, 1881-12-24

Gratis, 10; Poles, Is; Alsace-L orrainers, Is;
and tSavages.' 4" That means that II
the Bismarckians and the Centre act to-
gether, the Chancellor will have 1877 votes,
and the Liberals. including the Social
Democrats, 173, leaving SO Poles and
Alsatians, and 4 eccentrics, to nod the
balance of power. That is not a comfort
able Parliament, and Prince Bismarck.
according to a telegram Of Friday, now
says that he shall introduce his Bills one
by one, that he shall be very slow, and
that, if resisted, he shall attend to foreign
affairs, and appoint a Vice-Chancellor to
manage Parliamentary b usiness. The truth
appears to be, as we have mentioned e'se-
where. that the ill-health of the Emperor
makes a pause desirable, and compels the
Chancellor to hesitate before he makes
definite overtures to any party.
The papers are discussing a singular
rumour, which deserves more attention.
The CHILEAN Government is pushing the
"rights of wal" very far in Peru. Unable
to find a Government which will grant its
terms, it is occupying Lima and Callao,
leaving the rest Of Peru III anarchy, and it
is stated that the Government of Wash
ingtcn has interfered. 1t has, through its
Minister in Peru, General Hurlbut, ordered
the war to cease, and Chill to make peace
without claiming any Peruvian territory.
Chill, very indignant, has marked its
indignation by Selling the Peruvian P1esl-
dent, s. CalderOn, because he is acknOw-
lodged by General Hullbut, and shipping
him for Santiago. President Arthur is be
Ileved TO be very angry, and there IS q
rum0ur OF a large American purchase OF
lrOnclads in Europe. That is the story,
which is not impossible, as the United
States always claim a kind of arbitrating
power in South America, but the CHILEAN
Minister in Washington knows nothing Of
it, except the arrest of S. Caldernn, and the
spectators who deal in i" Peruvians' and
'Chilians' are quite capable of inventing
that or any other romance. American pro-
lection might make Peru solvent again,
which would be a windfall for her bond.
holders. Egypt, Tunis, Peru lit will be
necessary to hang . bondholder yet. He
poses as a most innocent individual, but
he makes wars, and instigates conquests,
aud establishes Pr0tectorateS.
-:O:-
Professor Sylvanus Thompson delivered
q lecture before the Society of Arts on
Wednesday, in which he indicated the ad.
vantage .tndG might ultimately Oc 2dlueu
from the storage of electricity. All that is
needed for its use in most departments of
life is a cheap motive power, not derived
from coal, and this may be obtained from
the tides. They would be useless as motors
for many purposes, but an intermittent
force can store up electric energy. He be-
lieved there were places in England where
tidal force could be uheaply utilised, par
ticularly the gorge of the Avon. "a tenth
part of the tidal energy in the gorge of
the Avon would light Bristol, and a tenth
part of the tidal energy in the channel of
tho Severn would light every city, and turn
every loom, spindle, and axle in Great
Britain" These may be dreams, but Sir W.
Armstrong, it is said, lights his house by
the energy of a little waterfall in his gar
dens and out of such dreams will emerge
some day a practical proposal. Who will
be Duke of Bridgewater this time, and
spend a fortune, relying solely upon the
accuracy of scientific calculation ? He
might live in history as a benefactor to the
human race, or transmit to his descendants
wealth beyond the dreams of avarice.
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