, 1875-09-22
From tie Spectator.)

- IN AsGbtAl0 W
Republics north Of Natal, by right of dis
covery and occupancy; but it seems GER
tain that they admitted a Dutch claim to
settle there, and all Dutch rights have
passed to the British by treaty. They
persisted, however, in their claim, and as
Portugal is weak, the dispute was referred
by Mr.. Gladstone's Government to the
arbitration of the French President, then
N. Theirs. Marshal MacMahon has now
awarded the sovereignty of the bay to the
Portuguese, and we have lost a most
important make-weight in any arrange
'ment with the Beers. who will now hire
Che bay from Portugal. The decision
{ will certainly deepen the public prejudice
against arbitration, which won d appear,
80 at present managed, to be a cleverly
devised scheme for surrendering British
rights without dishonour. If the question
had been left to d~iplomatists, we could
have offered Portugal serious advantages
in India for her problematic.I rights in
Delagoa Bay. Some day or other, Nor
way will offer the redemption- money for
the Orkneys, and an arbitrator studying
nothing but the documents, Indifferent to
politics, and c~ontemptuous of the general
welfare of the world, will order US
to take it.
The Prince of Wales has paid a most
successful visit to Sheffield, and has open
ed the Park there, just presented to the
town by the Mayor. 1t was supposed, for
some unknown reason-Trades Uuionism
not being in any way anti-Monarchical,
but only anti-C apitalist-that he might
not be we'll received, but the Sheffield
men are merely Englishmen, and Royalty
once on the spot, they were enthusiast
cally loyal. The town was beautifully
decorated. the n%eighbouring notables
came up in force, all Hallamshire turned
out to hurrah, and the Prince told the
Cutters at dinner, in a speech which he
obviously prepared himself, alt has been
said that Sheffield is Democratic, but after
what we have seen to-day and yeSter lay,
its worst enemies would not give it that
appellation." The truth is, that SO far
from Royalty being unpopular, it is all
the Royal family can do to keep their
popularity from overwhelming them.
The multitude are supposed to dislike
Royal grants, and SO they do when they
are spIenetic; but when Mr.. Mundella,
tie Member for Sheffield, just after he
Princes visit, said he would have voted
100000 more Tor the trip to India, bis
audience, in the highest good-humour,
roared their approval. They had had a
grand holiday, and why should not a
: pleasant Prince have grantsf No one in
this country not Royal can seriously
injure Royalty.
After the Prince had gone, Mr.. Mundel-
Ia addressed his constituents. The Tory
party, he told them, had no capital of its
own. but "carried on business with ac-
c~ommodation bills" Mr.. Disraeli had to
employ all his rhetoric and imagination
q to- gloss over the Incompetence OF his
,, Government. Even when the Bills were
D good, the Tories took the backbone out
a6fthem. The excuses made tor the con-
G duct of the Government on the Merchant
Shipping Bill were GABLES" The Plim.
soil ship had come in contact with the
Government barque, and SO damaged it
that another such f" ugly night would
7sinkl it. r Next year the Government would
be compelled to bring in many OF the
i Liberals Bills, and he should not care
60 how many, if they would ut,bring them
in without adulteration. The meeting
. . 4 - 40 &c.