ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

Dunstan Times, Issue 836, 26 April 1878, Page 3

ENGLAND AND RUSSIA.

■A. correspondent of the New Zealand Times writes I suppose I shall not ho assuming too much when I state that the English nation is a Christian nation. Granting this, I suppose it will not lie denied that as Christians we believe the Bible to be true. Now I would suggest to those who are desirous of knowing the issue of the present European crisis that they should carefully study their Bibles, more especially the prophetie parts. They will there find that England will preserve a strict neutrality. In the year 1701 nearly 200 years ago, a certain Robert Fleming published a work called tho “Key to the Apocalypse,” in which he sketched out what from his point of view, and from a careful study of the Holy Scriptures, would be the loading events likely to happen in Europe during the two ceuturies from the time of his writing to 1000. Owing to the extraordinary fulfilment of bis interpretations of prophecy, this book created a very great sensation in ISIS, for certain occurences in that memorable year were printed by him in 1701. This work has been several times reprinted; the latest issue was in tho end of 1877. Some discussion is going on in the English Press with reference to it, as this year, IS7S. is mentioned in it for the collapse of the Turkish Empire. It has also been pointed out that had' Fleming taken fractions of years as well as whole years into his calculations, he would have hit the very day, and not only the year, when certain events took place. With this improved method of calculation, tho 20th of June ofthis year will see the death of Turkey and lire ushering in of a new order of things in the East.

lii conclusion I may say that it is the opinion of those tv ho have studied and ave studying the world’s politics with the Biblical cue, that England will not allie herself for aggressive purposes with any power; that she will very shortly take peaceable possession of Constantinople and tie Holy Land, and assume the protectorate of Egypt. Meantime Russia and Austria join in mortal combat, and eventually all the European. Continental Powers are drawn into one of the most fearful wars that have ever cursed this globe. ■ Eussia and her allies will be victorious, and then she will turn her attention to wiping out the British Empire, in which attempt she will bo frustrated.

Were you a member of the army ? asked a traveller of a woodendegged man. “ Yes, sir,” was the reply. “ 1 was mombored by a recruiting ollicer, dismembered by a Russian artillerist, and re-membortd by a pegleg manufacturer.” The claim put forward by Russia for Roumanian Bessarabia has caused much displeasure to Germany, all the more since Russia Las hitherto professed no other motive and object than to benefit the Christian Principalities. And to begin by robbing the Christian Slate which of all others lias most effectually assisted her in the war of some of the most valued territory is regarded as a strange sequel to those noble professions. A Prussian officer, in a letter, points out the serious dangers which may arise to Germany from the aggrandisement of Russia at the cost of Roumania, not only by the assignment of an important strategic position to a strong foreign military Power, but scarcely less by the impetus which the proposed cession of territory is likely to give to Panslavism, a power decidedly hostile lo Germany. The Lancet has discovered the biggest subject of her Majesty in Newcastle-on-Tyne. Mr "William Campbell,-landlord of the Duke of Wellington, stands 6 feet 4 inches in height, and weighs over 52 stones, lie measures round the shoulders 90 inches, round the waist 85 inches, and round the calf of the leg 35 inches. He was born in Glasgow in the year 1856, and lias not quite attained his 22nd year. From his birth he was remarkably stout, and at nine months old he weighed four stone ; at ten years of age he weighed 18 stone, and has gone on increasing since then, and it is with difficulty ho keeps at his present weight. He was brought up as a printer, hut was compelled, from iiis size, to give up his occupation. His appetite is not mors than an average one, and, although not an abstainer, he is moderate in his use of alcoholic drinks. If Mr Campbell goes on increasing in bulk lie will surely bo too big for Newcastle, and wo may look to see the massive Scot in the metropolis. Is there not an opening at the Aquarium? The following amusing story from Bathurst comes to ns through the Mia Mail: One of those thrifty females, of whom crusty bachelors say that the breed is fast dying out, resolved upon converting a scarlet article of her apparel into a black one. The-dye provided, amid which there- was a quantity of nitrate of silver, and the article duly soaked therein by means of a washingbasin, the good lady reth od to her couch. Not being of the Mrs Gamp class, so fearfully known by some husbands as “naggers,” this lady fell asleep. Her husband having returned after working very late, thought, in the excessive dusty and warm weather with which Bathurst has recently been so favored, that agood sluice would do him good. Accordingly, on going to the washing basin he found some water aheady there, and duly washed prior to turning in. The next morning was Sunday, on which day it is said that people do not rise so early as on other days. Turning in hod, as folks will do, the wife saw a face as black as coal. With a scream and a spring she was soon out of bed, and the whole house alarmed. .She thought some son of Afric’s soil had occupied her husband’s half of the-bed, and thus continued to scream tho louder as her husband advanced to nacify her. Now nioat people are aware that nightshirts do not fall below the man’s knees. Looking at the man as'he approached her, this thrifty woman saw at a ginned that though the jface and hands were those of Esau, the logs ■jwere Jacob’s. An explanation followed, land when Mr G. beheld himself, as his wife dield the mirror up to nature, his explanaj tiohs may not have bleu loud, but they' [iworodeep.