NOTES AND COMMENTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 9991, 30 November 1895, Page 4

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

A i.ketkr from Florence in the Temps gives an account of the opening of the tombs of Julian and Lorenzo di Medici in the now sacristy of St. Laurence. Until 1886 it was believed that they were in the old sacristy, but Signor Francheschini then provod by a letter written by Vasari to Pierre do Gondi, Archbishop of Paris, that) in 1559 the remains were transferred to the new sacristy in front of the altar, where Michel Angelo had been originally commissioned to erect monuments to them. To verify this, and by direction of the Minister of Education, the plain white marble sarcophagus was opened on the 2nd install c. Tho traces of two sabre cuts were found on the skull of Julian, and those of a third on tho thigh, being the wounds received by him in 147&' at the foot of tho altar during mass. The remains of Lorenzo wore identified by the peculiar shape of tho head and a boney projection above the upper lip. The skeletons were placed in now coffins and then replaced in the sarcophagus.

Prince Lobanoff, the Russian Foreign Minister, in a recent interview with a journalist), said .---The war of 1870 has been a misfortune for tbe world, for it ha« left behind ib resentments which weigh heavily on Europe and keep ib in a condition of permanent unresb, Another tiling which directly troubles Germany, but with which nobody in Europe can be unconcerned, is that Prince Bismarck has seb up a Parllamont in which he has established universal suffrage. By this action lie has permitted tho entrance of the Social Democrats into Parliament, ami they are now justly a source of anxiety to the Emperor William 11. Ib is difficult to foresee how he will succeed in warding off this peril. If the German Socialists resorted to forco they might be mastered by force; bub this is impossible. Force cannot be employed against. poople who do nob allow themselves to be drawn into violence, bub declare their intention to triumph by legal methods, I can understand this being tho Emperor William's chief anxiety, and it shows his sagaaity.

Apropos of the Prince's stay in Berlin, the Novoe Vremya says " England's bahaviour in regard to events in Constantinople has strengthened the conviction that it is extremely desirable to continue the agreement between the three leading Continental Powers which was begun by Germany joining Russia and Franco against the exorbitant pretensions of Jnpan. This alone can presorvo peace and frustrate the designs of England, whioh are sufficiently apparent by the presonce of her fleet before the entrance to the Dardanelles. It is therefore very necessary that Russia and France should know that Germany lias not changed the views which dictated her cooperation on behalf of China, in which case a definite understanding is advisable between Paris, Berlin, and St. Petersburg as to the means of putting a check on the designs of the Cabinet of Sb. Jamos's. Most likely Prince Lobanoff has discussed this point with Prince Hohonlohe, and has probably in this connection reminded the latter of the Egyptian question. In consequence of tho policy now pursued by England, tho position of international affairs in Europe is being sensibly changed from what it was when the rapprochenwit between France and Russia took placo in 1891. Now European peace is threatened only by England, and it is quito natural that the other Powers should sink the differences between them and act together. '

Before Mr. E. Blake, P., who is acting as umpire in the Midland Railway Arbitration case, left Ottawa on his way out to New Zealand, Dr. John Walsh, Archbishop of Toronto, wroto him a letter deploring the want of unity among Irishmen-which Mr. Dnvifcb in his address last night affocted to make light of,—in which His Grace «aid The difficulties which beset the causo aro for the most part the direct tosulb of the personal jealousies, animosities, and ambitions indulged in by certain Irish reprerontatives,and doubtless they can bo pushed out of the way by united and determined action on the part of the people." He continues:—" As an Irishman interested in the destinios of my native land, I trust I may without presumption venture bo make a suggestion, which if acted on would in my opinion, be instrumental in securing the unity of counsel and action among the Nationalists of Ireland so necessary for the

success of the cause which they hare at he My. suggestion is this. Leb a great n'' tional Awentlon be held In j) ubl ,' combed of ' the chosen re p re , on ,' tives of the clergy and p^ O pI 0 a " Ireland, and of an advisory rcprosenfc-vt.v or fchd Irish race abroad. In that conve!' lion lob Ireland speak out her mind, r. her point out and uphold those of j ' Parliamentary representatives whose nT thod» and conduct she approves, and T her mark out and condemn thoa'o w " intolerance of control, personal jealouei° 80 and animosities have dono much to b- * the unity and waste the strength af'th National party. " When Ireland," t u # Archbishop says in conclusion, " speak, t' Englishmen through such a body, her L! demands cannot long be refused." '

The situation in Turkey i 3 practiojl , without change. Further outrages by th Kurds are reported. Venezuela is sliowio' a bellicose disposition over the fronti/ dispute, and there is tall talk of 100 £ troops being available in case of Wi , The charges of mismanagement in C oiJi\ec tion with the Madagascar campaign lav ' been debated in the French Chamber 0 | Deputies. A motion to appoint a com mittee of inquiry was rejected. An effort is being made by the provost 0 f Glasgow to settle tho dispute in the shi P -buil<L trade. A Brazilian warship has been wracked. The commander and five of the crow wore drowned. The King 0 f Italy » to pay a visit to Queen Victoria. Jabez Balfour has been sentenced to fourteen years imprisonment.