that the ' present Government can only command a majority of the House if it can count upon the support of the Labour Members and the Nationalists. How far is it able to do...

. of ten Nationalists led by Mr. William O'Brien and Mr. Healy ; is to take their own account of their aims and objects. Here is what the Cork Accent, their official organ, says...

know that if they cannot show independence of the Liberals and make some answer to the charge of sub- serviency, they will greatly endanger their seats, and in all probability...

majorities can be placed upon the Labour group. The answer is hardly more satisfactory from the " Liberal point of view. The Labour Leader, the organ of the Labour Party, deals...

with a view to determining what support the Government will have in the House of Commons, but as a test of the feeling in the country about the Budget, the result is not a...

has passed into history. • It is true that the 'contests in the Scottish 'Universities . and in Orkney and Shetland are still undecided, but there i seems to be no doubt that...

large group ; but the importance of the Independent Nationalists is not to be reckoned by mere numbers, but by their power of influencing the bigger group. We venture to say...

if the majority of the Cabinet could be induced to take what Americans would .call "the shirt-sleeve" view of bow the problem of the House of Lords should be approached, the...

case.

said that there was much excitement among Bulgarians owing to the sentences of death passed hv the Salonika Court Martial on eight-Bulgarian .teaahera and merchants. charged....

capitals. In London the German Ambassador made an amiable speech in which he said that the German people, having attained national unity, had no further thought of war. They...

the House of Commons will never bridle itself in this way. The best the House of Commons will let us have will be a reform of the House of Lords, and we venture to say that in...

the convocation of a National Assembly,—a proposal made by M. Venezelo, the well-known Cretan politician, whose advice had been sought by the Military League. IL Stephen...

of Lords, but may note here our satisfaction that the Times is throwing open its columns to a discussion of the reform of- the House of Lords, a discussion which is _bound to...

was interrupted last Saturday by a curious incident. According to the Times correspondent, the Con- servative Deputy, Herr von Oldenburg, objected to the practice of discussing...

this the Election figures also show a majority against the House of Lords Very likely ; but this has nothing to do with approval or dis- approval of a particular set of...

ing despatch from the Times Vienna correspondent, have sud- denly initiated a significant discussion of the Balkan situation. In particular, the Neues Wiener Tagblatt and the...

view with Mr. Andrew D. White, first President of Cornell University, and subsequently Minister at St. Petersburg and Ambassador at Berlin. Since his retirement from that post...

the Times that the German model has nowhere been followed in the provision of baths, a refreshment bar, and other "side- shows." As one British inspector of the German exchanges...

some fifteen miles from Victoria on the Brighton line, last Saturday afternoon. The second portion of the express which left Brighton at 3.40 p.m. was running at a high rate of...

Aga Khan delivered in reply to a complimentary address pre- sented to him at a gathering of Mohammedans in Bombay. on January 11th. After indicating the special difficulties...

The divisional clearing-houses are in London, Glasgow, Dublin, Cardiff, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, Leeds, Sheffield, Birmingham, Nottingham, and Bristol. To these...

COUNSELS OF MODERATION. lATE notice with no small satisfaction that there seems a reasonable prospect of counsels of modera- tion prevailing in the Liberal Party in regard to...

in its February number an article entitled "England and Germany : will they Fight?" by Mr. William Hale, the reporter of the famous interview with the German Emperor which was...

I T does not need a very close analysis of the electoral returns to demonstrate that in the new Parliament the Labour Party will possess even more authority than they did in the...

T AST week in writing of "The Disparagement of England" we had something to say about the terrorism alleged to be exercised by the landlords over agricultural voters. We asked...

M R. TALBOT'S unexpected death removes from public affairs a good example of a type which, never very common, is likely, we fear, to become rarer. He had just retired. from...

- Aron Englishmen have not conquered their surprise that _LV_L the floods in Paris should have been possible. Not remembering the configuration of Paris, with the river...

M R. EDMUND GOSSE, himself an eminent biographer, has been studying the art of biography in the writings of others, and has come to some rather curious conclusions, He lectured...

A liONG the many travellers who visit Madrid and flock to the bull-fight and the picture-gallery, few probably explore La Real Casa de Campo. This pleasant park is also a Royal...

THE NEW FIRST SEA LORD AND HIS TASK. [TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,—Sir Arthur Wilson, Admiral of the Fleet, succeeded Lord Fisher as First Sea Lord of the Admiralty...

A ROYAL COMMISSION ON THE FISCAL PROBLEM. iTo THE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR." I SIn,—Considering that so many convinced Free-traders have taken your advice and Toted for...

Sin,—I am an unrepentant Protectionist of twenty-five years' standing. Still, I would vote that Tariff Reform should be for ever relegated to Saturn rather than yield a foot on...

[TO THY EDITOR OF THY " SPECTATOR.":1, SIR,—We seem near a deadlock. How near depends upon the leaders of the two great political parties. One can only hope that those leaders...

SIR,—Your article on "A Royal Commission on the Fiscal Problem" is very timely. Though I am not a Tariff Reformer as the term is generally understood, I am not convinced that...

LT 0 THE Enrroa or nice "SracreToit."] SIR, —I have read with much interest in last week's Spectator your view of the political situation, and should like, if I may, to suggest...

[To THY EDITOR or TICE "Sracreror..1 Sin,—In your issue of January 29th "U. F. T." mentions the fact that he cast six votes for Conservative candidates, all of whom were...

[To TRE EDITOR op TEE "SrscrAroa."] SIR,—It seems to be generally considered by both parties that this Parliament will not last long. Is it not worth while to endeavour that it...

rTo TEE EDITOR GP TEE "SPECTATOR.'] Srn.,—The letter from Mrs. E. C. Trench in your last number, whilst asking for assistance in finding a Scriptural quotation, makes the naive...

[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Sin,—In reply to your correspondent of last week under the head of "Christianity and Polities," may I venture to suggest that the Lord's...

satisfy the shepherd who wants a text to prove to him that a Christian ought to meddle in politics ? St. Paul, writing to Timothy, exhorts that prayer should continually be...

LT0 TEE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—Has any one noted the point that if Mr. Asquith gives Home-rule he deports two thirds of his majority to Ireland ? One can well imagine...

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—I have just been enjoying your article "The Disparage- ment of England" in last week's Spectator. You are quite right in saying that our...

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTAT0R...] Sin,—As a journal with a high reputation for fairness and impartiality, may I point out that while on various occasions you have called...

[To THE EDITOR 07 THE " SPECTATOR...1 SIE,—The writers of the letter in last week's Spectator signed E. C. Childs and J. S. Omond do not appear to have read my original article...

[To THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."3 SIR, — With reference to your well-known views on this question, would it not be possible to obtain a satisfactory expression of the views...

my opinion the trend of events more and more clearly emphasises the wisdom of your advocacy of the Referendum. Suppose the Radicals do their worst and establish what is...

Sin.,—Might I point out to Messrs. Childs and Omond that, in addition to the section which they quote in your last issue from the Report of the Poor Law Commission, 1909, other...

your article in the issue of January 22nd on "The Poor andEducation":—"A radical change in the education of the poor might render useless a whole army of examiners, inspectors,...

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:] SIR, — The Spectator never, we all know, would wittingly be unkind in its criticisms ; but if it knew its Lancaster as well as it does its...

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR:] SIR,—I venture to think that your correspondent " Presbyter " in last week's issue might have quoted the resolution of the Bishops in...

rTo THE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR."] your issue of January 22nd Mr. Calvert complains of the need there is of a general examination admitting to the professions. May I point out...

presenting facts is somewhat perplexing. What he calls "the late Convocation" was a Committee of one House of Convocation in one of the two Provinces ; and the recommendation of...

[TO THE EDITOR OP THE "SPECTATOR."] Srs,—Ships are being launched and keels laid for adding to the fighting power of our Fleet, but we have seen no increase made in the number...

[TO TEE EDITOR OP THE " SPECTATOR:] Stn,—The British Constitution Association has invited Mr. Harold Cox to a public dinner in recognition of his great public services in the...

THE TWO PRAYERS. LORD when they came and stood upon my way With "One is dead," I paused awhile to pray. In brief thanksgiving that I still did live On the good earth that had...

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] Stn,—Some months ago one of your correspondents, referring to the Labour Laws of New Zealand, remarked: "Let the con- stituencies ponder...

[To TEE EDITOR OF THE " SPECTATOR"] Szn,—Re your notice of my book, "A Red-Handed Saint," in last week's Spectator, the mistake in the ceremonial of the blessing of an abbot is...

[To THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR."] SIR,—May one who has resided much in Italy and France be allowed to endorse your opinion that the real check on the use and abuse of secret...

Sin,—The building of the Anglican Cathedral in Khartoum cannot be finished for want of funds, and although some £16,000 has already been subscribed, there still remains £12,000...

or initials, or with a pseudonym, or are marked "Communicated," the Editor must not necessarily be held to be in agreement with the views therein expressed or with the mode of...

ANCI E NT AND MODERN IMPERIALISM.* THE Classical Association may justly claim to render at least one signal service to the cause of classical study, for the list of its...

Ma. STEPHEN GWYNN has written a pious introductory memoir to the verses and essays of his aunt, Miss Charlotte Grace O'Brien, a younger daughter of Smith O'Brien. The material...

Rubislaw, near Aberdeen, was of all Sir Walter's friends the one who most realised his ideal of companionship. Clerk and Erskine were perhaps deeper in his confidence, but they...

WRITING professedly to attract "the general reader as well as the student," Mr. Mumby is hardly justified in expecting "a good deal of criticism" because he has modernised the...

is meant, not the condition of man in prehistoric times, in the Palaeolithic or the Neolithic Age, but the " child-man " as he is to be seen to-day in the backward regions of...

the new edition of Hymns Ancient and Modern which appeared in 1904. It is a book for the study, being an octavo of the largest size ; indeed, the mass of information which it...

Laurentian and Riccardi Libraries is probably the greatest living authority on Florence in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Two of his charming essays have already been...

'I'RE indefatigable Mr. Ellis Barker is again to the fore in the Nineteenth Century with a long article on "The Parliamentary Position of the Irish Party." We have only space to...

FAME'S PATHWAY.* THE credentials of those who embark on historical romance do not always command respect. Mr. Chatfield-Taylor's claims, however, can undergo inspection far...

Stoughton. 6s.)—This is a very charming series of short stories taking as their theme seven houses in a particular street. The author of course contrives that no commonplace...

[Under this heading we notice such, Books of the week as have not been reserved for review in other forms.] Mr William Cadbury publishes, with an added chapter, a new edition...

have never seen any better work from Mr. Beghie. The stray emphasises the restoring power of Christian faith.—The Ghost Pirates. By William Hope Hodgson. (Stanley Paul and Co....

and Sons. Is. net.)—Mr. Hancock has something to say-which, whether we can accept it or not, is always worth considering. The first paper is an earnest appeal to the voter to be...

Mr. Gallon gives 'us here an account of the astounding exploits of a cheerful adventurer who poses as an irascible old gentleman's long-lost son. The story of the hero's...

here a Rae srlay of pictures which display the business premises belonging ta. the Co-operative Societies. They may be said to illustrate the striking figures given of the...

Tennyson's birth may be mentioned together. Tennyson, by Henry Jones (H. Frowde, ls. net), is the tribute of the British Academy, of which Professor Jones, who holds the Chair...

Braithwaite. (Grant Richards. (ls.)—This volume follows up the "Book of Elizabethan Verse," published in 1906, and is itself to be followed by a "Book of Restoration Verse" and...

25. 6d. net.)—The Education Committee of the London County Council has had a calendar prepared in which every day is marked with one event or more. The subject for the day is...

and Sin, is. net.)—Mr. Ewart Culpin has done well to edit the Report of the National Town Planning Conference arranged by the Garden Cities and Town Planning Association last...

volume keeps-up - its reputation for fullness of information, for giving, indeed, some details which are not to be found else- where. There is the rateable value of houses in...

(Robert Culley. 38. 6d. net.)—This is described as a sequel to Mr. Sedgwiek's "Young People's Nature-Study Book." When one sees the word "microscope," the first thought is of a...

net) appears in a. "third-edition, revised and _enlarged." The volume is described as "an easy guide to books of reference." You want to find out something about " Bahmhistam?...