Mr. Grayson, the Socialist candidate, by a majority of 153. Mr. P. Bright, the Liberal, obtained 3,495, and Mr. G. C. Wheler, the...

We had not space in our last issue to mention .

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the visit to Aldershot on Thursday week of about fifty Members of Parliament, but we should like now to congratulate Mr. Haldane on his happy thought, and to express the hope...

addressed to the secretary of the Western Counties Tariff Reform

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Federation, a letter which we must give verbatim, as no summary can do justice to so remarkable a piece of political dialectic._.. "4 Carlton. Gardens, Pall Mall, S. W., July...

Lord Hugh Cecil has replied to this by once more

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asserting (in a letter to Wednesday's Times) that Mr. Balfour is a Free-trader and against Protection. "I doubt if there is any abstract economic proposition which be would be...

The Conference of the British Constitutional Association, held at Oxford,

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concluded its sittings on Saturday last with a meeting presided over by Mr. Ryder, at which a member read a paper on the practical work of the Association. In the end, the...

The Times of last Saturday publishes a very sensible proposal

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for the better housing of the Turner pictures in the National Gallery. It is notorious that the oil paintings are crowded, and that the water-colours are badly lighted and...

In the House of Lords on Thursday the Duke of

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Bedford obtained from the Government a most important concession ifi regard to the Militia. He had moved an amendment that the Militia should have a moratorium of two years...

On Wednesday the Royal Commission on Canals and Inland Waterways

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took evidence on the construction of a ship canal from the Forth to the Clyde. Provost Archibald Christie, of Falkirk, stated that the best route would be almost identical with...

Bank Rate, 4 per cent., changed from 4-1 per cent.

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Apr. 25th. Consols (21) were on Friday 84i—on Friday week 84i.

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TOPICS OF THE DAY UNIONIST FREE-TRADERS AND THE FISCAL DEBATE. T HE debate on Mr. Alfred Lyttelton's Fiscal Motion in the House of Commons on Monday was necessarily, from the...

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OLD-AGE PENSIONS. N OTHING could be more useful or more timely

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than the tables and preliminary Memorandum "in con- nexion with the question of old-age pensions" which were published by the Local Government Board on Wednesday. Though they...

THE POLITICAL EFFECT OF ASSASSINATION.

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I T seems probable that the sailor who on Sunday last fired two revolver-shots at the President of the French Republic was one of the many semi-lunatics who think they are the...

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THE LORDS AND PUBLIC BUSINESS. Westminster. They are within sight

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of the holidays, and they realise that the date at which they begin will depend in a measure upon their industry in the working-time that still remains. This combination of...

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THE NEMESIS OF EXAGGERATION. T HE remarkable result of the libel

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action brought by Lever Brothers, soap manufacturers, against the proprietors of the Daily Mail, the Evening News, and the Daily Mirror will, we hope, be a warning to newspapers...

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THE EXHIBITION AT LETCHWORTH.

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T is perhaps not too much to say that the Cheap Cottages 1 Exhibition of 1905 has proved to be one of the most practical steps ever taken towards the solution of the housing...

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ENGLISH EGGS AND OTHERS.

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T HE poultry population of this country, which cannot now number much less than thirty millions, seems to be fairly entitled to a Conference once every three years. The...

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THE ALLEGED DECLINE OF BRITISH SPORT.

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A LL British athletes are feeling their pulses and wonder- ing whether the diagnosis that they are suffering from general break-up can be correct. Some of the symptoms are, no...

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CORRESPONDENCE.

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THE STATE OF THE NAVY.—LORD TWEED- MOUTH'S "APOLOGIA." [To THE EDITOR Or THZ "SPECTATOR."1 SIR, — Lord Tweedmouth voluntarily undertook "to go into the general question of the...

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LETTERS TO TUE EDITOR.

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AUSTRALASIA AND ASIA. [TO TUN EDITOR OP TR@ " SPECTATOR:] SrA,—I venture to deprecate the alarmist character of the letter entitled "The Real Significance of the White...

[To mm Burros or rs .. 8szerms."] SIE, — In a footnote to

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Mr. Bean ' s letter in last Saturday ' s issue you use language which shows that you are under the common misapprehension that the native-born Australian has ceased to increase....

THE SUGAR-TAX AND FREE-TRADE.

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[TO Tea EDITOR OF Tog "Stemma:too:1 • attach so much importance to the judgment of the Spectator that I hope you will allow me to restate in your columns the reasons why I...

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LORD RIPON AND IRISH IDEAS.

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[TO TH2 EDITOR OF T52 " SPEOTATOR."1 Srn,—The interesting letter of Professor Goldwin Smith in your issue of last week invites a reply from any one who is anxious, as I and...

THE RATING OF AGRICULTURAL LAND.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SP ECTATOR:9 SIE, — I notice that as a matter of justice you claim that agricultural land should be entirely exempt from rates, which should fall on...

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HUNGARY AND REACTION.

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[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SFECTATOR.1 SIR,—Your issue of the 13th inst. contains a letter from Count M. J. Esterhazy severely criticising my views on " political prospects in...

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THE RURAL EXODUS.

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r-rs THE EDITOR OF THZ "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Amongst the many explanations of the rural exodus I fail to find one mentioned. It begins with the girls. Labourers' daughters cannot...

THE SITUATION IN INDIA.

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[TO TRH EDITOR OF Tint SetzersTon."] SIR,—There is one notable omission in your picture (Spectator, July 13th) of what would happen if Great Britain were to withdraw from...

THE TRAINING COLLEGE REGULATIONS. [TO THR EDITOR OF THE "31.n-wort."]

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SIR,—Mr. McKenna has come to grips. He is the willing and docile tool of irreconcilable Nonconformists. Realising that the country will not tolerate the sanction of their...

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IRISH TOURIST DEVELOPMENT.

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LTO THE EDITOR OF THE " Srscrieros.") SIR, — The opening of the Irish International Exhibition and the Royal visit to Dublin must once more draw attention to Ireland's...

CIVIL LIST PENSIONS.

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THE EDITOR OP TUB SPECTATOR:] Sig, — May one recall the words which W. S. Lander puts into the moutli of queen Elizabpth in her conversation witJ Cecil as to the remuneratimi...

AMERICAN IMMIGRANTS.

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ETD THE EDITOR OF TUE " SPECTATOR.' j SIR, — In the interesting article on "American Immigrants" in the Spectator of July 13th it is stated that "on the Con- tinent more...

PROPORTIONAL REPRESENTATION IN FINLAND.

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[To THN EDITOR OP THZ " SPICOTATOR."] SIR,—The following extracts from a letter recently received from a friend in Finland will interest those of your readers who recognise that...

NURSERIES OF SEA-FOWL..

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[To THE EDITOR Or TIER " SPROTRTOR."1 Sin,—The writer of the article on the above subject in Uzi Spectator of June 29th refers to the fulmar-petrel as being "restricted to St....

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THE " SPECTATOR " EXPERIMENTAL COMPANY.

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[To TRR EDITOR OP TIM '4 SPROTSTORM Snt,—May I venture to ask for space in your columns in order to recommend P. Brown, late private Spectator ExperimPntal Company, for a...

THE UNITED IRISH LEAGUE AND THE PEASANTRY.

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[To THE EDITOR OW THE " SPECTATOR:9 ST134.'4 heard in Ireland a few days ago from the lips of a tenant farmer a neat summary of the attitude of those justly described by...

A GRATEFUL LION.

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[To THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,•–•In your article " Androclus and the Lion" (Spectator, June 29th) great doubt is thrown on the truth of the classic tale, but I...

BOOKS.

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AN AMERICAN CRITIC.* A FEW years ago there used to be much talk about the great American novel,—how it was coming to show England the way, and so forth. It has not come, at...

POETRY.

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BIRDALONE. (NORTH SOMERSET.) THERE grows a tharn by Avonside, And there my birdie built her nest. Oh! I've a-wandered far and wide, But still that music breaks my rest....

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FIVE BOOKS ON IRELAND.*

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THE first, and in some respects the weightiest, of these inter- esting books was written before Mr. Birrell's Irish Council Bill ran, like a startled hare, across the political...

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MADAME DE STAEL AND HER LOVERS.*

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PERHAPS, though even as to this modern opinions differ, few people so distinguished as Madame de Steel in their own day have had so little abiding influence on literature,...

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THE ECONOMICS OF SMALL HOLDINGS.*

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THE investigations undertaken by Miss Jebb at the request o f the Co-operative Small Holdings Society into the small heldings of England have now been published in a com-...

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NOVELS.

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ALICE-FOR-SHORT.* Mn. WILLIAM DE MORGAN has already proved in Joseph Vance that he possesses unusual powers. This new story will establish his right, we think, to be accepted...

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C URRENT LITE RAT UR E.

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THE LAND IN THE MOUNTAINS. The Land in the Mountains : being an Account of the Past and Present of Tyrol, its Peoples and Castles. By W. A. Baillie-Groh man. (Simpkin,...

Innocent Masqueraders. By Sarah Tytler. (John Long. 6s.)— This is

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a story of life at Blackheath rather more than a hundred years ago, and is concerned with two young ladies who, by a singular coincidence, are abandoned as babies on the heath...

A Navvy from King's. By Theodora Wilson Wilson. (Cassell and

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Co. 6s.)—Dare Musgrave, having wasted his time at Cambridge, except, indeed, that he bowled three of the Oxford eleven in two overs, finds himself in a quandary, all the more...

READABLE NOVELS.—The Bachelors. By Charles Eddy. (Cassell and Co. 6s.)—An

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amusing, if rather conventional, little story of the conversion of a convinced bachelor.—My Lord of Essex. By Frances M. Brookfield. (Sir Isaac Pitman and Sons. 6s.)—An...

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Chronicles Concerning Early Babylonian Kings. By L. W. King. 2

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vols. (Luzac and Co. 8s. 6d. net per vol.)—These twq volumes belong to the series "Studies in Eastern History." In the first we have introductory and explanatory chapters ; iji...

CANON PIETRO CASOLA'S PILGRIMAGE TO JERUSALEM, 1494.

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Canon Pietro Casola's Pilgrimage to Jerusalem, 1494. By M. Margaret Newest. (Manchester University Press. 7s. 6d. net.) —Pilgrimage to Palestine was a business of considerable...

Memoirs of Miles Byrne. With an Introduction by Stephen Gwynn,

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M.P. 2 vols. (A. H. Bullen. 15s.)—Miles Byrne was one of the Irish insurgents who fought in 1798. He afterwards sought to help Emmet. The first volume is mainly occupied with a...

Points of Church Law. By Clement Y. Sturge, M.A. (Macmillan

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and Co. 3s. 6d. net.)—We have no intention of reviewing the legal opinions collected in this volume. They originally appeared as answers to correspondents of the Guardian. Some...

SOME BOOKS OF THE WEEK.

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[Under this heading we notice such Books of the week as have not been reserved for review in other forms.] My Kingdom of Heaven. By Peter Rosegger. (Hodder and Stoughton....

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Tritton: the Place and the Family. By J. Herbert Tritton.

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(Arthur L. Humphreys. 21s. net.)—" I must carefully guard myself," writes our author, "from being open to the charge of attempting to trace any genealogical succession" from the...

Through Jamaica with a Kodak. By Alfred Leader. (Simpkin, Marshall,

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and Co. 6s. net.)—After some notes on Bristol, which, though scarcely relevant, we are glad to have, and a brief account of the voyage out, Mr. Leader begins with his proper...

Genesis : a Devotional Commentary. By the Rev. W. H.

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Griffith Thomas, D.D. (R.T.S. 2s.)—This is a volume of the excellent series of "Devotional Commentaries" appearing under the editorship of the Rev. A. R. Buck-land. The...

W. //colleen Bentley. By his Widow. (R.T.S. 6s. net.)—Dr. Bentley

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went out to the Congo in 1879; he left it for the last time in 196f, and died some fifteen months later. His labours met with considerable success ; and the public has the...

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