H.—l6.

10

In communicating at the time this decision to the French Charge d'Affaires in this country —a decision which has been recently confirmed in the case of a lunatic British subject confined at Baillent —it was pointed out that the British Government are placed in a peculiar difficulty as regards the question, inasmuch as they have no legal authority to remove any person so circumstanced from this country, and are, therefore, precluded from proposing to foreign countries to agree to a system of mutual repatriation. It was added that, in acting on the conclusion above referred to, Her Majesty's Government had less scruple than might otherwise have been the case, since, from inquiries which had carefully been made, they had reason to believe that on striking a balance of cases for repatriation, it would be greatly to the disadvantage of this country. But, however, desirable the arrangement thus come to by Lord Granville may be as regards France and the United Kingdom, Lord Derby has some doubts whether it would be convenient to apply it to the colonies of either nation, as it is apprehended that it would be still more largely to the disadvantage of England, which possesses a greater number of colonies than France or any other nation. His Lordship understands that the general practice in British Colonies, where a case arises of a foreign lunatic being destitute, is for the authorities to call on the Consul of his natiou to take steps for his removal to his own country, a course of action which would appear especially desirable in the case of colonies situated in the tropics. Lord Derby would accordingly be glad to learn whether Lord Carnarvon concurs in the view above expressed, and, if so, whether he is disposed* to consider it expedient that the case of Bridget Sheen should be brought to the notice of the French Government by Her Majesty's Ambassador at Paris, with the view to the conclusion of an agreement by which each country should remove from the other's colonies such of their respective nationals as may be insane or destitute. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. Julian Pauncefote.

Consul Plattaie to the Eael of Deeby. My Loed, —■ British Consulate General, Algiers, 30th October, 1876. I have received, through the Vice-Consul of Philippeville, a communication from the Prefet of Constantine, stating that an Irish woman named Bridget Sheen, who had only left her native country a few months before, had been admitted into the Civil Hospital, on the ground of insanity, and requesting that measures might immediately be taken to have her sent back to her native country, as no provision exists for the confinement of insane persons in this colony. Her mental condition is such that no further particulars can be obtained regarding her history, but it is probable that, as she cannot speak French, a clue to her identity may be obtained when she is brought in contact with some of her countrymen. I have the honor to request that your Lordship will be pleased to inform me what steps I ought to pursue regarding her. Vessels of the British Indian Steam Navigation Company touch at Algiers every month on their way to London, and she might be sent in one of them. If your Lordship sanctions my sending her to England in this manner, I would beg the favour of a telegraphic reply to save time. I have, <fee, E. J. Platfaie.

The Colonial Office to the Fobeign Office. Sic, — Downing Street, 21st March, 1877. With reference to your letter of the 17th of November last, on the subject of the repatriation of British and French colonial lunatics, I am directed by the Earl of Carnarvon to state that his Lordship is not aware of any sufficient reason for not extending to the colonies the practice which appears to have been adopted since 1871, according to which repatriation of lunatics has been abandoned as between the parent countries. I am to add that, if the Earl of Derby sees no objection, Lord Carnarvon will bring the matter under the consideration of the Colonial Governments, as without their consent his Lordship would not feel himself in a position to pledge them either to such a course or to that suggested in your letter. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Foreign Office. E. H. Meade.

The Fobeign Office to the Colonial Office. Sib,— Foreign Office, 16th May, 1877. I am directed by the Earl of Derby to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 21st of March last, on the subject of the repatriation of British and Foreign colonial lunatics, in which you state that Her Majesty's Secretary of State for the Colonies is not aware of any sufficient reason for not extending to the colonies the practice which appears to have been adopted since 1871, according to which the repatriation of lunatics has been abandoned as between the parent countries, but that Lord Carnarvon cannot pledge Colonial Governments to any fixed arrangement without consulting them. 1 am, therefore, in reply, to request that you will inform Lord Carnarvon that Lord Derby would be glad if his Lordship would take steps for consulting the Colonial Governments accordingly. I have, &c, The Under-Secretary of State, Colonial Office. J. V. Listee. LATIN. Virgil — JEneid I and 11. 1. Translate—

Ipsa sed in somnis inliumati venit imago Conjugis, ora inodis attollens pallida miris; Cru'deles aras trajectaque pectora ferro Nudavit, caeoumque domus scelus omne retexit. Turn celerare fugam patriaquo exccdere suadet, Auxiliumque yiae veteres tellure recludit

Thesauros, ignotum argenti pondus et auri. His commota fugam Dido sociosque parabafc. Conveniunt, quibus aut odium crudele tyranni Aut metus acer erat: naves, quae forte paratae, Corripiunt, onerantque auro,