The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1878-12-14
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OUR EUROPEAN LETTER.
LONDON, England, Nov. 81, 1878.

| to the sight of the peoples whose ideas
OF glory they foster, and upon whom
they entail heavy burdens which they
are encouraged to bear, arc a standing
reproaoh to civilization. They are or.
| ganized not for defense but defiance,
not for protection but aggression, for
conquest, annexation, aud spoil. Eng.
land is being forced into war with the
Ameer Of Afghanistan through the reck-
less ambition and intrigues of the Gear,
or of the military authority behind the
throne which seems to be more poten-
tial than that Of the Gar himself.
Europe, bristling with bayonets, and
lurid with the flashing of bloodstained
swords, is in a condition which only
semi savages could approve, and ra.
tional aud humane men, to whatever
nation they belong, must deplore. The
armaments, great before the struggle
between France and Germany, have
been further increased since that stlug-
gle was over. The French army has
been reconstructed upon the German
model, and Russia has added to her al.
ready immense legions, and for what
purpose? Certainly not for peace.
The British army has always Deen
small in comparison with the armies
of other Powers, but her insuIar posi-
tion is not as secure as it was before the
progress of steam and the noble "wood-
en- walls" of former time ceased to be
effectual for her protection. The evils
weighing upon the social condition of
Europe affect her position, and compel
the enlargement and the cost of arrange.
meDts which would not be thought of if
States addicted to warfare would ouly
fight among themselves and allow her
to remain at peace. The English have
no thirst for conquest, 70 desire for ex
tension of territory, no idea of agrees
sion. Russian intrigues, however, be-
ing now carried TO her frontier are to be
dealt with. Whilst they remained afar
off she could look on unmoved but the
Russians are now at her gates, and the
question must be asked what they are
doing there. There is now however
some improvement in the situation of
Eastern affairs, from several causes.
| The appointment of Midhat Pasha to be
Governor of Syria has produced good
effect; first, because it Is regarded as
proof of union between England,
France, and Turkey and, secondly,
because his energy and experience,
both of which must have been ripened
by long residence in France and Eng
land cannot fail to prove beneficial to
Syria. The removal of Said Pasha from
Angora-where he has gained golden
opinions to KOStamb ul, is also regarded
with favor, as it is thought he will be
succeeded by the Governor who prece&-
cd him at Angora, and who also gave
great satisfaction. There will be thus
three good men in three important
places. There is growing belief in the
existence of an alliance between Aus
tria, England, and France for the exc.
cution of the Treaty of Berlin. On the
other hand, the Greek difficulty, which
was falsely reported to be settled, is not
yet arranged, though IL is in fair way
for settlement. On the whole, things
look better, and the public statement OF
the Car 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 COM
pany assembled at the new Mission
Chapel, Little Wild. street, Drury lane,
when 300 of the thieves of st. Giless
and the adjacent district, in answer to
an invitation-the third of its kind
from George 1Iatton and his friends, sat
down to a most substantial supper.
For long time the st. Giles's Chris
tian Mission, of which Mr.. HattCn is
the iudeiatigable superin endent, has
been carrying on its work to the spirit
ual and the material advantage of
many hundreds in the neighborhoOd in
which it located itself and among the
various ways in which 1t is sought to
extend its usefulness are efforts for the
reclamation of thieves as they Come out
of prison on the expiration of their
sentences. For this purpose the chari-
table public have been from time to
time appealed to for subscriptions under
| the head of a thieves honest labor
fund" to which more support is earnest
| ly needed in furtherance of the philan.
thropic object in view. AS TO those who
partook of the good cheer on Tuesday
night, there could be no possible mis-
take, for everyone of the 800 was rec
ogni1ed and admitted thief. The sight
Of these criminals was enthusiastically
striking, and the scene was altogether
strange enough. Specimens were there
of gaol birds-stroug, weak, and cada.
rerous, bold, ferocious, and timid, cum
ming, repulsive, and, to Judge from
the type, utterly ncurable. According
to the statement of one, who said, Il
was saved here" nine out of ten pres
ent were at this moment at work in the
thieves market, and the vast majority
were returned cOuvictS. The meal was
/ partaken of with warmth of the well.it
comfortable building no doubt compared
with the bitter cold which they had
left, aud into which they would have
| to turn again in an hour or two. having
much to do with it. Outside the chapel
there was an uninvited mob, rayenous
enough and anxious enough to partake
| of the treat, and after those with tickets
had satisfied their appetites large mum.
Der were admitted, and supper was
given them. Since June 3, last 1881
prisoners had been discharged from the
House Of Correction, in Coldbath. fields.
The Mission had taken room in Elm
street, nearly opposite the prison gates,
and it was the practice to meet prisoners
as they came out, and to offer them a
card of invitation to breakfast. Out of
| the above mentioned number no less
than 2, 10 had accepted the invitation,
and, whilst partakIng of breakfast, the
Gospel was read to them, and the bene-
fits of the Home explained, or the
2,ll0 who had been thus provided for,
426 had signed the temperance pledge
Several gentlemen and a few of the
thieves addressed the meeting.
ALPHA.
/ SUNDRY MATTERS. The Ice house