Victoria, the British Eldorado. By "A Colonist of twenty years'
standing." (Stanford.)—The " Colonist's " picture of Melbourne and the province generally is tinged, of course, with a certain couleur de rose, but it seems trustworthy. The remarks on separation from the mother country, on what the colonies expect from home, &c., are worth noting. The idea of an independent principality, with one of our Royal family at the head of it—it is satisfactory to learn that the Duke of Edinburgh is considered an eligible candidate for the new throne—is said to be a favourite one. Our views about colonial policy have been often enough expressed, and have certainly no bias against the colonies ; yet we cannot see that asking a prosperous State to pay for the British regi- ments which are kept to protect it is unreasonable, is asking for " a tribute," as our author thinks it is. It is nonsense to say "a certain number of British troops must be kept somewhere." There is no such necessity that we can see in the nature of things. Let the mother country protect its colonies, or rather help in their protection, when they are young, at its own expense, if need be, when they are full grown at theirs.
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