In so confused a constitution, or so constitutional a confusion, it ill becomes one to inquire why pre-eminence in Parliament is attained by dexterity in the word-duel, and why a John Stuart Mill, who gave his life to the study of sociological questions, is a failure in the House, while a Randolph Churchill, who confessedly found politics more exciting than any other form of sport, including even horse-racing, should be a success. As in Athens of old, the rhetorician is master of the field. Does it not seem ridiculous that a man shall be allowed to legislate who has not passed an examination in political philosophy, political economy, and universal history? As absurd as that men should be able to set up as critics merely by purchasing reviews, that they should be permitted to ply without a license. Still, monstrous as is the mischief wrought by the quack critic, his sphere of influence is limited. But this question of government touches us all. No one ought to be allowed in the House who has not satisfactorily grappled with papers like the following. 1. Explain the use of the following phrases: "Home Rule," "Liberty," "Well-being of the Masses," "G. O. M.," "Good of the State," "The Constitution." What meaning do you attach to them, if any? 2. "The Function of an Opposition Is To Oppose." Criticise this statement from the point of view of the Party in Power, and trace carefully the modification in its view produced by a change of government. 3. What is a good electoral address? Is there any relation between it and its owner's votes in the House? 4. (a) Prove that Female Franchise is demanded not only by the women of England, but by every consideration of reason and justice. (b) Disprove the same. 5. The leader of your party suddenly reverses his policy. (a) What would you think? (b) What would you say? (c) How would you vote? Give no reasons for your answer. 6. If C represents Conscience, and C1 the Constituency, show that C1 will always be represented by C2[*]. [Transcriber's note: So in original.] 7. What is a working-man? Explain why professional men who work sixteen hours a day are excluded from this category. 8. Define a political victory, and distinguish between a political victory and a moral victory. But perhaps the discrepancy is less than meets the eye. The House of Commons is a _Representative_ Assembly; the rhetoricians and fencers represent the unreason and the pugnacity of the partisans. A country has the politicians it deserves. I have heard the most ignorant girls rage against Mr. Gladstone; damsels in their teens who knew nothing of life or its problems, nor could have studied any question for themselves; pretty girls withal, but who at the mention of the veteran statesman took on the avenging aspect of the Eumenides.