NEWS OF THE WEEK.
"SWEETNESS and light" have a new chance in the world. The Duke of Genoa, who is now a pupil at Harrow, and a resident in Mr. Matthew Arnold's household, is said to be the candidate fixed upon by the Ministry for the throne of Spain. He is a nephew of Victor Emanuel,—his father, the late Duke of Genoa, having died in 1855, about a year after the present Duke's birth. It is said that the Duke of Genoa has replied to the offer of the Crown that he will only accept it, if the Cortes elect him by a majority of two-thirds. It is a wise condition. Of course, this offer means'a prolongation of the Regency for some years longer, as the lad is only 15. Indeed, the chance of the present weak and tottering Government existing for even another year is not very considerable, nor do we know that the choice of a King who cannot exercise any authority as yet, is likely to materially strengthen its hands. Yet it would surely be pleasant to see what the "sweetness and light" which Mr. Arnold inculcates with so insinuating an air, and the teaching as to "culture and anarchy" which he has promulgated with such effect to comparatively culti- vated and comparatively orderly England, might do for super- stitious, dark, distracted Spain. Yet perhaps, after all, govern- ment by this Italian pupil of a fine English poet, philoso- pher, and critic, might not answer much better for Spain, than government by the pupil of the greatest of Greek philosophers and artists answered for Syracuse in the old days. Still it would hardly be a failure from the same cause. The lessons inculcated in "Culture and Anarchy," might not precisely suit the wants of Spain, but it is clear that some of the lessons of the master have already sunk into good ground. The "Sick King of Bokhara," in Mr. Arnold's beautiful poem, sums it up as the moral of the tale, that "although we take what we desire, we must not snatch it eagerly." And that moral, at least—and a very important one it is in relation to this negotiation—the young aspirant to the Spanish Crown has promptly and sagaciously put in practice.
