, 1876-12-16

On Thursday night, (Nov. q at the meeting
OF the Lfnn@an Society, Mr.. Crotch
preached again his belief that the jennings
Norwegian rodents, which migrate west.
wards from time to time-really take to the
sea- IN search of some island to which their
pfogenltors used to migrate,-some Allan.
us which has now disappeared, and are
drowned. If this view Of the migrations
OF the Jennings can be established, it
would certainly shake the popular views
OF instinct, and be the greatest warning
against q blind conservatism of practice
IN the world. Yet the tendency among
those who have been long accustomed to
go somewhither, to go on steadily with the
practice, after the terminus id quem has
really disappeared, is not confined
to the jennings.
Another considerable figure in Europe
has disappeared. Cardinal Antonolli, The
Papal Secretary Of State, and believed By
most Pfotestants to BIO q sort of familiar
demon to the Pope, died on November 6,
of govt in the stomach. The Cardinal, who
was said by bis enemies to have been the
son of o brigand, but is declared by Sir.
q. Bowyer to be the son Of o substantial
yeoman OF Sonnino, was one Of the last Of
the old school of Roman ecclesiastics. who
held that the PapAcy must be defended BY
intrigue, f%nesse, and worldly policy. He
was so unsuccessful in his career, having
been defeated in every great crisis, that
many suspect bis abilities were overrated
but be charmed all who visited Rome.
except diplomatists, and In spite OF a auspi.
clon that he was not an Infallibllst, enjoy
ed the confidence of the Pope to tho last.
He is said TO have left $500, 900 and q vass
collection Of gems, which latter he hos be-
q%ueGthed to the Vatican. His enernies saw
be accumulated this fortune out of brides,
which is unlikely ; Sir G. Bowyer says he
inherited it, which is next to impossible /;
and n%eutrals say that large psrqui8ites had
been for generations attashed to his Offices,
which, like our own statesmen before
1906, he did not reject. The Church, we
imagine, in its present position loses little
IN him, and the world nothing.
The Due Decazes has Informed the
French Chamber that his Government will
take no part in the Eastern complications.
France, he says, needs and desires peace,
and has exSrted her diplomacy TO the ut
most to obtain it, though maintaining, &c
cording to har traditionary policy, the
claims ofthe Christians in the East. Should
she unfortunately fail in her efforts, she
will not compromise in the struggle the
honour and security of France. alt is
thus that, after having associated our en-
deavours with those Of the other Cabinets
for the preservation Of European peace,
we shall have al least the assurance Of being
able to guard it for ourselves" France
has been SO long out of the field that people
forget how immense an influence she could
still exert If she were prepared either to
assist Russia or Turkey. Her abstinence,
moreover, keeps Germany out of the field,
and therefore leaves Russia with only one
antagonist neighbour, Austria.
Yesterday week the Right Hon. Stephen
Cave distributed the prizes to the Science
and Art students of the southwestern and
southeastern suburbs of London, at the
South Western Railway Institute, Wands-
worth Road, and began by modestIy inform,