But the expenditure for the maintenance of the honour and dignity of the Crown is not confined to the sum included in the civil list. On the marriage of her Majesty in February, 1840, an annuity of 30,000l. was granted to his Royal Highness Prince Albert. Other members of the Royal Family receive also considerable sums, amounting in all to 100,000l. per annum, exclusive of the annuity granted to the King of Belgium, the greatest part of which is repaid to the Exchequer; and if we add the revenues of the Duchy of Cornwall and of the Duchy of Lancaster, producing together other 60,000l. per annum, it will be found that the entire expenditure connected with the Royal Family amounts to little short of 600,000l. per annum, exclusive of such votes as the 40,000l. granted as a marriage portion of the Princess Royal, the maintenance of royal palaces, gardens, &c.

The civil list expenditure of the Queen of England, however, bears a favourable contrast with that of other European Sovereigns. The dotation of the Emperor of France and of his household costs not less than 1,000,000l. The household expenditure of the Emperor of Austria exceeds 650,000l., and the civil list of Spain amounts to 330,000l.

THE

CHAPTER III.

DIPLOMATIC SALARIES.

HE income of our ambassadors and ministers must, to a great extent, be influenced by the character of the court at which they are accredited, and by the position and rank with which they are invested. In all cases it is of the utmost importance that the accredited representative of the British Sovereign in foreign countries should receive ample and liberal emoluments. In direct contact with the Sovereign and ministers of independent States, and called upon to afford assistance and hospitality to British subjects abroad, our ambassadors are required to be liberal if not sumptuous, in their residence and personal expenditure. Still it is impossible not to recognise a somewhat extravagant expenditure under this branch. There are at present not fewer than seven ministers in the German States, involving an annual expenditure of nigh 31,000l. A committee of the House of Commons has suggested that a single mission at some central point in Germany might be substituted for them without detriment to the public service. Nor is there any need of maintaining three missions in Italy. No injury was experienced from the withdrawal of the mission from the Two Sicilies, and it is to be regretted that the same has been

restored. The mission in Tuscany has now been merged in that of Sardinia. One minister for the whole of Italy may be amply sufficient.

Having regard to the increased cost of living in the Continental States, and to the regard so universally paid to etiquette and luxury, it may not be practicable to reduce materially the salaries of our ambassadors. Let us remember, however, that, whilst the American minister in Great Britain receives 3600l., the British minister in the United States receives 5200l.; and whilst the American minister in France receives 3100l., the British minister there receives the enormous salary of 10,000l. We should prefer seeing our diplomatic agents distinguished for their simplicity and frankness of relations rather than by their gorgeous attire or splendid retinue.

The salaries and pensions of the diplomatic service amount to 160,000l. per annum; but this is not the entire expenditure. We have spent in the present year 40,000l. for special missions abroad, including 11,500l. for the mission of the Earl of Elgin to China, 8500l. for three separate commissions appointed for carrying into effect the Treaty of Paris of 1856, and 18,000l. more for the outfit of diplomatic officers on appointment. For example, the outfit of Sir H. L. Bulwer, as her Majesty's Ambassador to the Sublime Porte, amounted to 2700l., and the outfit of Lord Augustus Loftus, as her Majesty's Envoy and Minister to the Emperor of Austria, 2500l. Nearly 40,000l. more are spent for extraordinary disbursements of the embassies and missions, on postage, couriers, interpreters,

fêtes, &c. The diplomatic service consists of two ambassadors, having a salary of 17,000l., and twenty-three ministers having collectively 97,000l.; one Oriental secretary, 500l. ; twenty-three Secretaries of Legation, 12,900l.; twenty-nine paid attachés, 9110l. and eight chargés d'affaires and consuls-general, 5850l.

CHAPTER IV.

CONSULAR SERVICE.

HE consular institution is one of ancient origin.

THE

When the Italian republics first opened their trade with the Eastern empire, and risked their ships amidst barbarous and uncivilized people, they found it necessary to send functionaries invested with an authoritative character to watch the interests of their merchants, and to act judicially in all cases of dispute. From the Mediterranean republics the institution of consuls was extended to other countries throughout Europe; and as early as in 1485 we find that Richard III. appointed Lorenzo Strozzi to be consul of the English merchants at Pisa and in the adjacent countries, with authority to determine all disputes between English subjects therein.

In progress of time, however, before the middle of the seventeenth century, under the influence of civilization and refinement of manners, with the general recognition of national independence and the improvement of municipal law, the ex-territorial jurisdiction, both criminal and civil, of the consul was altogether refused, and foreign subjects in European States were admitted to be within the jurisdiction of the territorial authorities. The medieval institution of consular juris