Last Lecture by Mr. Bryce.

The Rt. Hon. James Bryce, M.P., delivered the fifth and last of the Godkin lectures on "The Study of Popular Governments" last evening in Sanders Theatre.

Mr. Bryce, in referring to the governments of the British colonies, took as an example Australia, as its political problems are not complicated. Australia most nearly approaches a typical democracy but its political influences have run in different channels from those of the United States. There has never been slavery in Australia and, until recently, a local government had never been developed.

The United States broke away from Great Britain before a cabinet government had been developed there. Australia, on being given by Great Britain the rights of local control, adopted the cabinet system, of which the salient features are: a good representative system, a good civil government, honest elections, and good maintenance of executive order.

The popular governments examined in the previous lectures show many variations in type between the ancient and modern republics. Many phenomena belong to the United States which do not appear in other governments. The city governments in this country are acknowledged to be some distance short of perfection. Those of the English cities, on the other hand, and of most of the cities of the rest of Europe work perfectly easily.

The causes of these variations are due to economic conditions, constitutional vices, and to the habits and traditions of the people. Traditions of free governments are slow to form and quick to perish, which renders it all the more necessary to make and maintain such traditions, essential as they are. A party on coming into power ought to have a definite doctrine and should strive for the ultimate welfare of the country. There has been a decline in the qualities of the legislatures in all governments during the last forty years. This, to some extent, has been due to the great increase in wealth.

To get good legislatures the financial interests of the country should be kept apart from the government as much as possible. The spirit of the citizen should be raised and he should be taught to have courage and to say what he thinks without fear of contradiction. Every citizen of the United States should keep constantly before him the splendid vision of his country, as no other young country has ever had such opportunities as are found here.

Mr. Bryce will sail for England next Wednesday.