On the great war of 1870-71 Mr. Baxter had little
but rejoic-
ings almost amounting to exultatiou to express. The French defeat was a result of French frivolity and laxity of character ; the German victory was the legitimate result of German unity and patriotism. England has been saved by the German arms from her only danger, and should noWrest, and be thankful that France is crippled and a French invasion no longer to be feared. Mr. Bexter was against all increase of expenditure on our defences, against any interference in other persons' concerns, in favour of keeping to ourselves, and giving offence to nobody,—(except, we suppose, crippled countries like France, on whose weaknesses and vices Ministerial subordinates are clearly at liberty to comment with some licence). Finally, he deprecated all talk of republican experiments, and was very loyal to the Queen, though so frigid to the nation. Mr. Baxter took his leading idea from the Prime Minister's Whitby speech, which he blended with a happy carica- ture of Mr. Bruce's least fortunate effort of last year. Ile will at least give both Mr. Gladstone and Mr. Bruce the comfort of thinking that Mr. Baxter profoundly admires their weakest points. And as mothers are always most grateful to those who pick out for special notice the invalid or the cripple among their children, if he had but specially eulogized Mr. Lowe's management of his Budget, he might have been the darling of the Administration.
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