seemed to have discovered in that historian of civil wars those which he anticipated in the land of his fathers."

If we wish to be delighted for the moment we may embrace that kind of general literature which pleases us best, but if we wish to acquire a certain style we ought to preserve an uninterrupted intercourse with one or two great authors till we have attained our object.

CHAPTER III.

ACCOMMODATION FOR LAW STUDENTS IN COURTS OF JUSTICE.

We have been asked to direct attention to the want of accommodation for law students in our courts of justice. The proper authorities require to be reminded of the fact that judges and other legal dignitaries emanate from the ranks of the law students, and that if no facilities be given to the aspiring barristers and solicitors the profession may degenerate.

Whilst hospital practice is of paramount importance to the medical student, a knowledge of the "practical working" of our courts of justice is necessary for the law student. Theory unexemplified is frequently abortive; indeed, a student may sometimes learn more of the practice of the law courts by attending them for a few days, and carefully watching the progress of causes and the legal arguments involved, than by reading a book for as many months, though there can be no doubt whatever that theory and practice ought to be inseparable.

It has been wisely remarked, that however talented a young barrister may be, he requires two or three years' practice before he can be considered competent to conduct a case of importance. This is because he is a tyro, and lacks confidence and forensic experience; but if, while he is "eating his dinners," he were to visit the various law courts, he would be a great gainer thereby. But is there such accommodation in our courts as to enable him to attend them with comfort and a prospect of his leaving them a wiser man? We think not. He has less chance of hearing cases of great interest, and even of minor importance, than the refractory habitués of the gods. There ought to be, say, fifteen or twenty seats set apart in each court (as there is in a few) and protected with the words "For Students only." There should be writing accommodation, though every student should be required to provide himself with writing materials. Then they would take a real interest in witnessing the trial of causes and listening to technical arguments as well as in gaining the forensic experience which is so desirable to enable them to succeed quickly; but now we know that many shudder to face the eloquent policemen at the Old Bailey or the all-important ushers of other courts, and more especially to be hustled about by the unwashed members of the throng, who, though as free Britons, are entitled to see their fellow creatures tried by their peers, ought sooner to be ejected than the students. The latter being, however, more refined, do not care to contend for a place in order to catch a glimpse of the judge at the expense of having their coats almost torn from their backs and their hats moulded into various incon

ceivable shapes. Though students may arm themselves with documents to prove that they are members of an Inn of Court or articled clerks, the officials cannot assist them. We trust, therefore, that ample and not imaginary accommodation will be provided for the aspiring students in the new Palace of Justice, and that many of them will ascend the bench long before the ugly red bricks of the inelegant erection become blackened with the London smoke!

CHAPTER IV.

THE SCHOOL BOARD.

ENGLISH people frequently evince great laxity in carrying out some institutions, or when they are firmly established they prosecute them with undue severity. At the same time there is a certain want of method, which is the secret of success, in the performance of many things. Though the Education Act does not affect the class of gentlemen for whose behoof we write, we feel so strongly on certain points, that perhaps they will kindly excuse us making a few remarks on the subject.

Would it not be farcical if, for instance, Sir William Gull and the Lord Chief Justice Cockburn, men of vast abilities in their respective paths, were to exchange places? Well, then, how can a man, however conscientious and wealthy, who has been connected during the greater part of his life with mercantile matters, or with other vocations in which he has had no opportunity of gathering a knowledge of the best, that is to say the modern, method of cultivating and improving the mind, know anything of educational matters. But such is the state of the majority of our institutions, that gentlemen without any qualification for the work, though they may be endowed with keen perception and a large share of common sense, are allowed to dictate to the rising generation; among whom it is not unreasonable to suppose there may be a Shakespeare, a Jonson, a Kitto, a Stephenson, a Dickens, and a Lord St. Leonards,-these men, we believe, having risen from the ranks. It might be argued that it requires no great ability to direct the course of children in reading, writing and arithmetic; but there is really more in the question than at first blush one might suppose. The system of instruction ought to be of a uniform character throughout the country, and be submitted from time to time for the consideration of some competent persons. We humbly think that the whole scheme ought to be placed in the hands of men of undoubted experience in such matters. In fact, a certain number of commissioners, say twenty or thirty, ought to be appointed by the home secretary. In that case he would give the palm to men who are known to possess the necessary qualifications. It might be said that men who have managed to command the public gaze ought to be allowed to partake of some of the honours of this country; but there are scores of civic and municipal honours open to those who wish to seek them. The English public will pay anything if you will give them a vote; indeed, it is not improbable that our descendants will insist on voting for policemen and lamplighters, who will be required to offer themselves for election. We can understand a man being elected a member of the House of Commons by

the voices of the aristocracy and democracy;—but surely so many subelectionary institutions are quite unnecessary. There is a certain class of mind which, not exerting itself to suggest any new method, believes the institutions of the present hour to be infallible. Such a mind may think our remarks untenable; we appeal, however, to those who regard the matter irrespective of political bias. We have always viewed this subject in a "neutral" light.

We wish to direct attention to another strange anomaly. Poor persons, whether they are able to send their children to school or not, instead of being made amenable to a civil court, are dragged into a police court, and their private matters exposed to the public gaze. Though the odium attaching to them may not be of a very hurtful nature, it is very unreasonable to place such persons on a footing with rogues and vagabonds. Did no one, when the bill was being discussed, think of suggesting that every member of the board should be made a quasi justice of the peace, in order that two or three of them might attend on certain days to hear the various cases, so as to save many innocent and helpless beings from being dragged into a criminal court? It might be urged by some that it would be inconvenient to the members to attend, but surely out of so large a number, many of whom are gentlemen of independent means, one or two could always find it convenient to perform the quasi magisterial duties; besides, they would offer themselves for election with a full knowledge of the responsibilities attaching to the membership. Persons, as a rule, are not asked to stand, though we do read of the "clap-trap" about being begged to do so, and of the many "affected" refusals, till at last they are prevailed upon to offer their humble services. Richard III. accepted the crown with extreme reluctance. Poor fellow!

Such are our ideas, and, of course, they will be accepted for what they are worth. In justice to ourselves, however, we desire to say that we have not had sufficient time to treat of other points, but as our next number will not appear till February, we do not wish to delay offering these few remarks.

CHAPTER V.

INEQUALITIES OF GENIUS.

It is a most interesting study to observe the singular inequalities of genius in some persons, and more particularly in those who are great enthusiasts, such as poets, painters and musicians. Some men at times electrify the world by one great exploit which attests the most profound abilities, yet perhaps all their subsequent acts are even below mediocrity, while others, as one would naturally suppose, ought to be the case in every instance, give evidence of finer powers in every successive act. It is said that our poets who possess the greatest genius, with perhaps the least industry, have at the same time the most splendid and the worst passages in poetry. Shakespeare and Dryden are at once the greatest and the least of our poets. Carraccio sarcastically said of Tintoret, "I have seen Tintoret now equal to Titian and now less than Tintoret."

Of course, allowance ought to be made for contingencies. The reason

that singular inequalities of genius are observable in poetry, in painting and in music, is because the votaries of these delicate arts are persons of a sensitive nature--a nature which the least breath of air- metaphorically speaking-will mar. Able poets and writers intending to produce a brilliant poem or an elaborate article have been known to postpone doing so day after day because they did not feel themselves sufficiently enthusiastic. It is well known that Byron and Dryden, before commencing a great poem, used to take medicine, while another great writer used to munch a biscuit about every hour instead of having any regular meals during the time he was engaged in writing. Some have been known to wear caps with large rims; we suppose so as to concentrate their ideas! Others fortified themselves with tea or other stimulants. A poet, a musician and a painter require to be made enthusiastic to enable them to produce brilliant works. They depend upon their imagination, which must be kindled by enthusiasm. We look to them to charm us with their delightful inspirations, but some may think that the world is more indebted to men of hard common sense, but devoid of that very element which is the life of the poet and the musician.

CHAPTER VI.

MYSTERIOUS PERSONAGES.

THERE are some subjects which will never admit of speculation and inquiry, and when such is the case, it is perhaps advisable neither to rack our brains to solve the mystery nor to enter into a controversy on the subject. As a very general rule if, say, four persons discuss a point involving religious tenets they will terminate their arguments with unalterable opinions-which, if anything, are sometimes highly inflamed with bitter antipathy towards one another. This is because, religion being to a large extent of a speculative character, much depending upon the translation and interpretation of ancient writings, there is thus very little of a tangible nature to handle. Where, however, the discussion is based, say, on direct and indirect taxation, or the weight of falling bodies, it is not very difficult to obtain statistics so as to enable us to arrive at a conclusion almost of mathematical accuracy.

Now, notwithstanding the inquiries and speculations of men of great learning and keen perception, certain historical personages will be, perhaps, for ever hidden beneath an impenetrable veil. Only few persons therefore are competent to discuss such points, for they are completely encircled in mystery. Who is Junius? Who is the "Man with the Iron Mask?" As most students are acquainted with the circumstances in connection with "Junius," we will make a few remarks respecting the "Masque de Fer" (Iron Mask). This was the name of an unknown person in France, who was conveyed in the most secret manner to the castle of Pigneroi, whence he was transferred to the Isle of St. Marguerite. He was a man taller than ordinary, extremely well made, and was very attentive to his whole personal appearance. His education appeared to have been carefully attended to, and he amused himself by reading and playing upon the guitar. He

always wore a mask with steel springs, which was so constructed as to allow him free liberty to eat and drink. His keepers treated him with the greatest respect. At Pigneroi he was entrusted to an officer named St. Mars, on whose appointment as lieutenant of the Isles this unknown personage accompanied him, as he finally did to the Bastile, where he died in 1703, and was buried under the name of Marchiali. Conjecture has exhausted itself to discover who this mysterious personage might be. Voltaire observes that at the period, when the prisoner was confined, no person of importance disappeared from Europe; and yet it cannot be doubted that he must have been one. Laborde, first valet de chambre of Louis XV., and who had received from the prince many proofs of confidence, showed a desire to discover him. The king replied, "I pity him, but his detention injures only himself, and has prevented great misfortunes; you cannot know him." The author of "Secret Memoirs," published in 1745, pretends that it was the Count of Vermandois, who was arrested, it was said, for having given a blow to the Dauphin. Lagrange Chausel, in a letter to Freron, attempts to prove that the prisoner was the Duke of Beaufort, and that he was falsely reported to have been killed at the siege of Candia. St. Foix, in 1768, wished to prove that he was the Duke of Monmouth, who was said to have been beheaded in London, but who had been withdrawn from punishment. In a dissertation which precedes the romance of "The Man with the Iron Mask," by Regnault Warin, the author endeavours to prove that this mysterious personage was the son of the Duke of Buckingham and Anne of Austria, and goes so far as to give the portrait of the prisoner. But still no satisfactory evidence has yet been given to establish any one of the hypotheses. Those persons of an inquisitive turn of mind may find pleasure in their leisure hours in endeavouring to unravel such a mystery as the "Masque de Fer."

CHAPTER VII.

THE QUESTIONS ASKED AT THE PRELIMINARY EXAMINATION HELD ON THE 28TH AND 29TH OF OCTOBER, 1874, WITH THE ANSWERS.

I. English Composition.

Candidates were requested to write an essay or letter, not less than two pages in length, on one of the following subjects.

(1.) Dreams.

(2.) Doubt.

(3.) The Drama.

(4.) Your favourite Novel.

(5.) Your Life up to the present time.

II. English Language.

1. What are the general laws which govern English accentuation? Give examples of

a difference of meaning indicated by a difference of accent.

In English the accent is placed generally on the first syllable of a word.

(1.) A monosyllable can have but one accent, but the accent does not fall upon every monosyllable: