Year: 1877

We make the following extract from Q letter written by an old resident of Cons tantinople to the N. '. Evening Post:

 THE RUSSIAN SOLUTION.

 No one will pretend that Russia is pure ly disinterested in the war she has under taken. She no doubt aspires to take Con- stantinople, and will watch her opportnni- ty, whatever may have been her official utterances on that subject; she is intent upon her own glory, and aims to estab- fish her power and influence among the Slavs and among the Christians generally; she will no doubt prolong the war, indeh. n1tely rather than fail of some territorial aggrandizement or political vantage ground which will render the pushing of her traditional policy of southern naval outlet more easy to coming generations. In fact, 1t is far from unlikely that her resolute purpose at the present moment is to plant her flag before the summer is Ov- or upon the northeastern shores of the Mediterranean itself - anywhere from Smyrna to Beyrout-and defend it with whole military power of the empire. Once lodged in the businesses of the Tau. rus or the Lebanon, it might cost England several Crimean wars to drive her back.

 Question as we may, however. the mo- tives of Russia, there can be no dcubt that in the eyes of Christendom she draws the sword in noble and worthy cause. The wrongs of the oppressed Christian subjects of the Porte were calling to Heav. en for vengeance; every remedy failed; every expedlent for internal reform was destined to deceive and disappoint. Since united moral and material pressure on the part of all Europe seemed to be hope less there was and there is no remedy but the sword. Whether or not the sword will prove an effectual remedy depends upon the final solution. If the war rec suits in the establishment of Christian protectorate. or even in Q dissolution of the empire as a supreme political necessi. ty, and it's partition among European powers. let us hope that the magnitude of the1 crisis and. the unprecedented perils of the hour may lead to Q peaccful and dignifed and magnanimous solution. which shall prove blessing to the East, and substitute just government for organ ized ruin, and civilization for practical barbarism f..s s... TURKISH PoLICR METHODS.

 The Turkish government is inst at present making every effort to preserve order throughout the empire. Severe and summary punishment is administered even for trifing offence. A strict mill. tary police is established in the more im- portant cities, and especially where Mos. lem fanaticism is feared. The primitive methods of Turkish police are rude but effective. If crime is committed near village the whole village is made respon- sible, and either heavily fined or half tho male population are put in prison and held as hostages for the good behavior of the whole community. If a culprit es. capes, his whole circle of relatives, even to cousins, are seized and held until the guilty one is forthcomi ng. If there is any trouble or disorder in a certain district, l company or more of soldiers will be sent and quartered upon the residents, to live on the fat of the land and enjoy themselves--a privilege which they are apt to abuse to the dismay and-terror of many | @ household.

 the impression that it is part of Russia's policy to stir up disorder in all parts of the empire, so that the conviction may be stimulated in the European world that Turkey cannot keep good order; and that a universal danger threatens the whole Christian populace. They are thus i'm. pelled to honest and vigorous efforts to keep the fanatical elements Tn the empire under strict discipline. It is a most for. tunate thing that these earnest and thor ough measures are in operation just at the present time. The responsibility of the government is afearful one. If the slightest liberty or sanction were granted to the desperate spirit of tic Moslems the results might be horrible beyond descrip. tion.

 SOME EFFECTS OF THE WAR.

 The burdens of the conscription have rested hitherto entirely upon the Mos- lens, while the Christians have been and are constantly obliged to pay money to help supply the necessities of the war. Moslem families all over the empire are in great distress and suffering. Some have not male relative left, and are in extreme destitution. Relief measures have been organized in many communities, but the demands are immense and imperative, and but a small part of the necessary charity can be dispensed. All branches- of trade, and even the rude and simple in dustries of the native villages. are almost at standstill. The times are dark and hard indeed in Turkey. Anxiety and dis may fill thousands of hearts. The govern ment has no foreign credit: it's soldiers must not starve; money 1t must have. Men of wealth see their fortunes dwind. ling away, and the poor man finds that the hard earned saving of years must go to feed the army, or supply the demands of bankrupt government in it's struggle with it's mighty foe. May Q kind Provi- dence care for the innocent and suffering victims. the mothers, wives, sisters. and children of the absent soldiers, and may they have a share in the blessings which may yet follOw, even in the desOlatlng track of war J. s, D. The London Mayfair has story about the manager of an aquarium. His wife