let any cant of whatever nature blind her eyes to the hard issues. Throughout his pronouncements on foreign affairs is to be discerned his construction of “balance of power” and of “interference.” As regards the first, his principles are well defined in a speech of 1864. “... The proper meaning of ‘balance of power’ is _security for communities_ in general against a predominant and particular power.” It also follows “that you have to take into your consideration states and influences that are not to be counted among the European powers.” Every crisis in Europe bears on America and the colonies. So early as 1848 he had pointed out that, though insulted, “... yet our welfare as a great colonial power was so intimately connected with European politics, that in seasons of crisis we could only retire from interference at the expense not only of our prestige but of our safety.” The “balance of power” principle he derived from Bolingbroke; he also adopted from Bolingbroke his principle of “interference.” “... There are conditions,” he laid it down in 1860, “under which it may be our imperative duty to interfere. _We may clearly interfere in the affairs of foreign countries when the interests or the honour of England are at stake, or when, in our opinion, the independence of Europe is menaced._ But a great responsibility devolves upon that minister who has to decide when those conditions have arisen; and he who makes a mistake upon that subject, he who involves his country in interference or in war under the idea that the interests or honour of the country are concerned, when neither is substantially involved, he who involves the country in interference or war because he believes the independence of Europe is menaced, when, in fact, it is not in danger, makes of course a great, a fatal mistake. _The general principle that we ought not to interfere in the affairs of foreign nations, unless there is a clear necessity_, and that, generally speaking, _it ought to be held a political dogma that the people of other countries should_ SETTLE THEIR OWN AFFAIRS _without the introduction of foreign influence or foreign power, is one which I trust the House ... will cordially adhere to_....” To this let me add a passage from the great Denmark speech of 1864. It is its corollary-- “... By the just influence of England in the councils of Europe, I mean an influence contradistinguished from that which is obtained by intrigue and secret understanding; I mean an influence _that results from the conviction of foreign powers that our resources are great, and that our policy is moderate and steadfast_.... I lay this down as a great principle which cannot be controverted in the management of our foreign affairs. _If England is resolved upon a particular policy, war is not probable._”