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New Zealand Tablet, Volume XIX, Issue 38, 26 June 1891, Page 20

The London World oF June 9 contains an alarmist statement to the effect that it is probable that war will break out between the Knghsh and Portuguese before next autumn over the African colonies. The English troops are being augmented, and others have been ordered to be placed in readiness. A fire sixty miles in le igth was, May 14, raging along the mountains between Punxsutawney and B3llwo>d, Penus/lvania oa the on the line|jf the Pennsylvania and North-western. Many' persons have been made homeless. The police at Mag Jen burg, Germany, made domiciliary visits to the abodes of many Socialists and discovered important documents. They reveal that a number of apparently legitimate labiur unions are maintaining secret rslations with the Socialists and aidin* in the propagation of their theories. ° The Governments of France and Belgium are keeping strict surveillance on the labour agitators and men engaged in present strikes in both countries, but the workmen are communicating by means of carrier pigeons to prevent the opening of their letters by the Governments. The German Emp2ror the other day remarked that it was through the "Rt formation "Prussia became strong. "Was there not asks Mr George Augustus Sala. " a certain Frederick 11, called the Ureat, who had something to do with making Prussia a strong power, and was he not an ardent disciple of Voltaire ? " Some fisherme n recently accidently dredged up from the bottom of the lower Lougn Erne an ancient shrine, which has been secured by Mr Tnom>ia PJunkett, M.R.I. A , who intends reading a paper deacnptive of it before the Hoyal Society of Antiquaries at their meeting next summer. From the style of art displayed in the ornamentation of this very interesting reliquary it cannot be older thau the ninth century, and certainly not later than the eleventh century. An Irishman n.med Patrick BrennaD, died at Hurley, Wiscona.n. on the Bth of April, at the age of 120 years. He was at one time a servant of the Dake of Wellington, and accompanied him through the Peninsular campaign to the finish at Waterloo. He has left 104 descendants. Lord Salisbury, in his famous Primrose League speech, asked his hearers it they could imagine all the estimable Anglican clergymen of London going up to the poll armed with blackthorns. We do not know that a man is any the worse for carrying a blackthorn in prefeience to a stick fashioned from other wood, but of this we are certain— 'hat in z.>al in political affairs the Irish priest can claim nosopenonty to the Auglican parson. What happened in MidOx foidsn ire ? The Plymouth Evening News appropriately reminds Lord Salisbury that tuere ihe pars ms devoted themselves to the 8-cular occupation he condemns, '• looking up voters, securing carriages, intimidating those who may sometime need charity, coals aud blankets, and conducting themselves as if their main aim in life was to secure Mr Morrell's return." The difference between the action of the Irish priest and the conduct of the Anglican clergymen is that the former gives his support to the cause which seeks to secure for the people increased comlort and a better share in the chances that life affords, whilst the Anglican minister, as a rule, throws his influence into the scale of social privilege.— Liverpool t Catlwlic Times,

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