New-York tribune., 1908-04-29
Literary Vete,s and Criffci.r,,,

ne wrote TO the moderator OF the General As
sefnply, rs the distribution of the Church
patronage Of the Crown in Scotland I an, re-
soiNeu ABSOLUTELY to reDounce this patronage as
source OF political influence NV wish is to
give to each vacant parish an Evangelical min
is'er whose preaching may be suited to his hear
oFs' whose life and conversation shall be pure
ana whose demeanor may edify his neigh
oors' and win them to the paths of piety and
peace" And about a month later he wrote. II
am anxious that the objections of the people
shouio be freely stated and fully considered and
thaf the judgment should rest with the eccle-
siastical authorities. But the admission of
popular election In the choice OF ministers ap-
pears TO me dangerous and derogatory to the
dignity and independence of the sacred calling"
unfortunately, Graham had to deal with stiff
hecked and unamenable Scots who felt that
they were fighting for principle and the firm
adherence Of both parties to what they con-
sidered the line of duty brought about the
rupture from which the Esta blshed Church has
scarcely recovered after the lapse Of sIxty-fve
years.
IN ireland. Graham's government was the gov
erhrnent Of a subject country by foreigners.
Ihls alien government was as benevolent ard
as efficient as good faith and ability, at dis
tance, could make it All through the dreadful
famine years Of 1915 and 1S46 he worked in
II there was a complete failure TO win their con-
hdence or conciliate their affections it was due
rather to the system and long traditions Of
enrnlty than to shortcomings the part Of the
hnghsh Home Secretary. Perhaps the greatest
service rendered to England by Sir James Gra-
nam was his remodelling OF the Admiralty De
partment during his first tenure Of Cabinet Of
fee, in 1890 ga reform which made the Ad-
miralty the model government department and
which paved the way for q complete change in
government finance and bookkeeping. When
Graham became First Lord OF the Admiralty, in
1880 he found that the departments submitted
no balance sheets or statements of account to
Parliament and that the annual votes granting
appropriations for the navy spent with
out regard to the particular purpose for which
they were voted. At his instance act
passed requiring the Admiralty to present an
annual account Of audited naval expenditure;
and for over thirty years-until the reform Of
the departments. in 1S66-the Admiralty re-
mained the only branch Of the government ser
vice conducted a business basis
Sir Charles Stuart Parker who has edited
these volumes. had already made this period of
English politics his own when he published the
life Of Sir Robert Peel No man living is better
equipped 50 far as concerns an intimate knowl-
edge OF all the moves in the game OF politics
during the reign Of William " and the first
half Of that Of Queen Victoria. Perhaps his
knowledge is too complete and extensive TO
make him an ideal writer or editor for the gen.
eral public. He takes for granted that his
readers are almost as well versed in English
affairs himself and especially he takes for
granted that reader Of the Graham letters
has failed to become acquainted with the lives
OF English statesmen Of the nineteenth century
which have previously been published For q
complete understanding of the book. without
further calculation than IS given by Sir Charles
Stuart Parker q reading Of al least the lives Of
Peel. Russell Palmerston Durham and Glad
stone, besides an excellent knowledge Of general /
history, is necessary. But to those who have
such a preparation the present work Will be a /
most welcome addition TO their sources of /
knowledge, and 10 their understanding Of the !
intricate moves in the game OF politics in which /
the chief players were Grey. Russell, Palmers- /
ton. Peel, Derby and Melbourne.