Even under tbo Republic there is cor ruption ! The French republicans used to howl at the corruption under the third Empire—let them now look at home. How constantly we are re minded of the difference between the real and the ideal, in politics as well as in morals! Those who “ groan ” under Imperialism—everybody is supposed to “groan ” under an Emperor and it is the

proper thing to do—are wont to dream of a republic, of frugal statesmen, of spotless reputation and simple life ; of men filling high office but scorning high pay; of Oincinnatuses, Gracchuses and Washingtons ; of heroic leaders in the field; of patriotism ;of all sorts of grand conditions, They read of golden ages in the past and from the lips of a hundred orators they hear the present state of things denounced and the ideal state landed. In due time the wheel revolves, and the long-desired change comes about. Then when the excite ment has subsided and society settles down into the ordinary grooves, and the observant have time and opportunity to observe, they find to their horror that sordidneas and selfishness are re-appearing under the new conditions and that they are even re-appearing in a Jjmore intense and repulsive form. Then the thought suggests itself whether it is not better to be openly fleeced and plundered and maltreated by one tyrant than to be secretly robbed by everyone of your neighbours. American satirists have lashed the spurious patriotism of many republicans who would shed the “last drop of their brother’s blood ” for their country, who while raving and foaming before the mob, calling Heaven to witness their purity of motive and practice, are diving into the money-bags of the State and making a fat living out of popular credulity. This has been so often seen, that in many great minds doubts have arisen as to the com parative merits of Republicanism as a form of Government, and this can hardly be wondered at. All this teaches that the ideal should not be cultivated in politics, for it will lead at the outset to fanciful legislation and in the long run to disastrous revolution. A change of Government is not going to be a final transformation from bad to good. 