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delivered by Mr Gladstone some- night subsequent to that on which

the second reading of the Crimes Bill took place, Mr Gladstone certainly out-Gladstoned himself. In his criticism of the accusations against the Parnellite leaders, he absolutely declared that, although he had "in other years" had great differences with "these gentlemen," "neither now nor at any time have I given utterance to the sentiment, or have I entertained a suspicion that they were associated with crime."

We leave our read. ers to judge how far "marching through rapine to the dismemberment of the empire," or belonging to a society, the "footsteps" of which are" dogged by crime," constitute a crime; but, whether this be so or not, if Mr Gladstone's words are to be accepted as true, it follows that he imprisoned Mr Parnell

what later in the evening. Mr Gladstone must have been well aware of the false position in which he is placed, at once by the inconsistency which he displays in his opposition to a measure recommended by arguments which he has himself again and again enforced, and by the reckless conduct of some of his followers and lieutenants, who have used language which plainly justifies rebellion against the authority of the Queen. Mr Gladstone's speech on the 18th April added nothing to his reputation; and the whole debate, as well as the outside agitation which he has endeavoured to stimulate, simply prove to the world that the "regular opposition" is no longer conducted upon the high principles which formerly guided British statesmen, whether in or out of and sundry other Irishmen when office, but that, under the guidance of the "old Parliamentary hand," alliances have been formed and sentiments openly professed, which will strengthen the determination of every loyal subject of the Queen to rally round the ConservativeUnionist Government which is carrying out the mandate of the country in the face of the most unscrupulous and unprincipled opposition with which a British Government has ever been encountered. The majority of 101, with which the second reading of the Crimes Bill was carried, affords an indication of the unabated strength which the loyal and Unionist party possesses in the House of Commons, and will doubtless encourage the Government in their determination to re-establish the authority of the Queen in Ireland, despite all the efforts of the Gladstonian Separatists and their Parnellite allies.

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he did not even suspect them of being criminal. Surely this is as heavy a charge as could well be brought against any man-namely, that of persecuting innocent people-advanced against himself by Mr Gladstone, in the most open and emphatic manner! With regard to the accusations now made, Mr Gladstone again makes use of the most extraordinary argument in order to shield his new allies. "The burden of proof," says he, "lies on those who make the charge, and unless they make the charge with evidence that will bear the test of investigation, they are wanton calumniators." Very good. But Mr Gladstone forgets that the

Times' has challenged "the test of investigation" in the fullest and most open manner. It had made certain charges and produced certain evidence. That evidence may be deemed sufficient by some, insufficient by others; but the only way in which it can be tested is by those who are charged proceed

ing by due course of law against en Lord Hartington's position in those who have brought the charge, the country and with the really as being "wanton calumniators." sensible portion of the Liberal Silence under such a charge, or party. empty denial, in language however strong and vehement, will be interpreted by the public in various ways; but there is only one way in which innocent men could and should act, and if that way is not taken, Mr Gladstone's allies must bear the consequences.

It will be noted that Mr Gladstone took some pains to criticise Lord Hartington's speech and conduct, when addressing the select body of his adherents who were present at the "Eighty Club" gathering. His observations would have had more force if they had been delivered in the House of Commons and in Lord Hartington's presence; but he preferred the select party and the more private occasion, when he could not be answered. Considering that Mr Gladstone spoke subsequently to Lord Hartington in the debate, the postponement of his reply to the latter proves the difficulty which he has felt in encountering the straightforward antagonist who has done so much to expose the weakness and inconsistency of his policy. The incident will only tend to strength

The most notable portion of Mr Gladstone's "Eighty Club" speech, apart from the passages above mentioned, is that in which he informs his audience that the battle is not to be fought in the walls of the House of Commons," but outside. In other words, Mr Gladstone deliberately lays it down as a canon by which the future political life of Great Britain is to be ruled, that whenever a Parliament elected by household suffrage legislates in a manner which is not approved by one or other political party, it will be the duty of that party at once to commence an agitation against the Parliament throughout the length and breadth of the land. Thus we are to expect neither rest nor peace for the future; all is to be trouble and turmoil, and the restless spirit of Mr Gladstone is to pervade the whole civil life of the nation. We have neither time nor space at the moment to criticise this mischievous teaching, further than to remark that it is one which we are confident will not commend itself to the commonsense and intelligence of our countrymen.

THE REV. W. LUCAS COLLINS.

THERE is nothing more sad in life than the disappearance of familiar faces, the closing of hospitable doors, the sudden emptiness which takes possession of a spot once warmly filled with a pleasant image. As life goes on, this is what happens constantly to us all. Often, after long tranquillity, there will arise a great wave of loss, sweeping away one after another of those whom-where they stood in the perspective of our lives, which seemed impossible without them-we had felt to be "as steadfast as the scene." It is so natural that life should go on, and everything be as it has always been. Yet, lo! in a moment, desolation and emptiness, and what is no more.

No figure more venerable, no friend more respected, could have been withdrawn from the scene than the admirable writer and faithful counsellor whom we have now to mourn. The Rev. W. Lucas Collins died on the 24th March at the Rectory of Lowick, near Thrapston, Northamptonshire, a parish of which he had been the incumbent for more than a dozen years, after holding several other benefices. Of his character as a parish priest, devoted to all the interests of his flock, and much beloved by them, it is not for us to speak. Could it be possible to regret a good man's devotion to the highest of callings, we should indeed, we fear, have been disposed to do so, for it abridged his literary work, and kept him from the foremost rank which he would otherwise have been so well able to fill. He was almost the oldest contributor still spared to us, having begun his work in this Magazine so early as 1843, a period to which few memories now run. He was then a young man just from college, newly ordained, and full of all the fervour of beginning life. During the long period which has followed, few years have passed in which there has not been some fine piece of criticism, some graceful essay or sprightly tale, from his hand in these pages. We do not commend ourselves in rendering due honour to the writers, according to the old tradition of the Magazine anonymous, who have laboured with us, and given of their best to the never-ungrateful "Maga." It would be a failure in friendship as well as in justice should we keep silent as to the merits of those who, so far as the general public was concerned, gave up their own credit and praise to the honour of the ensign under which they did their work.

Mr Collins was educated at Jesus College, Oxford, having a hereditary connection with the Principality which is chiefly represented there, and took his degree in classical honours in 1838. His earliest contributions to the Magazine were illustrations of the life of the University. He took the lighter side of bright and kindly comradeship, so dear to young men who have had their share of these delights, as the most pleasant and attractive to the general world, and told the humours of the reading party before that institution had become so well known as it is now, and discoursed delightfully upon college friends. Though he soon subsided into themes of less personal interest, the subjects both political and literary, which then occupied the world, his preference was always for matters scholastic and academical, and he was the first to

open that discussion of the great public schools of England, in which he has had so many followers. Rugby, Harrow, Winchester, and Shrewsbury were all in succession the subjects of articles; and the fuller study which he was led to give to the greatest of them all resulted in 'Etoniana,' one of the best and most interesting histories of Eton which exist. It is twenty years since that volume was published, and the great school has gone through a great many changes since then; but for the aspect which has now become historical there can be no better authority; nor is there any, so far as we know, which, in respect of literary merit, can stand comparison with it. Mr Collins returned

to this ever-attractive subject many times in these pages; but he did not carry his investigations further than the limits of an article with any other of the great schools. His articles on purely literary subjects were many; and some of the ablest reviews which have appeared of the works of George Eliot and other contemporary writers were from his hand. We have always strongly maintained the advantages of the anonymous, especially in literary criticism, feeling that it gives freedom. to the hand of the operator, and, whether in praise or blame, liberates him from the embarrassing difficulties of holding the literary balance steady when treating friends or acquaintances; but it certainly has this one drawback, that a writer may thus influence the minds of numbers of his countrymen, and be, under his mask, a power in literature, while his personality remains unknown.

The first conception of the interesting and popular series of Ancient Classics for English Readers, when it rose in the mind of the late respected editor of the Magazine, whose excellent intelligence and good taste originated so many successful undertakings, was associated at once by him with the name of Mr Collins, whom, with the insight which he possessed in a high degree, he immediately felt to be eminently qualified to carry it out. Nothing could have better suited the talents and inclinations of Mr Collins, or brought more effectually into play, for the service of the public, his good scholarship and critical acumen, as well as his faculty of selection and oversight. He was an indefatigable editor, giving himself up to that labour of love with judicious watchfulness, and a determination to make the series excellent which spared no trouble. The volumes which he himself contributed must always hold the very highest place among works of this description. The authors whom he treated were not picked up by hazard or got up for the occasion, as so often happens, but the favourites of long years, studied with affectionate devotion for half a lifetime before any thought of expounding and illustrating them for the public had occurred to him. The series was the first of its kind. It was in every way thoroughly successful, and its only drawback has been that it has suggested numberless other series, with which the world has been deluged since; but, as there is no such flattery as imitation, the compliment may be accepted without the responsibility. The work and the man in this case were so thoroughly suited to each other, that there could be no doubt of the excellence of the performance; and it was soon seen that a genuine want was supplied in this attempt to give the non-classical readers, who now form so large a number of the reading public, a scholar's account and description of those great works in which all

literature has its beginning. It is pleasant to see that this able and excellent series has added a modest but enduring laurel to the name of a writer whose best works had heretofore brought him but little personal reputation.

His whole literary career was thus woven in with that of this Magazine. Its readers owe him more than they knew, but not more than the more intimate circle of friends and literary coadjutors were always sensible of, owing to his clear head, and sound views, and lucid and admirable style. His contributions have diminished in numbers of late years, for his health had been delicate for a long time, and he had been obliged to spend several winters abroad on this account. But he was always a wise counsellor and a most faithful friend. For some months past little hope had been entertained of his recovery. But even with such warnings and breakings of the inevitable, the final blow always comes with a shock. Those who are left behird cannot but think of the lessening circle, the lights which are extinguished, the voices which have gone away into the silence. Mr Collins had, however, lived out the allotted time of human life in faithful service to God and man. He had gained, if not any of the higher dignities of his profession, at least an honourable place, and, to a tranquil and gentle spirit like his, perhaps the happiest of all social positions. He left no broken threads or unaccomplished purposes behind him, and we have no right to lament over such a conclusion. May it be given to us to live as wisely and to end as well!

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