108 Transactions. — Miscellaneous. 



public money to settlers, and the like, frequently appear as 

 matters for special legislation. The fact that large numbers 

 of people have come to think that questions of this kind should 

 be dealt with in the way proposed shows how the beliefs of 

 men as to the powers and duties of the State have been 

 revolutionised. 



The new democracy is not quite satisfied with the Consti- 

 tution as it stands, but it shrinks, very wisely I think, from 

 making any sweeping and sudden changes. The existence of 

 a second Chamber not directly responsible to the people is 

 sometimes felt to be a grievance, more especially when the 

 offending Chamber is in opposition to the popular will. Loud 

 cries are heard from time to time for its reform or abolition, 

 but in cooler moments extreme measures find no supporters. 



In all democratic communities the greatest interest is taken 

 in education. It is curious to note that in this respect the 

 modern democratic State is but following in the steps of 

 Aristotle. About one-eighth of his treatise on pohtics is occu- 

 piedwith the theory of education. One of the marvels of the 

 age is the sacrifice made by the State to provide education for 

 its citizens. Young and small communities, equally with the 

 old and strong, are impressed with the importance of education. 

 In England, France, America, Australia, and New Zealand, 

 primary and higher education takes almost the first place in 

 the consideration of the State. It is a true and healthy in- 

 stinct that prompts this care for education; and no greater 

 service can be rendered to the community than that of helping 

 to improve and develope the system and methods of education. 

 The theory or ideal of education as held by the State is still 

 very imperfect, and the results of such education as is given 

 are not all that could be desired. Our great men differ on 

 the subject, so it is no wonder if lesser folk are perplexed 

 and make mistakes. Froude relates somewhere that Lord 

 Brougham once said he hoped a time would come when every 

 man in England would read Bacon, but that William Cobbett 

 said he would be contented if a time came when every man 

 would eat bacon. The proper combination of the literary and 

 practical elements in education is still a matter of uncertainty 

 and " hopeful blundering." 



What does the democratic form of government require 

 from the citizens? The political machine is not self-acting. 

 If it is worked by selfish, unprincipled people the results are 

 sure to be disastrous. The well-balanced intelligence, superior 

 to passion and prejudice, such as is required for the best 

 government is very rare. We may safely say that unless the 

 people as a whole are intelligent, thrifty, enterprising, in- 

 dustrious, and above all moral, their efforts at self-govern- 

 ment will utterly fail. Mr. Bryce has well said in his reflec- 



