18 NOVEMBER 1899, Page 29

BACON AND THE BOER WAR.

[TO THE EDITOR OF THE "SPECTATOR.")

SIR,—Nearly three hundred years ago Lord Bacon, in his essay "Of the True Greatness of Kingdoms and Estates," wrote :—

"By all means it is to be procured that the natural subjects of the Crown and State bear a sufficient proportion to the strange subjects that they govern. Therefore, all states that are liberal of naturalisation towards strangers are fit for empire.* For to think that an handful of people can, with the greatest courage and policy in the world, embrace too large extent of dominion—it may hold for a time, but it will fail suddenly."

—I am, Sir, .kc., H. H. MonteeN-BnowN.

Hunstantoa, .November 11th.