HOW IT AFFECTED THEM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1016, 12 October 1882, Page 3

HOW IT AFFECTED THEM.

“ The news that the Suez Canal was in peril ” a London paper remarks, seems to have been received with varying degrees of emotion by members of Indian society. On going to the bandstand at a certain station one day (so says a Bombay correspondent) I was accosted by a lady with, ‘ Don’t tell me that they’ve taken the Canal. I’ve got a box coming from England with all the newest fashions, and I’m certain they’ve stopped the P. and 0. and opened my box, and that some horrid Egyptian ladies arc at this moment walking up and down the banks of the Canal in some of my new bonnets and dresses.’ A moment afterwards a young gentleman came up in high spirits at the news, ‘So there’s to be an expedition to Egypt,’ he said, ‘ and we shall all have to send our wives home round the Cape.’ Much in the same spirit an impecunious major wimted to know if it was true the Canal was seized, ‘ because in that case,’ he added, ‘ of course they can’t expect a fellow to remit money from Home.’ And, last ol all, a bronzed and genial colonel read a telegram from England, and seemed much pleased with its contents. ‘ It’s from Mrs Bender,’ he said, * and it’s to say that, owing to the reports about the Canal, she won’t leave England just yet. In fact, she shall stay at Home until things are quite settled, More piower to the Egyptians !’ So there are evidently more ways than one of looking at our difficulties in the East.