nous asset in the country's finance, and, what was

more, in the private budgets of many officials as well. It was traditional. It was known. It was staid. It was credible. Every Minister of Interior drew a sal- ary from the San Tomd mine. It was natural. And Pedrito intended to be Minister of the Interior and President of the Council in his brother's government. The Due de Morny had occupied those high posts during the Second French Empire with conspicuous advantage to himself. A table, a chair, a wooden bedstead had been pro- cured for his Excellency, who, after a short siesta, rendered absolutely necessary by the labors and the pomps of his entry into Sulaco, had been getting hold of the administrative machine by making appoint- ments, giving orders, and signing proclamations. Alone with Charles Gould in the audience-room, his Excellency managed with his well-known skill to con- ceal his annoyance and consternation. He had begun at first to talk loftily of confiscation, but the want of all proper feeling and mobility in the Sefior Adminis- trador's features ended by affecting adversely his pow- er of masterful expression. Charles Gould had re- peated: "The government can certainly bring about the destruction of the San Tome" mine if it likes; but without me it can do nothing else." It was an alarm- ing pronouncement, and well calculated to hurt the sensibilities of a politician whose mind is bent upon the spoils of victory. And Charles Gould said also that the destruction of the San Tome" mine would cause the ruin of other undertakings, the withdrawal of Euro-

pean capital, the withholding, most probably, of the