The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1866-08-14 00:00:00

NOTES OF THE WEEK.

I. THE DEMAND of tho Emperor
Napoleon for the extension of the boundaries
of France in compensation for the aggran-
disement of Prussia was fully anticipated,
and we have wondered it was not made
before; though, perhaps, the Emperor has
acted discreetly in letting Prussia fully
develop her intentions in the preliminaries of
with Austria, before he committed
peace with
to any claims. Until she had done
so, the contingency could scarcely be said to
have actually arisen to which Napoleon
pointed in his June declaration, when he said
that "France could only think of an exten-
sion of her frontiers in the event of the map
of Europe being altered to the benefit of a
great Power ;" and even now the French
Emperor does not appear exorbitant. His
demand is not for the left bank of the Rhine,
only for the frontier of 1814, fixed by the
Treaties of Vienna in favour of Louis XVIII,
before the return of the great Napoleon from
Elba, and his enthusiastic reception by his
former subjects, caused a further punitive
restriction of the boundaries of France.
Nobody, but the Germans, will particularly
begrudge the Emperor his acquisition of the
few fortified towns and adjacent territory
which he claims= a security against the new
German Power: the great question is
whether this is a pre-arranged matter with
Count Bismarkt or whether Prussia is likely
seriously to resist the " revendication," and
war to ensue. This question is held to be of
far higher importance than what may be done
by Italy, who seems to have been behaving
lately like a spoilt child, and to think that
she ought to be well compensated for being
beaten • but as she has now withdrawn her
troops from the Tyrol in view of an armistice,
it is thought she may be contented with the
acquisition of Venetia, without preferring
impracticable claims.

11.—Tus cuoxsaA coarrsexs to make
progress. The populations of London,
Liverpool, Southampton, and other places
are now experiencing the dire effects of the
foe whose advent was predicted many months
ago. Every day brings with it fresh cases,
sad indeed to relate, but sadder still to
witness. The anticipations formed, and the
numerous warnings given, are now of
,little
avail. The enemy being in our midst, it has
become too late for premonitions, and all we
have to do is to stand shoulder to shoulder,
and drive him, if possible, from the field.
London is crying out loudly for help- and
although, thanks to a benevolent and charit-
able public, subscriptions are fast Sowing in,
urgent need exists for something more than
money, for clothes, for brandy, for blankets
and lints, and for personal assistance like
special constables on occasions of riot, and
special surgeons in time of war; there is
required a number of individuals who, not
afraid to face the danger before them, will
undertake the duty of nurses at the various
hospitals. "The Bethnal Green Workhouse
has been so crowded with inmates, that one
night last week, between 00 and 100 were
compelled to sleep in the corridors." do says
one report. But, besides the assistance of
the kind we intimate there is a vast deal
required in the way of persons—skirmishers--
in seek out the whereabouts of the enemy,
and -event, if possible, his approach. Local
_n do, and are doing, very much; but
these ven •oul d be supplemented by duly-
%—volunteer health brigades
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:dre,:lecemovitenofife the iarnAies-
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the other day
!othethe deputation that waited up him, 'it
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is a case of humanity,'. and de '
energy and benevolence we Lse 'wall.
Y afford. If* neighbour's house were to lie
dm we should each and all do our utrnoetB‘to