OUR HOME LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 3840, 15 June 1875, Page 3

OUR HOME LETTER.

tical news, but I remark ai,| incident that will not be without interest to meat-pre-serving Colonies. We have accounts of a grand banquet, at which lo less than seventy persons were present, where the meat c insisted exclusively of horse, ass, and mule flesh. It is said that there are now no less than twenty shops ©pen in Paris for the sa’e of this meat: and the consumption has so greatly increased that a dead horse, which formerly sold for only twenty francs, is now worth a hundred and twenty. If the French palate can so readily adapt itself, there ought surely to be an opening for the sale of Australian and New Zealand meats. The only incident possessing any political interest is a speech delivered by Mr Wallon, the Minister for Public Instruction, who said that the powe s entrusted to the MarshalPresident placed a veto upon, two things only—a coup d'blat and revelation. The trial has just been concluded of Cooper and Hobson, for manslaughter in connection with the terrible railway accident at Thorpe. It may be remembered that the line in question was a single one, and that the calamity occurred from two trains being simultaneously started from opposite ends. Cooper, who was station-master at Thorpe, gave verbal instructions to Hobson, the telegraph clerk, to send a message starting the train from the opposite end, and this accordingly was done. The other train, however, arriving that moment at Thorpe, the station-master states he countermanded the message, and allowed the train to move forward from his station. The details of the accident that ensued it is needless to recapitulate. The question remaining to be decided was where lay the responsibility, and by the verdict of the jury this has been placed upon the station-master, Cooper. At first they found him guilty of common negligence. The judge pointed out to them that if Cooper was only guilty of common negligence he was not guilty of manslaughter, and inquired if they meant that. The jury retired again, and on their return found Cooper guilty of manslaughter and acquitted Hobson. The sentence passed was eight months’ imprisonment.

The most noticeable event of the month has been a disquieting rumor respecting the state of affairs on the Continent. The Berlin ‘Post,’ uh'chis regarded as a semiofficial organ, expressed itself as follows in a hading article “ Recent events have rendered it but too probable that the next Legislative A ssembly of France, being afraid that the Republican majority in the next chamber will eschew war, is anxious to precipitate a guerre de revanche whilst a strong body of Royalist deputies is there, so as to profit by the results for the re-cstablishmeat of a monarchy. War accordingly is comiug on, though the clouds gathering on the horizon may yet be in dispersion.” This, perhaps, by itself, might not have been very important, for Germany is alive to the constant necessity of guarding against France; but what followed appeared of somewhat graver import. Thus —“The Austrian conservatives, aided by infuential military circles, are endeavoring to turn out the Andrassy Cabinet with a view of taking part in coming events in Italy. It is certa n that she (Italy) wishes to make the Pope a tool in her hands, to use him for the exercise of Italian political influence all over the world. The greater part of the upper classes in Italy are ready to join an ally against Germany, whose anti-papal attitude is considered by them as anti Italian, and hostile to their national interests. Yet it is by no mea as certain that the French overtment will be able to procure an AustrcItalian alliance just now. If they fail in their endeavors to do so, war will probably be delayed. Things, however, have reached a pass when the German people should be better acquainted with the realities of the situation.

0 1 e or two instances taken in conjunction with the above concurred to excite an uneasy feeling. Not long ago the German Go. vernment addressed a note to that of Italy, calling attention to the exceptional position accorded to the Pope, and the abuse of his guaranteed privileges. _ The question thus raised is said to be still pending, no result having yet been arrived at such"as was deby Germany. Then, for some time past it has been announced that the German Emperor would pay his. return visit to the King of Italy, but thus far it has not taken place. The reason assigned is hia Imperial Majesty’s health, which the physicians say is not such as would justify their approviug of the visit. Still the fact of its postponement has not tended to allay apprch nsiou ; and' then, too, it is not so long since onr foreign secretary characterised the aspect of things abroad as disquieting In this situation the appearance of the article in the Berlin * Post’ produced for the moment some excitement, and securities of all kinds experienced a drooping tendency. A revival however, has subsequently taken place, and on reflection it must appear preposterous that Italy, wi'h her urgent need of peace, should entertain the idea of wantonly courting war. Her upper classes, from whom the higher ranks of the church are principally requited, mo doubt, are strongly re-actionary, but other influences have already proved themselves strong enough to overcome their anti liberal bias. As to Austria’s joining France in an attack upon Germany, the idea must be considered, at least, very problematical. Tn any war of France again st' Germany the sympathies of the German population of Austria would prebahly be given with their fatherland, and were Austria to thwart those sympathies, it is possible there might arise a desire on the part of her German population to gravitate towards the ; r hj 10. . countrymen of race. It is only fah to add that Ihj French Government has wisely done what ic could to allay the feelings of apprehension this excited.