A French View of the Invasion of Britain.

Colonist, Volume II, Issue 176, 28 June 1859, Page 4

A French View of the Invasion of Britain.

—We ought not to labour under any illusion as to our force or that of our neighborhood, and we must take into account the.advantage and inconvenience of the two national characters —on the other British slowness and tenacity. Our attack is furious and almost irresistible, but the thoroughbred Englishman, heavy, awkward, and disdaining a military life as. unproductive^ has the temperament of a bull-dog—once he bites he never lets, go'his hold. . Wounds only exasperate him, and when attacked on his own soil he will die or kill the ■ aggressor. Let us not forget that characteristic of British courage. In spite of numerous batteries which defend the English soil, we might perhaps effect a landing, but twp ■or three victories would be far from giving us England, and it would;perhaps be less difficult to get there than" to- leave. ' There is too much patriotic pride and courage in, our allies on the other side of the channel for us to flatter ourselves that, we could, easily give them a mortal blow.— The Univers (Paris.) ■

The Colored Sentry. -r-Theodoxe' Parker, of Washington, tells the-following anecdotesrelated to him by an old soldier, who vouched for its truth :-t" At ■ Cambridge General Washington had heard that the colored soldiers were not to be depended upon for sentries; so, one night when the pass-word was ' Cambridge,' he went outside the camp, put on an overcoat, and then approached a colored sentinel. «Who goes there ?' cried the sentinel. *A- friend,' replied Washington. 'Friend,' advance unarmed and give the countersign,' said the colored man. Washington • came up and said ' Roxburg.' 'No sar,' was the response. ' Medford,' said Washington. *No sar,' returned the colored soldier. ' Charlestown,* said Washington. The colored man, immediately exclaimed, * I tell you, Massa Washington, no man go by here 'out he say Cambridge.' Washington said * Cambridge,* and went by, and the next day the colored gentleman was relieved of all future necessity for attending to that particular branch of militar}' duty."— Scottish American Journal.

Major Fitzmaurice's JSiew Light. —On Thursday night. (February the 15th). the Hon. Major Fitzmaurice visited' the Penrhyn Slate Quarry, near Bangor,. North Wales, for the purpose of exhibiting, his newly discovered light. The first experU ment was conducted in a deep and long tunnel. The apparatus, which is quite porta T . ble, was placed at one end of the tiinnel. The light produced from this' was" steady, pure, and so surprisingly brilliant' that it illuminated the whole length of the tunnel, and rendered a written paper distinctly legible at a distance of 300 yards. The apparatus was next brought into the open quarry. Here also the results were most extraordinary. The numerous steps of the quarry, some even at a distance of 800 and 900 yards, were as clearly seen as in'daylight. Mr. Francis, the superintendent of the quarry, and a party of friends, took the most attentive interest in this wonderful discovery, and all expressed their gratification and surprise. A young Irish lady who was present exclaimed, " Why-the sun is a fool to it." This light is applicable,tb a variety-of purposes. The colors of furniture, dresses, &c, are rendered unusually vivid, and photographs can be taken in 10 seconds. It is free from injurious fumes, and consequent!}"' does not affect paint; gilding, or articles,of delicate color. It is easily manufactured and very cheap. A .light equal to that of thirty candles can be pro-' duced at a cost of one halfpenny an hour.

Whom did Robinson Crusoe meet on his being cast on the desolate island'?, & great swell on the shore, and a little cove running inland. "..•I'lLsoon take the shine out of you," as the rain said to the boots. ■<•'