The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1884-03-16


Tho grotesque ignorance OF English speak
| Ing communities that is exhibited by most
| French writer's is a matter Of daily observa-
ton. and We are too apt to overlook the fact
that there have been and are now some notable
exceptions to the rule. No EnGlshman OF tho
first half Of the eighteenth century appre-
ciated the merits OF his own scheme OF
government more thoroughly than did Monies
auieu. A long time will probably eapse before
Americans can afford to neglect De Tocque-
vie's examination OF the workings OF our
Federal Constitution as they disclosed them
selves during the first quarter century Of our
national existence. Guizots exact comprehen-
sion OF the modern British polity was admir-
ingIy recognized by contemporary English
statesmen. and his study OF the constitu-
tioIal problems involved In tho COLI
sion between Charles /. and the Long
Parliament has been mado text book
in English schools. In our own day.
the articles on English politics contributed to
q Paris newspaper by Mr.. John Lemoins
evince q range and precision OF knowledge
which Mr.. Bagehot himself must have viewed
with respect. Quite recently. too. another Paris
journal. lie Temps. has published n series Of
papers on the British political constitution.
and some phases OF professional and public
life in England. that have excited much at
tention. OWN. to the unusual accuracy OF tho
writer's reports and the shrewdness OF his
comments. We know. indeed. OF no book In
English which would convey. to American
readers. so much information OF q desirable
kind rs is offered in these papers which have
been republished in volume called La Vie
Pubique en- An9etere. by PHILIPPE DARYL
Paris. j. Hetzel & Coz.
Among the specially interesting subjects
which are discussed by Mr.. Daryl in the light
OF his ten years residence In England may be
mentioned the law courts. the army and navy.
tho municipal government OF London. and tho
police. most OF which are nstructvely compared
with their French analogucs. His remarks on
political institutions bear witness to careful
and. on tho whole. Surprisingly correct analy-
sis. alike Of tho structural and the functional
parts of the British Constitution. Here and
there We have noted a historical error and.
more rarely. serious misconcepton. such
as tho avermont that the principle Of con-
stitutional monarchy has a weaker hold on
the affections OF the British people than the
House of Lords. Now and then we find trivial
slips like mistakes with reference to tho legal
status and designations OF those members Of the
arstocracy who do not sit in the House OF Peers.
In his account. for instance Of the titles be-
slowed by courtesy on the children OF peers.
he has made some blunders. especially In ref
eronco to the eldest sons of cars. Evon In lit
erary matters. where he would be least expected
to go astray. he is guilty OF some oversghts.
For example he describes the Westminster Re-
rie'n rs monthly periodical. and as an organ
OF the Tories
So infreQuent. however. are these shortcom-
lngs. and 80 completely are they outweiehed by
tho positive merits of the authors descriptions
and Determinations. that We regard Mr.. Daryl's
hook 10 mi IL Inv nf frnn ulaf inp
count OF the substantial matter as we'll US tho
attractive form. At some other time we may
compare with recent English discussions OF the
Same theme his just and keen differentiation
OF the vital forces from tho merely dec
orative Rduncts Of the British Constitu-
ton and his forecast OF tho results likely
TO flow from the extension OF the franchise
from the impending revolution In land tenures.
and from the marked centralzing tendencies
Of legislation. But for the present we shall
merely mark what he hns to say ON topic
about which he was naturally curious. and
about which quito indefinite ideas are current on
this side OF thu Atlantic. Being himself jour.
nalist by profession. he scanned with peculiar
interest tho social status Of journalism in Eng
land and 1t Is his acute and trustworthy OBJ
servations on this head (which only In a few In
stances require correction) that We shall lay
before the reader.
The elaborate organization OF a great Lon
don newspaper is studiously examined In every
part. but 1t Is onsy to SEE that Mr.. DARYL. who is
himself what we should call an editorial writcr,
IL specially concerned to learn how men fol-
lowing his own vocation are remunerated Pc
cuniarily and socially in England. He ap-
proaches. however. this particular branch OF
inquiry by some judicious comments on the
so-called leading article. four or five examples
OF which are. II Is well known. printed daily
in each OF the chief London newspapers. Mr..
Daryl tells the readers OF lie Temps that Tho
leading article discusses foreign politics The
overlooks. singuIarly enough. homo politicsl
industrial or artistic events. the catastrophe
or sensation OF the hour. such judicial proceed
ings rs have excited public attention. the latest
books this Is commonly done In roview
proper. very seldom in n leadsrl the opera the
opening or closing OF the hunting season. the
rowing contests or athletic sports OF the univer-
stiles. the races At Epsom-in o word every SUBJ
jsct that on one ground or another. 10 likely to
30 talked about In drawing rooms or clubs. II
10 distinct branch Of literature that sug.