whom he acted in seeking a scientific frontier, and they did whitewash him as best they could by a vote disapproving of the action of the present Government in evacuating Candahar; but the Commons have rubbed off the whitewash by decidedly approving of what the present Cabinet have done. Several important measures of reform, as, for instance, the Bankruptcy Bill, the Corrupt Practices Bill, and some others, have just advanced a stage, and unless the work of legislation goes on more rapidly the next three months than it has done the last three, hon. members will have to exercise self-denial again when the twelfth of August comes.

THE dignity of the Empire is still maintained by the Government in their relations to foreign Powers. There is no bluster nor menace, but a steady adherence to those principles which were so strongly advocated by the Liberal party when in opposition, and the result is seen in the deference paid to British opinion in all European countries. Through the influence of this country in the main, a course has been agreed upon by the Powers in relation to Greece, which, though not all that ought to have been, is still a considerable advance towards fulfilling the expectations of the little peninsular State. The Tory party were for doing nothing save frame a treaty that was permitted, so far as Greece was concerned, to remain a dead letter. Mr. Gladstone's Government has succeeded in giving some effect to the provisions for rectifying the frontier line between Turkey and Greece, and though the whole of Epirus is not to pass from under Turkish rule, a portion of it will, and Thessaly will come entirely under the government of Greece. Prevesa will be dismantled as a fortress, and the Porte has engaged to hand over the territory at once. More than this would have been done had it not been for conflicting interests among the Continental Powers; but had the late Government continued in power neither Montenegro nor Greece would have obtained the concessions now secured to them. Candahar has been evacuated and the city handed over to the representative of Abdurrahman, who will now rule in Southern Afghanistan as well as in Cabul. The Conservatives cry out against this policy, though they themselves, when in power, decided upon evacuating the Candahar district, and Lord Lytton maintained that the possession of Candahar alone added nothing to the security of our frontier. But for the Liberals to do it was cowardly, dishonourable, ruinous, and nobody knows what. The Afghans, however, are left to the management of their own affairs, and in a little time we shall be wholly within our own borders again, and our prestige in India will be none the less for the just and conciliatory policy pur

sued. The effect of the late Imperialistic swaggering will be felt by the Indian Exchequer for some time, though the Home Government take over five millions of the nineteen and a half which the search for a' scientific frontier' that has never been found has cost. One deplorable result of the policy of bluster-now happily at an end-is, that its effects are likely to prevent, for a while at least, the financial reforms that would tend to make Indian finance independent of the opium traffic. War has ceased now in South Africa. The Government did not hesitate to open up negotiations with the Boers, even though the British arms had achieved no success, but the contrary. Neither the Boers nor any one else, notwithstanding all that the Conservatives say otherwise, will interpret this as a confession of weakness. The world knows that the Boers would have been crushed in a few days, but, with a magnanimity that cannot be too highly praised, the Government stayed the tide of war and consented to a friendly conference over the matters in dispute. There is no doubt the Boers were deceived in the matter of confederation, and the English people were deceived as well, and there is no reason why an amicable settlement should not be accomplished, if that can be honourably done, as there is every ground to believe it can. A Royal Commission is appointed to settle affairs in the Transvaal according to instructions given, the most important of which is the concession of self-government to the Boers, with the reservation to the British Crown of all control over the relations of the Transvaal State,' as it is suggested it shall be called with foreign Powers. A resident representative of British authority, subject to the High Commissioner, will reside in the Transvaal. Care will also be taken to secure the safety and rights of the natives. There is every prospect of the whole South African imbroglio coming under something like a satisfactory settlement. The Basutos have placed themselves unconditionally in the hands of Sir H. Robinson, and care will be taken that no injustice is done them. Altogether, in the foreign relations of the country there is a clearer outlook than there has been at any time during the past four years. FIVE of the persons connected with the assassination of the late Emperor of Russia have met their fate at the hangman's hands, and searching investigation has been made on every side to discover and check the plans of the revolutionary party. But, despite all this, the representatives of revolt publish their manifestoes and warn the new Emperor that if he does not grant to the people the liberty to which they have right, he will meet his father's fate. And there is reason, judging from the past, to conclude that this

is no idle threat.

They say that they regret the loss of so much life in a work of destruction and sanguinary conflict, but that there will be no lack of men ready to sacrifice themselves as others have done, if need be, in order to advance the cause of freedom. The demands made are somewhat large-a free Assembly elected by universal suffrage, with constituent power, an amnesty for all political offences, and freedom of speech, writing, and public meeting. These are among the principal demands they make, but, presumably, any movement on the part of the Emperor in the direction of their requests would be regarded with approval. The agitation and conspiracy that ultimately compassed the death of Alexander II. is not confined to the poor and illiterate peasantry. It embraces many of the educated classes, and shows no signs of weakness for lack of resolute, determined men and women to carry it on. The state of insecurity in which the Emperor must feel himself to be can hardly fail to affect him seriously. Men who have no fear of looking danger in the face have a depressing dread of it when it lurks about them in secret places. Steps have been taken towards forming municipal institutions, and a council is to be elected for St. Petersburgh on the basis of household suffrage, whose vote, if confirmed by the Czar, will be final. But this is only a short step towards what the Nihilists ask for. This proposed council, when elected, can only consider business placed before them by the Town Commandant, and there is no provision suggesting that debate shall be public. There have been declarations of a change in the policy of Russia in Central Asia and the cessation of forward movements in that region. If this is so, perhaps it may have a soothing effect upon a certain class of politicians in this country, and may not be without influence upon the course of affairs at St. Petersburg in relation to reforms with respect to the internal government of the country.

The leader of the Ultramontane party in Germany, Herr Windthorst, has proposed at a meeting of the various groups in the German Parliament to ask Prince Bismarck to use his influence in prevailing upon the several European Governments to agree to such an international arrangement as will admit of a person accused of assassination being surrendered to his own country, and of the punishments of attempts at assassination, even if they do not amount to a commencement of the actual crime, and the branding as penal of any public incitement to assassination. The various groups have agreed to this proposal, and the German Parliament will endorse the agreement. This country now acts upon the first and third parts of this proposal. If evidence can be produced showing a man to be an assassin, he would

be surrendered now if such surrender was demanded. And if a man does in any way publicly incite to assassination, he is dealt with as criminal. But to punish men for intentions to assassinate is quite another thing. Intentions cannot be proved in evidence, and to adopt this part of Herr Windthorst's proposal would simply be to punish men on suspicion, a course that cannot be considered just. Recent action in Russia has evidently caused widespread alarm in Germany.

A LITTLE uneasiness, especially in Italy, is caused by the action of France in relation to Tunis. Some border tribes invaded Algeria, and the Bey did not comply with the demands of France, as the Government of that country are of opinion he should have done. The consequence is, that some thousands of troops have been sent over to Africa, and vessels of war have entered Tunisian waters. The Bey's territory has been invaded and his coast line menaced. This demonstration of force on the part of France is regarded with some degree of suspicion by Italy. It is thought that ulterior designs are entertained, and that it is intended to reduce Tunis to an appanage of France. Of course, all intention of annexation is repudiated by France, but a rather ugly fact has leaked out about an understanding arrived at between Lord Salisbury and M. Waddington at Berlin, that if the occupation of Cyprus was permitted, Great Britain would offer no objection if France ever saw it desirable to occupy Tunis. Lord Salisbury has denied this, but correspondence published by the French Government is rather against Lord Salisbury in the matter. Still, the French say they don't wish to annex Tunis; perhaps not just now, though the way events are tending, such a consummation does not appear to be far distant.

THE

PRIMITIVE METHODIST

QUARTERLY REVIEW.

OCTOBER, 1881.

I-CHARLES KINGSLEY.

THE issue of a new and cheaper edition of these memoirs and of the Eversley edition of his works has reminded us of a purpose formed some time ago to lay before our readers a brief statement of Canon Kingsley's life, as well as an estimate of his life and character as Chartist, novelist, theologian, and preacher. To be known wherever the English language is spoken, to be quoted as an authority on literature, to be the intimate friend of such eminent and diverse persons as Carlyle, Bunsen, and Max Müller, yet to be loved and trusted by the horny-handed artizan and labourer, show him to have been a man of very exceptional gifts and character. There was a unique beauty in his life the like of which we have rarely met with. To know a man like this, even through his memoirs, is an elevating and stimulating thing. The question has often been started: will Charles Kingsley's name go down to posterity? If so, in what form? As an earnest, powerful preacher—as one of our best expounders of science—as a poet of much genius--Chartist and Social Reformer—or, as author of popular historical novels? In all these capacities he possessed great influence and swayed many minds, because all his words and works were the outcome of genuine sympathy and unflagging zeal in the promotion of human welfare. He had greater and more legitimate power over the intelligent youth of his day than perhaps any other single man; and largely through that beneficent and stimulating power some of these hopefuls have become names known to fame in church, literature, or science. Wielding an influence like this,

His kingship was kinglier than to reign

K

ng of the world without.

PP