Untitled

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 249, 22 October 1870, Page 4

Loss of Life in Modern Wars. — In a recent speech by Mr. Pease, M.P, for South Durham, he remarked tbat iv a very instructive volume lately published in France, a careful estimate (compiled from authentic documents) was made of the. cost ih lives of recent Continental wars. The Crimean war was stated to have cost 784,900 lives ; the war in Italy in 1859, 45,000; in Schleswig-Holsteiu 3,500; the American war, 800,000 ; the Prussian war was, 45,000 ; Mexico aud China, 05,000 — making a total, between 1853 to 1866, of 1,750,000 lives ; and those were men iv the prime of life, men who ought to have been useful and productive citizens. And, besides all these, there were the mained, the halt, and the blind who were scattered over all the nations of Europe. Such were the effects of thirteen years' war in the nineteenth century. A Correspondent of the London Times, who returned after war had been declared by France, says :— " what struck me most was the contrast presented by the two sides of the river. In Germany the people were grave, anxious, but resolute, and everything was done quietly. In France there was much yelling, drinkiDg, boasting, aud boisterous merriment on the part of the soldiers and lower classes, and extraordinary activity amoug officers and officials of all grades. The Germans seemed sorry to be obliged to fight, whereas the French longed to be at it. But ifc is worth repeating that, so far as I could see, the well-to-do classes do not share the enthusiasm of their poorer countrymen." At a late show of entire horses at Christchurch, nineteen draught, three thoroughbreds, two trotters, and one hack were shown.