Untitled

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXIII, Issue 7561, 28 May 1885, Page 4

We -wish to ask Mr Chrystall a question. We must not waste words oy6r it, but will balance by anticipation the probable length of the answer by the brevity of the question. For amongst Mr Chrystall's many powers and good qualities as a writer, compression is hardly, we fear,' to be reckoned. Like the French infantry, he can attack only in columns. The " thin line," so dear to the admirers of the British soldier in battle, is to him an abhorrent idea. His notion of space is the astronomer's—something quite without bounds, limitless. We have wondered why one with such a marked turn and so keen a relish for argument has not been numbered with the gentlemen of the long robe. But, we take it that his mind must have disdained to be connected with anything even nominally "brief." Frankly will we admit that he is luminous as well as voluminous, and that his writing frequently shows capacity which, if occupied with more popular, or at anyrate varied, topics might gain for him some considerable kudos. But, like Bryant and May's matches, Mr Chrystall lights only on the box. The flame of his intellect can only be kindled by collision with Protection's theories.- Then the effect, like the process, may be called striking. Or shall we liken Mr Chrystall to the metallic pencil, which writes easily Only on its own specially ' prepared paper ? However this , may be, the question we will ask is simply this: Will Mr Chrystall, from the stores of his special information, bring out two lists—one of the civilised and semi-civilised nations which have at any period of the world's history established and maintained flourishing manufactures by a faithful adherence to the doctrines of Freetrade; the other, a list of the nations who have performed the feat while taking good care to favour native to foreign goods the while. We are aware that, should the latter list prove to be as long as the former short, Mr Chrystall may reply so much the worse for mankind. t But if we are to be denounced as heretics, it is something to have nineteen-twen-tieths of mankind for company.