NEWS BY THE LAST MAIL

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8756, 18 April 1890, Page 3

NEWS BY THE LAST MAIL

The excitement in Portugal has calmed down considerably. The abuse of Lord Salisbury which has been indulged in by certain Anglophobist journals on the Continent has at least served to relieve an otherwise monotonous situation. Portugal is gradually coming to her senses. The Powers, whilst declaring sympathy with her — whatever that may mean — refuse to move on her behalf. In Lisbon itself words of warning are beginning to be heard not to carry the opposition to England too far. The commercial war will hurt Portugal more than England, and one journal says that British coal and machinery are essential to the interests of Portuguese agriculture. At the same time, the new Cabinet is giving effect to the understanding arrived at with Lord Salisbury, and is avoiding a possible revival of the disgraceful antiEnglish demonstrations in Lisbon by sending Major Serpa Pinto to the West Coast of Africa, instead of allowing him to return to Portugal. Major Serpa Pinto on arrival at Delagoa Bay from Mozambique received instructions arresting his homeward journey to Lisbon, where it is surmised his presence just now might be inconvenient. There is reason to believe that the outside public are still much in the dark regarding events on the Zambesi. Two Portuguese officers are said to have been^killed, and it is rumoured that Gungunwayo has devastated the native districts almost down to Komati.

In the death of the Yen. Dr. Nathan Marcus Alder, the chief Rabbi, the Jews have lost one of the greatest of men. Dr. Alder was born at Hanover in 1803. He was a son of the Chief Rabbi of Hanover, and was educated at the Universities of Gottingen, Erlangen, and Wurzburg. lie was appointed Chief Rabbi of Oldenburg in 1825) and of Hanover and its provinces in 1830. On July 9, 1845, he was installed in London as Chief Rabbi of the United Congregations of the British Empire, his dominion extending wherever there were English-speaking Jews. The following is one of the many anecdotes related of the late Dr Alder ; — A beggar who had trespassed once too often «m the kindheartod Rabbi's generosity, threatened that unless he received further assistance he would go to the Society for the Conversion of the Jews and become a Christian. Dr. Alder remained obdurate, and dismissed him, saying that he hoped he would make a better Christian than Jew. The beggar left the office, but was summoned back by the Chief Rabbi's beadle. Ho returned, jubilantly expecting to make his own terms with the " Rao." The latter, however, calmly said, "I am afraid that if you walk to the society's office you will have time to change your mind. I'll send you there in a cab." The beggar made himself scarce.

The Italian Admiral Albini thinks that the future man-of-war will have double screws and a helm at each end, so that in battle it need waste no time in turning around. Its sides will be iitiarnioiire'i.

There are 2234 newspapers published in the United Kingdom, as against 551 published in 184 G. Of this large number, 185 are daily newspapers, against fourteen in 1846.

Owing to influenza there lms been scarcely a fashionable season in Pai is tin's year. Nearly everyone who could get away to wanner climatcH has done ko. It is stated that a great dressmaker who has an establishment at Rome says that there is so little to do in Paris and so much at Rome that she has judged well to draft oil' her most skilled workwomen to the Roman establishment.

Tho scene of Mr Rider Iluggnrd'a nc*t utory will be laid in South Africa, his oxtPrppjvg knowledge Qi whjeb, dw

ing his period of service on the stall of an ciuiucut Government official, Ims already served him in such good stead in former volumes of possible and impossible adventiiro. A Zulu chieftain will be a prominent personage in tho book. Sir John Gorst is destined for early promotion, lie possosses one of tho sharpest minds, and is one of tho best debaters on the front bench, lie will before long receive an ollicc of Cabinet rank, and on thu Conservative side there is a strong impression that when Mr Balfour rises from tho Chief Secretaryship to a still greater ottiee he will be succeeded by Sir John Gorst. His solicitude for the" wage-earner" has not prevented his German Majesty taking np a now hobby —that of fencing, which he now practises for an hour or two every day. Colonel von Dresky, his former gymnasium master, finds him a ready pupil. This officer, a few years ago, introduced a treatment from which trie Emperor's left arm has derived considerable benefit. j i I ■