The Sun.
London, England, 1868-05-12 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, MAY 12, 1868,

a grey .t part of it was faulty, retrograde, and infe-
rior. The principle of placing enormous engines
in sm all ships was, he contended, most unscientific,
and t. he consequence was that the ships could not
carry enough coal. The Bellerophon and Her-
cules when at full speed only carried three days
fuel.. Mr. REED'S vessels came in for some severe
criticism. Captain MACKINNON declared that from
the Enterprise and Research, down to the last of
the Chief Constructor's vessels, the public
money had been misappropriated in build-
ing them. " Their unseaworthiness and rolling
propensities were remarkable evidences of want of
skill, and called fer great caution in voting more
moneys for future designs from the same source,
seeing that as yet not one vessel designed by Mr.
REED had proved the type of another which should
follow." Capt. MACKINNON spoke highly of a plan
which has already been favourably received by the
House—the plan of converting the best of our
wooden line-of-battle shipsinto turret-ships, thereby
turning them to good account, and strengthening
our ironclad fleet with comparatively little cost of
time or money. These vessels could be thus con-
verted at an outlay of about £lOO,OOO, whereas
the Repulse, which Mr. REED is converting on his
plan into an ironclad, will cost about a quarter of a
million. The Chief Constructor's dislike to the turret
system is unfortunately so strong that any plan
which includes the turret has no chance of a
favourable reception at the Admiralty. And yet
the course of public opinion is inevitably tending
in that direction, and the repeated failures of other
designs render it more and more desirable to sub-
mit the turret system to a fair and impartial trial.
This it has never had since the Admiralty under the
Duke of SOMERSET took it for granted that Captain
COLES'S plan could only answer for harbour de-
fences, and consequently refused to allow the Royal
Sovereign to test her seaworthiness. Since then
other applications of the system have been made,
but the lurKing prejudice at head-quarters has
invariably made itself felt, and even now
we hear of four ironclad broadside frigates to be
built against one ironclad turret ship. We must
do the present naval administration the justice,
however, to acknowledge that they are about to
build a ship which Mr. CORRY declares to be en-
tirely new to the British navy, so that they are
determined to diverge in some degree from the
beaten track. The vessel, which is to bear the not
very euphonious name of the Glutton, is intended for
coast defence upon the turret principle, which the
Secretary of the Admiralty admits to be for such
a purpose superior to all other. The Glutton is not
to be a cruising ship, though Mr. COREY be-
lieves it would be possible for her to go
to the Mediterranean if required. She is to have
only one turret, so arranged as to fire in
all directions. if the Glutton does not accomplish
all that is expected of her as a cruising vessel,
neither do those costly broadside vessels which have
reason to fear a moderate gale. It is something to
find a spirit of enterprise and invention permitted
to show itself at all in our shipbuiiding depart-
ments. We cannot hope to see the navy all that
it ought to be until the old routine of exclusiveness
and prejudice is broken through, and suggestions
and designs are listened to with attention propor-
tioned to their merits—not to their interests.

It will be no matter of surprise that the Lord
Chancellor has had to withdraw the Bankruptcy
Bills, the state of public business not permitting of
their prosecution. his lordship briefly explained
the reasons which compelled him to take this un-
desirable course, and declared that the considera-
tion of the subject had given him much anxiety on
many accounts. The subject to which these bills
relate is, as the noble and learned lord emphatically
declared, one of " transcendent importance," and
also one on which legislation is much called for.
The clauses in these three bills amount to three
hundred in number, and though no one would
grudge the time or trouble if • there were
any chance of their being passed this session,
it cannot be deemed advisable to proceed
with no chance of a settlement being arrived at.
The Lord Chancellor has of course regarded the
matter as a whole, and he has come to the conclu-
sion that it will be impossible for the House of
Commons to consider these measures this year, and
hence the resolution he last night intimated to their
lordships. 'With great regret, but with the convic-
tion that it was necessary, he was forced to request
their lordships to " assent to the discharge of the
orders for going into committee upon these bills,
the Judgment Debtors Bill, the Bankruptcy Bill,
and the Bankruptcy Act Repeal Bill. This result
is the more to be deplored because these measures
were good in themselves, and much desired by those
best qualified to judge of their efficiency. The Bristol
Chamber of Commerce and the Associated Cham-
bers of Commerce of the United Kingdom sent
petitions in favour of the Bankruptcy Bills, and
although they disapproved of some of the clauses,
that was not surprising, since in a comprehensive
scheme of this sort there must always be a great
deal to say on both sides, and much to pare and
prune down before the task is completed.
Some considerations naturally suggest themselves
to us respecting the episode in the House of Lords
yesterday. We are not yet arrived at the period
when the Massacre of the Innocents occurs, and
whence, we may well ask, has arisen the neces-
sity for the withdrawal of these much-desired
measures ? The answer is brief but significant.
" Mr. GLADSTONE." That gentleman has indeed
much to answer for, but we wish that he and his
friends possessed more conscience and less causistry.
They act on the principle expressed in the line—

" What millions died that Caesar might be great ;"
and hence they argue, what signifies the public
business, of what consequence is it that a good bill
is lost, a useful act of legislation withdrawn, a host
of interests deceived or disappointed ?—the end
sanctifies the means ; let us push on. Such language
will suit the purposes of a faction, but the line of
policy it indicates is contrary to the public interests,
and certainly cannot conduce to the reputation of
those who follow it. The wilful and perverse course
which Mr. GLADSTONE has taken this year with a
resolution worthy of a better cause than that of ob-
structiveness, must entail many sad and serious con-
sequences and the sacrifice of the bills of yesterday
is only the forerunner of many a holocaust to the im-
perious leader of the Opposition in the House of
Commons. What might have proved a Session
productive of useful results to the community will
iu all probability be comparatively a useless one,
wasted in idle talk and empty recrimination ; but
all we can hope for is that when the barren harvest
day arrives the public will be fully alive to the
enemy who has sown the tares among the wheat for
his own end and purposes, and not for the general
good, or he would have adopted a very different
tone, and effected his purpose in another way.

A Speech from the Emperor NAPOLEON is, at all
times, certai❑ to attract attention, and awaken
curiosity, but it must be confessed that his Impe-
rial MAJESTY has contrived to outwit those who
have been eagerly watching his words, in order to
turn them to political account, and suggest grave
complications and stormy news in Europe. The Ex-
PLROR has been at Orleans, and made two speeches,

in either of which we defy the most critical or cap-
tious to discern anything looming in the distance of
a nature to excite apprehension or betoken danger.
Replying to an address of the Mayor of Orleans,
the EMPEROR said that he had accepted his invita-
tion with great pleasure, because he was glad to be
in the midst of a city which devoted itself so con-
sistently to labour and industry, while at the same
time it " religiously retained such glorious remem-
brances and patriotic sentiments." Also, the EMPEROR
declared his desire to see for himself the progress
that bad been effected, and to encourage the exertions
which were being made, [convinced that amid the
" general tranquillity of Europe it might developed
with confidence." The Bishop of ORLEANS made
an effective address, declaring that Paris had
allowed her gates more than once to be forced by
strangers, bat that Orleans had never done so. The
patriotism of religion was duly attended to by his
Eminence, who was most emphatic on the point.
To this the EMPEROR delivered another brief but
eloquent reply ; at the same time carefully abstain-
ing from dropping a word that was questionable in
its interpretation or that admitted of a double-
entendre. The noble words had greatly affected
him. Upon that spot they could dwell with deep
interest upon the effect produced by " religious
faith and true patriotism, and observe how much
they conduced to the safety and grandeur of a coun-
try. The city of (Means beheld one of the most
wonderful facts of history. The river which
flows beneath your walls has been one of the
safeguards of our independence, in the same
manner as it protected, in less distant times the
heroic remnants of the Grand Army. Finally, the
EMPEROR expressed the feelings that animated him-
self and the EMPRESS in coming to share in the fes-
tivities of the city, and that was the elevated idea
of first kneeling within that ancient Basilica ;"
and there, surrounded by the grand remembrances
of the past, to ask from the Almighty " protection
for the future." There is a good deal to impress
one in these remarks ; but, as we said before, not a
sentence can be culled that is at all fiery in its cha-
racter ; but even, while we consider this, we must
bear in mind that at a moment's notice, in the
twinkling of an eye, the scene may be changed, and
the EMPEROR may discover that secondary events
have occurred which altogether alter the aspect of
affairs. " The Empire is peace," so said the oracle
of the Tuileries many years ago, but wars have
actually taken place since then, and many more
have been spoken of as likely to occur. We may at
least conclude that for the present all is safe, and
that the serenity which Europe now enjoys is not
likely to be disturbed. This is well in many re-
spects, more especially just now when so much dis-
tress has been caused by various circumstances of
a depressing nature. A war betwixt France and
Germany at this time would inevitably cause great
distress, and paralyse the energies that are
beginning to revive after long stagnation. So far
then we look upon the results of this Imperial visit
to Orleans with feelings of satisfaction, and trust
that these busybodies, who are generally so eager
to disseminate the seeds of evil with all the
addenda that envy and malice can subjoin, will
now be graciously inclined, and send abroad the
glad tidings of a peaceful prospect. Altogether the
aspect of Europe just now seems promising, and
at this propitious state of the year it may be con-
fidently expected that much progress will be made.
If the French can fully realise the idea that war is
not likely to occur at present a great point will have
been gained, for the material welfare of the coun-
try has been most injuriously affected by the con-
stant rumours of approaching hostilities, and one
thing after another has combined to stir up angry
feelings.

THE WEST INDIA AND PACIFIC MAILS.

PLYMOUTH, May 11.

The Royal Mail steamer Tasmanian, with the
above mails, arrived here this afternoon. She left
ranamalln the 22d ult., Jamaica 24th, and St.
Thomas on the 29th. She brings 130 passengers,
and treasure valued at $577,854 in specie. Among
the passengers are Commodore Sir Leopold M'Clin-
tock, from Jamaica ; Mr. and Mrs. Garrett and Mr.
Tyndall, from Demerara ; Staff-Surgeon Major
Lapsley and family, from Barbadoes. The mails
were forwarded by the 7.20 p.m. train for London.
and the Tasmanian proceeded for Southampton,
She made a fine passage home, accomplishing the
distance from St. Thomas to Plymouth in 11 days
and 20 hours.

In Peru the yellow fever continued to spread.
The burials at Lima amounted to thirty daily and
at Callao to fifty.

The Government were zealously trying to check
the epidemic. Colonel Balta had returned to Callao,
having disarmed Chicklayo. It was considered
certain that Balta would become President, but
who would be the Vice-President remained doubtful.
The last President, Colonel Prado, and the officers
of his administration had been dismissed from the

army.

The Chilian Government had received a very
satisfactory official account of the success of the
Santiago and Valparaiso Railway.
A woman, named Juana Pesten, had just died at
Santiago aged 130.
The Valparaiso market had been very active
during the past fortnight, and considerable trans-
actions in copper, nitrate of soda, and breadstuffs
had taken place. There has been little variation in
the price of copper, but in nitrate of soda quotations
had advanced. Exchange on London, 46 and 46}
to 461 ; on Paris, 480 and 482} for sixty and ninety
days.
The Guatemala Government has published a
decree encouraging foreign immigration on the most
liberal terms.

The port of Amapola, in Honduras, bad been
declared free to foreign merchants for twenty years.
A contract had been approved for establishing a
Swiss and German colony in Honduras.
The Salvador Government has entered into an
extradition treaty with Italy and a treaty of peace
and commerce with Nicaragua.

At Costa Rica the rainy season bad set in.
In Jamaica the sugar crops were being rapidly
harvested. The crop of coffee was not likely to
prove as large as was expected, but the ginger was
plentiful and good, and low in price. Tonnage was
scarce and sought after. The quarantine regula •
tions against Havana, St. Thomas, and St. Domingo
had been withdrawn.

At Trinidad the produce was anticipated to be
equal to last year. Tonnage was not plentiful.

THE NEW LORD BROUGHAIL—In March, 1860,
the Queen issued a fresh patent of a peerage to Lord
Brougham, with remainder to his youngest brother Wil-
liam—a most exceptional favour, granted, the patent de-
clared, as a reward for his eminent public services, and
especially in the cause of education and the suppression of
the slave trade.

THE YORKSHIRE Mooßs.—The reports of the
grouse crop for this season are so far favourable. In con-
sequence of disease several of the moors were not shot
over at all last season. There is, therefore, a fair supply
of old birds, which are remarkably healthy and strong,
and seem quite to have outgrown disease. The mild
winter and summer-like spring have contributed much to
the restoration of the moor game, and there is every
prospect that a continuously fine season will favour the
young broods. In the enclosed land partridges are good
and strong.

CORRESPONDENCE FROM PARIS,

/FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)
PARIS, MONDAY, May 11.

The sphinx has spoken, but the riddle is not read.
CEdipus himself would find it impossible to extract any
precise meaning from the Emperor's speech at Orleans.
His Majesty said he was persuaded that "in the midst of
the general tranquillity of Europe, labour and industry
would develope themselves with confidence." Now this
is either a truism or an untruth. If the Emperor means
that when Europe is tranquil industry thrives, be
tells us what everyone knew before. If he means to
assert that Europe is tranquil now, and that industry
thrives now, he says the reverse of what everyone knows
to be the fact. In fact, there is nothing to be got out of
this speech. Taking it in connection with the article on
the " Budget of War," which appeared first in the Consti-
tutionnel , and has since been republished in the Etendard
and the Patrie, with the statement that it emanated.from
a very high source (the Imperial Cabinet), and has also
been republished in the Illuniteur, I am compelled to take
a gloomy view of our prospects. Ido not mean that there
is immediate danger of war, but that the present enor-
mous military expenditure is to he maintained—a state of
things which, except the loss of life, is far worse than
war.

The official accounts of the visit to Orleans state that
their Majesties left Paris yesterday morning at 10.30.
They were at the magnificent ball for the relief of the
wounded in battle, a most gorgeous entertainment, until
1.30 a.m. Breakfast was served to them in the train, and
the Empress, who on entering the train wore a grey dress,
descended at Orleans in a bright orange red dress. On
their arrival at Orleans they went at once to the
Cathedral, where they were received by the bishop,
the famous Mgr. Dupanloup, who made a historical
speech with a minimum of religious allusion. The Impe-
rial party took their places during the service on sofas
arranged behind two prie-dieu. At the close of the cere-
mony the Bishop held a short conversation with the
Emperor, in which, it was noticed, the Empress did not
join. Their Majesties then went to the agricultural exhi-
bition, and, having looked at the beasts and talked with
the mayor and other officials, distributed the prizes. Some
young girls dressed in white presented the Empress with
a basket of flowers, expressing their regret that the per-
fume of them would not last as long as the memory of her
Majesty's virtues. At four o'clock the Imperial visitors
returned to the station, and having been in the city just
three hours, and given about 100,000 of their subjects an
opportunity of seeing them, returned to Paris, which they
reached at 6 p.m.

Nearly all the journals to-day comment on, and most of
them attack, the article in the Constitutionnel above men-
tioned. The Liberej, by rendering still more plain the
disastrous effects of the Imperial policy, publishes a few
statistics, from which it appears that the occupation of
Rome from 1852 to 186 G cost France £1,600,000 ;
the expedition to Syria in 1860-61, £160,000 ; the
expedition to China and Cochin China, £BOO,OOO ;
and the expedition to Mexico more than £B,ooo,ooo—alto-
gether eleven millions sterling, without reckoning the
matCriel taken from the arsenals, which had to be re-
lacA. Says the Liberee, "If this French money had
only been spent on French soil !"
There is a scheme on foot for paying off the Mexican
bondholders. It is proposed to pay them 340 f. per bond—
the price at which the bonds were issued—in fifty years.
A certain number of bonds are to be drawn for by lot
every year, and, to compensate for the loss of interest,
prizes will be given to those who draw the first lots, or
who are the largest holders. In fact, the affair will be con-
verted into a lottery.

I mentioned in a former letter that the Russian Ambas-
sador at Turin would not pay his respects to Prince Napo•
leon during the recent marriage festivities. It is now
openly stated that the Russian representatives at every
Court have received instructions to hold no communica-
tion with the Prince on account of his speech in behalf of
Poland. _ . . . _

—.-..-.
A Cherbourg paper states that it is intended to increase
the number of marine infantry, which are now insufficient.
Not a very pacific symptom this.
The Tailors' Co-operative Association have just opener
their new buildings, which they have built with their own
money at a cost of £52,000. The event was celebrated by
a grand dinner, at which there were 300 guests, the
democratic party being largely represented.
The most famous prison in France is the Sainte Paagie.
At the coup d'itat it received 576 political prisoners, of
whom thirty-four were representatives of the people.
Nearly all the Liberal Paris papers have had their editors
or conductors in its cells at one time or another, and I
have before me a list of twenty-two Paris and provincial
journals which have helped to swell the ranks of this
Political martyrology.
The Government has just bought a " Virgin," by Mem-
ling, for the Louvre. It gave only DlM—quite a bargain
in these days ~f extravagant prices.

The Faris correspondent of the Times says that the
article in the Coastitutionne/ on the War Budget was com-
municated to that journal from the Emperor's Cabinet.
This is lii.ely enough, seeing that the semi-official journals
announced its appearance beforehand. The rum and sub-
stance of it is, that France is bound to keep up a large
army in order to be able to maintain the position which is
her due.

The following analysis of the recent vote on the unity
address in the Zollverein Parliament is given by the
Berlin correspondent of the Times. Thirty-four members
were absent. The Poles, eleven in number, though present,
left the House before the division, on the ground that they
have nothing to do with a purely German question. Of
the eighty-six Southerners, thirty were ranged on the
Liberal side. The Prussian, Bavarian, and Wiirtemberg
Ministers, who are members, voted with the Conservative
majority. As is known, the address was defeated by 186
to 150 votes. The debate and its result has produced a
deep impression on both sides the Mein. Ever since the
result of the division was announced by the President a
notion has been gaining ground among the Conservatives
that a victory obtained at the price of owning to anti-
unity principles may eventually prove to come under
the Pyrrhus definition of success. As to the Liberals,
they are not a little annoyed at their defeat. While
admitting that even a triumph, if attended with the
secession of the Southerners, would have .had its draw-
backs, they are shocked by the Government and its
unconditional adherents avowing their real views respect-
ing the immedi ate future of Germany. There were many
among them unwilling to credit the evidence furnished by
events for some considerable time, who now cannot but be
convinced.. The praise bestowed by the French papers
on " the prudent reserve of the Customs Parliament "
does not, of course, contribute to allay the animosity pro-
daced.

The Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar is now at St. Peters-
burg. He is the Czar's first cousin, and it is rumoured
that he has been endeavouring to obtain the Czar's sup-
port for the little German States against Prussia, but in
vain, inasmuch as Alexander has very wisely determined
to have nothing to do with matters which concern Ger-
many alone.
The Moscow clergy are looking forward to the arrival
of their new Metropolitan with anything but satisfaction.
Philaret was a very old man. Innocent is in the full
vigour of manhood, is very energetic, and will, the clergy
fear, give them a somewhat rough arousing from their long
apathy. He is the first Metropolitan taken from the ranks
of the secular clergy. Many persons look upon him as the
coming regenerator of the Russian Church.

The Chinese Minister for Foreign Affairs has informed
the Russian Government that the export duty on tea will
be reduced by one-half. It does not appear if other
European nations are to share in this reduction. If so,
there should be shortly good news for British tea-drinkers.

Some particulars are given of the death of Count
Crivelli, the diplomatist who had been sent to Rome
by Baron von Beust in order to smooth down
the difficulties which had arisen in consequence of the
suspension of the concordat with Austria. The Count had
gone out riding in the Campagna, and as he di3 not
return, his wife and daughters, full of anxiety; drove
out to look for him. In the midst of their tears and
lamentations they suddenly came upon his dead body in a
ditch. He seems to have fallen from his horse, and died
immediately of aneurism. He was an eccentric man, of
whom many strange stories are told. On one occasion he
dressed himself up for a masked ball at St. Peters-
burg, in the character of Charles I. of England, carrying
his head under his arm. This shocked the Imperial
courtiers, and the Austrian Ambassador refused to intro-
duce him. It is stated that no successor to the Count will
be appointed.

HOTELS WITH " TAPS."—At Bolton a person
named Cooper has been summoned under the following
circumstances. He is the occupier of a " tap," an adjunct
to the Lever's Arms Hotel, sub-let to him by the pro-
prietor of that establishment, Mr. Alfred Bird. The de-
feridant pays a rent to Mr. Bird, and sells beer tanl spirits
under Mr. Bird's license. This the inland revenue authori-
ties contend is illegal, as it is a distinct tenancy and a sepa-
rate establishment. On the otherhand it wash eld thatevoper,
the tenant of the "tap," was Mr. Bird's servant. The rani*.
trates decided that there was a distinct tenancy, and, as
two specific cases of selling beer and *pith* bad been
proved, they fined bins MO for the tiret and StXt to the
second, but mitigated the penalties to caolotirea, The
magistrates, ho &over, espreitsed N AYI4 ttkat 111Witc.hiikiwk
might be :rimed by ono of tlko tsopvita ZI6IIIU.
Cork, of the SOW], dotes; was at (7 04'WA04 44A 44 "e:i41,41.1.0.

LITERATURE.

BOOKS OF TRAVELS.

Among the many pleasant books of travels now
collected on our literary table is a very delightful
excursion through Spain by the delightful authoress
of " Barbara's History." Through Spain to the
Sahara, by Matilda Betham Edwards (Hurst and
Blackett). Starting from Tours, one golden
autumn afternoon, we first take a peep at the
miniature colony of Mettray, " a sweet, peace-
ful, little spot lying in the very heart of
the wine country," approached by " a dusky
winding road, all a-twitter with the twi-
light songs of birds." The " calonie," as it is
happily termed, is neither more nor less than a
huge reformatory composed of farms and factories
carried on " by such waifs and strays of society as
its humane founders have been able to snatch from
destruction." About eight hundred boys, some of
them not more than six or seven years of age, are
here at work in farm •house or workshop, all orderly
and all occupied, and all apparently contented.
‘Ve are inclined to linger over the details of
this interesting spot. The fair authoress regards
the boys with the kindly eye of a philanthropist,
and remarks upon the distinct type of face, intel-
lectual and moral, distinguishing these offspring of
crime and vagabondage. Great is the astonish-
ment of the railway official at Biarritz when tickets
to Burgos are demanded by two English ladies
without escort, but these tickets once obtained
the adventurous travellers are delighted
with their experiences of Spanish travelling,
and lady readers will rejoice in Miss Edwards'
recommendation to all travellers to take as much
luggage as they can! The reasons for so doing
being the results of experience may safely be relied
on by her fair countrywomen. Oa the 10th of
November the travellers cross the Pyrenees " all
glowing with the purple and gold of autumn, and
ea ter Spain. What a change It was like coming
suddenly from the tropics to the Steppes." The
fair visitors are nevertheless delighted with Spain
and the Spanish people, as these very graphic de-
scriptions of the excursion hear witness. In travel-
ling through La Mancha Miss Edwards quite
agrees with the advice of the guide, who tells
the traveller to take no tourist book but Don
Quixote. Every description is exact, all is
true save the monomania.—Perhaps we should
hardly class with books of travel I% ine
Years on the North-West Frontier of India,
from 1854 to 1863, by Lieutenant-General Sir
Sydney Cotton, K.C.B. (Richard Bentley), a
very valuable and interesting work, which contains
not only the author's experiences during a very
momentous period, but also much judicious advice
respecting the administration of Indian affairs, the
result of many years of practical study, by a
very judicious observer. The author claims
to himself, and with reason, " the privi-
lege of being considered au experienced officer
in Indian military affairs, and experienced almost
beyond all precedent as to length of active service
in all the Presidencies, extending over a period
(off and on) of fifty-three years." Having served
in the Madras Presidency, in Burmah, in Bombay,
in Scinde, and in Bengal. The great result of the
gallant author's experience of India and Indian armies
is the conviction, again and again reiterated
throughout the whole work, that the chief want of
the Indian army is the means of rapid transit.
"Every European and native soldier in India
should have the means of iustaut action, and not
only that, but they should be seen by the people
continually (when the season admits of it) in active
movement throughout the country." By the
facilitation of the movements of the troops
the army of India might be considerably reduced
in; numbers, while, at the same time, its influence,
efficiency, and power would be greatly augmented.
Such is the opinion of this old Indian officer.—
Last Winter in Algeria, by Mrs. H. Lloyd Evans
(Chapman and Hall), gives a very lively and gra-
phic picture of Algiers and Algerians. I'he half-
French, half.moorish character of the place is very
vividly described in the opening pages. The
" Place du Government " does not look like a place
in France, "a group of palms and a white domed
mosque oricutalizo it," while at the table of the Pa-
risian café " the gaily-clad Moor sits next to the
sombrely-clothed Emperor, while little half-naked
Arab gamins fly absut them, selling matches."
"Along the chief streets, French in their architec-
ture, Arab in their names, Bab- azauu and
Babsel-Owed, the flowing burnous of the Arab
brushes against the short skirts of the Parisian lady,
or the gold-laced uniform of the smart young C sat-
seur d'Afrique." In making purchases, or " shop-
ping," in Algiers, the authoress strongly advises
her fair countrywomen to be accompanied by a
gentleman. However deferential the Eastern sales-
man may be, his opinion of his lady customers is,
it would seem, anything but complimentary !
Retrospects and Prospects of Indian Policy, by
Major Evans Bell (Trubner and Co.), contains, as
the writer admits, much matter of controversy, but
it is written in the belief that " the high mission of
Great Britain in the East can never be fulfilled by
an uninstructed nation and an officially instructed
Government." Among other many records of
Abyssinian experience one of the best is Abyssinia
and its People; or, Life in the Land of Prester John,
edited by John Camden Hotten (Hotten). This
little work, which is illustrated with maps and
numerous coloured engravings of a very grotesque
and singular character, will prove both instructive
and interesting.

The Gordian Knot. By Shirley Brooks. One Vol.
Bradbury, Evans, and Co.

_ •
As the first volume of a charming new series of
popular works—entitled The Handy Volume Series
—we have here a most acceptable reissue of "'The
Gordian Knot," by Shirley Brooks. The work is
one of the most sparkling ever penned by that de-
lightful fictionist. And yet it is one that
hitherto has never, as we conceive, been
properly appreciated. Reappearing now under a
guise which is so attractive, we cannot but
anticipate for it the success it has all along
so eminently well deserved. Shirley Brooks,
though so many years before the reading public,
as a blithe contributor to the light literature of
the time, but especially as one of the chief contri-
butors to Punch (instance among his achievements
there, the immortal "Naggletons") is still in
the heyday and bloom of his reputation. His
serial story of " Sooner or Later" wo had occasion
to notice not long since, at the time of
its completion, as the last, ani in many re-
spects the most remarkable, of his performances
as an imaginative writer. His "Silver Cord" and
other books—unnecessary here for us to enumerate
seriatim—were already familiar to us, and are honour-
ably borne in remembrance as the productions of
an author who throughout the whole of his career
seems to us to have never created for himself a
single enemy—his onward path (strewn with
flowers of his growing and plucking and scat-
tering around with an open hand), being cheered
at every turn and stage by the accordant
voices of " troops of friends." Regarding him, as
we do, in this light, it appears to us to have been
by the happiest selection that the Messrs. Bradbury
and Evans have chosen a book of Mr. Shirley
Brooks—and of all his books, " The Gordian Knot,"
as the one that has until now had the least chance
given to it—as the work with which to inaugurate one
of the prettiest and most promising series of volumes
they have ever yet commenced. In its general
character the Handy Volume Series bears more of a
resemblance to the " get up" and average appear-
ance, size, type, limpness, and portability of the
hitherto incomparable Tauchnitz Editions of English
Authors, known, and thumbed and prized, and read,
and re-read all over the European Continent. A
success and a popularity like that so long enjoyed
by the Tauchnitz Edition, he Hla►ndy Volume Series
gives good promise of securing to itself. And this
fair promise we feel assured it will realise, if only
its projectors display the same sagacity and discre-
tion iu their selection of the works to be included
in it, which they have certainly evidenced here at its
very commencement.

Tho newspapers are teeming with references to econo-
my in tea by co-operation. Hornistan and Co. have for 30
years co-operated through Agents to supply tea on more
advantageous terms than by the.ordinttry channel; their tea
reaches the consumer in die seine pure state as it leaves the
grower, as it is secured in packets.

HER MAJESTY.

WINDSOR CASTLE, May 11.
The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louise,
walked and drove in the grounds this morning.
Prince Legpold also went out.
His Grace the Archbishop of Canterbury has left
the Castle for London.
The Prince of Wales drove out yesterday after-
noon.
The Princess of Wales drove out, attended by
the Hon. Mrs. Stonor.

LATEST INTELL LGENCE.

(REUTERS TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA.

NEW YORK, May 11.
The Inman steamers City of New York and City
of Antwerp arrived out to-day.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

Gold, 139* ; sterling exchange on London, 110;
5-20 United States Bonds, 1882, 109 k ; do., 1885,
1071 ; 10-40 Bonds, lo3il ; Illinois, 146 ; Eric,
681 ; Cotton, middling Upland, 31 ; Petroleum,
standard white, 30f ; Flour, extra state, $lO 10c. ;
Corn, old mixed, $1 18 c.

(Arrival of the Austrian, via Greencastle.)
NEW YORK, May 2.

Mr. Evarts, in concluding his speech for the de-
fence, declared it to be abhorrent to justice for the
Senate to be the judges of President Johnson upon
issues between themselves and him. Mr. Johnson,
if convicted, would go forth as a martyr. Thiz issue
to be tried was one between the omnipotence of
Congress and the supremacy of the Constitution.

Attorney-General Stanbery, who closed the de-
fence, argued that the Tenure-of-Office Law was
inapplicable to Mr. Stanton, and if applicable, nn
succeeding President could remove Mr. Stan-
ton. The President would violate the Con-
stitution and his oath of office by execut-
ing a law he believed to be unwise and
unconstitutional. Even admitting the validity and
the applicability of the Tenure-of-Office Law a
mistaken construction of the law could not form a
high crime and misdemeanour. The Managers had
utterly failed in proving the charges of malicious
intent and conspiracy. Mr. Johnson had been
greatly provoked and his confidence abused, and
was more sinned against than sinning. He should
not be immolated by partizan feeling in the Senate
Chamber, where he alone from the outh had de-
nounced the rebellion.

The Senate tabled Mr. Sumner's resolution to
censure Mr. Nelson.

Further returns confirm the election of Mr. Bul-
lock, Radical, as Governor of Georgia. The result
of the elections for the Legislature are doubtful.

General Meade has ordered an investigation of
the election of Mr. Buchanan, and has issued a cir-
cular warning the planters that negro labourers dis-
charged for political reasons will not be entitled to
wages throughout the term of their contracts.
The Canadian House of Commons have unani-
mously elected AIL Ryan to succeed Mr. M‘Gee.

QUEENSTOWN, May 12.

The Inman Royal mail steamer, City of Balti-
more, from New York, arrived here at 9.40 a.m. to-
day, with 11,83,803 in specie. She landed the mails
and passengers, and proceeded immediately for
Liverpool. All well.

AUSTRIA.

VIENNA, May 11, Evening.

The committee on the budget adopted to-day the
following resolutions :-Ist, The creditors of the
State as well as the rate-paying community must
be taxed in order to cover the deficit ; 2d, the
question of taxing the coupons of the public debt,
as well as the question of the unification of the
debt itself, must be immediately and finally settled•

May 12.
The directors of the National Bank have issued
a notice of the business to be discussed at the
general meeting of shareholders to-day. Ths
consists of the directors' report upon the state
of the negotiations with the Finance MI"
mister as to the claims for compensation
by the State made byithe directors of the bank ;
the report of the committee upon these claimS ;
the alteration of the statutes of the bank ; and
change proposed in the agreement between the
State and the bank, entered into in 1863. The
propositions already known, put forward by the
committee of bank shareholders, will also be placed
before the meeting.