Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1882-08-09
LONDON. En-. July Is. :

lIONDONJ iSiS', ouiy 10, o.
The curtain has been rung up and all the
world has looked on the first act of the
Egyptian drama. The land of the Pha-
raohs, OF pyramids, sphynxes and obelisks,
the old country of mystery, of learning.
the birthplace of sciences and arts. is once
more the seat of war. But her civilization
that of old was tho most refined and cul-
tured on earth has relapsed into a semi
barbarsm, and now has to contend with
the most scientific, naval and military
power of modern times. II is war of
five millions semi-civilized religious fanat-
les, which will be carried on in the name
of Allah. And for what P Sir Charles
Napier once said: "The traders begin
the wars and the soldiers end them"
Doubtless he meant by this that trade is
the general cause ofinternational enmities.
History furnishes ample precedent to base
the statement on. The trading communi-
ties of Tyre and Sidon, of Carthage and
other ancient marts were engaged in al
most ncessant wars for the extension of
their commerce. Rome, before she be-
came great military power. was city
given to bartar, and the Punic wars be-
tween Rome and Carthage were waged
for the commercial control of the Mediter-
anean sea. In later times, during the
middle ages, Venice was engaged in
numerous wars for the extension or pro-
lection Of her trade. England only fol-
lows, as the leading commercial nation of
the world, the same course that Tyre,
Sidon, Rome, Carthage and Venice follow
ed in the days of commercial supremacy.
Take her history for a hundred years past
and more, from the time she was waging
war against tho American colonies unto
now, and when has she had any extended
period Of absolute peace Really Eng
land has done more fighting in the last
century than all the rest of Europe COM
bined. AS Il rule she makes war on the
weak-she avoids conflicts with her equals.
Her last laurels won against an evenly
matched power were captured at Water
100, and even there she fought with
numerous allies; it was all Europe against
the Gaul.
Naturally, Egyptian affairs silence all
most all others this week; yet we flnd
matters progressing which will be of great
ultimate Importance; for example, the
first steps are taken towards making the
gigantic deep water docks at Tilbury,
which, when completed. may be expected
to immensely increase the mercantile traf
flc at the mouth Of the Thames. The i'm.
portancc of these docks is fully estimated,
and no time was lost in commencing the
works. Within four days after parliamen.
tary powers were secured the docks were
started, and new line to hasten the com
munication between cast and west will be
completed in u short time, thus saving
several miles on the Tibury line.
Cetewayo quilted Cape Town on Wednea
day in the mail steamer Arab. We
shall, therefore, have the Zulu monarch
after all as an autumn visitor. Cetewayo't
strong desire to have an interview with
the queen will, we believe, be gratified
and in all probability we shall hear of a
new arrangement for the government o.
Zululand, the possibility of Cetewayo's
restoration being one of the projects ION
the cards" We have always believed
that with wise and clearly defined arrange
ments we could get on very we'll with
Cotewayo as king of Zululand.
Mr.. Gladstone says he must call upon
the members of the House of Commons
for an autumn sitting. He maintains there
is no help for it, 9.
The meeting at Wimbledon began on
Monday morning without any excitement,
but it is likely that some additional pres
tige will be given owing to there being nc
autumn manmuvres this year. Tho re-
+ turns at Wimbledon show that greater
f number OF volunteers than usual have
"campcd out" OF course the heavy rains
We have had have proved very unfavor.
able to the proceedings.
G The Wagner season has discovered t.
the English speaking world that rarest O
rare birds, grand prima donna, The
manager who engages Frau Sucher fol
America will secure an attraction which
will extend beyond over German speaking
populations. The splendid voice of thi;
accomplished artist, her agreeable pres
5 cnco, her fine acting, her immense power
for she rem lers the terrific strain of the
Wagner operas without one sign of falter-
ing. her voice as fresh at the end of the
performance, after five acts Of unbroken