The visit of the Prince of Wales to Cornwall brings
into strong relief the almost unique position enjoyed by Mr. Augustus Smith, lately member for Truro. This gentleman is owner for all practical purposes, though nominally only Crown tenant, of the Scilly Isles, and lives on one of them, ruling the whole group, some hundreds of islets, with absolute authority as sole proprietor, magistrate, capitalist, and everything else within the bounds of his little dominion. It must be a pleasant position, particularly in summer, when the islands lie bathed in sunlight, and flowers bloom as they only bloom in the south of England. The winters are of course very severe, yet it is stated that there are old men in the islands who have never quitted them. Mr. Smith is educating them all in schools, but a trip to London would probably open their minds much more than anything they are likely to obtain from books.
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