The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1870-02-02
FOREIGN ITEMS.

Rev Newman Hail. Of London, declines the de-
gree Of Doctor Of Divinity conferred upon him by
Amherst College. He says every one knows him
as plain Newman Hall, whereas there are an in
definite number Of Dr. Halls both in England and
America, among whom he would completely lose
his identity,
The French Canadian Missionary Society is accom-
piShing good reSultamOn the Roman Catholics in
the Province Of Quebec, and is the most efficient
and hopeful agency for their enlightenment and
conversion.
Seldom are FIVE great names in English literature
united in expressing interest in purely political
movement. The circumstance happens in cOnnec-
ton with a workingmen S meeting to promote the
closer union Of England and her colonies. RuSkln
and Froude will make speeches. while Carlyle
Mill and Tennyson have already sent letters OF
sympathy.
statistical-The newly-published list of Catholic
priests in England and Scotland shows an increase
of 81 since this time last year, the respective rum
bers being go at the end OF 1868, l,727 at the
present time In the number OF churches and
ehapels there Is an increase OF 25 being 1854 this
year against .329 twelve months ago. The COM
munitieS Of men are 60 against 81 last year. being
an increase Of two; and the converts for women
number 233 against 2S2 at the end of 1868, being
an increase OF one. The ordination to the priest
hood have been during the last twelve months SO
against % uuIluN tue pIGNlUuS year. CCOtttot
american Journal 2Oh Uh
Fiji Islands-Eaghsh settlers are arriving at the
Fiji Islands 10 large numbers from Australia and
New Zealand to engage IN the raising of Sea Island
cotton, which is said 70 yield from the highly pro
duetiye soils of the islands, fabulous returns.
The population of the islands has increased In three
years from 400 to 1880. A petition has been
extensively signed by the Islanders requesting the
United States Government to assume the prOtec-
tOrate over the entire group, consisting OF l54
islands, sixty FIVE Of which are inhabited. The
petition has been forwarded to Washington
Great Britain had previously refused to add FIJI
TO her colonial possessions. There are about fifty
American residents on the islands
The Pastor of the American Chapel at Paris,
writing to the CoagregatoaaiiSt,. says that l05
members have been received. Ot that number
forty-seven were PreSbyterianS, thirty four Con,
gregatiOnaistS five Reformed Dutch, five EplscO
palianS, one Methodist, two German Reformed
and nine Baptists.
An Isthmus Ship Canal-Adyiecs from Panama
state that a new survey for ship canal across the
Sthmus of DaTien has Just been completed. The
line is outside the limits of the territory over
which the Pansma railroad company holds right.
The cost is estimated at $40 600 600, and the time
required for the completion of the work from three
to i've years
The proposition for the exclusion of the House OF
Bourbon from the Spanish throne has been before
the Constituent COrteS on Monday for hnal action,
and was the occasion of an exciting debate Gen.
Prim participated, and made personal statement
In the course OF his remarks ne Declared that tue
proposition was unjust to exclude all the BOur-
bous He desired to explain that his words were
not designed particularly 70 favor the Duke OF
MontpenSier He would 90 with the majority,
whoever might be chosen. The proposal was re-
jeoted BY a large majority. Yeas, 49, nays l5l.
Ecumenioal COuncil.-At two of the sessions
mOnitOry circulars were distributed enlOlnlng on
the members absolute secrecy and brevlty of dis
course. A petition against the excuses Of lay
men who edit religious Journals has been drawn
up and numerously Sigued by the fathers. The
Augsburg Gazette Of Saturday prints the protest
Of Cardinal Rauscher against Papal Intalhblity,
which is shortly to be presented to the Pope
The Exposition Of Roman Arts will be opened on
February 9TH The Pope still suffers much from
a cold but he preSldeS over the sessions OF the
Ecumenical Council every day. Ii Is SAID that
the Council will suspend, and possibly close alto
gether, about Easter on account Of the lnSau-
brity Of Rome.
Everywhere the Jews are an effective people in
financial affairs: in Western Europe they are
real power In literary aud political life, especially
IN the liberaEstic movements and In journals
To the latter respect their actual power Is hardly
suspected but they are the leaders Of the progress
Sive or democratic iournaism OF the Ieutoole
States. jewish pens are now leading public opin
ION in Russia and Austria. The long and iutOlera-
BE expressions Of the race in Europe have pre-
pared them for this leadership in the ranks Of po-
htcal reform, Of democratic liberty, and eccesias-
tcal federation.
There is an association a. Paris which Is occupied
in collecting documents relative to the history OF
French Professionalism. This work deserves the
sympathy of our co-relcionsts, not only IN France
but In England, in the United States, etc. for the
annals of the old Hugueuots are full Of heroic
deeds. and are adapted TO Undue the young people
of the nineteenth century with principles OF piety
manhness. and generosity The Romanists them
selves may fud IN that history noble examples and
Sautary lessons