Prince Ferdinand's Dilemma

Our readers do not need to be told that we have never entertained any exalted regard for "the Coburger." We confesa, however, to have thought he had more worldly wisdom, if not good feeling, than he has seemed to show himself possessed of during the last few days. Prince Ferdinand is stlll at Carlsbad drinking the waters which he refused to the ailing and persecuted "Maker of Bnlgaria." It Is difficult pnough to imagine what his highness means by such conduct. Is It callous insensibility to the tragedy which has been enacted before his eyes, and for which he is morally responsible, or simply that Incompetence to understand what the situation demands which 8eems to dog the path of Bourbon princes? Surely it is not cowardlce? One can hardly imagine a crown aecepting the throne of Bulgaria. But why is the prince not at least going to Stambuloff's funeral? If hls absence does not point to a lack of moral if not physical courage, it is not easy to say what does. Perhaps his head is turned by the reception of the "Bulgarlan deputatlon" at Peterhoff. A pretty scène that is, as the 8emi-offlcial Vienna Press says, "Sta ubuloff murdered, and the Metropolitan Clement posing as the 'representative' of Bulgaria!" Does Prince Ferdinand really think that recent events have glven him a stronger hold on the czar and Prince I,obanoft", and that they mean to "recognize" him? All the slgns go to show that he Is likely to lose his throne flrst. A few years since I,ord Salisbury declared that "in the character of the Bulgarians we look for one of ihe greatest guarantees and securities that the eastern questlon will ultlmately be solved in the manner which best suits the hopes of all who valué human happlness, civilization and progress," and the prlncipality had around her a friendly Great Britain and AustrlaHungary, a well-disposed Germany, a by no means inimical Porte, and a Russia powerless for mischief. At the present moment Austria-Hungary Is (iisgusted, Gerraany indifferent, the Porte, Greece and Servia irritated, Great Britain indignant and Russia dangerous, and to cope with this threatening situation there is now no Stambuloff. If Prince Ferdinand is at ease in contemplatlng the change that has taken place, "how singularly deep this deep young man must be!"