, 1877-12-26

powers those rights will be maintained.
On the 21st instant we notice that EGG
land has ia contemplation the purchase Of
the Suzerainty Of Egypt and of the Turkish
feet, this would be an indirect method of
neutra!isiug some OF the ambitions of Rus
sia, and may be considered as neat a method
of checkmating 40 opponent, as ever enter
ed the brain Of a diplomstist. II Russia
gains az one of the indemnities for the war
the right Of passage through the Dardauelles
for her ships of war, she at least will not
have a ready-made feet to claim as another
indemnity, and it will take her many long
year, in spite of Admiral Popof's unwieldy
inventions, before she can become o naval
power of any material importance.
It would indeed be a matter for regret
if two protestant nations like Germany and
England should fail to work together for
the maintenance Of that balance of power,
so essential to the general welfare Of
Europe. We must bear in mind that our
information on the subject of their present
apparent disagreement, is but ecanty, and
until further particulars on the subject are
in our possession, we shall continue to hope
: that the misunderstanding, if any exists,
has been only temporary, aud that the
clouds which sometimes for a moment
darken the horizon of diplomatic relation
ships only to clear away again before the
light of truth and justice, have in this case
proved equally transitory.
French news continues to give encour-
sgement to the friends of France, as to her
future prospects Of peaceful government.
Excitement seems to have subsided and in
all probability that easy accommodation to
circumstances which 10 one OF the many
good qualities Of Frenchmen has led them,
ere this, to resume the even tenor OF their
ordinary avocationa as though no great
crisis in their country's affairs had been
threatening to shake the very foundation
of their Constitution.
Reports of the state OF the weather at
home do not seem to Indicate the
approach Of one OF those good old fashioned
Christmas seasons which have been rare
occurrences OF late years. In fact such
mornings as that on which CHEEKY Sam
Weller awakened his master with his
"Merry Christmas to you, Sir, and many
of 'em", water in wAsh-hand basin a
mass O. ice Sir!", are numbered among the
things of those "goOd old times which
it lie orthodox to mention with . sigh Of
regret. Perhaps we may be excused if
we look back with a feeling akin to envy
upon those jolly Christmas Days OF our
youth when the blood glowed, and the
heart bounded with pleasure as we romped
and tumbled among the snow, but Christmas
is Christmas no matter the weather or the
height of the thermometer. 1t is the
season when ell over the world, hearts
are warmed with the genial glow Of kind.
ly fellowship, when old animosities are
forgotten and old friendships are renewed.
To such an extent is this 'good will
carried that if there should be among our
readers one who is inclined to think that
this little article scarcely comes under
the legitimate term of General News"
we have only to hint that it ia the day
after Christmas day, ADD swish him all
the compliments of the season" and we are
convinced that he will smile and be content!
80 -
A valuable picture by the late Spanish
artist Fortuny. has recently been stolen