The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-07-27
FOREIGN ITEMS.

Says the Saturday Reviey "Wo-
men are VIGOROUSLY Indifferent to their food
Ii European community could be deserted for
year by the men, we verify believe that the
women would slide back, first into custom OF
having tea and a chop at every meal. next into
pecklng at some bread and butter at any hour
when they felt the pangs of hunger, lastly into
the condition OF savages who live on casual roots
and the gum and bark of trees. 1t is man
proud man, who keeps woman up to the civil.
ing" anu Vi LINZ
The Gar of Russia has become
weary OF being prisoner in his own dominion
lie. appeared In the streets OF st. PETERSBURG in
an open carriage with his wife and son witbont
escort, 18th inst.
france Is tireless in the prosecution
of her scheme for the extension of her Aloe.
ran colony into an African colonial emnfIe
The annexation of Tunis was part of This
scheme, which includes the ABSORPTION of Trinoli
and the occupation of the Soudan. Rnt the
solidity OF the projected empire is endangered
by the Sahara, which stretches across its middle
portion and virtually cuts it in two. 1t pre.
senCS vast sandy sea, from which no material
benefits be derived. and which natera IT,,
lessons the value of the southern half of the
country, In this dilemma the French Govern.
ment is disposed to look favorably upon M De
lessep proposition to convert the Sahara into
the fertile plain that it was centuries aoo. The
idea Is not new one, the engineer having made
the same proposition shortly after the connie.
tion OF the Suez Canal. But capitalists at that
time were scared by the magnitude of the nro.
lect and the government would none of il NJ
De tessePs plan in regard to the Sahara is verv
simple He proposes to turn the waters of the
mediterranean upon it, thus flooding LARGE mr.
tons OF 1t and so irrigating and changing the
climate of the remainder as to restore tie far,
Unity. lie holds that the Sahara was once one
Oh the most productive plains of Africa as evil
1enced by the GASES which yet remain, but that
ue9P1l ie Dy man OF It's forests and vegetation
the shifting sands took possession of and finally
covered it.-Interior.
PROGRESS IN EGYPT.-Egypt has
now been for two years under the Joint adninis.
tration OF the Khedive, the Council of Ministers
anu TWO representatives of the English and
french governments, known as CONTROLLERS
These Controllers weld extraordinary mowers
NO important measure can be adopted without
tnelr approval; they recommend persons IN,
appointment suggest the creation of Offices. iii
documents which they require must be Furnished
them the Ministers of Finance must maxi
tnem weekly statement of receipts and expen
futures ana In other departments of administra.
ton statements must be made monthly In tb,
opinion of the very competent corresIordo-,t y
the Not'o4, Egypt is now enjoying the best GOV
J en- the country has lived under since tn,
oays Oh the Pharaohs. Finance has baen M,
on a tolerably sound footing. the bondboldor
are assured of the payment of their commons ay,l
me price OF the stock is firm. The fellab nav,
ms taxes by monthly instalments the amon1
61elng determined by the condition of the erons
Formerly he had to pay whenever and as offer
as the government needed money. The tai
gatherers are paid regular salaries and are there
lore iree from the temptation to make an irregn
lar ana eXSoroitant compensation out of the tax
payers. The public debt Is $3.50 600 600 r.,
yearly revenue $42. 800 600 ont Of which GOO
oOO,OOO goes to the creditors, $3,5OOOOO to IN,