There is a very vague appreciation on the part of merchants, as well as the general public, of the precise position and functions of a consul. One merchant will write a-ling many questions of a general commercial nature; another will outline a proposed trading speculation and request a reply as to the probability of its success ; another will ask if the consul will guarantee the honesty of Mr. So and So, a local resident ; another will desire the consul to push, or to take a share in, or to provide capital for a commercial specula tion. But a consul is not, as such, a trade protection society, nor a financial agent, nor a commission agent in hardware or fancy goods. Nor is he a guide and interpreter for every Englishman who may happen to be in his locality, nor an official whose duty it is to cash cheques for strangers merely because they call themselves English. When, however, he is also engaged in certain classes of business, such as that of a banker, ;here is no doubt that his position as consul works '.cry advantageously with his business. It is difficult to state with precision what exactly arc the position and functions of a consul. In the interests of the country he represents, it is better for him to have an extended than a limited idea of them. Whateve,k tends to the general commercial advantage of his country may be taken as lying within his province. When he ist engaged in trade he is an unsalaried official; consuls with salaries are net allowed to trade. But some of the most im portant of our consuls abroad are traders, and without salary ; the position being itself an honour. In most Mohammedan and Oriental countries the consuls possess, in addition to their usual consular pow ers, a judicial juris diction in' matters in which British subjects are concerned, and also a diplomatic or quasi-diplomatic character. This branch of the consular service is a very popular and important one, it being entered by a young man, after examination, as a "student interpreter." In foreign countries generally, consuls have a special authority to celebrate marriages by virtue of the Foreign Marriages Act [see FOREIGN MARRIAGES], and they have also power to administer oaths and to act as notaries public. Any affidavit or declaration purporting to have been sworn or declared before a consular agent will be accepted in any court of the United Kingdom, in the same manner as would a similar document vouched by a lawful authority at home. The consular service is divided into several grades, from that of consul-general downwards, and it has a table of precedency and rank relative to that of the naval and military services. A pro-consul is an official subordinate to a consul, and having no independent authority, nor any security of office. The
precedency of the service is as follows : Agents and Consul s-G eneral, Corn- t rank with, f .
missioners and Consuls-General f but after, Ma or-Generals, Rear-Admirals. Consuls-General . PI Brigadiers, Commodot es.
Colonels, 0 Captains R.N., of three years' Consuls . SP standing but before all other captains R.N. Majors, Vice-Consuls . ft Lieutenants R.N., of eight years' standing.
Captains in the army, Consular Agents . Lieutenants R.N., of less than eight years' standing.
A consul, in order to effectively perform his duties, should be acquainted with the laws and practices relating to the trade of Great Britain with foreign countries ; and also with the language, laws, and the conditions and state of the trade of the country in which he resides. While using every fair means to protect and promote British trade, he must do his best to prevent British subjects from carrying on an illicit trade in violation of the laws and revenues of Great Britain, as well as those of the foreign country with which he is concerned. Notice of such illicit trading should be given to his own govern ment. He must also advise and assist his Majesty's trading subjects, promote goodwill among them, and conciliate as much as possible the subjects of the two countries in all differences which may come under his cognisance. On him lies the duty of upholding the personal and property rights of British subjects, and when redress for grievances cannot be obtained from the lot al authorities the case should be placed in the hands of the British minister at the court of the country •in which he resides. He is required to furnish to the home government, tlt the end of every year,/a return of the trade carried on at the different pots within his consulate, and his reports should contain remarks and information upon the local trade and state of the markets. These reports arc of exceptional value to the. British merchant, giving as they do every information possible about the trade of the different foreign countries. In particular they Oention the goods for which there is a probable market, and they also give full accounts of the possible development of those countries' natural, mineral, and com mercial resources. To distressed British seamen, or other British subjects thrown upon the coast, or reaching any place within his consulate, the British consul is required to afford relief, and, if possible, to find means for their return to England. Whether salaried or unsalaried, a consul is entitled to charge fees in respect of many of the duties of his office, thee fees being fre quently referred to under the name of consulage. And sce APPENDIX.