thankfulness that the voyage of the Sunbeam was undertaken, for not only has it afforded us the interesting and pleasant account which Mrs. Brassey has given in her charming narrative of the trip-(hear, hear)-but it has an especial interest and value for colonists, inasmuch as it was made by an influential member of Parliament, who, going round the world, and visiting many of our principal Colonies, was enabled to see things for himself. (Hear, hear.) If it was possible for other members to pursue a similar course, it would enable them to bring to the discussion of Colonial questions in Parliament an amount of personal information which would result in benefit to the dependencies of the Empire. It is useless for the Colonies to expect, nor do I think that they would expect, that Great Britain should protect them by contributions from her army in time of war. The protection the Colonies must look for from the mother-country at such a time must depend upon her being mistress of the sea. It is clearly their interest to aid her in maintaining this position, and I feel sure, although I speak subject to correction from those who are present from the great Australian and New Zealand Colonies, that the Colonies generally would gladly contribute to any arrangement towards the support, or in aid of, the Imperial Navy; or would otherwise cordially cooperate with the mother-country in measures of mutual selfdefence, for thereby they would be promoting their own interests. This is the time to take action upon the important suggestions of Mr. Brassey. We all hope that the Congress about to assemble will end in preventing a fearful war; but it is just in the circumstances that have existed now for some time that the necessity is recognised of making every effort for the protection especially of the remote Colonial portions of the Empire. If the question is allowed to rest after peace is declared, it may be lost sight of until some future trouble again brings the matter into prominence. The present, therefore, is the right time to press the question raised by Mr. Brassey upon public attention. (Hear, hear.) He has alluded to the feeling of colonists towards England. Their affection for the mother-country cannot be quite understood by Englishmen unless they are colonists themselves. (Hear.) The feeling which induces colonists to speak of England as "home," tells of their deep love for and strong attachment to the "old country," which to them possesses an attraction and value that you must be colonists to realise. (Hear, hear.) If sometimes we express ourselves with greater warmth upon questions of policy between the Empire and ourselves than you at home perhaps approve, it must be attributed to the circumstances of our position as colonists

circumstances which have their drawbacks, but which tend to create self-reliance and independence of thought and expressionoccasionally, perhaps, exhibiting an appearance of opposition to Imperial policy; but under all this there exists a strong love and devotion to this country which it would be difficult to destroy. The affection of the colonists for England is as the love of children for their parents, and depend upon it that it is the interest of this country to reciprocate Colonial attachment by kind and considerate treatment. If this course is pursued it will bind the mothercountry and the Colonies together beyond the power of separation; but if the Colonies are neglected, or treated with a chilly indifference to their concerns, a time may come to some of them when they may think that it is no longer for their interests to be connected with this country. (Hear, hear.) I hope Mr. Brassey's valuable suggestions will be acted upon, and, as he is a member of Parliament, his position will enable him to promote the views he has advocated in his able paper this evening. (Hear, hear).

The CHAIRMAN (Lord Alfred Churchill): I move now that the best thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. Brassey for his most interesting and instructive paper. It is really an Imperial question, and not merely a Colonial one, that we have been discussing, and we are deeply indebted to him for the information he has given us. It is too late now to follow him in details, but many points he urged at the commencement, such as the appointment of a Royal Commission of a representative character which should take up the whole question from an Imperial and Colonial point of view simultaneously, are very desirable. (Hear, hear.) The Government, as you know, have got their hands full, and are loth to take up anything fresh or new until a little pressure is brought to bear upon them for the purpose. Therefore a meeting such as we have tonight is one of the methods by which we can bring to bear upon the Government a certain amount of pressure from force of public opinion which I believe in the end will carry the point. (Hear, hear.) A suggestion has been put into my hand which I think is a good one, viz. that a deputation from this Institute to the Colonial Office be appointed. I would ask Mr. Young to bring that question before the Council of his Society, with the view of putting it into some practical shape and form; and with these observations I beg to move that the best thanks of this meeting be given to Mr. Brassey for his able paper. (Loud and prolonged cheers.)

Mr. BRASSEY: My lord, ladies, and gentlemen,-I thank you very much for your kind acknowledgment of the poor services I have rendered in reading the paper you have heard to-night. As your

lordship has said, the practical point is to obtain the appointment of a representative commission. I feel sure that an expression of approval from the Institute under whose auspices we are assembled will greatly assist in bringing the Government to entertain the proposal in a practical sense. And I also venture to hope that, when the reports of our proceedings which the reporters may have been engaged in recording, and doing what is a great service to us when, I say, these reports reach the Colonies-I venture to hope that we may look for some assistance in the work we are anxious to promote both from Colonial newspapers and possibly from public meetings. (Hear, hear.) If we can go to Parliament and to the Government fortified by the assurance that what we ask the Government to do is desired by the Colonies themselves, our hands will be most materially strengthened. (Hear, hear.) And it is as a medium for organising action-mutual and concerted action-between the mother-country and the Colonies, and for the purpose of stirring up public opinion upon Colonial questions, that the Institute which has brought us together this evening is so exceedingly valuable. (Hear, hear.) Whether we should do more than merely attend the Government in deputation just now would be a matter for your consideration. It is quite clear that the Government must just at this moment be absorbed in the conduct of negotiations at Berlin. These are times appropriate for bringing a subject like this forward. (Hear, hear.) But whether a motion in the House of Commons should take place at the close of the present Session or at the beginning of the next Session will be matter for consideration. (Hear, hear.) If a motion in the House is postponed till the commencement of next Session we shall have had, I hope, in the interval, the immense advantage of having elicited from the Colonies an expression of opinion which would go far to convince the House of Commons and the Legislature that the proposal we make is one which deserves their approval. I thank you very much for your expression of satisfaction with my paper; and I beg to state to those who have addressed the meeting that I have heard what they have said with very great attention and advantage. I go away very much instructed by what they have told me. (Applause.)

Mr. FREDERICK YOUNG: It will be my duty as Honorary Secretary to take the earliest opportunity of bringing the suggestion made this evening before the Council-(hear, hear)-of course without pledging myself as to the exact course which the Council will think it their duty to take at this moment. (Hear, hear.) It will become no doubt a question of importance to consider that particular period

at which they should organise such a deputation as suggested to wait on the Government. (Hear, hear.) Therefore it would be unwise of me at this moment to say what action the Council will take with regard to it. All I can pledge myself to is, that, as its importance demands, the subject shall be taken into the earliest consideration of the Council. In bidding you farewell, I wish also to say that this is the last meeting of our present most successful session, and a very important and valuable meeting it is. (Hear, hear.) I am sure we are extremely indebted to Mr. Brassey for his assistance in contributing to our session terminating so successfully. (Hear, hear.)

Mr. DENNISTOUN WOOD, in proposing a vote of thanks to the noble Chairman, said: There is only one circumstance I regret, that is, that the audience has not been so large as the importance of the subject and the merits of the paper read deserved; but I think the scantiness of the audience may be readily accounted for, for although "hearts of oak" have been superseded by ironclads, yet the English mind -on this day-has still an attachment to "the Oaks." Colonists in general, and Australians in particular, are lovers of racing. I am quite sure that if we were unfortunately at war with Russia, and a Russian man-of-war were to select as the day for an attack the day on which the Melbourne Cup is run for, it would find no one at the sea-side to resist it. On any other day than a race-day colonists would be eager to defend themselves, and to hear about the best way of defending themselves.

Mr. HYDE CLARKE seconded the resolution, and it was carried with acclamation.

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86

CONVERSAZIONE.

THE Fifth Annual Conversazione was held at the South Kensington Museum on Thursday, the 27th June.

It was most thoroughly successful, and was fully represented by every Colony of the Empire.

The band of the Grenadier Guards, under the direction of Mr. D. Godfrey, played a well-selected programme of music during the evening.

Tea, coffee, strawberries, ices, and other light refreshments were served in the usual department.

Several gentlemen connected with India and many distinguished foreigners were also present, including His Excellency Li Ta Jin, Chief of the Chinese Educational Mission; Lo Fong Loh, Secretary to the Educational Mission; and members of the suite of His Highness the Maharajah of Jahore.

The following gentlemen kindly lent valuable objects of interest for exhibition during the evening: Thurlow Dowling, Esq., the sword worn by General Wolfe at the siege of Quebec; Rev. W. B. Lawes, of New Guinea, curious ornaments of native manufacture, such as armlets, chiefs' head-dresses, necklaces, women's and girls' ball dresses, &c.; Dr. Bennett, of Sydney, a specimen of the hair of the Angora Goat, from New South Wales; Jacob L. Montefiore, Esq., photographs of the scenery of the Australian colonies; Frederick Young, Esq., specimen of wood carved by Miss Norton; and A. B. Buchanan, Esq., photographs and views of Brisbane. The telephone and microphone were exhibited by the Indiarubber Company of Silvertown, and the Berthon Boat Company showed a model of one of their new collapsible boats; and Mr. E. Thompson, several models of boats for saving life at sea applicable to Colonial service. Photographs and paintings were also lent by the Agents-General for Queensland, South Australia, and Victoria.

The company were received by His Grace the Duke of Manchester, President, and the following Vice-Presidents and Members of the Council: The Right Hon. W. E. Forster, M.P.; Sir Richard Graves MacDonnell, K.C.M.G., C.B.; Sir Henry Barkly, K.C.B., G.C.M.G.; Henry Blaine, Esq.; Sir Charles Clifford; Major-Gen. Sir H. C. B.