SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1309, 30 May 1878, Page 3

SUEZ MAIL NEWS.

THE EASTERN QUESTION.

The London correspondent of the " Argus," writing on April 12th, furnishes the following account of the aspect of affairs on that date :

The atmosphere, -which a few days ago was as dark as midnight, is now a little clearer, and there are streaks of light in the East which are of good augury. It would be premature yet to say that all danger of war is past, but the prospects of peace have certainly improved. T cannot think but that this is due to the effect produced throughout Europe by Lord Salisbury's admirable circular. Denounced by some of our Radical peace-at-any-price papers as a provocation to war, it is certain that its tendency ia pacific, as I believe was its intention. If it has done nothing more, it has cleared the air, and enabled the world to see the issue between Russia and Europe more plainly than it has done heretofore. After the long series of Derby circumlocutions and hesitation?, it is refreshing to come across the downright and straightforward English of Lord Salisbury's despatch. Of the authorship of this now celebrated state paper there have been many stories in circulation, but it is impossible to doubt from the style that if was wholly the work of Lord Salisbury. Count Schouvaloff is credited with the opinion that it is "a very good 'Saturday Eeview ' article, but no contribution to the settlement of the Eastern question." _ In this respect, the Russian ambassador differs from all the world. On the Continent a very great impression has been produced by the British circular, which has come like a surprise to those who have been speculating on the timidity and the inertness of England. In France, the entire press, Imperialist and Republican, with scarcely a single exception, has beeia loud in praise of Lord Salisbury's circular. The "Debats," which told us the other day that the glorious traditions of English policy survived only in the bosoms of one lady and an aged statesman, cannot find words too strong to express its approval of the despatch. The " Republique Erancaise," which cannot be accused of an undue predilection for the British aristocracy, is scarcely less emphatic in its praises. In Austria, the enthusiasm which has been created is almost universal, and will certainly have a material effect on the policy of Count Andrassy. Even in Germany the Government organs cannot refrain from applauding, while they profesß to be surprised at the last word of England. But perhaps the most remarkable testimony to the merits of Lord Sal's'mry 'a circular is furnished by the extraordinary haste with which Prince Gortschakoff has answered it—a haste Trhich betrays itself even in the composition of the Russian answer. On looking back to the events of the last few days it is amusing to observe the tremendous efforts which were made to let Prince Gortßchakoil's answer be known in England before the closing of the debate on the address to the Queen. On Tuesday evening, the second day of the debate, the "Times" issued an extraordinary third edition, containing the substance of Prince Gortschakoff's circular, telegraphed from St. Petersburg, which was not to be seen or procured anywherp until Sir William liarcourt brought down a bundle of copies of the paper under his arm to the 'House of Commons about eight o'clock. I know as a fact thufc at this time no copies of the third edition of the " Times" were to be obtained in any of the clubs, nor was it for sale anywhere. This delicate attention to the House of Commons on the part of the Russian Chancellor could hardly have any other object than to influence iter Majesty's Opposition, and to thwart the Government. The manoeuvre, however, which betrayed the ejfoesgive anxiety of Russia to stand well in the eyes of her friends in this country, had no success. The leader of the Opposition did not k!iow that he had re< oivedany new inspiration from the Russian eii cular. On the contrary, lie avoidedaltogvther touching on tho merits of the cas> betwem Lord Salisbury and Prince Gortschakoff. He condemned the amendment of Sir Wilfred Lawson as " untimely and unnecessary," »ud after a speech to which the same epithets plight hare been applied, seeing thti

it was devoted to a criticism of all the ac*-s of the Ministry previous to the publication of the San Stcfano treaty, ho ended by walking out of the House with the principal members of the official Opposition. The Government obtained a majority of 319 to sixty-four on the division, which must bo accepted as a tolerably clear indication of public feeling. Some thirty Liberals only voted with the Ministry, while of the Liberal leadors only Mr Gladstone and Mr Bright wero found in the minority. Seeing that the minority on tho vote of credit was ninety-eight, it must be admitted that the Government have gained in the confidence of the House during the last six weeks. Nor can there be any doubt that this confidence is also extended to them by the country. The victory of the Conservative candidate 'at Worcester, which has always been a Liberal stronghold, was most significant of this. There will bo another important election next week for South Northumberland, which is tolerably certain to result in the same way. Indeed, I hear some ardent spirits among the Conservatives insisting that there ought to be a dissolution just now, on the ground that it would vastly increase the Conservative majority, and secure them power for some time to come. A general election, it is extremely probable, will be held this year —perhaps before the close of the session. I am informed on good .'authority that should the difficulties with Russia threaten an outbreak of war, Parliament will certainly be dissolved simultaneously with a declaration of hostilities. THE PEO3PECTS OF PEACE. The London correspondent of a Melbourne contemporary writes on April 12th, as follows : As to the other powors, there is no renson to doubt that they all approve of the tone and the substance of the Salisbury Circular, whether they are prepared to back it up or not. It is Russia, in fact, who is now isolated in Europe. Austria, who was on t'e point, in despair of the English alliance, of yielding herself to be "squared" by Eussia, has suddenly assumed a more independent tone, and can no longer be reckoned on the Eussian side. Even Germany stands aloof from Eussia, as may be seen from the out-spoken articles in the "Berlin Evening Post" and the other official organs. From the moment, in fact, that England threw off the cloak of selfishness, and "purged her long-abused sight," to use the Miltonic phrase, at the fountain of her glorious traditions, she recovered her old moral influence over Europe. This is an influence undoubtedly on the side of peace, and therefore every man of peace must rejoice at the change from the Derby to the Salisbury regime. I believe that some way will be found or made to bring about a Congress after all, and it is the fact that tho German Emperor, at the personal solicitation of the Queen, is doing his utmost to induce his nephew to consent to reason. The |immediate danger is lest some spark, falling on the inflammable materials at Constantinople, may light up a goneral conflagration. The Russians and the Turks, according to the latest news, are both busily occupied in fortifying their positions, Eussia, after having failed in winning over the Porte to her side, as she was prepared to do almost at any prico, letting the Bulgarians and the Armenians go, and reducing the amount of the indemnity, seems now resolved to intimidate them into an absolute submission. I should not be surprised if the treaty of San Stcfano were aftor all to cease to be a difficulty to Europe by being torn up by those who made it. But the renewal of hostilities in theßosphorus can scarcely take place without involving England. The first move of the Eussian generals will be to occupy the lines before Gallipoli, but this is certain to be met by a landing of marines from tho British fleet, and the despatch of regiments into the Dardanelles from Malta. After that, the deluge. THE HEEO OF PLEYNA. Ghazi Oaman, the heroic defender of Plevna, made his public entry into Constantinople on March 25th, and reviewed at the Seraskierate a few thousands of tho troops whom he commanded so gallantly during the vicissitudes of the autumn campaign. On the morning of the previous day Osman, with Tefik Bey and other distinguished Turkish prisoners, arrived from Odessa in the train of General Ignatieff. The presence of General Ignatieff could not mar the the reception given to the greatest of Ottoman commanders. Osman Pasha's name is very manifestly engraven upon the hearts of his countrymen, and not even the multiplied disasters which have fallen upon Turkey have been able to obliterate their pride in his achievements. When he reached the Golden Horn there was a stirring, we may be sure, among the shattered remains of the Turkish armies, and the men who fought stoutly for many months, but who since the opportunity of fighting is past have sunk into despondency, felt tho revival of their palsied hopes. Osman Pasha, indeed, is not one of those heaven-born generals whose genius makes up for all or nearly all disadvantages, and avails even to force back the hand upon the dial of destiny. He is not one whose simple presence at the head of an army can change the fortunes of empires, like Hannibal, or Cccsar, or Napoleon. He is a brave and steadfast Boldicr, with something of that dogged temper which has often given the victory to Englishmen against the efforts of scientific warfare and the calculations of ordinary prudence. If his reappearance among them brings back confidence and self-respect to the Turkish soldiery, it is not that it prompts them to cherish any irrational expectations. But it reawakens the pride of a race which is justly proud of its martial quality, and it reminds them that no blows inflicted from the outside can crush the capacities which are stored up in the national spirit. If Osman Pasha was a greater man intellectually his sorvices might be regarded as exceptional ; but his bravery, his resolution not to yield, his single-minded devotion to hisoountry's cause, are not beyond the emulation of any honest and valorous Ottoman in the armies of the Sultan. It is important to remember now that those gifts _ of Osman's, needing no genius for their attainment, wellnigh brought to xuin the well laid schemes, the elaborate and costly organisation, the enormous military strength of the Empire of the Czars. More than once it eeemed certain that the Russian armies before Plevna would meet with reverses as fatal to their prestige and as destructive of their ascendancy in war as those whjch first dealt \\ blow at the power of Napoleon in front of the lines of Torres Vedras. The feelings which the return of Osman Pasha to Constantinople has moved in the minds of the Turkish people, and to which the Sultan gave public and formal expression when he invited the defender of Plevna to his Palace, and, in tho presence of Ms Ministers, thanked tho defeated General in language of the warmest admiration for his gallant services, are deserving of the attention of Europe. The event is in itself, perhaps, insignificant, but combining it with a vast mass of evidence from various sources which has lately been made public, it proves that the Turks, crushed as they have been by the superior might and craft of Russia, and helpless as they seem for the moment, have not been entirely blotted out.

PIIACriCAL MANUAL OF THE ' DISEASES QF CHILDREN.

A work under the above title lias been lately published ip England, which has received very favourable notice. The author is Dr. Edward Ellis, ono of our Christchurch practitioners, who has lately entered into partnership with Dr. Prins. Of this work the " Lancet" says that "it is characterised by much common-senfe, as well as by a knowledge of all that is best in recent medical sdouce . . . a book deserving as well as likely to be <-orsailed in the haste of daily pr.Hctiee." Upon the need of such a work of a thoroughly popular character it io unnccesoary to dilute. The following remarks upon it are from the "Fall-Mall Gazette" of March 23rd:

There are two classes of hooka which are worse than useless in the nursery. The " domestic medicine" kind pretend to explain everything, and to point out a remedy for everything, and ot course lead to meddlesome mischief. They are, in fact, too often manuals of djmestio infanticide. The high scientific treatises, in whiob, there is genuine inform-

tion couched in technical language, would only bewilder an anxious mother. The big words and mystery magnify her troubles tenfold. Yet there are hundreds of nurseries in which a plain, sensible guide is wanted. This practical manual by Dr. Ellis exactly replaces both nurse and mother, and gives her the means of judging and acting rightly. It is a difficult thing to rear children oven in a state of nature, but civilisation makes the matter worse. At the same time it has partially smothered instinct, for which a smattering of popular physiology is a very bad substitute. Weakly young savages are soon done with. Young citizens are often kept alive only to become nursery puzzles, miracles of suffering endurance, and the subjects of scientific treatment. Other children, more happily constituted, share with their parents only the common diseases of humanity, and the important differences in the character and treatment of them, depending upon age, require careful consideration. This is a fertile subject, and though it cannot be omitted, often gives occasion for a groat deal of unnecessary padding in the hands of clumsy writers. . . . Dr. Ellis is one of the unspeculative doctors who quietly accepts facts as facts. . . . As it is only too true that our children have to dodge through the early part of life as through a sort of pathological labyrinth, we must be thankful to meet with such a sensible guide for them as he is. He is eminently a practitioner among doctors and a doctor among practitioners ; that is to say, he is learned and wise, knows what is known, can do what should be done, and can put what he has to say in plain and comprehensible language. Wo have tested his book in this way as to its utility in the nursery as well to the profession. We find a mother anxiously watching her sick child and hesitating what to do. The great pain is local, say in the head or chest. We turn for her to the division of the book treating of the group of diseases which affect that particular region. She sees a certain number enumerated. The titles are not too exclusively technical, and guide her to the identical series of symptoms she notes on her child. These are very clearly and briefly mentioned, generally in the order of their occurrence, and without confusing theoretical explanations. There they are in nature and in print. They either point to danger or they are only of trifling importance. The situation is precise and intelligible, and she makes out exactly how to act. She has either to wait and follow some simple rules of diet or management, and to let an indisposition pass ; or she gets warning of the nature of the mischief and the necessity of some medical treatment, of which she is made to understand the object, and is prepared to second when employed by proper hands, without being tempted to tamper with it herself by "instructions as to use." Under such circumstances, then, we may safely say, vide tho manual of Dr Ellis.