The Regulation does not actually detail these latter qualities, but gives it to be understood that they are indispensable. It, however, emphasizes the necessity of "facility of expression" as an attribute of the aspirant to the Consular and Diplomatic Service, at the same time, without requiring him to be an orator. He must be capable of "getting out of a difficulty decently, without making himself ridiculous."

It would be advisable, the Regulation points out, that youths who possess the desired qualifications should be employed by the Government in subordinate positions connected with the Consulates and Legations, before they receive higher appointments or become Heads. As Secretaries or supernumeraries, they would have an opportunity of becoming familiar with the language and customs of the people among whom they were placed. All the necessary expenses for this arrangement should naturally be borne by the State.

"It must also be remembered," this practical Regulation continues, "that those who fulfil the required conditions are losers from the point of view of any financial advantages, since for some time their remuneration will not equal that which might have been gained by entering commerce or professional work. At the same time, youths who dedicate themselves to this career must have sufficient patriotism and ambition to figure in the posts of honour. No time must be lost in the task of training up Consuls, and as the perfection of human work has resulted in the evolution of specialists, so the Government must not too seriously consider the question of economy, but must allow these young men to be sent to other countries, and to remain in the same post long enough to specialize in their profession."

According to the new laws affecting the appointment of Consuls, the regulations call for a division into two distinct ranks—consuls-general and consuls de carrière (irregular); and consuls ad honorem (honorary). The first-named are appointed to: Hamburg (Germany), Antwerp (Belgium), Barcelona (Spain), San Francisco (U.S.A.), Mexico City (Mexico), Paris (France), London (Great Britain), Genoa (Italy), Guatemala City (Guatemala), Tegucigalpa (Honduras), Managua (Nicaragua), San José (Costa Rica). The annual remuneration is £720 for the Consuls-general, and £480 for the Consuls.

The honorary consuls are at Panamá City, Panamá; New York City, U.S.A.; Liverpool, England; Bordeaux, France; Berlin, Germany; and New Orleans, U.S.A.

The first-named officials must be Salvadoreans and citizens of the Republic; while the second may be of any nationality. These latter may deduct from the fees collected by them such amounts as may be necessary to cover office expenses, and the remuneration allowed them under Article 186 of the organic law of the consular service.

The Government of Salvador considers that "those States which maintain permanent Legations should keep themselves regularly informed of all the antecedents and course of the questions that are to be discussed. They should have a perfect knowledge of the circumstances that may contribute to a solution favourable to their interests; their diplomatic Ministers should have had an opportunity of quietly studying the weaknesses of those persons with whom they have to negotiate. The State that does not maintain permanent representatives will experience difficulties of all kinds in the most insignificant negotiation. If its Government conducts affairs by means of a Foreign Office, by the post or telegraph, it will be exposed to evasive replies and delays, which will be to the advantage of the other State; and if a Special Mission is sent, whatever may be the personal capacity of its chief, he will be in unknown territory, and will lose precious time whilst he is studying men and things sufficiently to master the situation, and to be able to deduce from it the necessary material to bring to a successful issue the negotiations entrusted to him."

These are all very sensible and apt observations, which I respectfully bring to the attention of Sir Edward Grey, our present Foreign Secretary, and the many "Official Barnacles" who surround him and advise him in regard to the appointments to the Consular Service.

The last British Consular Report from Salvador is dated "June 30, 1893," and relates to what took place during the previous year, namely, "1892." It is from the pen of Mr. C. S. Campbell, then Consul-General, and is addressed to the Foreign Minister of that day, the Earl of Rosebery. It is apparent from this document, which consists of exactly six pages, that Great Britain stood second on the list of Imports, and third on the list of Exports, the figures being as follows:

Imports.Exports.
Country.1891.1892.1891.1892.
££££
United States122,047104,587247,632397,055
England121,523121,210100,974110,043
Germany46,74437,018212,276108,618
France74,44458,819163,079131,586
Italy12,5049,51492,28255,128
Spain3,9053,7725,2973,126
Sundry60,21443,557146,544136,692
Total441,381378,477968,084942,248