THE DETECTIVE AND THE POISONER.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 169, 20 July 1898, Page 6

THE DETECTIVE AND THE POISONER.

BY ST. GEORGE RATHBQRNE.

Author of "Doctor Jack," "Captain

Tom," etc.

CHAPTER XL

THE TEKKOR THAT COMES IN

DARKNESS.

When my head touches the pillow I am almost immediately asleep, for laving had my rest so badly broken of late I have much to malic up.

I do not remember ever having1 slept more soundly in my life. It. was eleven when I retired, and the sun, peepiri"- in at my windows and falling- n.slant upon my face arouses me. Duringl this time all has been a perfect blank —a sleep of exhaustion.

Singularly enough, the first, thought in connection with the ease that comes to me while dressing is that the s«;----©nd night has passed and all is well. The thirty hours' respite has expired, and Muriel can speak. Will she tell Joe all?

It may relieve us of much trouble, and make our task of finding- Jacques easier. 1 sincerely hope she will speak. It is still early, about a quarter after six, and we do not breakfast until eight, so 1 conclude to take a walk down to the beach, in order to have an appetite for breakfast. The morning- is a bracing one, and somehow I think it strange that my spirits hang so heavily when they should be exuberant. I have no occasion for despondency —it must be the trouble of my friend that gives me a decided fit of the blues.

While seated on a bench at, the end of the elm avenue, Joe joins me.

When I see his face 1 know that, more trouble has gathered—it is clouded, and in spite of his effort to greet me cordially, the gloom gathers thickly upon his brow. Can anything more have happened? Perhaps Muriel has hastened to confess all, as soon as the thirty hours have expired. I hint at such a thing as delicately as possible, but he shaJ<es his head. ']\ To, she has not said a word about it; but I came near calling on you in the night,' be replies, looking me in ithe eyes. 'What was wrong?'

4My suspicions proved true.' 'Muriel had another attack?'

'Yes, but fortunately it proved a mild one. She was out of her mind, though, for quite a little while.' 'I wish you had called me,' T reply, 'for you know 1 wish to see her and decide what this state is, hysteria or insanity.' 'Then the next time I shall call you in without fail, doctor. I slept very soundly myself, and was awakened by Muriel bending over me and wildly demanding her baby, pleading with me to spare it. She was dressed as though she had been roaming about, and remembering the instructions I. had given, .the, nieji, 1 shuddered to think they mighthave seen her moving- among the trees, galled out, and, receiving no answer, have fired that awful gun at her. 'So when i had finally .quieted her ■with the remedy yon gave Die, I locked her door, which J found partly open, and took the key avvay before retiring again. 'Doctor, I am afraid this is going to be a bad business with me. T feel this morning a heaviness of spirits that is alarming. Indeed, it is as if lead had been poured into my brain. What will it all end in?'

Of course, under the circumstances, it is not politic for me to tell him that I feel very much depressed myself. On the contrai-y, 1 seek to forget my own forebodings, and endeavour to cheer my friend. There is always a way of doing this to those wise enough to study human nature, and in a short time 1 "have sreceeded in getting Joe into a little brighter humour. He sees a chance to fight fate and win a victory over his cohorts. Thus we talk as the time glides by, and watch the bright scene on the water, where the boats of the fishermen are starting out to the banks for the day's work, rather late perhaps, but the tide serves them better than the hour.

'Come, let us go to the house. It is near the breakfast hour, and Muriel will be anxious. She does not like to have me away any more than is necessary,' says Joe.

We stroll along- the avenue. 'Isn't that Peters running- this way?* I ask.

He looks startled

'Yes, and tie beckons me wildly. _ My God! what has happened—to —Muriel ?' Joe staggers, and I almost fear he will fall, but with a desperate effort he recovers, and leads me in hastening to meet the butler.

I can see that Peters' face expresses alarm.

'Milady sent me for you, sir'—Peters has been in the employ of an English nobleman, and always addresses Joe's wife as 'milady.'

'What's wrong?' demands Joe

'She can't get any answer from Misa Morrison. Both doors are locked. She fears the lady is sick, and wants you to burst, the door in,' Peters says in hurried tones.

I look at Joe and he returns the glance.

'Doctor, here is more trouble. What fatality has overshadowed my house? I must be living under a curse. But come on, we will hurry.'

He strides along- so fast I have difficulty in keeping- up with him. Meantime I am wondering- whether this may not be the explanation to our heavy spirits. If the old saying that 'coming events cast their shadow before' be true, then our feeling of despondency is explained.

Nearing; the house, Muriel comes to meet us, and her lovely face is full of iear.

'Oh! Joe, what can have happened? Both doors are locked, the curtains drawn, and all is as still as death.' I have called and beat upon the door panel, but she will not answer. What if her wound has opened, and she has died alone in the night?

'Impossible!' I exclaim. Joe looks at me. 'Remember my condition the other night, doctor. Have you given her an opiate?' he asks. 1 deny it, and secretly wish ..that was the extent of the trouble, "for somehow I fear the worst. We enter the hall.

The alarmed servants gathered about the door of Miss Morrison's room stand back, while Joe strides up, a determined look on his face.

He knocks, at first gently, then with great force, but there is no reply. Then he calls out her name —only the silence answers .

'There is but one way remaining, doctor,' and so saying, he seizes the knob, j>uts his strong shoulder against the door, gives a tremendous wrench, and it is accomplished. We three enter the room—l confess I have a feeling of awe myself. It, is broad day outside, and the sun falls upon this side of the house, but his glare is shut out by heavy curtains that fall over the window and glass door. Joe steps to one side and draws back the curtain attached to the window. The lig-ht falls directly upon the bed. I see Miss Morrison's lace, and a shudder passes through my frame. 'She sleeps!' exclaims Muriel, and is about to dart forward, when 1 catch her arm.'

'Keep your wife back, Joe,please,' 1 say, as steadily as I can, and he passes an arm about her waist, while she clings to him in wonder and fearful anticipation. I wait no longer, but advance to the side of the couch. My long professional service tells me the awful truth even before I touch the hand that lies over the coverlid. .Bending- down .1 make a hasty examination. Really, had this young woman been my own daughter' I could hardly be more shocked. '.Joe,' I manage to say. 'Well, doctor?' 'I am pained to say somethingterrible has occurred here.' 'Great heavens! doctor, you don't mean —' 'Miss Morrison is dead.' The words have hardly passed my lips when I regTet having- imparted the news so abruptly. I should have gotten them out of the room first, and then gradually broken the truth. Muriel gives one shriek and swoons in her husbaud's arms, while the servants, white-faced with horror, look at each other aghast, as they crowd in the doorway.

'Get your wife out of here at once, and send those people away. Come back to me as soon as you can, Joe,' I say, hurriedly. ,

lie is no longer dazed—the emergency has cleared his brain. With a few words he sends the servants away, and carries his wife to another room. I am left alone with the dead girl. What a sad thing this is. My heart never felt heavier than when 1 bend over and survey her white face.

A physician in the course of a long practice becomes to a degree hardened or' callous where scenes of suffering are concerned. Familiarity breeds contempt, they say, just as the seasoned soldier dashes into battle recklessly, while the tyro advances trembling hi every limb. Nevertheless there are. times when this barrier is broken down, and I admit that I never have had a gTeater shock than now, when looking- upon the mortal remains of the '.young1 woman so full of life and vitality at eleven o'clock on the lireceding night. What does it mean?

Jleart disease is about the only thin~ that could carry off a person so suddenly. I have not heard her complain, and thought she looked a very healthy girl. Again, there were no symptoms of such a trouble with the heart, which invariably betrays its presence in a flushed face. I am deeply puzzled as well as shocked.

The. room is in good order. Going to the glass door I find it locked, but the key is not there, nor do my eyes catch sight of it. Upon the table is a soda-water bottle with a siphon, close by a glass about a quarter full of the water. I attach no importance to the fact, as many persons in hot weather are accustomed to drinking seltzer or some cooling liquid.

The entrance of Joe disturbs my thoughts. He is looking dreadfully sober, with an expression of pain upon his face such as" I never wish to see again. Walking up he touches the cold face of Edith with his hand, turns around, looks at me, aud then sinking into a chair actually sobs like a child.

It is terrible to see a strong man cry, but I know this will do Joe good. I cannot give him any comfort, so I simply walk up and down the room, waiting until he recovers. This does not take long, for I soon feel his hand laid upon my arm.

'Doctor, what is your opinion—what was the cause of death?' he asks, rather steadily.

I shake my head

Tt is all a mystery to me. I did not know her long enough to learn whether she was subject to any mortal •disease. I thought at first it might be heart trouble; but her face never indicated that. Did you ever hear her complain V , 'Never. was very healthy. Doctor, do you —see any sig-ns—of violence?'

'No, no. Her death was not caused in that way. There is a peaceful look on her face. She may have suffered, but it. passed away. The room is close—l wish we could air it.'

'Open the door.' 'It is locked and the key missing,' I reply. He takes something from his pocket and hands it to me.

I think that it the key.' I try it with success. 'Where did you get it, Joe?' I ask, surprised. 'I picked it up on the table in my wife's room,' he replies, turning again toward the couch.

(To be Continued.)

BRIEF OUTLINE OF THE LONG HISTORY OF SPAIN.

SPLENDID MOORISH CIVILIZATION, THE PERIOD OF COLONIAL WEALTH AND LATER DECLINE.

Spr;in, the country whose actions have become of such vital interest to the United States in the last few weeks, has a history strikingly dissimilar to that of the free-born Kcpublic. During the years in which the United States has been progressing towards greater material aud commercial prosperity, and has been spreading the doctrine of individual freedom throughout a vast territory, Spain has been living on the decaying fruit of. [ her past grandeur, maintaining the institutions that were in their prime Ihre.i! hundred years ago and falling far behind the rearguard of progress.

The past of Spain is not enough for her present prestige, and cannot hold for her r. place among the first powers of the world, but it i.s splendid enoug-h to illumine the pages of history for ever, in the dark ages, when the rest of Europe was sunk in a disgraceful barbarism, the Spanish peninsula was occupied by one of the most magnificent civilizations that ever graced the worid. To the Spanish Arabs the modern world owes many of its best achievements in science and in the art of living. Everything1 that was elegant, and graceful in life was part of th<>ir daily routine. They lived amid a most, princely luxury, yet always maintained the highest, ideals of learning. Their beautiful cities and splendid, palaces were as the outward temple to the spirit of knowledge and culture which flourished within.

Again, when the Moors had been driven from Spain and had left only their heritage of architecture and a streak of dark blood in some Spanish veins, was Spain glorious, the mother cf a vast empire teeming with almost fabulous riches. At the beg-inning of the sixteenth entury Spain owned more than half the world. She claimed nearly the whole of the Western Hemisphere and had possessions in Africa and Asia. She was one of the great powers of Europe.

Her history since that time has been a history of decline. She has fallen into the hands of one incapable and vicious sovereign after another. Absolute monarchy has stultified her people. Factions, plots, conspiracies, and insurrections have torn her in pieces. The material welfare of the country has suffered through the maladministration of rulers intent on gratifying only their own personal ends.

In the last two generations constitutional government has made a gal-

If.nt effort to conquer Spain, and optimistic students of Spanish conditions say that the reformers must win in the end, although the way is bound to be long and hard.

Scipio entered Spain in the year 210 8.C., beginning1 the first great epoch of Spanish history, that of the Roman cceupation. He was followed by Cato the elder and Oamilhis Seipio, who, with the Eoman hosts at their command, began to Romanize the whole Sn-mish people. After the third Punic war, 134 8.C., and the horrible sieg-e of jNumantia, Spain was formally annexed as a province of the Roman empire. Augustus did much to strengthen the hold of the empire on this province, which was long inclined to be rebellious to her authority. He built new cities in Spain and made military colonies for his soldiers there. No provinces of the empire produced so many historians, poets, and philosophers as Baetica. The domination of Spain by Rome lasted four centuries without a ripple. . Spain has never since that period for more than a generation or two been entirely withdrawn from military history.

With the Gothic conquest of Southern Em-ope Spain came under the sway of a dynasty of Goths.. From the beginning1 of the fifth century to th.; beginning- of the eighth they ruled lht> peninsula. Roderick, the last of the line, was defeated by the Mohamrnedons. These people had overrun the whole of Arabia, Egypt, and Northern Africa, and in less than a hundred yeais after their religion had been established had gained a foothold in Spam.

Moved by a personal wrong, a powerful subect of Roderick had invited the Emir Muss, a chief of the Arabs, to attempt the conquest of Spain. The Emirs forces entered the peninsula in 711, and after a few decisive, .swiftly victorious encounters, the Moslems were firmly settled in the country. They began at once to lay the founda-tion-of the brilliant civilisation which has made their occupation of Spain a glory. The Khalifs of Cordova distinguished themselves as patrons of learning, offering astrong contrast to the

barbarian princes who ruled in other

parts of Europe. Their city administration was superior to that of London an:l Paris hundreds of years later. The

streets were solidly paved and lighted for miles. Their palaces were marvels of luxury and magnificence. Decora-

tions in marble, mother-of-pearl, ivory,

gold, silver, priceless jewels and mosaic

made their apartments like gardens of

Parsdise, while nothing that could contribute to comfort and cleanliness —they had even hot and cold water in niet&j pipes—was lacking. Their libraries were bounteously supplied. The catalogue alone ofKhalif's Alhalem's books filled forty volumes. Their pleasure gardens surpassed all others of history. The architecture of the Spanish Moors was one of the greatest achievemnls oi their brilliant civilization. In their own time it made their country one of the most artistic and beautiful .spots of the world, and it has passed down into modern times as one of the

phire colouring' are iised in the decorations.

i The Giralda, the famous Moorish tower of Seville, is another monument of this wonderful architecture which travellers journeyed far to see. Some of the best habits of domestic life, especially that of clothing insuringl personal cleanliness, the civilised world owes to them, and these habits they practised at a time when the people of the rest of Europe were loathsomely untidy and dirty in their persona] habits.

Music, literature and mathematics flourished among the khalifs. Their culture in poeti'y, philosophy and military adventures passed rapidly across the Pyrenees, and the nobles of the South of France learned from them nmch of their chivalrous gallantry. Their skill with the horse, their tilts and tournaments became the fashion, and their Avorship of feminine fascination in the form of love-songs spreading through Italy and Sicily was the foundation for the polite literature of modern Eiirope. As early as the tenth century any one having a taste for learning and the elegant amenities of life sought the civilisation of Moorish Spain.

A public school in which the children' of the poor were taught to read and Avrite was attached to every mosque. There were numerous academies for those in easier circumstances, and colleges where the greatest liberality in the pursuit of the sciences was allowed. Many of the customs of our modern universities are derived from them. Great attention was paid to the subject of languages, the Arabs holding theirs to be the most perfect language in the world. They produced satires, odes and elegies, but.no epics. They were the authors and introducers of rhyme. .Their creative ability went largely to oral narration and pulpit oratory.

Every khalif had his own historian. The greatest attention was given to every branch of history, including even statistics. Science in every form was cultivated. Their learned men travelled from country to country assimilating and diffusing knowledge. While contemporaneous Europe was-

still relying on the miracle as the cure of all physical ills, the Moorish, doctors had a remarkable skill in surgery. Their improvements in arithmetic are among the most valuable additions that have been made to the science of mathematics. " Ben Musa was one of the earliest authors of algebra. In astronomy they made distinguished discoveries. Almaimon discovered the obliquity of the ecliptic and the true size of the earth. The Arabs taught geography by globes, while the rest.of the world laboured under the old delusion of flatness. In the practical arts of life the civilised world owes much to the Arabs. They introduced scientific and skilful agriculture, and they maintained an immense commerce with the other nations of I lie civilised world. With Constantinople, alone they carried on a great trade; their commerce extended from the Black Sea and East

handsomest-monuments of a dead civi- Mediterranean into the interior of lizafion now in existence. Ak ;. i; \ ti ,- ( ... l(; hcd India and China and The Alhambra, the royal abode of exteTl( ] P( j along the coast of Africa the Moorish kings, forms part of a o fortress, the walls of which, studded Tlu " spfrnish" Arabs reached the wi tn towers, wind around the crest of height' of - their importance, in the a hill overlooking the city. It could. rej " of Alhakem the Second. WeaJc hold 40,000 men with in its precincts. rlllorß fjnd hlternal dissension followHie great vestibule ov porch oi the Cf| Prom A . D 1()3J ouwarf] the Aragase is formed by an immense Arabian binu iniitv waa broken and Moslem arch. Jhc interior court is laid out g , n wns » ned b petiy kinffS> >n flower beds and on its four sules * The Mohammedan hosts having are light Arabian arcades of filigree I)een rf)l]to(] by t])o nrmy of ChrV.tian ""V1 . . . •, .. Crusaders, the Moslems gave up An:lu- .. ]:c .interior decorations arc pecu- ]usi , n , (| Mohammed benAlhamav. nary beautiful Ihe walls are coy- ab]t , st m] fixed h - .„ crcc with light relievos and fancy Gremula and e . s(al)lishe d t , here the arabesques. The vaults and cupolas , t wh; h mjyi d the wrec]c are wrought like honeycombs or frost-1 of Afrj Ei j^^ f work. The lower part of the wala ia tl t centuries and a half the encrusted witli gla/.cd tiles on wlucli Af -> -, ~ ■, -, ,-, ■■ , , , , r, . , ~4l Moslems defended themselves against are emblazoned the escutcheons oi! the ,-, ~ -, ~ ~ . ~, . ~ • tt . , Moslem kings. Much gilding and sap- 1 lttacks ol their Christians neigh- ° o & i | bours.

But when Ferdinand of Arragon married Isabella of Castile, and the kingdom of Spain was formed, the royal pair determined to root the enemies out of their country. All the chivalry of Spain was aroused to the effort, and the time was propitious, as Grenada was more than usually divided by quarreling1 factions. In the spring of 1491 Ferdinand and Isabella invested the city of Grenada. It was impossible for the Moslems to hold out, and on the 2nd of Januni'y, 1402, the last act in the drama was performed. This ended the Arabian empire in the Peninsula, after nearly seven hundred and fifty years. The magnificent palace of the Alhanibra and all the other great achievements of their civilisation were left as a heritage to Christian Spain.

At the very time that the Moorish civilisation was being crushed out of Spain, the rapidly ascending country was acquiring vast territories in the New World. Columbus, travelling under the patronage of Queen Isabella, discovered America, on October 12, 1492. Spain acquired all lands west and south of a line drawn from the Arctic to the Antarctic pole, 100 leagues west of the Azores. Spanish travellers and adventurers flooded the new country. Spain was omnipotent on the- Western Hemisphere. New discoveries by her voyag-ers added to her glory and her wealth. The native Indians in America were hunted down and exterminated with appalling atrocity. From Mexico and Peru a civilisation that might have instructed Europe was crushed out. Almost at the same time Spain crushed two civilisations, Oriental and Occidental, and in the end was ruined herself.

The reign of Ferdinand and Isabella, however, was the pinnacle of Spanish glory. Dominant in the New World, the nation held one of the first, places in Europe and was prosperous ait home.

Isabel!av a woman of wonderful ability and strength of character, attended the meetings of the Council herself and saw that all suits were equitably adjusted. She took pains to avail herself of foreign resources for the improvement of the army. In

the military training" school of her time were formed those celebrated captains who spread the military fame of ;their country all over Christendom'in the beginning of the sixteenth century.

The discovery of America brought immense wealth into the coffers of the King. The royal house of Spain became one of the great powers of Europe, and the subjects at home were well governed and happy. Everything1 was done with great executive regularity and ability. The administration of. home affairs was a tribute to the sagacity and goodness of the sovereigns, and equalled in its way the splendour of tiie empire abroad.

Ferdinand and Isabella were succeeded by their grandson, Charles I. He and the country were unequal to the prosperity which they inherited. Charles was away from home most of the time. As Charles V. of Germany, a throne he. inherited through his father, the Spanisli crown coming from his mother, the daughter of Ferdinand and Isabella, he was continually embroiled in the politics of Europe. ITo had no time for the administration of Spanish affairs.

Spain had reached her summit in the reign of Ferdinand and Isabella. From the moment of their death she declined. From the end of the reign of Charles to the constitutional government of this century, it is said that Spain was the worst governed country in the world. Charles' absence from Spain, his duty as Emperor of Germany and arbiter of the destinies of Europe, were the beginning of tl.e long tale of wretchedness. While he reigned, the constant wars he waged in Europe, Africa, Asia, and America drained the treasury of all the gold which poured in from the New World.

The one pride of Charles' ignoble reigu was the vast empire in Asia and

America which his viceroys won and held for him. They established a regular line of communication from ocean to ocean across the Isthmus of Panama. Spain regarded the Pacific Ocean as her own closed sea. The West Indies became her provinces. The Spanish flag- floated over "Florida, New Mexico, Mexico, Guatemala, Peru, Chile, Paraguay, and Buenos Ayres, and every island of the Caribbean Sea.

Spain still owned half the world, although her fortunesat home were declining1 and her government turningl to rottenness.

For a century after Charles V., Spain was governed by his three successors, Philip 11., 111. and IV. This century is known as the century of decline in Spain., Philip 11. was titular King1 of England, France and Jerusalem, absolute Dominator in Asia, Africa and America, Duke of Milan and both the Burgundies, and hereditary sovereign of the seventeen Netherlands. He added to these the crown of Portugal. •

The century of the Philips was one of many devastating war's and petty intrigues at home.

Charles IT. came to the throne in IGGS. He is remembered in history chiefly as the king who engaged in the wretched, disgraceful intrigues which led to the war of the Spanish succession.

The next century is filled up with a line of pretty kings, engaged for the most part in the general European wars and in. vile intrigues at home. The history of the quarrels of Spain in the New World and the varioiis treaties by which she surrendered much of her vast territory there are well-known chapters of American history.

The intrigues of the miserable Spanish court became more and more disgraceful and more weakening to the Spanish nation. An adventurer and trickster called Manuel Goday got possession of the King and Queen at the end of the eighteenth century and left the unhappy country too weak and spiritless to resist the coming of Napoleon.

Napoleon playing on the weakness of the Spanish sovereign and his son entered into the negotiations and assumptions which ended in his keeping them in captivity while he placed his brother Joseph on the throne of Spain.

The people rose in rebellion in every province of Spain when Joseph Bonaparte entered Madrid. The English came to the rescue finally and completely routed the French out of the Peninsula. King- Joseph fled the country. Then came the fall of Napoleon.

Ferdinand VII. returned to his throne, made his monarchy more absolute ,ancl despotic than "ever. Conspiracies and insurrections at home added to the rebellion of the American colonies drowned the country in blood and emptied her treasury.

A group of patriots gathered together and proclaimed the constitutional government which they had endeavoured in vain to get Ferdinand to accept on his return to Spain in 1812. The King was compelled to accept it in 1820, and a French army entered Madrid, established a regencj\ and declared the absolute monarchy again. All credit was destroyed at home and abroad.

On the death of Ferdinand his little daughter. Donna Isabella, a child of two years, was proclaimed Queen. The

brother of the King, Carlos, declared that according- to the Salic law he; should have had the succession. In spite of many insurrections, plots and counterplots, the little Queen was generally supported, as she was held to represent the cause of liberalism. From that day to this, however, the country has been devastated by Carlist plots and insurrections, led by the representatives of Carlos, the brother of Ferdinand, and his descendants.

Guided for a time by Espartero, a military officer of great ability, the reign of Isabella was for a time prosperous. Espartero saved the capital when it. was imperilled by the Carlisfcs, and during the Queen's minority, when he acted as regent, he administered the affairs of the monarchy with dignity and ability. Isabella herself proved a wretched Queen. In the changes of parly, the swing from absolute despotism to constitutional freedom and back again, she. was guided only by personal intrigue and personal passion. In 1808 the nation could bear no more. A revolution broke out against her. She tied to France, and in 1870 the Cortes, finding no one in the reigning family, chose Amadeus, the. second son of King Humbert of Italy, as King of Spain.

The problem proved too hard for him to solve, and lie abdicated in 1873.

Alfonso XII., the son of Isabella, was proclaimed King by the friends of constitutional government. lie showed courage and discretion and maintained at least, the forms of constitutional government. Mis death in 1885 was considered a great misfortune for Spain. His son is the present boy-King, Alfonso XIII. ilenry Coppe, in his 'Conquest of Spain by the Moors,' traces the decline a lid present, weakness of Spain to the crushing weight of her past history and the great mistake in her form of government. He sums up the present character of the Spanish people os follows: 'With weakness came intrigues and conspiracies and assassinations, 'thus shut up within themselves, they became suspicious. They hated strangers; they assumed a haughtiness of sentiment, and demeanour. _ They ceased to work, because labour brought no security. And so the manufactures and public works have fallen into foreign hands, which has onade them unpopular. There has never been a nation so abused and injured as the Spanish nation.

'The Spanish people present to-day in all parts of the peninsula excellent types of manhood and womanhood, who require only time to unlearn the lessons of centuries and to live a new life under a liberal rule, and with incentives to exertion, liven in this generation much has been done. The deposition of Isabella 11., provisional regency of Serrano, the great mistake of crowning Amadeus. the rage of the Red Republicans, have all been steps to a constitutional government under a liberal and young Spanish monarch, whose happy fortune it may be to inaugurate the new era, and make the Spanish cities once more what they were in the palmy days of the Moslem dominion, the centres of light, learning-, and energy. The great secret is work for the masses, for the worst thing among the Casas de Espana is an indolence, so ingrained in the Spanish nature that it has become an organic disease, which time and the pressure of a progressive world only can cure.' J. L. M. Curry, in his 'Constitutional Government of Spain.' gives a vivid picture of the degeneracy and sloth of the Spanish people. He says that bull-fights are the most distinctive characteristic of the nation. When Joseph Bonaparte was installed in Madrid, the question that agitated the people was not one as to his probable policy, but whether he would allow bull-fights or not. The good of Spain, lip says, demands the abolition of this disgraceful and cruel pastime. The government lotteries are another causeof Spanish feebleness of character. The State legalises, monopolises, manages and controls lotteries as a source of revenue. The budget received £5,400,000 in one year from this source alone.

All card-playing is for money. The people live in a condition of feverish excitement and enervating- idleness. Instead of Avorking, they dej)end on chance for a living-. Honest labour is absolutely discouraged by these government, lotteries.

The condition of the Spanish schools is shocking. A very large percentage of the people are absolutely illiterate. Fully 75 per cent, of the woman have not even a rtulimentary education.

The x^eople have lost confidence in their public men. Their improvement should be along moral rather than political lines, however. They talk in a boastful way about the immortal deeds of their glorious ancestry, and take no lesson from the active civilisation about them.'

The administration is, at the same time, very corrupt. It is a systejn of bureaucracy and centralisation, eaten up with official corruption. Almost every one in the capital lives in some way off the government.

The country is harrowed continually by Cuban and Carlist Avars and Federal insurgents. Still the progressive Spaniards have given exhibitions of an effort to secrn*e national independence against fatal odds. The lesson of constitiitional freedom is hard for people trained for centuries under an absolute monarchy to learn, and must be a matter of sloav development reaching- the intelligence and conlscience of the people. '

Mr Curry concludes by paying a high tribute to the character of the. Q.ueen TCegent. She is intelligent and popular, an ideal mother, and spotless as a woman.