NEWS BY THE MAIL.

Evening Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2126, 28 February 1870, Page 2

NEWS BY THE MAIL.

The text of Dr Livinrstone’s letter from Uj-'ji, dated 30th May, 1809, has been forwarded by Dr Kirk, I f. M. Consul at Zanzibar. From this it appears that the chief reason why we have heard nothin? of Livingstone for so many months is that the p?ople amongst whom he has been are slave dealers, and feared exposure from his letters. His mails were constantly intercepted or destroyed. and the Doctor appears to have had no confidence that his present letter would reach its destination. It came into Dr. Kirk's hands at Zanzibar, on the 2nd Oct . and is published in the Bombay Gnz*tti>. of November 20, from which we have extracted it entire. The idea that the sources of the Cango and the Nile arc not far distant from each other, is confirmed by the Doctor’s observations. He says, “As to the work to be done by me, it is only to connect the sources which I have discovered frm 500 to 700 mites south of Speke and Baker's with their Nile. The volume of water which (lows north from latitude 120 south is so large, I suspect that I have been working at the sources of the Cango as well as those of the Nile. I have to go down the eastern line of drainage to Baker’s turning point. Tanganyika, Nyige Chowambe (Baker’s ?) are one water, and the head of it is 300 miles south of this. '1 he western and central lines of drainage converge into an unvisited lake west or south-west of this. The outflow of this, whether to Cango or Nile, I have to ascertain.” Unfortunately, the natives of the country through which Livingstone’s route lies, arc cannibals, and it is not at all remain he will mana..e to get out “uneaten.” Nothing is said in the Doctor’s letter as to the probable date of his return. At the opening of the (Ecumenical Council there were present, besides the Pope, 0 archbishop-princes. 49 cardinals, 11 patriarchs, fiSfl archbishops and bishops. 2' abbots and 29 generals of religious orders. The Pope wore bis triple golden crown ; for the most part the others were dressed in white watered silk with a gold fringe. The most varied types of men were there, but they are described as on the whole “ a venerable and thoughtful body,”—“seven-tenths had hair silvered by years.” The Eoman Catholic press dwells with natural exultation on their numbers ; and it is remarked that the

council counts 155 more members than the first councils, those of Niccca, Constantinople, and Ephesus, taken together, and that it includes ecclesiastics from Siam, Buimah, Chinese Tartary, Mantehomia, Japan, Abyssinia, Seuegambia, and the remotest districts of the new world—in a word, from almost all *he sees represented in the first councils, and from a great number in regions then unknown. I may add that there were 22 bishops present from Ireland, about 10 from England, and as many as 52 from the United States, while the Canadian and other colonies were well represented. Old players at billiards will bo amazed at ho scores which have recently been made at home. In a game between ('ook and the son of the chain])!' m Roberts, the former ran up a break of 3SS, making 119 “spot” strokes in succession. This was the largest break at 1 illiards ever known ; but the same player has since exceeded it, having sored in one break no less than 394, including 112 spot strokes. Cook is said to have challenged the champion, and it is not likely that Roberts will oppose him. The cost of the inauguration of the Suez Canal cost not less than L 1,.320,400, or in round numbers 33,000,000f ; that is, 27.000. for the reception fetes and travelling expenses of the crowned heads, princes, and highnesses invited, and 6.000. for the other guests, to the number of 1,143, each of whom has lightened the Egyptian exchequer of about t5,260f; nor do these figures comprise the value of the presents offered by the Khedive ; but in this respect it is said that the bounties of Ismail Pacha have not quite come up to the Eastern standard. James Renforth, the champion sculler, has sent a letter to Mr Robert Claxton, of Newcastle-on-Huntcr, New South Wales, in which he offers to allow Hickey L2OO for expenses to row a match on the Tyne, for Id,ooo a side, over a course of from four to five miles. Renforth asserts that he is sure the Australian will be handsomely treated by all Tynesiders, in proof of which he instances the reception given to Walter Brown, the American.