sist. And if one were to follow their ment, that is willing to advance a yard example and fix attention exclusively in their direction. They have abanon the rout of the Social Democrats, doned their advocacy of the collective one would be obliged to admit the ownership of land and with it many validity of their reasoning. The loss of the old Marxian doctrines. At of at least twenty seats, or of rather every point they have found it to their more than a fourth of their Parlia- advantage to make terms with things mentary strength, has surprised no one as they are. Recruits from other parmore than the Social Democrats them- ties, a realization that Marx and Enselves. Except for the check in 1887 gels were wrong on some points and they have never until now failed to only half right on others, and the melgather fresh power from each succes- lowing influence of the great mass sive election. Even as it is they have of social legislation which has been increased their votes beyond even the passed by the Government, have forced high-water mark of 1903, and can still them, consciously or not, to throw overclaim to represent all but a third of board their old policy of a sanguinary the German electorate. Their defeat is Klassenkampf. From revolutionists due not to abstentions among them- they have become radicals; from Van. selves, but to the overwhelming rally- dals and rigid theorists they have de ing of their opponents at the Kaiser's veloped into practical and constructive call. If the electoral areas, which workers in the cause of advanced soremain to-day as they were fixed at the cial reform. time of the foundation of the Empire, In the long rum we believe tbis prowere to be re-distributed, the Social ess will be hastened by their recent Democrats would be the most powerful reverse at the polls. The natural inparty in the House. But no statistics clination of a defeated party is to reor consolations of this kind will avail state its faith in its most extreme to minimize the gravity of their set- form and with all the emphasis it can back. It is of a nature to influence command. The Social Democrats, no profoundly not alone their policy, but doubt, will indulge this inclination. the whole trend of their evolution. We The mere fact that those among them are too apt to think of the Social Dem- who have survived belong for the most ocrats as bound to an immutable creed part to the ancient and orthodox and outside the scope of the laws of school, while the moderates and opporpolitical change. Yet observer tunists in their ranks have been smitcannot but note that in the last five- ten hip and thigh, will make any other and-thirty years their programme and course for awhile impossible. But be beliefs have been, and are being, stead- fore long it will be realized with growily modified. The Social Democrats ing clearness that their power to influwere once the party of an aggressive ence legislation in the new Reichstag atheism; they are so no longer. They will depend more than ever on the er. used to preach a bloody uprising of tent to which they are willing to cothe masses as the only possible prelude operate with other parties, and that to the dawn of the new era; they now the possibility of such co-operation will confine themselves to the more peace- depend in its turn upon their readiness able method of Parliamentary and to shelve the revolutionary and antiConstitutional agitation. A generation monarchical portions of their proago they held uncompromisingly aloof gramme. It may therefore easily hapfrom all parties; to-day they co-operate pen that the elections, by diminishing with any body, even with the Govern- the power of the Social Democrats,

• an

ma

will make them more reasonable, and the defeat of the Social Democrats. by making them more reasonable will The Chancellor to all appearances has also make them more formidable. Nor secured his chief objective. He has is this the only deduction that has to guarded himself against another allibe made from the Kaiser's triumph. ance of the Blacks and the Reds. On Though the Conservatives will come national and Imperial issues he may be back slightly stronger than they were, able to rely upon the support of Conit is the various parties of Liberalism servatives, National Liberals and Radand Radicalism that have profited most icals. On domestic questions the Conby the rout of the Social Democrats, servatives, Clericals and National Liband if this phenomenon portends the erals will suffice to give him a revival throughout the Empire of a jority. Such is the calculation, but spirit of sane progress, it may yet give until the temper of the Centre can be the Emperor some disquieting mo- ascertained we question the possibility ments. But it was not against the of its being realized for more than a Social Democrats alone that he sounded short while, and nothing has happened the charge. To release the Govern- to alter our conviction that this deliment from the control of the Catholic cate playing off of one party against Centre was avowedly one of the mo- another is a political condition as untives of the dissolution, and here the stable as it is unhealthy. A net result Kaiser's strategy has broken down. of the elections is to give the Kaiser The Centre returns, if anything, an opportunity of rising above legerdestronger than

ever and in · no main into statesmanship and of harfriendly mood; and this we imagine monizing the spirit of the German will prove a fact of far more real in- Government with that of the German fluence on the course of events than people.

The Outlook.

LIFE'S LITTLE DISCUSSIONS.

THE DINNER-PARTY.

Scene-Breakfast at the Fordyces.

Mr. FORDYCE, Mrs. FORDYCE, Miss FORLYCE, Miss MABEL FORDYCE and Mr. John FORDYCE.

were

Mrs. Fordyce. Don't you think, dear, Mrs. Fordyce. I'm sure you we ought to give a dinner-party soon? most agreeable to her at the Billbys' Mr. Fordyce. No. Why?

last week. You were laughing all the Mrs. Fordyce. Well, we've dined out time. I watched you. a good deal lately, and we must do Miss Fordyce. Well, one must be something in return.

polite. Mr. Fordyce. Can't you ask the wives Mr. John Fordyce (dubiously). Yes. to lunch when I'm not here?

Mr. Fordyce. Look here, Jack, you Mrs. Fordyce. But they want to see mind your own business. You'll miss you. It's just you they want to see. your train if you're not quick. Mr. Fordyce. Which of them?

Mrs. Fordyce. Would the 14th suit Mrs. Fordyce. Well, Mrs. Culverwell. you?

Ur. Fordyce. Oh, does she? Well, I Mr. Fordyce. What for? don't want to see her.

Mrs. Fordyce. The dinner-party, dear. 117. Fordyce. Oh, this wretched din- agent at Felixstowe, and what do you lier-party! I thought it was dismissed. think they found inside him? Yo, I'm sure the 14th won't suit me. Mrs. Fordyce. George, dear, don't ...

Mrs. Fordyce. Have you got an en- Aliss Fordyce. Oh, father, please gagement for that day?

spare us these morbid details. Ur. Fordyce. I think so. I'll look. Mr. Fordyce. All right, all right. Why shouldn't we go to the theatre Mrs. Fordyce. Gwendolen, dear, just that night?

make a list of some people to ask. Miss Mabel Fordyce. Oh, yes, do let's. There's the three Binsteads and Mr.

Miss Fordyce. Surely we have been Dettmar. I suppose we must have Mr. to enough plays lately. Mother is quite Dettmar, if Mabel is so set on him. right. It is more than time we gave Then there is Aunt Flora. another dinner-party. We haven't had Mr. Fordyce. If your Aunt Flora any one here since November. Besides,

comes, nothing will get me home till the Binsteads will be in town then. I midnight. heard from Nelly yesterday.

Mrs. Fordyce. But, my dear ... Ur. Fordyce. The Binsteads! My- Mr. Fordyce. No, I say it positively.

Mis8 Fordyce. Father, hush. Mabel, We've done enough for your Aunt how silly you are, laughing like that. Flora for at least a year. Didn't she have

Viss Mabel Fordyce. Well, father's Christmas presents from all of you? quite right, they are the most awful Mrs. Fordyce. But she's so lonely, stodgers. You know they are.

poor thing! Miss Fordyce. They've always been Mr. Fordyce. Well, so am I. very nice to us.

Miss Fordyce. Oh, father! Mrs. Fordyce. There aren't kinder Mr. Fordyce. Yes, I am; I'm very people in the world than the Binsteads. lonely, and I hate being asked out to

Mr. Fordyce. All bores are kind. dinner. You don't know your Aunt

Ur. John Fordyce. Well, I'm off. Flora. She feels just as I do. Goodbye all. Give me fair notice, want to ask any one, ask Mrs. Adam. won't you, mother, of the day the She's a clever woman. Binsteads are coming.

Miss Fordyce. I'm afraid that faMrs. Fordyce. Yes, dear, of course I ther's idea of a clever woman is a will, and then you are sure to be coarse woman. free.

Mr. Fordyce. I've never noticed her Mr. John Fordyce. Yes, mother, I'll coarseness. She's a sensible, amusing make a point of being free.

person, and that's more than you can Urs. Fordyce. That's a good boy. My say of half the women who come here. dear Mabel, what are you laughing at? Mrs. Fordyce. But we must ask some You're always laughing.

of the people we have dined with-the Miss Mabel Fordyce. At any rate, Billbys, the Carterets, the Piggs. We mother, if you must have the Binsteads, haven't room for Mrs. Adam if they are do, please, invite Mr. Dettmar too, to to come, and if they are not to come make up for them a little.

we may as well have only the BinMrs. Fordyce. But he's so very noisy. steads and Mr. Dettmar.

Miss Mabel Fordyce. Well, he is Mr. Fordyce. Well, I give it as my ainusing, anyhow, and

makes last word that unless Mrs. Adam comes things go.

I don't. Mr. Fordyce (from his paper). By Miss Fordyce. But she will put out Jove, here's a rum thing. They've just the party. There is no man for her. performed an operation on a house- Mr. Fordyce. I'll take her in.

If you

he

Wise Fordyce. You can't. You must take in Mrs. Billby.

Ur. Fordyce. Well, I can have her on the other side, I don't often interfere, but in this case I am adamant.

Miss Mabel Fordyce. Oh, father, how clever! Mrs. Fordyce. What's clever?

Miss Mabel Fordyce. To say adamant --about Mrs. Adam.

Ur. Fordyce. I wondered if any of you would see it. If you want a partner for Mrs. Adam get Joe Surtees.

Miss Fordyce. Father! How can you? After that dreadful story!

Mr. Fordyce. Well, it was probably not true. He's a very unhappy, lonely man, and you would be doing a kind thing to ask him. Very good company, too, when he likes. It's a pleasure to have some one to go down to the cellar for. There's no fun in teetotallers and Haigites like your Billbys and Carterets. You may sneer at Joe as much as you like, but I've said my last word.

[E.rit to City.

Punch.

BOOKS AND AUTHORS.

“The Spirit of the Orient" by Pro

above the average.

Such is her latest, fessor George William Knox (T. Y. “The Lonely Lady of Grosvenor Crowell & Co.) is an attempt to make Square"-a charming story of a simplemore clear to Western readers the es- hearted young girl, summoned from sential differences between Eastern the farm in Wales where relatives of and Western character and civiliza- her mother have cared for her, by the tion,-the Orient in this case including caprice of a rich old aunt of her faIndia, China and Japan. It is not a ther's, and left by the aunt's death the book of mere description, still less is custodienne of the London property till it composed of the superficial and hap- the return of her twin-brother from his hazard impressions of a traveller. It campaign in Somaliland. The situais the work of one who has spent tion gives opportunity for many quaint years in the Far East and is capable departures from convention on Jeanne's of studying sympathetically the cus- part, and some pleasant satire on Mrs. toms, religions and institutions of the de la Pasture's; there is a pretty love people. The book is of modest size, story running through the narrative, written in a direct and simple style and a quite unexpected episode introwithout any suggestion of philosophi- duces a delightful bit of charactercal profundity or rhetorical embellish- drawing at the end. E. P. Dutton & ment. The attractive typography anal Co. abundant illustration tempt the reader through chapters which would be easy It was a fortunate catholicity which reading, even in a less attractive dress. led to the inclusion of American writ

ers in Macmillans' series of English

Men of Letters and a fortunate deciIt was not to be expected that Mrs. sion which prompted the selection of Henry de la Pasture should often re- Professor George Edward Woodberry peat the success of “Peter's Mother," as the biographer of Ralph Waldo Embut she might fall several grades be- erson in that series. Professor Woodlow that and still write novels well berry possesses the sympathy and po

more

etic insight which enables him to un- Prince Maximilian's Travels in the Inderstand and to interpret a shy, soli- terior of North America." These tras tary nature like Emerson's, and be fol- els were made in the years 18324, and lows his career from his narrow boy- the Prince's narrative of them was hood in Boston and Concord and his published in London, in a translation disappointing experiences at Harvard from the German, in 1843. Scientific through the religious questionings, the explorers and travellers of those days ethical and philosophic studies and the did not enjoy the latter-day advantages literary achievements of his later ca- of the camera, but Prince Maximilian reer, with rare skill and sense of pro- was more fortunate than most in being portion, recognizing in him from the be- able to persuade a Swiss artist, Charles ginning "a strangely isolated, strangely Bodmer, to accompany him and to exalted soul.” No book in the whole paint landscapes, portraits of the abovaluable series is better poised or rigines and other interesting objects

profoundly interesting. The which a modern traveller would reproMacmillan Co.

duce in "snapshots.” Bodmer was

an artist of more than ordinary ability With two pretty sisters from the col- and his paintings attracted wide atonies, thrown on their own resources tention at the time. The Arthur H. in an English cathedral city, a budding Clark Company now reproduces them barrister who has met the girls in Aus- in a volume which is numbered No. 2 tralia during their father's lifetime, in the series and No. 4 in the Masiand a philanthropic young nobleman milian narrative. But the publishers and his beautiful sister for leading depart from the form of the previous actors in the play, it is obvious to the volumes, and present this as an atlas experienced reader that not even the of illustrations, engraved from Bodpresence in the background of a genial mer's paintings and printed upon heavy Admiral, uncle to the barrister, a plate paper, fifteen by twenty inches bluff Colonial, guardian to the girls, in size. There are 81 plates, and with and a kindly old maid, beaming on all, them is included a large and finely-encan prevent at least one blighted affec- graved map of Maximilian's route of tion. Gambling and defalcation on travel. Among these extremely interthe part of a trusted solicitor, with esting pictures are views on the le blackmail from his confidential clerk, a high, the Ohio, the Mississippi, the disgraceful dismissal from the army Missouri and Lake Erie; pictures of Inand a mysterious disappearance cleared dian chiefs and warriors of different up, are other properties in “The Sweet- tribes, and of Indian villages, bear est Solace,” a novel by John Randal, hunts, religious ceremonies, dances, which, in spite of some readable chap- games and horse races; and glimpses ters, does not reach the high degree of of Niagara, the Rocky mountains, New excellence that usually characterizes York harbor and Boston lighthouse as the fiction of E. P. Dutton & Co. Bodmer saw them, which it is inter

esting to compare with the scenes of The twenty-second, twenty-third and to-day. The style in which this roltwenty-fourth volumes of the Arthur ume is presented attests the purpose H. Clark Company's reprints of Early of the publishers to spare no paine Western Travels were devoted, it may give their very valuable ser , be remembered, to the reproduction of worthy dress.