The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1871-10-18
FOREIGN ITEMS.

What the Archbishop of York and the Bishop of
Winchester have done with so much stir in Eng
land is done by Churehmen in some of the colonies,
without producing much excitement. The Sydney
correspondent of the London Times mentions the
fact that the Presbyterian, Episcopal, and Yves
leyan ministers in a certain town exchange pulpits
regularly once month, and that this is done by
the knowledge and sanction of the Bishop Of
Bathurst.
The General Assembly of the Evangelical Church
es of Spain convened in Serbia April 18th, to
treat of union among the various Christian congre
cations already existing in Spain. The number of
congregations represented in the Assembly was
thirteen. The basis of the union was approved
and the union agreed to. A meeting was appoint
ed for November 18th, to complete the negotia-
tons for union.
The French Language Displaced. Whatever may
be the truth about the growing hostility of the
Gear of Russia to Prussia, on his recent return
from Germany, he issued Ukdse, requiring that
the German language should be used in all the
public and private schools in Poland in preference
to the French.
The Italian Government has determined that no
Professor of the University of Rome will be per-
mitted to continue the exercise of his functions
without taking the oath Of allegiance to Italy
The oath has been rendered upon this basis, but
twenty professors have refused to take it.
The Grand Scheme of plan for bringing England
within five days journey to India, has been pro-
posed in letter to the Prime Minister. 1t pro-
poses to make use of existing lines of railway and
of the Mont Gents Tunnel to Trieste, and thence
to construct a railroad through Austria, euro
pean and Asiatic Turkey, Persia, and Beloochistan
to Kurrachee, and EDWARDS to Bombay. The total
distance from London to Kurrachee would be ),
81 miles by rail, and % miles 1.-THE Straits of
n, y - - - H..
and half an hour by water and forty miles an
hour by land, the journey from end to end would
be accomplished in five days, sixteen hours forty
six minutes Of the total length of line required,
nearly one fourth (1,l70 miles, is already con.
structed. The highest estimated cost of the I'M
dertaking is, in round numbers, Ell 100000
Austria.-The surprising rumor comes from Aus.
tria that the Emperor Francis Joseph is seriously
thinking of abdicating his throne. His life, dur.
ing the past few years. has not diSproved the truth
of the old saw, Uneasy lies the head that wears
the crown" The disasters Of the campaign with
Prussia in 1866 have been followed by constant in
testine dissensions, and the requirements of his
position as a constitutional sovereign compelling
him to resist the arrogant claims of the court of
Rome and to annul the Concordat between them,
have doubtless been disastetul to him as an ear
nest Romanist. He has yielded to the depres ion
that has increased upon him, become gloomy in
mind and disposed to retirement from all public
duties as far as possible, and now seeks to be en-
tirely relieved from them. Fortunately for Aus
zia, through all these trOublous times it has had
Tor its controlling mind clear headed, sagacous
Protestant statesman, Count Beust on whom the
emperor has wisely relied. Through his influence,
Austria, instead Of being the most intolerant and
reactiouary of the European States, has broken
loose from its subservient bondage to Rome, has
become a constitutional instead of an absolute
monarchy, and has taken its place in the front rank
of those nations that eoncede and enjoy the rights
Of conscience and of religious federation