The Express. — 1867-12-06 (London, England)

LETTER•WRITING IN ABYSSINIA.  The diary of Dr. Blanc, one of the Abysainiaa captives, has just been published in Bombay. This paper, dated Magdala, August 31, 1867, contain.; a complete account of the varying fortunes attending Mr. Rassam's mission, from the 20th of July, 1864—the date of their departure from Aden—up to the end of August. The compilation of the report was no easy matter. Dr. Blanc says on this point—" I was obliged on two occasions to burn my report ; first on being made prisoner in April, 1866, when we thought it advisable to destroy every note, letter, or paper is our possession. At Oaffat I began to write it for the second time ; but after the events that occurred there, I seized the first opportunity of making away with it. At Magdala it is exceedingly difficult to write ; spice are constantly peeping into our tent on some pretext or other. The risk and penalty are great, as the order is, that any one found writing is to be chained hand and foot." In spite of this risk and penalty, bow. ever, Dr. Blano's report is said to be a marvel of neatness, exhibiting the greatest patience and care. Paper and ink are scarce at Magdala, and be has certainly been careful not to waste either; so closely packed are the letters, words, and lines, that into sixteen sheets of note paper is compressed material enough to fill three pages of the Times less about a quarter of a column ! Bo thin likewise is the paper, that the whole—report, covering letter, envelope, and all—weighs less than an ounce. Dr. Blane's report has been divided by him into three principal sections, the first portion describing the journey from Maasowah to Metemma, the experiences of the road, the disposition and habits of the various Arab tribes, and giving a mass of other information entirely new. The second section is that which oontains the account of their past and present dealings and relations with Theodor'''. Of their prospects Dr. Blanc says little, not having then heard that an expedition was on its way to release them, or avenge their death. But for their being constantly chained, their condition as prisoners world be tolerably comfortable, the more so as the Emperor can nar have but very little dealings with them. They knew not, however, what a day might bring forth ; the Emperor was daily rioting in bleed and murder, and, as far as his much-crippled l ower would admit, satiating hie one desire—revenge. Their best hope seemed to I e that, should they clang 3 owners, they miglb fall into the hands of some powerful chief who would know their value, r►ther than into the hands of the ignorant and infuriated peasantry, who, likely enough, might regard then, as in some way connected with the terrible misery which the wretched cultivators have lately endured at the hands of the Negas. The last section of Dr. Bhuic's ma moir gives a variety of very interesting details regarding the pLysical geography of Abyssinia, its towns and popn• lotion, the language and customs and degradation of its people, its flora and fauna, and the personal character, ap• pearance, and history of Theodorus.  Lord Cowley, contradicting a statement in the Post, says his retirement from the public service w..s wholly voluntary on his part, and, if he may judge from the efforts—very flattering to him, however unieberved— made to induce him to remain at Paris, was effected against the desire of the Secretary of State.  The Italian government, the Florence journalS date, has contracted for the supply of 300,000 Chassepo4 muskets, to be delivered at the rate of 50,000 a year. The Cuban cable is 90 miles long. It is proposed that a cable be laid from Cuba to Jamaica, a distance of 143 miles, and from thence to Colon, a distar.ce of GOO miles. This will accelerate information between Chili, Peru, and all Central America. It is proposed also that cables shall connect Jamaica with St. Domingo, Porto Rico, St. Thomas, ()nadaloupe, Martinique, Trinidad, and Demerara, when from the latter place telegraphic, communication could be effected with St. Roque, in Brazil. The distance between St. Roque and the Cape de Verdes is 1,200 miles, and from the latter to Cadiz, in Spain, GOO miles. It would not be difficult, therefore to connect Europe and America telegraphically by means of two cables between Spain and Brazil, via the Cape do Verdes.  is.'