three-fourths of the "plural voters" are Tories in politics, and that the abolition of this privilege would be highly advantageous to the Liberal party. This however, is not considered to be a good reason against an effort by that party to get rid of a political anachronism and injustice while it is in power.

The House of Lords thought otherwise and rejected the bill after the Commons had passed it by a decisive majority. This action has offended the laboring classes, and there has been a vigorous protest from their leaders against it. The old cry, "mend or end the House of Lords," has been raised, and some interesting developments may be expected early this year.

At one time it was supposed that the government would dissolve Parliament on the issues in question and "appeal to the country," making the reform of the House of Lords a prominent part of its program. The Cabinet has made it clear that it will not dissolve Parliament forthwith. It will probably introduce another education bill, perhaps one entirely secularizing the public school and give the Lords another chance. An Irish autonomy bill-a step toward home rule is also to be introduced and piloted through the Commons. This will involve considerable work and the postponement of the conflict with the Lords; but that the conflict can be avoided, no thoughtful observer of events appears to believe.

News Notes From Abroad

Mr. Holman Hunt at Manchester-Mr. Holman Hunt, with Mrs. Hunt, attended the opening at Manchester of an exhibition of his collected works, which has been organized by the Art Gallery Committee of the corporation. Mrs. Holman Hunt having briefly declared the exhibition open, Mr. Holman Hunt delivered an address. Mr. Hunt said that from his infancy the name of Manchester had been with him one to conjure with. In his early days he was in a Manchester warehouse, of which his father was manager. Later in life his interest was extended by the fact that he was in contact with the great Richard Cobden as his clerk and

His interest re

The

used to read his speeches on the Corn Laws. mained when, in 1844 or 1845, he had a picture to send to the provinces, and it was quite natural to his feelings to send it to Manchester. It was a boyish effort, but was accepted there, and any one looking in the old catalogues of the institute would find it under the title of "Little Nell and her Grandfather." memorable exhibition of 1857 contained several of his own works. He was pleased that the works before him ranged from grave to gay, from lively to severe. Alluding at some length to the suggestion which has been made that "The Lady of Shalott" was not painted by him, Mr. Holman Hunt said he could bring many witnesses to show that he began it fifteen years ago. Sir John Millais and Sir Edward Burne-Jones both saw it when it was partially advanced. When his great defect of eyesight came to him he could still see as he could now-well enough to distinguish the different hues of every colour on the palette close to his eyes, and could also tell the form of things if he looked at them singly. He could still see enough to enable him to act as overseer and to direct men working under him. However, after the difficulty began to show itself he found it desirable to get an assistant, as he wanted always to be sure that his paints had blended before they dried. As Canon Rawnsley had stated, he selected an assistant to enable him to finish the picture, and the gentleman he selected was Mr. Edward R. Hughes, a member of the Royal Water-Colour Society, an accomplished artist. Concluding, Mr. Holman Hunt said the proposal to purchase the picture for the nation had come from people quite outside himself, and he hoped that no one would support the purchase with the idea of obliging him. The people who were interested should decide solely on the question of the picture's suitability or otherwise.-London Times.

Dr. von Lecoq, a scientific emissary of the Prussian Government, has arrived safely at Srinagar after a journey through the most remote parts of Central Asia. He has brought with him a quantity of highly interesting paintings on stucco, the backgrounds in many cases being of gold leaf as in Italian work, and a number of manuscripts in ten different languages and one wholly unknown tongue. Dr. Lecoq's discoveries probably constitute the greatest archæological find since the days of Layard and Rawlinson.

The Withdrawal of the Garrison from St. Helena-The Cluny Castle arrived at St. Helena on October 25, embarked the troops of the garrison on the 27th, and sailed on the 29th. The embarkation was not marked by many demonstrations of sentiment. The people, having drifted from a state of indignation into a sort of apathy, accepted the withdrawal as inevitable. There is no doubt however, that the departure of the garrison is very keenly felt, for it means the disappearance of the islanders' most tangible source of subsistence. The island is now without means of defence, the six-pounders, the powder, the shell, and the appliances for the sixinch guns having been taken away. For the first time in the history of St. Helena the troops have been withdrawn entirely.

parties.)

The London County Council is endeavoring to construct a low level sewer under a part of St. Paul's Churchyard. Some opposition has been aroused for the reason that the proposed excavations will, it is feared, injure the cathedral. The Council has been assured by engineers that no damage will ensue. Sir Christopher Wren, the architect of St. Paul's, wished, at the time of its construction, to run the foundations down to blue clay, but his farseeing advice was not complied with.

A proposal has recently been made at Cairo, Egypt, for the founding of a national university modeled on European lines.

Cecil Rhodes' great project, a railway from Cairo to Cape Town, bids fair to be realized at no very remote day. In North Africa about 1,600 miles has been completed or projected; in South Africa 2,000 miles. In addition there is a long waterway on Lake Tanganyika.

Under the self-government granted by the new Transvaal constitution which has recently gone into effect, the Boers are endeavoring to become the dominant party in the parliament by securing the support of some of the various British factions.