party who actually hold that the colonial constitutions being modelled on the British, the spirit of the British constitution should be followed, even when it does not altogether agree with the letter of their own; and this, although it is obvious that an Upper House on such a broad electoral basis as that of Victoria or South Australia, affords almost as many points of comparison with the House of Commons as with the Lords.  A peculiar instance of this feeling was shown in 1861 in New South Wales, where, the Upper Chamber being nominated by the Government, Sir John Robertson took advantage of the precedent established by Earl Grey’s threat, to swamp the Legislative Council with nominees in order to pass a Land Act.  Another difference besides the mode of appointment lies in the different education and social status of the members, about which I shall have something to say further on.

Happily there has so far rarely been any strain in the relations with the mother country.  It may be true that the colonists are gradually getting less patient when the Queen’s assent is refused to an Act, but the Colonial Office is also becoming more wary in refusing such assent.  This leads on to the general question of the probabilities of a separation.  Certainly there is no sign of any intention deliberately to cut the painter; but by a rash act on the part of the mother country, or if Australia were to suffer severely in a war in which she had no concern, it might suddenly and unexpectedly snap.  Such I believe to be the true state of the case, unalterable either by Imperialistic demonstrations at home, or ultra-Royalistic effusions out here; although in the ordinary run of affairs neither of these are without their use in keeping up a cordial feeling.  Even in semi-communistic Victoria there is at present an unlimited fund of British patriotism, and, superficially, the colonists are more loyal than Englishmen living in the land.  But present it has to be remembered that a majority of the inhabitants are still English born and bred, and that the circumstances of colonial life do not encourage the indulgence of sentiment at the expense of material advantages.  Where the treasure is, there will the heart be also.  When the purely Australian element gets the upper hand, the keeping of the British connection will become merely a question of advantage and opportunity.  In time of peace the advantage is decidedly on the side of the present state of things.  The events of war might reverse the position.

No unimportant tie is the disunion between the colonies themselves.  So far all attempts at Federation, whether proceeding from England or from public feeling in Australia itself, have completely failed.  The subject was actually discussed at a recent Intercolonial Conference, and again last session in the Victorian House of Assembly.  But I very much doubt whether all the talk that is going on upon the subject will overcome the practical difficulties within the present