frequently had an opportunity of hearing the views of English officers
and officials on the political situation. All blamed the incapacity of
the Government, which had brought England into so perilous a situation.

"The good old principles of English policy have been abandoned," said a
Colonel, who had been severely wounded and was returning home invalided.
"In former times England made her conquests when the continental Powers
were involved in war, or she carried on war with allies, to enlarge her
possessions. But she has never allowed herself to be so disgracefully
surprised before. Of course we shall beat France and Germany, for it is
a question of sea power. But even when they are beaten, we shall still
have the worst of it; the loss of India is as bad for England's health
and efficiency as the amputation of my left leg for me. I am returning
to England a cripple, and my poor country will only be a cripple after
she has lost India."

"Quite true," said Mr. Kennedy; "I am afraid it will be
difficult--impossible, to recover India. We were able to rob the French,
the Dutch, and the Portuguese of their Indian possessions, since their
only connexion with India was by sea; but the Russians will annex the
peninsula to their Empire and, even in case of a defeat, will be able
to send fresh troops without number overland. I can already see them
attacking Calcutta, Bombay, and Madras, occupying the harbours built
with our money, and building a fleet in our docks with the resources of
India."

"We have no right to blame the continental Powers," continued the
Colonel, "for using our defeats for their own aggrandisement. There
is no Power at whose expense we have not grown great. We took all
our possessions by force of arms from the Spaniards, the Dutch, the
Portuguese, and the French; we have always opposed Russia, since she
began to develop her power. We supported Turkey, we invaded the Crimea
and destroyed Sebastopol, we suffocated her fleet in the Black Sea. But
this time we are out of our reckoning. We have allowed the Japanese to
attack Russia; but if our ministers believed that Japan would fight for
any one but herself, they have made a great mistake. Russia is making us
pay for her losses in the Far East."

"It is not Russia, but Germany, that is our worst enemy," contradicted
Mr. Kennedy. "Russia has only been our enemy since we let Germany grow
so powerful. I remember how our ministers exulted when Prussia was
at