Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-12-04
Our European Letter.
LONDON. ENGLAND. Nov. 2i, !

mental states, magnificent as they are to
the sight of the people whose ideas Of
glory they foster. and upon whom they
entail heavy burdens which they are en-
Outraged to bear, are standing reproach
TO civilization. They are organized not
for defence but defiance, not for protec-
ton but aggression, for conquest. annexa-
ton, and spoil. England is being forced
into n war with the ameer of Afghanistan
through The reckless ambitionp and in
trigues of the ear or of the military
authority behind the throne which seems
to be more potential than that of the car
himself. Europe, bristling with bayonets
and lurid with the flashing of bloodstained
swords, is in 4 condition which only semi
savages could approve, and rational and
humane men, to whatever nation they
belong, must deplore. The armamenls,
great before the struggle between France
and Germany, have been further increased
since that struggle was over. The French
army has been reconstructed upon the
German model, and Russia has added to
her already immense legions, and for
what purpose? Certainly not of peace.
The British army has always been small
in comparison with the armies of other
powers, but her insular position is not so
secure rs il was before the progress of
steam and the noble wooden walls " of n
former time ceased to be effectual for her
protection. The evils weighing upon the
social condition of Europe affect her posi-
ton, and compel the enlargement and the
cost of arrangements which would not be
thought of if states addicted to warfare
would only fight among themselves and
allow her TO remain ut peace. The Eng
fish have no thirst for conquest. no desire
for extension of territory, no idea of ag-
erosion. Russian intrigues, however,
being now carried to her frontier are to be
dealt with. Whilst they remained afar of
she could look on unmoved; but the Rus
slams are now at her gates, and the ques-
ton must be asked what they are doing
there.
There is now, however, some improve.
ment in the situation of eastern affairs
from various causes. The appointment Of
Midhat Pasha to he governor of Syria has
| plOtutOi 2OONl tLCCl lllSl, DtCtuSe IL Il
regarded us proof of union between
England, France and Turkey; and second
y, because his energy and experience
both of which must have been ripened by
long residence in France and England
cannot fail to prove beneficial to Syria,
| The removal Of Said Pasha from Angora
where he has gained golden opinions
to kostambul is also regarded with favor
rs it is thought he will be succeeded by
he governor who preceded him ut Anger;
and who also gave great satisfaction
There will be thus three good men in
three important places There is grow
ing belief in the existence of IN alliance
between Austria, England and France fol
The execution Of the treaty of Berlin. On
! the other hand, the Greek difficulty, which
yet arranged, though it is in fair way fol
settlement. On the whole, things look
better, and the public statement of the
ear that he desires to carry out the Berlin
treaty to the letter adds to the prospects
of settlement in due course.
On Tuesday evening singular compa
ny assembled ut the new mission chapel
Little Wild street, Drury lane, when three
hundred of the thieves of St. CHESS and the
| adjacent district,in answer to an invitation
the third ofits kind-from George Hattor
and his friends, sat down to n most sub
stantial supper. For long time the St
| Giles's Christian Mission, of which Mi
Hatton is the indefatigable superintendent
has been carrying on its work to the
spiritual and the material advantage o.
| hmm lrol1 -, h., :;
which it has located itself; and among the
various ways in which it is sought to ex.
tend its influences arc efforts for the
reclamation of thieves rs they come out o.
prison on the expiration of their sentences
For this purpose the charitable public
have been from time to time appealed tc
for subscriptions under the head of Il
thieves honest labor fund.- to which
more support is earnestly needed in fur
therance of the phiIanthropic object in
view. As to those who partook of the
good cheer on Tuesday night, there could
be no possible mistake, for every
one of the three hundred was IL rec
ognizod and admitted thief The sight
of these criminals was characteristicalv
striking, and the scene was altogether
| 'DiJCIllhCIlS Ntlt liltlC vi
gaOl birds-strong, weak, and cadaverous,
bold. ferocious, and timid, cunning, re-
pulsive, and, to judge from the type,
utterly incurable. According to the state
ment of one, who said, II was saved
here" nine out Of ten present were at this
moment ut work in the thieves market,
and the vast majority were returned CON
yicts. The meal was partaken of with
| warmth of the well-lit, comfortable build
ing no doubt compared with the bitter
cold which they had left, and into which
| they would have TO turn again in IN hour
OF two, having much to do with it. Out
side the chapel there was i'm unlimited
mob, ravenous enough and anxious enough
to partake Of the treat and after those
with tickets had satisfied their appetites Il
large number were admitted, and supper
was given them.
Since June Sd, last, four thousand, three
hundred and thirty-seven prisoners had
been discharged from the house of corrcc-
ton, in Coldbalh- fields. The mission had
taken a room in Elm street, nearly oppo-
site the prison gates, and it was the prac-
tice to meet prisoners rs they came out,
and to offer them card of invitation to
breakfast. Out of the ablve- mentioned
number no less than two thousand, one
hundred and ten had accepted the invita-
ton. and, whilst partaking of breakfast,
the gospel was read to them, and the
benefits of the home explained. OF the
two thousand, one hundred and ten who
had been thus provided for, four hundred
and twenty-siX had signed the temperance
pledge. Several gentlemen and few of
the thieves addressed the assembly
An Ingenious fraud has been committed
upon wealthy merchant residing in the
neighborhood Of Paris. A week or two
ago he received letter informing him
that the writer had ascertained that Il box
containing treasure was buried in his gar.
den, and offering TO Indicate the exact spot
if he would divide the spoil. The mcr
chant was ut first inclined to treat the
letter us hoax, but upon receiving IL
second and more pressing one he sent an
answer agreeing to the proposal, The
next day he was waited upon by gentle
man of agreeable manners, and it was
arranged that the search should be made
at night, in order to prevent the neighbors
from talking. The boX-a very weighty
one-was duly unearthed, and when taken
into the house and opened was found to
contain eight thousand francs in silver