Departure 



unfortunately be added, the German waiters. 

 But it would then be not unreasonable to put 

 an import tax on such introductions. And re- 

 ciprocal arrangements might be entered into 

 with the colonies, and help to promote mutual 

 knowledge among citizens of the Empire. It 

 is a beautiful idea. Indeed, the possibilities 

 that present themselves as soon as one begins 

 to consider the reform on scientific lines of our 

 antiquated and unimaginative fiscal system are 

 endless. And, as the reader will have gathered, 

 there is much to be learned from a study of 

 Portuguese models. A visit to Madeira is 

 recommended to politicians in search of rest 

 and recreation combined with instruction. 

 Mr. Chamberlain himself (more fortunate than 

 Napoleon Bonaparte) spent some hours on 

 shore here in the course of his voyage from 

 South Africa, spoliis oneratus opimis^ a few months 

 before he promulgated his great scheme to 

 make the foreigner pay for old age pensions. 

 Alas ! how far off it all seems now. And it is 

 not to be supposed that he neglected the 

 opportunity of inquiring into the workings of 

 " Insular Protection " which such a remarkable 

 and compact example affords. 



285 



