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nothing to do but to look on as spectators. Whether the talked-of annexation of St. Domingo indicates such aspirations, or is merely due to some of the intricate manoeuvres of Washington politicians, is a matter on which we can have no definite opinion. Such things are too deep for the penetration of the outside world. But it is worth while to watch the indications of a newly-roused passion for increase of territory. Such a disposition, especially while there are outstanding difficulties between ourselves and our cousins, might any day produce very awkward complications. The proposal to settle the Alabama grievance by a cession of British territory was absurd enough in itself, but may indicate to some extent the current of the national aspirations. The American people, we might have thought, would show their common sense by waiting quietly rather than attempting to force the market. They have already enormous tracts of waste territory which it will take generations rather than years to cover even with a thin population. They have the task of consolidating a huge and straggling empire, separated by wildernesses and mountain chains; they have the still more difficult task of eradicating the bitter antipathies left by the great civil war. In short, they have work enough on hand to occupy their whole energy and statesmanship for years ⚫ to come. It seems to be a superfluous proceeding to plunge out of pure gaiety of heart into new acquisitions, and especially into acquisitions of so worthless a character. We generally attribute to them the power of taking a cool commercial view of transactions, and a disposition to test the value of a thing by the number of dollars it will fetch. But Americans have a romance of their own; every man of them seems to be more or less intoxicated when he thinks of the future of his country, and sees in imagination its frontier slowly moving onwards till it includes the whole of the New World within its limits.

When that passion brings their interests, real or imaginary, into conflict with our own, it will be time enough to discuss the proper policy to pursue. The time may, of course, come when the United States will cover America as the waters cover the

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nection with us, we could, of course, do nothing but acquiesce with the best grace in our power. Meanwhile, this policy of gathering up scraps here and there of gathering barbarous negroes or simple wastes of territory into the fold — is not calculated to raise our opinion of the policy involved. An attempt to attract Canada might at least imply a recognition of the advantages of recognizing ties of blood and similarity of character as a basis of union. But when we see a nation running about to pick up any stray fragments of land that happen to be in the market, without regard to the character of their inhabitants, if there are inhabitants, we cannot feel much admiration for the peculiar tendencies of its ambition.

From The Pall Mall Gazette.

THE CREDIT OF THE UNITED STATES.

THERE is no subject upon which the many Americans who are at once shrewd and honourable men of business express themselves with so much bitterness as the state of the credit of the United States in the European money markets. The United States ought, they say, if financial facts and past financial action are to be the tests of solvency, to rank among the most solvent bodies politic in the world. The Federation, they urge, has never repudiated, and has never given the faintest sign of an intention to do so. The ignorant persons who suppose that it has done so probably confound the temporary but real inability to pay of Pennsylvania, and the temporary but deliberate dishonesty of Mississippi (then a raw and wild western slave State), with repudiation on the part of a Government which has no more connection with either of them than has the British Chancellor of the Exchequer with the directors of the London, Chatham, and Dover Railway. The United States further have never had a deficit once in all their history; their present surplus is enormous and recurrent; their accounts are clear, well tested, and regularly rendered. Yet, if the price of their stocks in the European price-lists is the criterion of credit, how does American credit stand? It is better than that of those Eastern European Governments which borrow and spend with equal recklessness. It is better than that of Spain and Greece, which do not make a pretence of paying their debts. It is rather better than that of Italy and Austria, which, besides having chronic deficits, have lately taken to confiscating part of their creditors' interests under the

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name of taxation. But it is worse than the unprincipled politicians. Now of the probcredit of Russia, which, though generally able success in the European markets of a believed to be both honest and solvent, has scheme recommended in this way an Engadopted the bad practice of continually bor- lishman is a better judge than an American; rowing without rendering clear accounts of and therefore we do not hesitate to assert expenditure. It is much worse than that of that it would have miscarried utterly. The France, of whose future, after the Empe- undoubted uneasiness of the foreign credror's death, nobody feels the least certainty. itor would have operated in a way wholly It is very much worse than that of the Brit- different from that expected. The plan of ish Indian Government, which conducts an paying off the Five-Twenties in greenbacks experiment unprecedented in the history of - or, in other words, of substituting for a the world. And it is infinitely below that promissory note bearing interest and payof the United Kingdom, with which, on able at a fixed date another promissory note every principle, it ought to be on a par. The not bearing interest and payable at an inAmericans, who are confessedly sore at definite period - seemed to European credthese unsatisfactory phenomena, are not, of itors, to speak plainly, so impudently discourse, blind to their cause. It is the con- honest that it would have deprived of all stant folly of American public men in bab- or nearly all value even the express prombling about repudiation which brings it all ise of the Government which paltered with about. One President has formally pro- it. European capitalists would have reposed to set off all past payments of inter-garded the express promise to pay in gold as est against the principal of a debt. One standing on pretty much the same level as great American party fought a critical contest in a doubtful State on the footing of paying off the largest part of it in inconvertible paper money. The most energetic attempts have since been made to deprive these facts of significance; but the foreign creditor, who indicates his opinion by the price-list, has evidently not been wholly convinced. He knows that minorities in the United States have a way of suddenly becoming majorities, apparently for no other reason than that the people like to give them a turn; and he knows that a popular majority committed to repudiation would act on its principles with an unflinching and unblushing thoroughness with which the petty lapses of constitutional or despotic Governments into bad faith would bear no sort of comparison.

The success of Mr. Boutwell's attempt to fund the greatest part of the American debt depends wholly and solely on the degree in which the mistrust of the creditors of the United States has been dissipated. Several schemes of the kind which were given to the world before and immediately after General Grant's accession to power had the weakness inherent in their being intended to make a profit out of the fear of repudiation. Their authors did not exactly say that they agreed with the politicians who proposed to pay off the Five-Twenties in greenbacks, but they at all events attached so much importance to the proposal that they thought it would frighten the public creditor into accepting a stock bearing a lower interest, but expressly promised to be paid off in gold, instead of the stock which bore a higher rate of interest about which this disgraceful quibble had been raised by

the implied promise which there was a hint of a possible intention to disregard. Even now the funding scheme under discussion in the Senate will only succeed in the European markets just so far as the suspicion of repudiation has been dissipated. If the credit of the United States has really improved through the undoubtedly earnest protests of the present Government and Legislature against dishonesty, the Federation will be able to borrow at a lower interest than heretofore, and may take steps for paying off the debt, which bears a higher interest, with the proceeds of the loan. The critical part of the new proposal is its borrowing part. The voluntary exchange of bonds for others bearing lower interest will only be a consequence of success in raising a loan. If the creditors of the United States perceive that through the favourable reception of these financial operations there is a probability of their being paid off at par, they will make their own calculations; and if they are disposed to continue their investments in the funds of the United States, they will accept the par value of their securities in the new stock.

Mr. Boutwell's present proposals have had their chances of success greatly increased by the recent decision of the Supreme Court of the United States, that contracts for the payment of money made before the passing of the Legal Tender Act must be discharged in gold. The legal grounds of the decision, and the question how far it was influenced by the political bias of the judges, have but little interest for our readers, but undoubtedly it tends to assist the borrowing power of the United States in two ways. First, it is now un

doubted law, and must be followed in all and has thus done much to disperse the falcourts subordinate to the Supreme Court; lacy which to a certain extent blinded the and from this it follows that greenbacks more ignorant and honest of the repudiahave become totally useless for many pur-tors. Money, we understand the Court poses to which they were put, except so far to tell us, must, in the absence of decisive as a given number of them may actually indication to the contrary, be understood to represent a certain amount of gold. The imply the precious metal which is the prireasons for an early resumption of specie mary agent in carrying on the exchange of payments, have, therefore, greatly gained the world. The burden of proving that a in force. In the next place, the Court has contract may be discharged in greenbacks solemnly affirmed that there is an essential is on those who would discharge it in that distinction between greenbacks and gold,

commodity.

Good Words for the Young.
THE WELCOME GUEST.

Jesus said, "I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in. . . Inasmuch as ye have done unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done unto me."

THE sun glowed crimson in the west,

And all around the clouds grew bright— So bright, they spoke of far-off rest

Where shadows lose themselves in light. And shafts of glory stole between

The forest shades, where, dim and drear, Tall pine-trees wave their plumes of green In stately silence, year by year.

But when the sunset radiance fled,

From tree, and field, and snowy height,
The wind its wintry wings outspread,

And flew in haste to find the Night.
Its deep voice through the forest rang,
Till every tree bowed to its call;
And forth the magic Frost-man sprang,
To show his strength o'er stream and fall.

The forest fairies tripped away;

Wood fairies are so slight and small,
That, though they like the cold, they say
They cannot stand the wind at all.
Some hid with dormice in their holes,
And some where snug the squirrel slept,
Or went to see the sleepy moles,

Or in an old trunk sat and wept.

Yet in the darkness and the gloom

Was still one gleam of pleasant light, Where in the woodman's little room

A cheerful fire shone warm and bright, And pine logs blazing on the hearth

(With light the fairies love so well): Far out upon the forest path

The merry, dancing firelight fell.

The room was poor, and yet intent

Some angel may have watched within:—

Who lowly love and true content,

Except with heavenly help, may win?

All round the fire the children sit,
Busy and happy as could be;
And Effie did her stocking knit,
Nestling upon her father's knee.
The mother's busy hands prepare
The evening meal, and when 'tis spread
She calls them to the simple fare-

Potato soup and barley bread.
Then did the father, rising, say—

"For these His gifts God's name be blest!
We thank Thee Lord, and still would pray,
Oh, come Thyself and be our guest!"
Then all sit down content and glad
Around the plainly-furnished board;
But little Effie, is she sad?

She does not smile nor speaks a word.
Why is the little maiden dumb?

At last the child said with a sigh,
"We ask Him, but He does not come :
He never comes, dear father: why?"
Just then a feeble knock was heard,

And when the door was opened wide,
So cold he scarce could speak a word,
There stood a poor old man outside.
His clothing hardly covered him,

It was so ragged and so old,
Torn by the brambles, worn and thin,
And yet the night was bitter cold!
"Come in, my friend," the good wife said;
"Sit down and warm you by the fire;
Come, share with us our barley bread,
And soup, as much as you desire!"'
Grateful and glad the weary man

Entered the welcome warmth and rest,
While eagerly the children ran

To wait upon and serve their guest.

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CATCHING COLD.

From Nature.

Two lectures were delivered in Gresham College on the evenings of the 14th and 15th January, by Dr. Symes Thompson, the Gresham Professor of Medicine.

The first of these lectures embraced a theme admirably adapted to fulfil the popular object with which this City professorship has been established, and as eminently suited to the present season: it treated of "Catching Cold."

ously into renewed action after the application of a chill. The relaxing influence of over-heated apartments should be avoided, because that saps the power of vigorous reaction; but, in cold weather, the utmost care should be taken to have the entire skin efficiently protected by warm clothing. The powers of the system in periods prone to the production of colds, and most especially when the temperature of the external air is between 32 and 40 degrees of Fahrenheit's heat scale (for that is the condition in which the danger is found to be most certainly inThe Professor first described, by refer- curred), should be more carefully mainence to large drawings, the structure and tained by the judicious use of sustaining arrangement of the parts concerned in the food, and by the avoidance of every kind disorder-laying open the arcana of the of injurious derangement or excess. When nose, frontal sinuses, throat, voice-box, and once internal congestion has been set up, chest, and showing the intimate relations by and the cold has been "caught," the thing which these parts are connected, and the to be done is immediately to bring back vigway in which modern science has found orous circulation and exhalation in the skin. means to bring their inmost recesses under The Turkish bath is one of the most conobservation, and contrasting the precise venient and certain of all contrivances for knowledge of the present period with the ensuring this object: in its absence the ante-Schneider days, when all catarrhal de- vapour bath, or hot air bath may be emfluxions were held to be outpourings of the ployed. The action of the bath is to be brain. It was demonstrated that the ordi- reinforced by the administration of stimunary cold is simply, in the first instance, lants, first and foremost amongst which congestion of the warm, moist, blood- stands concentrated food. Indeed, the Procharged membrane, which lines all these fessor's pet stimulant seems to be" Whitecavities and is continuous throughout the head's Solid Essence of Beef," a New South series of them; but that this congestion is Wales preparation, in which the nutritious apt to pass on, under unfavourable circum- | principle of an ox is condensed into about stances, to inflammation, and to consequent nine pounds of easily transportable material, derangement of structure. The congestion in which thirty pounds of beef are concenmerely means that more blood is thrust upon, and retained in, the minute channels and vessels of the membrane, than those channels and vessels can healthily accommodate. The first cause of this forced engorgement is that cold is extensively applied to the internal skin, which then, under the constringing and contracting influence, drives its own blood out, partly into these surcharged tracts of mucous membrane. The injurious effect known as "cold" is now sure to be realized if this external chilling them to begin at once to fortify themis experienced when the general system is weakened by exhaustion. It is also, in some persons, more apt to be produced at certain regular periods.

trated into one pound of little cakes, each about the size of an ordinary silver fiveshilling piece, and weighing half an ounce. One cake is calculated to prepare two large breakfast cups of good beef-tea. The preparation differs from Liebig's Extract of Meat chiefly in containing the gelatinous as well as the fibrinous constituents of the flesh. The Gresham Professor scattered the little round cakes, out of neat half-pound cases, liberally to his audience, recommend

selves against the inclement atmospheric influences. He gave one very interesting instance of the value and power of this preparation by alluding to a case that had fallen The prevention of colds is to be accom- within his experience on the very day of plished by keeping the skin in a healthy and the lecture. A patient had been brought vigorous state, so that it may at once re- into the Brompton hospital in a sinking sume its proper and normal condition when state, resulting from inability to take food. chills have been suddenly applied to it: He was at the time all but pulseless and then the internal congestions are avoided cold, and evidently on the brink of the or removed simultaneously with the exter- grave. He was placed in bed, and a cupnal contraction and stagnation. The habit- full of the beef-tea prepared from the "solid ual use of cold bathing in the early morning Essence" administered. The preparation is one very powerful means to this end: it was retained in the stomach, and in ten mintrains the vessels of the skin to rise vigor-utes from the time of its administration,

there was steady warmth all over the skin, | Somewhat severe thirst sets in ; but curiously and restored circulation.

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enough, simultaneously with the occurrence There is one expedient both for prevent- of this thirst, the congested internal meming and curing colds," which was not branes grow moist, and exhale gently and alluded to upon this occasion, but which is naturally in consequence of the relief of nevertheless as powerful as any of the meas- the overcharged vessels. All that is then ures which were described, and it may be necessary is to keep the supply of drink drawn upon in circumstances when those down to the point which enables some measplans cannot be adopted, in consequence of ure of thirst to be maintained; and during the sufferer being compelled by the exigen- its maintenance there is not the slightest cies of life to continue to meet exposure to chance of the recurrence of the cold. Dr. chilling influences. This is abstinence from Thompson dwelt emphatically in his lecdrink, and liquid food of any kind, until the ture, upon the fact that, whereas certain internal congestion is removed. The reme- ailments, such as the eruptive fevers, bring dial action through the skin does its work with them an almost complete immunity by drawing away the superabundance of the from the recurrence of the affection, it is circulating fluid from the overcharged part. just otherwise with ordinary colds. The But this desirable result is even more more frequently they occur, the more frecertainly ensured if the general bulk of the quently they may be looked for. They circulating fluid, or blood, is diminished by bring with them increased susceptibility of withholding supplies of the more liquid, or the internal membranes to congestive dewatery, ingredient; which may be done rangements. Under such circumstances where the digestive power is unimpaired, diminution of drink, sustained at the point without in any way diminishing the richer, of persistent moderate thirst, is the most or more immediately nourishing portion. powerful and certain preventive of congesThe instant the general bulk of the circulat- tive disorder, and the most sure remover of ing blood is diminished, the excess contained undue internal susceptibility, that can be in the congested and overcharged mem- adopted. branes is withdrawn and the cold is relieved.

Since our last we have examined a sample of the grease derived from the Thames mud at Battersea, It is of a yellowish tint, very like inferior butter in appearance, taste, and smell. Of course, the nature of it, and the method of obtaining it, are the chemists' secrets, and it is only possible to speculate on the matter. Mud, in itself, as consisting of particles of inorganic matter, such as flint, granite, sand, clay, or wood, reduced by attrition, and mixed with water, can yield nothing of a nutritious character. We must therefore look to other substances for the matter in question. The silicates of potash and soda when in solution have a gelatinous appearance; but this is not quite what we get. Peat is a more likely source, as it yields paraffin and also stearine and analogous fatty bodies. The chances are that peat may be found on the banks of the Thames; but it is yet more likely that the ground is impregnated with fatty matter, the refuse of manufactories, of ships, and derived from other sources. One thing is certain, the manufacture of this grease from the mud has been going on for a long time, and quantities of it are shipped to Holland weekly.

How MR. PEABODY'S BODY WAS EMBALMED. ' THE GREASE FROM THE THAMES MUD. The preservation of the remains of the late Mr. Peabody was intrusted, the Lancet says, to the hands of Dr. Parry. The process carried out consisted in injecting the whole body, through the arteries, with a strong solution of arsenic, containing also some bichloride of mercury. Twenty-four hours afterwards another liquid, consisting of a saturated solution of tannic acid, was thrown in, with the view of effecting the gradual conversion of the gelatinous structures into tanno-gelatine or the basis of leather. None of the viscera were removed or disturbed. Before the opening into the chest required for the injection through the aorta was closed, an arsenical paste, or rather cream, consisting of arsenic, camphor, and spirits, was introduced into the thoracic cavity, also through an opening in the diaphragm into the cavity of the abdomen, and freely distributed about. Death had taken place about two days and a half before the process was commenced, and decomposition had set in, so as to produce great distension of the abdomen; but the process was found to check all this, and when completed, all signs of a tendency to decomposition were removed. We may add that under the silk shroud, and upon the floor of the coffin, there was placed a bed of wellburned animal charcoal.

South London Press.

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