ened to overcome me, and thoughts of retaliation came into my mind, I have asked myself by what means anger might best be mitigated and forbearance be strengthened. The only remedy I could find was to say to myself: 'They are all human like yourself; and, although they cause you pain, they have within them a soul which comes from the bright realms above, whither all of us want some day to return; and through this soul of theirs, they have a part of their Creator with them.' Those who think like that will always be able to judge leniently of their fellow-men. If this thought could find a place in the hearts of the German people in judging their fellows, the first condition of complete unity would have been achieved. But this unity can only be attained in the central person of our Redeemer, in the Man who called us brothers, who lived as an example for all of us, and who was the most personal of personalities. Even now he still goes up and down among the nations and makes his presence felt in the hearts of all of us. Our nation must look to him and be united, and must build firmly upon his words. He himself has said: 'Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.' If it does this it will succeed. . . . Then the German nation will become the block of granite upon which the Lord our God can build up and complete his work of civilizing the world. Then, too, will be fulfilled the words of the poet who said: 'The German spirit will one day prove the world's salvation.'"

We make no apology for this somewhat long quotation, for it is very seldom that a King and Emperor, at a public banquet, has made a speech in which so much of the workings of his mind has been revealed. The need of the appeal to unity is not denied, for toleration is not a characteristic of the German people as a whole; in few countries are there so many differences. "Be united, be true, and be German"; this is the watchword to which the Emperor has frequently appealed. Although all the other nations may not share in his belief, the Emperor holds firmly that Germany has a divine mission. The disintegrating effects of Protestantism are made evident by the remark of one of the papers that national unity cannot be built up on a religious basis, since religious beliefs are purely a matter for the individual. A deep spiritual revolution must take place before the unity of spirit which the Emperor desires can be produced.

The second speech of the Emperor was made at Memel on the occasion of the memorial emblematic of the gradual rise of Prussia after the defeats of the year 1807, which has just been inaugurated in that town. This speech is in the same vein, perhaps it is even more like a sermon than the former. All the progress that has been made is ascribed to Divine Providence. To-day, as in the past, close touch must be kept to the old fountains. The first duty is to raise the eyes to heaven, in the consciousness that all success and all prosperity are wrought by dispensation from on high. Every man should go about his work as beseems an honest Christian and German.

By the death of the Grand Duke of Baden the Empire has lost one of its founders. He was one of the first to express the aspirations for unity of the German people, to recognize the destiny of Prussia and loyally to support her King, braving unpopularity at home, and wisely moderating extreme counsels. A higher distinction perhaps was his refusal of an extension of territory and of the dignity of kingship.

By the death of the Hottentot chief, Morenga, who fell in a conflict with British police in Cape Colony, the last serious obstacle to the pacification of German Southwest Africa has been removed. As this result is due to the police of the Cape, an English colony, the prospects of the détente which is developing ought to be rendered brighter. The German papers are lavish in the compliments which they pay to the officers and soldiers who took part in the action.

Austria-Hungary.

The seemingly interminable negotiations between the Austrian and the Hungarian ministers, for the conclusion of an economic convention which were resumed a few months ago, appeared at length to be reaching a settlement. All of a sudden, however, disagreements arose; Austrian demands could not be made acceptable to the Hungarians, nor the Hungarian to the Austrians. The Conference broke up. There are rumors, however, that one more attempt is to be made to solve the difficulties. There seems to be a greater hatred one for another between Austrians and Hungarians than exists anywhere else.

Russia.

In Russia the elections for the delegates who are to choose the members of the third Duma have been

taking place. The greatest apathy, however, prevails; only a very small percentage of the very limited number to whom a vote is accorded having taken the trouble to go to the polls. The reason for this apathy is not far to seek. Any Duma in the hands of an autocrat is seen to be little better than a sham. It seems likely that the fate of Russia will have to be decided by the two extremists, the absolutists on the one hand and the revolutionists on the other. Which of the two is worse it is hard to say. With the assassinations and outrages of the revolutionists we are only too familiar; the following Reuter telegram gives an account of absolutist methods: "Eight persons were executed this morning at Lodz, without trial, for being implicated in the murder of M. Silberstein. The new governor is empowered to use all means in order to put a stop to outrages by the workmen. Every third man of the eight hun. dred workmen arrested will be exiled for not preventing the murder." The prospect is not encouraging. At present the Tsar is not safe even when at sea; his yacht has been wrecked in an inexplicable manner. The plot, however, which served as an excuse for the dissolution of the second Duma seems more or less of an invention.

The Convention made between Great Britain and Russia has been ratified by the two Powers, and forms by far the most important event of the month. The long-standing rivalry, amounting almost to chronic hostility, which has existed be comes a thing of the past. A settlement is made of all the various questions affecting the interests of the two States in Persia, Afghanistan, and Tibet. As to Persia, while its integrity is guaranteed by both powers, three zones are marked out for commercial purposes: in the northern zone Russia is to be left free to act in support of business interests, the southern zone is in like manner left to Great Britain, while in the zone between there is to be mutual toleration. This seems to involve an abandonment by Russia of her movement in quest of a port on the Persia Gulf, and also the projected railway skirting Afghanistan. As to Afghanistan, Great Britain declares that she has no intention of changing the political position, her influence will be exerted in a peaceful sense, no encouragement will be given to

Afghanistan to attack Russia, nor will Great Britain annex any part of the country or intervene in its internal affairs. On her part, Russia recognizes that Afghanistan is outside her sphere of influence, and agrees to act in all political relations through the intermediary of the British government. As to Tibet, the suzerain rights of China over it are recognized, and through the Chinese government alone will Great Britain and Russia treat with Tibet; the integrity of the country is to be maintained, and neither Great Britain nor Russia are to send representatives to Lhasa. No railway, road, telegraph, or mining rights are to be sought or obtained by either party. All that Great Britain secures is a recognition of her special interest in seeing that the present régime and external relations of Tibet are maintained and that there may be, according to the Convention of September 7, 1904, direct relations between British commercial agents and the Tibetan authorities. Each state seems to have secured sufficient advantages for itself to render the agreement stable. No one can say that, with reference to Tibet, Great Britain has shown herself exacting.

Portugal.

A dictatorship was declared in Portugal a few months ago, and yet the Constitution has not been abrogated. For, strange to say, the Constitution itself contemplates and makes provision for its own temporary abrogation. It seems that in Portugal, owing to the long-continued reign of absolutism, the character of the people has become so deteriorated that all the political parties are expected to become equally corrupt, and as a matter of fact do so. This has become a recognized process. A dictatorship is, therefore, provided for, when the state of things becomes absolutely intolerable, if a fairly honest man can be found to be dictator.

Two or three instances have already occurred. When reforms have been made and hopes can be entertained of an improvement, the Parliament is again summoned, the dictator resigns and the normal state is restored. The present dictatorship is but a repetition of the old procedure. Parliamentary government became impossible, the Chamber was dissolved with no indication when it is to be summoned to meet, reforms are being made. When complete a new Parliament will be called.

A1

THE COLUMBIAN READING UNION.

T Cliff Haven in August the meeting of reading circles was called to order by the Rev. John T. Driscoll. He spoke on the value of such or ganizations, and showed how the reading circle was a part of the great intellectual movement of the day, and was a sort of university extension. He said there were many opportunities to form circles, where study, discussion, and lectures enable the members to broaden their minds. New thoughts, new ideas, and the offsetting of wrong ideas would result. The great Catholic revival, the revising of encyclopædias, and university extension work, show Catholic life in all its phases, and generate a moral atmosphere in the community, besides communicating thought to others.

Reports were presented from the D'Youville Circle, of Ottawa, and the Fenelon Reading Circle, of Brooklyn. Sister M. Camper gave the report of the D'Youville (Grey Nuns) Circle. Miss Rosemary Rogers, president of the Fenelon Reading Circle, of Brooklyn, reported for her Circle for the year 1906-7.

Miss M. Marlow reported for the John Boyle O'Reilly Circle, of Boston. An excellent outline of topics for the year 1905-6 came from the St. Monica Reading Circle, of Cleveland.

Mrs. P. J. Toomey, of St. Louis, spoke for the Queen's Daughters of St. Louis, an organization of women whose work has merited the approbation of the hierarchy.

Hon. J. C. Monaghan spoke of work that could be done by urging the publication of translations in English of works by foreign authors, representing the best Catholic thought.

The reading circle for the working people was discussed by Miss M. E. Early, of Brooklyn. She recommended the organizing of classes for young children from twelve years up.

Rev. Father Reilly, of Bayonne, spoke in favor of forming reading circles. Much success depends on the tact of the leaders. There must be harmony of work. Individuality of expression will come if discussion follows.

Miss Elizabeth L. Rogers proposed a plan of unification of various circles. By interchanging ideas they would be held together by a common bond of interest. The printing of reports and papers of individual members would show the progress in different places. Sister Camper said the unification should be as slight as possible, so as not to interfere with the plans of circles engaged in post graduate studies.

The scope of the Columbian Reading Union was explained by the Rev. Thomas McMillan, C.S.P. Reports from reading circles are always welcomed for publication, chiefly to show the progress of the movement and to encourage beginners. Some very successful organizations never write or