A DARK OUTLOOK.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume VI, Issue 913, 6 October 1879, Page 2

A DARK OUTLOOK.

(Fom the Tablet.) The general aspect of the world at the present moment is anything but reassuring' Not only is the state of our colony much lower than it has been for many years, business stagnant, and want everywhere apparent j but from all parts of the world misfortunes and catastrophes are reported m quick succession. In Irelaud > there exists ' great poverty j the farmers are unable to pay their rents, and the utmost, distress threatens. In England, heavy rains have done great damage to the harvest, and trade continues depressed. In France the grape crop is reported to be an almost total failure ; and m Italy the harvest is defective, and inundations have caused much misery. Meantime a fresh war is being prepared for m India ; and Oabul, were all supposed to have been placed on a satisfactory footing, is again m a wild commotion. Mutiny accompanied by the murder of all the British embassy, has taken place, and has necessitated an advance upon that capital of the forces under General Roberts. Considering the ferocious and treacherous nature'already displayed >by the Afghans, and so displayed by them has'never to admit of forgetfulness on the part of England, it, perhaps, may seem rather fool hardy to have left m their capital any English Residency so weak ' as not to be able to hold out against attack until the alarm could have been sounded, and aid sent up to deliver it. But, however the matter may be, it is certain that the possession , of British India is every costly, anci involves constant anxiety and danger.