Are

The German Imperial estimates show German Colonies that Kiao-Chao cost this year Worth £425,000, an item which is marked Paying for? 66 as non-recurrent." German colonial expenditure shows a very significant tendency to increase. Last year her colonies received Imperial subventions which did not exceed much more than £250,000. This year the subventions amount to £750,000. As the total amount of goods exported to the German colonies only comes to £750,000 a year, the colonial business can hardly be regarded as satisfactory at present. East Africa costs about £300,000, and South-West Africa £350,000. The whole question of Imperial commercial finance is a subject to which it would be well if Mr. Leonard Courtney would devote his leisure. Last month he published a careful study of the affairs of the Congo from this point of view, but he could hardly be better employed than investigating how far Imperial expansion is worth while from the point of view of pounds, shillings and pence. There is certainly great need for the clarification of the public mind on that subject, for at present the wildest nonsense is talked by many who ought to know better.

He had been positively amazed when he heard, as he had heard during the past year, appeals to the Government and Parliament to lend the credit of the country and to scatter the money of our taxpayers in vast and speculative undertakings in foreign countries with effete Governments and tottering institutions at the very moment when India, so rich in her capability, so undeveloped in many of her resources, as well as incomparably more imperious in her claims, is clamouring for more capital.

The fact is that we are on the eve of a great reaction, which, it is to be hoped, will have the salutary effect of making us pay more attention to the development of the undeveloped estates which are already under our flag, instead of flinging money and gold away in the attempt to fructify regions which are altogether beyond our control.

NEW AMERICAN QUEEN OF INDIA. First Pictures and Authentic Description of the Gowns which the Beautiful Lady Curzon will Wear.

this chronicle, Lady Curzon has According to spent £7,500 upon her Indian trousseau, and this, it is added, does not include the jewels, which are fabulously beautiful, or the old lace :

Father Leiter, of Chicago and Washington, has opened his purse. He must share in the robing of his daughterqueen. Mother Leiter has sent dozens of new garments for baby Curzon the most remarkable slips of sheer muslin covered with point lace. These American baby clothes have so appealed to the Viceroy's wife that she is having others made in London on the same pattern.

The United States Senate begins the consideration of the Nicaragua Canal Bill.

22.

23.

24.

China.

The American Minister at Pekin protests against French extension at Shanghai. Finance Committee of the French Senate agrees to the loan of 200,000 frs. for Tonking. M. Szilagyi, ex-President of the Hungarian Chamber, explains to his constituents the reasons for his retirement from the Liberal Party.

Prince George of Greece visits the Mosque at
Canea.

Cape Parliament prorogued till March 3rd.
A split takes place in the Hungarian Catholic
Peoples' Party.

The French Chamber by a unanimous vote decides that M. Dupuy's speech in the Chamber on liberty of conscience and security of person in conformity with the principles of 1798 be placarded throughout France.

Lord Charles Beresford arrives at Hong-Kong from Fu-chau.

The session of the French Chamber closes. The American Peace Commissioners land at New York and proceed at once to Washington, where they are received by the President at the White House.

A bronze statue of Adam Mitikevitch, Polish poet and patriot, unveiled at Warsaw. Penny Postage introduced throughout the British Empire, with the exceptions of Australasia and Cape Colony.

M. Dupuy is interrogated by the President of the Court of Cassation.

Prince George of Greece lays the foundationstone of the new Christian schools adjoining Canea Cathedral.

The Ameer of Afghanistan complains to the Indian Government of the raid of Waziris into Afghan territory.

Total eclipse of the moon.

The secret dossier is communicated to the Court of Cassation.

A duel takes place in Paris between M. Max Régis and M. Picard.

M. DELCASSÉ.

French Foreign Minister.)

EVENTS OF THE MONTH.

Dec. 1. The Emperor of Germany makes a State entry into Berlin.

The French Senate discusses a Bill to extend the law of December, 1897, to CourtMartials.

2. The fiftieth anniversary of the accession of the Emperor Francis Joseph is celebrated throughout Austria-Hungary.

Parliament prorogued to February 7th, 1899.
Second reading in the Cape Parliament of the
Navy Contribution Bill."

Wreck of the Clan Drummond steamer; 36 of
the crew drowned.

3. The Queen, accompanied by the Sirdar, visits Netley Hospital.

The Japanese Diet opens at Tokyo.

5. The Smithfield Cattle Club's Centenary Show opens.

16.

17.

American Congress meets at Washington; 18.
President McKinley's Message read to both
Houses.

6. A service of thanksgiving for the liberation of
Crete was held at St. Peter's Church, Great
Windmill Street. A banquet in celebration
of the event took place at the Criterion
Restaurant, Lord Coleridge presiding.
The German Reichstag opens: Speech from the
Throne by the Emperor William.

The Mahomedan subjects of Candia address a
petition to Queen Victoria.

Mr. Gage, American Secretary to the Treasury,
issues his report: he advocates currency
and banking reform.

7. The Cape Colony Redistribution Bill passes
both Houses.

Lord Kitchener leaves London en route for
Egypt.

Mr. Long, President of the Board of Agricul-
ture, decides to maintain the Muzzling Order
in the London area.

M. Cambon, new French Ambassador, arrives
in London.

Dr. Szilagyi, President of the Hungarian
Chamber, resigns; the whole House moves
that he be asked to retain his post.

19.

20.

21.

8. The Court of Cassation in Paris asks for all the documents in Colonel Picquart's case before 22. it decides on his application to it. The Filipino Congress passes a measure for complete religious freedom in the Philippines.

The National Liberal Federation opens its annual Conference at Birmingham. President McKinley signs the order for establishing the United States tariff in Cuba. Five regiments of United States regular infantry ordered for service in the Philippines. The Spanish Peace Commissioners leave Paris for Madrid.

British, American, German and Japanese merchants send a protest to their Ministers in Pekin against any extension of the French area of exclusive control in Shanghai. The Members of the American Peace Commission leave Southampton for New York. Peace Sunday; Inauguration of the Peace Crusade in support of the Tsar's Rescript at St. James's Hall.

The Anglo-American Commission in Washington adjourns till January 5th.

In France the Dreyfus case brought before the Chamber, by an interpellation of M. Lasies. Prince George of Greece leaves Athens for Crete.

Mr. Justice Hawkins resigns his position as Judge of the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court.

Sir T. Fowell Buxton resigns the Governorship of South Australia.

Discussion in the United States Senate on the Nicaragua Canal Bill.

Mr. P. Spencer safely crosses the Channel to France in a balloon.

Prince George of Greece arrives in Crete as High Commissioner, escorted by the flagships of the four Powers.

The French Government asks the Chamber for a Supplementary Vote of 12,200,000 frs. for Colonial expenses.

United States Congress adjourns till January 4th.

Close of the Anti-Anarchist Conference in Rome.

General Brooke, United States Military Governor of Cuba, arrives at Havana.

28. Three duels take place in Buda-Pesth.

The Indian National Congress opens at
Mardas.

the

17. Pie ident McKinley, at Savannah, on future of the Philippines, and the duty of the United States to give them a better Government than did Spain.

18. Mr. Stead, at St. James's Hall, on the Tsar's Peace Rescript.

13. The Bishop of London, at Liverpool, on Real Education being self-acquired.

Lord Selborne, on the Policy of the Government. 20. Mr. Gerald Balfour, at Keighley, Yorkshire, on the Imperial spirit and Local Government in Ireland.

Lord Londonderry, at Darlington, on the

Government.

21. Mr. Bryce, at Leicester, on Trade.

Mr. Balfour, at Edinburgh, on the Foreign
Office.

23. M. Dupuy, in the French Chamber, condemns
the Anti-Semitic Movement as contrary to
the principles of equality according to the law
on which the French Republic is founded.
23. Lord Elgin, at Calcutta, on the value of the
co-operation of the Native States in the
Government of India.

Mr. A. M. Bose, at Madras, on necessary
Indian Reforms.

31. Lord Curzon, at Bombay, on the proposed Imperial University for India.

Lord Elgin, at Calcutta, on the loyalty of the
Mahomedans of India.

new

BERLIN, Feb. 6(Associated Press).esti- The German Government categorically P. Conal denied today the charges made in the with French press that Germany was secretly was developing a large air fleet, constituting withIvate a threat to France's security.

It was stated that only 406 persons enate in all Germany possessed pilot's licenses,

came

The Government declares that the 14 officers of the Allied Control CommisGerman In the sion assigned to watch the after aerial developments are satisfied that Germany is living up to the Versailles treaty provisions in this respect.

e. The

2. Sir Edward Grey, at Blackburn, on Foreign Affairs.

Lord Reay, at the Mansion House, on Commercial and General Education.

Lord Curzon, at Leadenhall Street, on India.

Dr. William Munk, M.D., F.S.A., 73.

21.

Professor A. A. Kanthack, F.R.C.S., 35.

Very Rev. Canon Brosnau, P.P., of Cahirciveen, Ireland.

Other Deaths Announced.

Mrs. Haweis; Alderman Rogers: Alderman Gilman, J.P.; Major-General C. V. Bowie; Mr. G. W. Medley; Major McLeod: Taïeb Bey; Mr. G. W. Goyder, C.M.G. Mr. P. Meadows Taylor; Professor Hjalar Dillner; Mr. T Hayter Lewis, F.S.A; Rev. E. J. Randolph ; Dr. C. E. FitzGerald; Professor P. Hinschius; Mr. Thomas Simpson; Mr. Calvin S. Brice Mr. John Barrow, F.R.S.; M. Charles Read: Rev. D. John B. Dyne, D.D.; Rev. G. Frost, LL.D.; Mr. George Hurst; Mr. John E. Chandler, F.R.G.S.; M. F. de Corcelli; Senator Morrill; Mr. Collet Dobson Collet; Herr Christian Dieden; Mr. Charles J. Rodgers.

[By an unfortunate error we published the name of Sir George Taubman-Goldie in our Obituary List last month. We are happy to be able to inform our readers that Sir George is in excellent health.]

ΤΗ

to commemorate

I.

THE "Pyramid of Skulls,” which I publish as frontispiece to this Character Sketch, is a reproduction of one of the most famous pictures in the Moscow Gallery. It is dedicated to all the great conquerors that have been, that are, and that will be. It is the Apotheosis of the Glory of War. It is the grim pyramid which remains "the first and last of fields, Kingmaking Victory." In Western Europe there is sufficient veneer of civilisation and humanity to render it impossible for even a Napoleon to commemorate his triumphs by rearing a pyramid of the skulls of his slaughtered enemies. But in Central Asia, where the human animal is not ashamed to give full vent to his natural savagery, the custom of commemorating victories by piling up skulls of the slain is one of the most ancient and familiar practices of great conquerors. Even within comparatively recent times a pyramid of skulls erected near Nisch, in Southern Servia, survived as a relic of Turkish barbarism, an unmistakable finger-post of Ottoman conquest. But with the exception of the pyramid at Nisch, Europe has hitherto preferred to commemorate her victories in less realistic fashion. In the place of pyramids of skulls we have the Arc de Triomphe, but both are expressions of the same sentiment; and if the skulls of all the slain in the battles whose names are inscribed in the Arc de l'Etoile were collected in one vast heap, they would dwarf even the pyramids which were reared to commemorate the devastating conquests of Tamerlane.

There is, it must be admitted, a certain charm about the Asiatic method of demonstrating a victory by a monument of skulls that appeals to the simple instincts of the barbarian, which are never far beneath the surface of any of us. Even to-day in Morocco the practice of sending the decapitated heads of rebels is in full force, and it is but a short step from consigning baskets of gory heads to the erection of a monument of skulls. These monuments, which were common enough in Central Asia, have, however, disappeared before the advance of the Russian conqueror. Verestchagin maintains that this monument is no mere figment of his own fancy, as it represents an actual monument for the original of which you have not far to seek in the borderland of Tartardom. It is forty years since a celebrated German savant of the name of Schlagentweit, who at that time was travelling in the service of the British Government, added his skull to such a pyramid as this in Kashgaria. Schlagentweit carried a letter of recommendation to the Khan of Ferghana, and, on his way to Khokand, passed through the territory of the Khan of Jedyshar in Kashgaria. Schlagentweit explained. who he was, where he was going to, and stated that he was carrying a letter of recommendation to the Khan of Ferghana. "Give me the letter," said the Khan of Jedyshar. "The letter is not for you," said Schlagentweit; "I can only deliver it to the Khan to whom it is addressed." "Off with his head!" said the Khan of Jedyshar, quite in the fashion of the ogres and giants of the nursery tales, and off went Schlagentweit's head, added as a contribution to a pyramid of skulls which it

was the pride and pleasure of the Khan of Jedyshar to build up as one of the monuments of his reign.

Whether historically accurate or not, there is no doubt that Vassili Verestchagin has produced a very remarkable picture, one upon which the eye rests with a certain melancholy satisfaction which is natural to man when he feels that he has arrived at the ultimate and bottom fact of things. There is in these grey skulls, all wind-worn and sabre-slashed, on which the raven perches, looking eagerly for some stray shred of human flesh not yet shrivelled in the sun or gnawed by vermin, the last word of the great drama, the opening scenes of which are bright with all the pomp and circumstance of war. After many succeeding acts of the deepest tragedy it culminates in this silent pyramid on the frame of which the artist has inscribed his ironical dedication : "To all Conquerors, past, present, and to come!"

II.

Vassili Verestchagin, the artist who painted the "Pyramid of Skulls," is the most famous of all painters of the realities of war. He is a Russian by birth, by education, by habit of thought and by keenness of sympathy with the sufferings of humanity. He is a Russian also in the terrible fidelity with which he expresses the tragedy of things. There is a greatness and a simplicity in his paintings which appeal to every one. We may shudder at them, but they speak, they arrest us; if we try to turn from them, they strike us full in the face and compel our attention. It is said of Dante that he wrote the " Inferno" because he had himself been in hell. It is literally true of Verestchagin that he paints war because he has himself been a warrior. He is a soldier-artist, a man who became a soldier for the sake of his art, and who uses his art in order to teach the world the truth about soldiering. It is a great work enough, and never did any artist arrive more opportunely at the right moment to interpret the prevalent feeling in the popular mind than Vassili Verestchagin. But when

in this month of January he came to London to exhibit his pictures at the Grafton Gallery, it was not the first time that he had been in London. He is a man who travelled far before he began to paint, and who since he painted has had a wide experience of many lands in which he has exhibited his pictures. The exhibition which has now just opened in the Grafton Gallery is the latest series of his paintings. When he was here before in 1886, he exhibited the marvellous series of Scriptural pictures which excited so much discussion and provoked such an uproar in the Catholic circles of Vienna. That collection was taken to America and sold in New York. The new series which are now on exhibition in London are a pictorial interpretation by the Russian artist of the human side of the retreat from Moscow. In the whole blood-stained tragedy of war there is no more terrible chapter than that which describes the retreat of the Grand Army. In those few terrible months during which the once victorious legions of Napoleon stumbled through the snow from Moscow to the Russian frontier, marking their road with an almost continuous line of heaps of dead, occurred the greatest catastrophe in war that has ever appalled the imagination of mankind.