The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-27

mouth free nom the bar Of sand which obstructs.
The origin Of DunkirK Is very singular. 1t Ia said
that In the seventh century Haint Eoi built chapel
among the sand hills. around which sprung
up o settlement known ss Dun.Kirk, or
"Church OF the Dunesn The place grad
uaiy Increased in importance ana was
repeatedly contested for by the Spanish ana
french. In the reign OF Queen Elizabeth of Eng
land II was rendered famous az the port where the
Flemish division OF the Spanish Armada was equip
pea. This division. by the way, never went 70 sea,
hs commander, the Prince Of Parma, having arrived
at the conclusion that disaster awaited the
expedluon' In 1858, after severe engage.
ment, the English and French took the
place from the Spaniards, and. an umal
the nrst named people retained possession But In
1862, CHARLES ii. being then the throne Of Eng
land and hard up for money, sold Dunkirk TO Louis
XIV, and ever since 1t has formed part OF France
Wars between Great Britain and France In tho
early part OF the eighteenth century were ended by
the peace OF Utrecht In 17l3 One Of the articles OF
this treaty OF peace provided for the
demolition Of Dunkirk and its fertilization.
When the day camc for the performance Of this
piece OF vandalism, French pride revolted from the
deed. But the codblooded Anglo Saxon was mex.
orabe. English commissioners were actually sent
to the place to see that the terms of the treaty were
rigldly carried out. Then II was that Dunkirk was
destroyed, the wretched Inhabitants reduced to
beggary and q blow administered to the pride
OF France which was deeply felt by the
entire nation. But Dunkirk did not long
remain In ruins. In 1740 France became strong
enough to brave the wrath OF England. The port
was restored, the fortidcations rebuilt, and, ike
Phoenix from her ashes Dunkirk once more reared
her head from among the wretched sandhl!s Of that
part Of France. Since then her progress has been
steady. Her quay is always crowded with shipping
ana the town is always alive and busting.
AS regards the concentration OF French troops at
Dunkirk but little need be said. glance at tho
map will show that the distance from this port to
the port OF Emden on the Dolart Is less than 800
miles about 260l, and this fact taken in connec-
ton with the ctatement made a few days ago
OF the appearance OF French cruisers on
Emden makes 1t probable that tho troops at
Dunkirk are destined for this place, which, a.
the reader is doubtless aware forms part OF what
was lately the kingdom Of Hanover. 1t may be,
however that the troops destined for the weser
or Elbe river, or 1t may be, for the Baltic Sea. In
any Dunkirk IS to the German coast than
any other seaport In France, and consequently s the
best point at which force can concentrate, II in-
tended to form part Of q naval expedition.
Niederbr0nn,
the place at which sharp skirmsh Is reported to
have taken place. resulting In the defeat OF the Prus
slams, is a small town OF $500 Inhabitants situated
In valley of the vosge, Mountains. twenty miles
northwest OF Straasburg, on the railroad between
Haguenau and Bitche. The town Is but few miles
from the Bavarian frontier and has some repute for
ITS mineral springs.