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own particular instance in their demand for free trade in shipping. Had a higher standard of education, scientific training and professional requirements proper, been established when the momentous and eventful change came on, and maintained thereafter in the front rank during the march and ordinary progress of events in all matters relating to the rapid changes of the last half century, 1s it to be suggested that the seafaring Britisher would have been unable to rise superior to such requirements, or that he, in fact, is less brainy than the seaman of other nations? British shipowners, or the more modern ship manager, have no right whatever to complain on this head, when they know quite well, without being reminded, that the cause of it 1s entirely of their own.making with studied intention. At all events the class created for their requirements are quite good enough to all intents and purposes, considering what share of the crumbs of the loaves and fishes fall to their lot for the life they lead and live, and patiently endure. The only cause for astonishment is, considering the downright shabby treatment they are mostly subject to, that the men are half as good as they are. Small wonder, then, that the British shipmaster does not compare favourably with those of the German nation. That enterprising and pushful race in the present time evolution of their country from agriculturism to commercialism are making a bold bid for a fair share of the world's carrying trade, perhaps the most pronounced form of their modern commercial life, and a direct response to the Kaiser's notable utterance that "Germany's future lies upon the water,' notwithstanding the immediate retort of Herr , representing the agricultural interest, that "Germany's future lies upon a midden"! With the Emperor and all the country at his back, figuratively patting and applauding him in every possible way, the Teuton would be a very poor, degenerate, spiritless being indeed if he did not feel himself to be a man of some importance in his country's affairs, and carry himself accordingly! The incident of the breakdown of the Cunard Pavonia and the Hamburg-American Bulgaria, in the early days of 1899, are quite fresh in the memory of those who live on the sea, and the following remarks in Notes on Current Events, from the April number of the Nautical Magazine, illustrates aptly our statement:
