THE ENGLISH MAIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7343, 2 June 1885, Page 6

THE ENGLISH MAIL.

OUR LONDON LETTER.

[from our own correspondent.] London, April 23. THE WAR SCARE, Ere this war's alarms have reached you in the colonies, and as every other question here gives first place to that of the state of the army and navy, I have no doubt that in New Zealand, more, perhaps, than any other colony, the subject of preparations to meet hostile attack is of paramount importance. Though at this hour war has not been declared, the public mind is on the tiptoe of expectation, and every next moment is expected to tell, that the thunder cloud has burst. Whatever may be said of the spirit of British diplomacy at the present hour, even the enemies of the Government give all credit to Mr. Gladstone's Administration for the utmost zeal and activity in making preparations for the worst, and night and day arsenals and dockyards and workshops are as busy as hives of bees. The ominous threats of Russia to prey on British commerce with swift-armed cruisers, have been promptly met, and the splendid mercantile marine of Great Britain is being laid under contribution ; and shortly if needs must, the pluck that has established commercial supremacy in every sea will have proved itself as dauntless in war as it is peerless In trade, and shown, that whether it is wita the Ledger or theNordenfelt, it can whip all creation. The Muscovite has been reckoning without his host he talked of arming merchant cruisers, for with the warspirit spreading as it now is rapidly through •very class of society, and with tbe unequalled merchant navy of the Empire placed at the disposal of the Government the few scared and hunted cruisers of Russia could not find a hole to hide themselves. The question of hanging those captured on privateers has been raised, and Russians are brutal enough to threaten that they will have reprisals in hanging British subjects domiciled in Russia. But there will be no necessity for such extremes. Let cruisers meet yard arm to yard arm, and numbers and pluck will tell. A COLONIAL NAVY. There is much said as to the wisdom of forming a colonial navy, and at a recent great public meeting held in the city to discuss the condition of the navy, Mr. Torrens, M.P., suggested the formation of a federal nafjSjto which the several colonies should contribute their contingent of ships, and men and guns ; and small as the colonial fleet is, the distinction has just been offered to it by the Secretary of the Admiralty, of having the.parnes of the ships and officers of the colonial navy inserted in the official " navy list,""and it has been known for some time that the newly-appointed Admiral of the Australian station bad taken out with him proposals to the several Australian Governnfoata to have their vessels and naval defences placed under Imperial control. All this indicates the deep interest attaching to this question at the present hour. Bat to anyone knowing the circumstances of New Zealand, and the position of most of its principal cities and towns relative to the range of modern artillery, it should be obvious that neither by torpedoes stopping the fair way in channels whioh would not be used by an enemy, nor by land batteries, nor yet by an ironclad lumbering off the coast, but only by this' system of swift auxiliary war cruisers can the shores and harbours of New Zealand be adequately protected. This is the proper fleet of the colonies, and with their ever-extending commerce this means of defence is multiplied. Indeed, there is a growing impression that this is the navy of the future, and that by it the surest hope is offered of the continued supremacy of England as Queen of the Seas. THE SUBMARINE CABLES. . Another question raised at present of much interest to the colonies is that of the safety of the submarine cables. In war even more than in peace these are essential to the welfare of the remoter parts of the Empire. In a recent debate in Parliament Lord Carnarvon reminded the House of the admitted intentions of the Russian Government on the last occasion of impending hostilities to take steps for cutting the cables, and that ships had been specially detailed of! and equipped for the purpose. An assurance was given in reply that the Government felt the responsibility, and though not expressly stated, it is understood that the method proposed for the protection of the cables is not properly one of protection, but for their speedy repair, by t the employment of rapid steamers kept in waiting so as to immediately take up and repair the cables in the event of their being cut. THE FEDERAL COUNCIL BILL.

The Federal Counoil of Australasia Bill has at last seen the light, It was introduced and read a first time by Lord Derby on the 16th of this month, and the second reading is now due. it is a short and by no means a complex measure of thirty-two clauses, — is entirely permissive, both as to entrance into the federation and secession from it. Indeed it is about as harmless a measure as conld well be drafted. The Council, which would consist of two members for each free colony and one. for ,a . Crown colony,,, will hold session once in two years. In most particulars it bears a close resemblance to the proposed measure which originally emanated from the colonies, but it will be a bitter disappointment to ardent Federalists Who mast bemoan that the sting is in the fcatl thereof. For it winds up its enacting clauses by saying that this Act shall cease to fife in operation in respeot to any colony, the Legislature of which shall have passed an Act or Ordinanoe declaring that the same shall cease to be in force therein ; provided, nevertheless, that all Acts of the Council passed while this Act was in operation in such' colony shall continue to be in forte therein, unless altered or repealed W^th 6 Counoil, or unless repealed as to*such colony by the Legislature thereof» The measure is sure to pass for what it is worth ; but, while the clause in question is requisite to soothe susceptibilities of colonists that are not over enthusiastic in favour of confederation, it is obvious that the power of secession mast paralyse the new dominion for concerted and vigorous action of . any moment. In this light it has been generally oriticised.by home journals, which commonly condemn ' the secession provision as stupid, without knowing the feeling existing in the colonies which has been thought to render it necessary. EMIGRATION. The question of emigration as the only practical relief for congested population, continues to force itself on publio attention, and the latest movement, namely, towards connected action, if not unity, among all societies engaged in promoting emigration is rapidly gaining ground. Among those who have taken the matter up is Cardinal Manning, who, while not approving of anything of the nature of merging in one the -various' independent agencies, strongly favours co-operation. Speaking recently on the subject he says, " I believe that coalitions are generally weak, and paralyse the amount of energy which before was possessed by independent bodies, and I have greater faith in the'harvest that springs from many ploughs going at once in the same field, so long as they do not oross each other's furrow. Bat it is evident that close mutual intelligence and mutual co-operation ought to exist among those who are engaged in such a common duty for the good of the people as their 'safe and provided emigration to the colonies. All parts of the Empire ought to be regarded as . only an extension of the mother country, where our people may always feel themselves at home. Meantime from the London Chamber of Commerce, on through every ramification of commercial and' social life, agencies and influences of every kind are springing rapidly into existence, with the object of impressing on the masses the value of emigration and on the State the necessity for its being systematised and promoted by the Government as an Imperial duty.

LECTURERS.

Among those who are pressing the advantages of New Zealand as a field of settlement on the public attention Mr. Arthur Clayden Is still lecturing with indefatigable zeal. With him 1 now at each of his lectures is associated Mr. Grant, who recently visited New Zealand to report on the properties of the Auckland Agricultural Company, from which it may be assumed that Mr. Clayden is at present promoting emigration, more particularly in connection with the lands of that company. As indiscriminate praise gener* ally defeat* its object, Mr. Clayden appears .disposed to not alway present your colonv in

the most rosy light, and some of his statements as to social life in ) New; Zealand are not very complimentary. In a letter recently published by him, he says that New Zealand is " handiospped by the dire exigencies of her; early history," and altogether would seem to convey the impression that the Britain of the South had something like a convict taint in her blood., His latest lecture on "New Zealand as -an emigration field for farmers " was delivered the. other evening in the Freemason's Hall in Edinburgh.I observe that he announces his intention of returning to the colony in June next, and that he anticipates taking with him a party of farming settlers. , , - : ... MR. SHAPLEY; Many in New Zealand will hear with regret that there are grave fears entertained that Mr. J. S. Shapley, so well known and liked in New Zealand as representative at that end of the Eastern Extension Company, has been lost in the Bay of Biscay. He was on board the Magnets, the cable-repairing steamer, which sailed from London for Singapore last month withs4souls on board. One of the boats of the vessel has been picked up 200 miles from Cape Finhterre, and it is feared that the Magneta foundered in one of those fearful gales which during the last month swept the Atlantic Captain Merrall, formerly of the Chiltern and Sherrard Osborne, repairing steamers, - was in command. Mr. Shapley bad come home lant summer by San Francisco from New Zealand for a year's holiday. He had been at Nelson since 1875, as superintendent for the company, and from his genial, straightforward character, he will be regretted greatly through a very wide circle of friends, if it is so that the Magneta has foundered, of which unhappily little doubt is now entertained. ANDERSON, OF LIVERPOOL. However desirable the colonies may seem to criminals to be as a place of retirement, they must soon be regarded by the criminal classes as a delusion and & snare. Anderson, the workhouse governor, formerly of Liverpool, bat more reoently an intending merchant at Otaki, has received his deserts at the Liverpool City Sessions. He had supplied himself with some £424 of the funds of the Select Vestry, in Liverpool, and had taken the opportunity of his leisure for a little run round on the Continent, after which he extended his trip to the oolony, where he appears to have determined to settle quietly, devoting himself to trading pursuits, when his prospects were troubled by the offiaious interference of the police. Brought back to England, he made a clean breast of it, and has just been sentenced to two years' imprisonment. ROMAN CATHOLIC MISSIONS IN NEW ZEALAND.

The Roman Catholic Bishop of Salford, Dr. Herbert Vaughan, is at present on his way to Rome, and it is thought that thereafter he will extend his journey to New Zealand, with the object of promoting a very extensive mission for the conversion of the Maoris to the Catholic faith. It appears that during the recent visit of Bishop Luck, of Auckland, to the Holy See, arrangements on an extensive scale were entered into with the Propaganda for a vigorous campaign against Hauhauism, and at a recent meeting of St. Joseph's Foreign Missionary Society, it was proposed that an offer should be made by that society to heartily 00-operate in any further extension of operations having more immediate reference to the education of Maori girls, A missionary of the society, Rev. Mr. Patterson, who went out to Australia for the purpose of collecting funds, and who is now in New Zealand, is to make enquiries, and send home a report as to the prospects of such a mission, and Dr. Vaughan hopes to enlist the services of a large community of nuns at Rome, who will proceed to the colony to aid in the work.

NEW ZEALAND GOLD AMALGAMATING COMPANY.

A very rosy prospectus has just appeared in the London papers under the beading of the " New Zealand Gold Amalgamation Company (Limited)." The capital is small, but the profits are great, only £7500 are required, and with this will be purchased the patent rights in New Zealand of Mr. Richard Barker for an invention for saving gold from the ore and tidings. The invention is to earn between £20,000 and £25,000 a-year by granting licenses to mining companies, and royalty of one-third of the gold saved. But this does not take into account the " enormous profits" which are to be made from reworking tailings in which there are between twenty and twenty-five millions of gold, to say nothing of hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of money, the greater portion of which will be recovered by the amalgamator. But it is not neoessary to wait even so long as until these millions are extracted, for each fivepound shareholder will receive as his portion ten pounds worth of shares at once for each five-pound share. But this is not all the advantages, for each amalgamating machine, which costs only from four to five hundred pounds to erect, will save six thousand a year to every battery on the goldfields. Mr. Henry Tapp, M.E., who knows all about the thing, is now on his way to New Zealand, and it does seem me a cruel thing that such advantages as these should be removed from the reach of New Zealand investors and thrown indiscriminately at the heads of an ungrateful British public, who, merely because it is so good and because they are not capable of understanding the vast capabilities of colonial enterprise, will probably be inclined to look askance on these rolling millions. Indeed, one irreverent print, yclept Truth, is unreasonable enough to savagely denounce the amalgamator enterprise as a gigantic swindle. MRS. DR. POTTS. Those who have heard the lectures of Mrs. Dr. Potts, in her tour through the colonies, will be interested to know that she has been a great success in London. Mrs. A. M. Longshore - Potts, M.D., as she announces herself, has been delivering a course of lectures to enormous audiences at St. James's Great Hal), and subsequently another courne for the benefit of the Women's Hospital. As American ideas are rapidly sapping the foundations of sturdy English Conservatism, the "Lady Medical" has evoked nothing like the questioning criticisms to whioh the propriety of her lectures was subjected frequently in the colonies, and she seems to have won golden opinions from all sort? of persons. FREIGHTS. The battle of the freights continues, and once more an effort is being made to break up what is called the Australian Freight Ring." A meeting has just been held at the offices of Messrs. Smith, Morrison, and Co., consisting of Australian importers and London merchants interested in the Australasian trade. The proceedings were of ' a very lively character; and though there Is considerable reticence as to what occurred, or what course will be taken to grapple with the alleged monopoly, it is understood that the prinoipal result was the intention to bring the whole question before a general meeting of merchants and shippers, to be shortly convened. MR. COSTER. I am pleased to hear that Mr. Coster, of the New Zealand Shipping Company, who has been so seriously ill ever since his arrival in London, is now so much better that he is able to leave his room, and it is expected that in a few days he will be able to attend to business. He is staying during convalescence at the Star and Garter in Richmond. MISCELLANEOUS.

Among the obituary notices is the name of Mrs. Whitmore, the mother of Mir George Whitmore, who died last Saturday rather suddenly, in the neighbourhood of London. Sir John Hall is on board the Rimutaka, which is expected to arrive to-morrow. Sir John has made rather an extensive tour through La Plata, making investigations into the character of the country and the prospect presented for investments in pastoral interests. He rejoined the Orient steamer at Rio. During his absence Lady Hall has been seriously ill, so much so .as to give cause to her friends for considerable anxiety, and 1 am glad to hear she has quite recovered her health.

There is a rumour, I ao not know wuether it is Authentic, that it is in contemplation by the Pacific Mail Company to withdraw their steamers from the Paoific and place them on the trade between England and the United States, which it is thought is likely to be disturbed by the withdrawal • of a large number of steamers, said to be requisitioned by the Government for conversion into war cruisers.

I notice that Sir Julius Vogel has retired from the directorate of the New Zealand Agricultural Company, of which he has for a long time being Chairman. No doubt his absence from London and consequent inability to attend to the duties of the office

have made it necessary for him to resign the position. The University of Edinburgh has just conferred the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity on Professor Salmond, of Duuedin, at the graduation ceremony held at Edinburgh on the 22nd inst. The frozen meat trade has been unfavourably influenced by the weather, which has suddenly become unseasonably hot, and from its compelling salesmen to rapidly quit their English and foreign fresh supplies has indirectly affected the price of the stocks of frozen meats. The only large arrival sinoe my last letter has been the cargo of the Marlborough, whioh arrived last week, and has been landed in excellent condition. It consists of 10,219 sheep, which have been selling at from 4§d to 5Jd per lb., and 236 lambs, which have been bringing from 7d to 7id. . The greater portion of the stock, however, is being held for better prices. With the exception of a small lot of 1200 sheep brought by the Iberia* from Sydney, and which has not yet been placed on the market, no other frozen meat has been been brought in from anywhere within the last three weeks, so that the stooka of meat in hand are comparatively low. SHIPPING. The following is the list of passengers booked at present date for the Aorangi, sailing on the 7th of May For Port Chalmers : Mr. and Mrs. Fenoulhet and two children, Miss Wratislaw, Mr. S. A. Gilbert. For Lyttelton : Mr. and Miss Carl, Miss Gilliard," Mr. and Mrs. E. Speekly and child, Miss M. B. Risk, Mrs. W. Smith. For Wellington : Mrs. and Miss Wooloott, Miss Goulding, Miss M. E. Gough. For. Nelson : Mr. and Misses Renwick (2). For Wanganui: Mrs. Campbell and child, Miss K. Brown. For Auckland : Mr. J. J. Reich.

THE ROYAL VISIT TO IRELAND.

The Prince of Wales and his party left Dublin for the South of Ireland on April 13. A large number of persons assembled at the City Hall to see the Royal visitors depart. Just before they came in sight the Lord Mayor (Mr. John O'Connor) happened to drive past, and was unmercifully hissed bj the crowd. He Sew into a violent passion, which only increased tho hissing and derisive shouts. He then stopped his carriage, and, mounting the City Hall steps, called for oheers for Parnell. The call met a faint response, O'Connor then addressed the crowd, and said they would be sorry for hissing him. He would telegraph Parnell at Cork the proceedings of the day, and they would see what would come of it. Soon after this the Prince and Princess of Wales were driven past the City Hall, and greeted with tremendous cheering. The excuse given for O'Connor's conduct is that he was intoxicated. The Prince and his party arrived in Cork on the 15th. as the train drew into the station it was greeted with hearty cheers, but the triumphant reception of Dublin was not repeated. As an open carriage, containing the Prince, was crossing the Parnell Bridge, some one in the orowd threw an onion at His Royal Highness, whioh missed him, but hit one of the footmen behind the carriage, and the crowd cheered. During the afternoon, the police arrested a man who was throwing stones at the Loyalist procession. A mob speedily formed and attempted to rescue the prisoner, but he was taken to the Police Court, where he was promptly released on bail. Early in the evening the Nationalists held a mass meeting, when inflammatory speeches were made, and the latest London newspapers containing accounts of the Royal progress, were burned. After the mass meeting the Nationalists Boattered through the city in parties numbering from fifty to five hundred men. Doors and windows were smashed, fUgs and decorations were torn down and heaped on blazing bonfires, and many gun stores were broken into for the purpose of arming the mob. Policemen, when encountered singly, or in small squads, wore attacked and savagely beaten with their era truncheons. In many oases they rallied a .d charged desperately on the mob, but they were invariably surrounded and repulsed. The police then resorted to a free use of their revolvers and bayonets. It was hand-to-hand fighting of the most desperate sort, the police standing back to back and receiving and inflicting terrible injuries. At midnight the streets were practically in possession of the : b. The policemen who remained uninjured could only fight on the defensive. Quiet was resumed on the morning of the 16th at four o'clock. Many arrests were made, and the hospitals are full of wounded policemen and rioters. The wonder is that there was no violent breach of the peace during the Royal progress the day before, for it proceeded amid a continual warfare of words and taunts between the Loyalists and Nationalists, with the numbers about equally divided It is thought that the presence of the Princess, and her ladylike graciousness to the people along the streets,, wore the elements that conquered Irish gallantry. John O'Connor, the Nationalist member of Parliament for Tipperary, marched at the head of the procession of Leaguers, who closely followed the Loyal party, and san* " God Save Ireland " every time the Loyalists started up " God Save the Queen." A despatch from Cork, April 16th, says the streets were quiet, with scarcely any trace of the preceding night's riots, and mentions that the reports of the riots vtre exaggerated. The Prince and Princess left Killarney for Dublin on the 20th, amid a loyal demonstration. On arriving at the latter oity a slight attempt was made by the Nationalists to create a disturbance, but the police succeeded in defeating it. A ball was given on the evening of the 22nd by the citizens of Dublin in honour of the distinguished visitors. On April 24th the party landed from the Royal yacht at Belfast. Notwithstanding rain was falling fast, vast crowds assembled to welcome the visitors, and much enthusiasm prevailed. Londonderry was visited on the 24tb, and tbe reception was a moat enthusiastic one. The town was literally covered with flags and bunting, and immense crowds were in the streets, through which the Royal party and procession passed. The prooession was composed of the municipal authorities and various corporations and their employe's. The reception given the Prince at Omagh on the 27ch was a very brilliant affair. The Nationalists had prepared to make a counter demonstration, and were arrayed in procession, but the police charged upon them, captured their black fUgs and drums, and dispersed them completely. The Government also prohibited a proposed Nationalist demonstration at Tyrone. There was great excitement in consequence, and ac one time rioting was seriously feared. The Prince and Princess embarked on the evening of the 27th at Laine, on the Antrim coast, ten miles north of Carriokfergus, for Stranraer, in Wigtonshire, Scotland. The latest despatch on the subjeot rays that when the telegram announcing the embarkation was handed to Sir Vernon Haroourt, in the Commons, on Monday evening, he could not conceal his satisfaction. He showed the despatch to his colleagues in the Cabinet, and everyone gave an audible sigh of relief. The later despatches mention that the Prince made a conciliatory and flattering speech at Carrickfergus on the 27th April, and followed it next day by the statement that he is strongly of opinion that the office of Viceroy of Ireland should be abolished and its duties transferred to the Secretary of State for Ireland. The Parnellites are disappointed at finding the Prince's tour has been, on the whole, such a success. They now suggest that Parnell' make. a similar tour as an antidote to the Royal progress, and show how much greater would bo the popular enthusiasm evoked by the uncrowned King of Ireland than by the coming King of England. The Royal party arrived in London on the 28th.

THE PRINCE OF WALES AND THE POPE.

The Italian Foreign Office has been notified that the Prince and Princess of Wales intend to visit Rome early in May, and, according to a despatch of April 29, the English Government had sent a secret agent there to Bound the Vatican as to the Pope's willingness to give the Prince an audience. The agent had several interviews with prelates at the Vatican, but though warmly recommended by Cardinal Manning and other ecclesiastical dignitaries, it is doubtful whether he will succeed. The object of the Priuoe's visit was said to be twofold--first, to arrive at an understanding with the Vatican in regard to Irish bishops; and second, to persuade Italy to form an alliance with England.

ENGLAND AND THE SOUDAN. Despatches of April 29th say hostile Arabs are again beooming troublesome to the British. Scouting parties of these bellige-

rents make constant attempts to destroy the section of the Suakim • Berber Railway already constructed, and cut the telegraphic lines whenever they can. Every night El Mahdi's men fire upon and into the British posts. The garrison of Senaar had defeated the forces of the Mahdi, which made an attack on that place, April 27th. PespaWfcas from Suakim on May 4, say El Mahdi's men are becoming more daring every day. On the night of the 3rd they surrounded Dambouk and Otao, and kept up a heavy fire on both places all night. The firing, however, was from too long a range to be effective. Despatches of May 6th mention Lord Wolseley's indisposition. Osman Digna is again collecting an army, but owing to the scarcity of food at his command, he cannot become sufficiently formidable to call for a British expedition against him. The Tokar Arabs ask English protection against Osman and almost all the other tribes are willing to submit if the English will promise to remain in the country and protect them from the vengeance of Osman Digna. In the House of Lords, on May Bth, a question was asked regarding the condition of the British troops serving in the Soudan, The Duke of Cambridge said, in response, the troops had never been better cared for in any campaign than they had been in the Soudan. The Queen has sent a message to general Grab am at Suakim, congratulating him on the recent successes of the British over the Arabs at Takool. General Wolseley, in reviewing the camel corps at Suakim on May Bth, urged the men to perfect themselves in their novel duties, as they would be wanted on the ile in the autumn. The speech was significant as indicating the General is not in favour of the Government's policy of abandoning the Soudan.

TEE BOSPEORE EGYPTIEN INCIDENT.

The seizure of the newspaper Bosphore Egyptien, at Cairo, by the authorities, and the refusal of the Egyptian Government to make apology and reparation ther-for at the demand of France led to the breaking off of official relations between the two countries on April 24. Earl Granville telegraphed instructions to Sir Evelyn Baring, on that date, to support Nubar Pasha, tho Egyptian Foreign Minister, to the utmost extremity in his ralusal to make apologies for, or explanation of the suppressian. The Paris morning papers of the 25th were loud in praise of M. De Freyoinet's action in the affair. The cafe* were thronged with enthusiastic Parisians, and oheers for the new Foreign Minister alternated with jeers for England. The evening papers had an enormous sale. Many of them asserted that De Freyoinet's peremptory sundering of intercourse with Egypt is the first step toward a formal alliance of France with Russia. France, evidently, is acting with a desire to overthrow Nubar Pasha. Despatch of May 4 mentions that the question was settled. England, without disclosing any of her share of the responsibility for the act of seizure, advised Egypt to apologise to France and allow the paper to reappear.

AN AFFAIR AT PANAMA. The United States marines—about 1200 —now on the Isthmus to look after American interests, and keep the railroad transit open, were fired on by the Panameno soldiery on the 23rd of April. On the afternoon of the 23rd barricades were erected, enclosing the Central and South American Cable Companies, and great preparations were made for a fight, but three columns of Americans entered the city at half-past two the same afternoon, knocking down all obstructions as they passed through the streets, and had full possession in about ten minutes. The Colombian Guards withdrew into the cuartels. The American Admiral, Jouett, telegraphed to the Naval Department at Washington as follows :—" It was absolutely necessary to occupy Panama to protect tho transit, and American property. The safety of Panama and American interests are secured by this move. The Government officials will arrive soon, when everything will be turned over to them, and we will withdraw." The final settlemeat of the trouble was by the withdrawal of the revolutionist, General Hizpuru, from the oity of Panama, which, together with the revolutionary armaments, was handed over to General M. Madaya. who landed on May 1, with an expedition of 850 Government troops. Madaya assumed the military and civil Governorship,

TEE REVOLT IN CANADA. Fort Pitt, in the north-west of Manitoba, fell into the hands of the Cree Indians on April 16, and several of the garrison were massacred. The commander of the fort was Mr. Francis Jeffrey Dickens, third son of the late Charles Dickens, novelist. On April 24, General Middleton's Canadian troops had a battle with Riel's force at Fish Creek, on the north-east bank of the Saskatchewan River, which lasted all day. The Canadian loss was twelve, with forty-seven wounded. The insurgents left no dead on the field. They were driven from one part of their position, but held a ravine, and .their fire caused terrible havoc among the troops. General Middleton, it is said, evidently did not prop rly appreciate the fighting qualities of the ha'f-breeds, or he would not h*ve sect raw volunteers, unaccustomed to rifle shooting, to dislodge from a strong position such accomplished sharpshooters as the insurgents. The latter fired with deadly acouracy from behind shelters. Nearly all who were killed were shot through the head or heart. An impression prevails that few, if any, of the rebels were even injured by the firing of volunteers. Curious stories are out about Riel to the effect that he is a "crank." Letters written by him are shown, in one of which he describes himself as a High Priest, prophet, and pontiff. He signs himself "Louis David Riel," believing he had a divine mission like David to slay the Goliatha of evil in tho world.

|We have since heard by cable that General Middleton succeeded in uttterly routing the insurgent forces, and in capturing Riel.]

TEE PANAMA CANAL SCHEME.

The New York Times oonoludes from the reports of the American naval officers, of which it presents a summary, affording the latent and most complete presentation of the condition and prospects of the Panama Canal, that it cannot be completed in less than five years, nor at a less cost than 350,000, OOOdo's.; also, that if its net receip'B when completed should be as high as 13,000,000d018. annually, the fixed charges would swallow up nearly all, if not the entire amount. It is extremely doubtful, in point of fact, if the interests on its obligations could be met, to say nothing of the dividends on its stocks. On its ability to raise the money when its present resources are exhausted, as they are likely to be in about a year, depends absolutely the ability of the company to go on. If it goes into financial straits, what will be the consequences ? Too much will have been done, and too much expended to admit of the scheme being readily abandoned. Will not the interposition of the French Government be then invoked, and the politioal complications so often prophesied come in sight ?

MISCELLANEOUS.

Last Fortnightly Review publishes an article by Charles Williams, a Soudan correspondent, substantially proving the incompetency of Sir Charles Wilson, and the virtual slaughter of Gordon by his negligence. At Greenook, Scotland, on Friday, May Ist, water for the first time was admitted into the immense James Watts Docks, that cost £500.000, and is intended for the accommodation of the Transatlantic steamers. The Japanese village, which had been for some time on exhibition at Hyde Park, was destroyed by fire on Mayday. The village consisted of five streets of houses and shops, constructed and peopled by Japanese, who were to be seen entjnged in their various occupations, as in their own country. Cholera is prevailing in Calcutta to an Alarming extent. The New York World of May 6th publishes statements from many persons that there was an attempt to assassinate President Cleveland the previous day, during his visit to Gettysburg. A London despatch of April 30th says the Royal Mail steamship Humber, which left New York on February 15, has not since been heard from, and is believed to be lost. A treaty has been contracted between th« United States of Colombia and the United States of America, whereby the latter has rights to this guardianship .of all transit, either by Tail or canal, across the Isthmus of Panama. Mrs. George Vandenhoff, actress and elocutionist, died in New York, April 20. Mrs. Langtry'B investments in way of loans on New York real estate have realised 135,000 dollars.

General Grant has got' well again, and the papers are now ridiculing bia doctors for their ignorance or desire to make advertising material out of the patient. Wm. A. Woodward, for 27 years proprietor of the San Francisco Alta California, died on April 16. Since her return from Darmstadt, the Queen's health has notably improved. Ada Cavendish, the actress before reported dead, was married in London on Sunday, May 2, to Frank *. Marshall, the dramatist. McOullough, the tragedian, who btfa been oat of his mind for some time, was knocked down on April 22 while crossing Broadway, opposite the Fifth Avenue Hotel, and badly hurt.

Richard Grant White, the eminent American philologist and Shaksperian critic, died in New York, April 15.

The Paris Figaro of April 30, stated the Government had decided on a measure for the expulsion of the Orleans and Bonapartist Princes.

. The French Cabinet has decided to ask the Chamber of De ties to vote an urgent extra credit of 12,000,000 francs, as requested by M. Ferry, for the expedition to Madagascar. Advices from St Vincent, alt Paris, May 7, report that while the Mess*geries Francaise steamer, Ville de Marseilles, was on her way to Buenos Ayre's, the emigrant* on board mutinied, owing to the bad food furnished. They were finally overpowered, after a desperate fight, in which the oaptain and several of the crew were badly wounded. Ten of the passengers were killed or wounded. The vessel put into St. Vincent under guard of a French cruiser.

The French Chamber of Deputies voted a credit of 120.000 franos, on May 7, to defray the expenses of laying a submarine cable to Tonquin. They also adopted the treaty of 1883, between France and Anam. Vesuvius was in eruption on May 46h, and presented a grand spectacle. Professor Pclmieri thinks there is no serious danger from the eruption. It its stated that Queen Victoria has arranged to visit Ireland next autumn. It is stated that the Government intends to buy for Prince Victor, eldest son of the Prince of Wales, as a permanent place of residence in Ireland, the celebrated ArdBrian Palace. This magnifioent seat is located at Navan, in County Meath, between the rivers Boyne and Black water, at or near the point of their confluence.