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TOWN TAXiX.

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TOWN TAXiX. BY OGIt LONDON CORRESPONDENT. Our readers will understand that we do not hold ourselves responsible for our able correspondent's opinions. HARVEST weather as fine as the most timid farmer could desire—harvesters getting first-rate wages-corn at a fair price, and likely to remain there- partridges plentiful, and, in the part of the country where I am staying, fox cubs numerous and to spare for the real season, after cub-hunting has taught the young hounds their duty-these leading necessaries and luxuries of rural life have put my agricultural friends in such good humour, that they have almost forgotten the perils and trials of last year-a good humour not diminished by the steady demand for beef, mutton, and pork. The question whether the American war will check or increase the export of American corn is often discussed. Some contend that corn must come here for the much needed money; others think that the extra American ploughshares will be beaten into swords. So this subject for debate, like many others, remains a standing dish, always ready to come in with the fruit and wine. Talking of wine, already Mr. Gladstone's treaty is producing serious effects on the habits of Punch's John Bull—the true British farmer-who ought to wear top-boots, but does not. In a tour through the 3 lid land and Western counties, on every country gentleman's, and almost every farmer's table, French wines, both still and sparkling, were found; not the conventional claret at four guineas a dozen, but good red Bordeaux at from twenty four to thirty shil- lings. The experiment has evidently succeeded, and Bass and Cope have found formidable rivals. Even Allsopp has found it needful to reduce his prices. As for sparkling wines, often named Champagne by way of compliment, they are in their cheap form pleasant and refreshing, whether from France or Germany, and promise to put down that vile rhubarb-stalk imitation, to which so many unsuspecting guests have fallen victims at public dinners and balls. In fact, we are now drinking foreign wines at lower prices than in Paris or the watering-places of Germany and it is certain that every hot season in England will extend the taste. Lunching the other day at a confectioner's in a small market town, I had better Bordeaux at 3s. a bottle than I could get in Paris for 4s. 2d. One excellent measure will distinguish the Par- liament of 1861-the Post-office Savings-banks. To put money in a savings-bank has hitherto been a very serious business. Now, any man, woman, or child, with a shilling to spare, may make a be- ginning, at the nearest money-order office, with very simple forms either for paying in or out —a great step towards encouraging frugality; for, to nine out of ten, money is red hot, and burns a hole in the pocket, if not put away in safety. Under the new act, a married woman may make a deposit of savings—a very important arrange- ment for the wives of mechanics. It is to be hoped that the postmasters are to be paid for their additional trouble. At present the General Post-office is a sink of dishonesty. The salaries are so low, and the expenses and tempta- tions so great, that the prosecution of defaulting post-office servants becomes an important item in the business of the Central Criminal Court. American affairs continue to excite and tantalise news-readers. It is now plain that the Northern States can neither frighten nor crush the Southerns. It is of little use to raise armies of hundreds of thousands on paper, if the weaker belligerent has always a majority in the field. At the last battle of Springfield, where the Federalists had to retreat thirty miles, leaving their guns behind them, they say their enemies were three to one. If this be so, it shows that the South have the best generals, for it is the great art of war to fight battles with an overwhelming majority. Every packet from America seems to show that a compromise is inevitable, but with a mob-ruled people no one can guess the new move. The Federal Government have succeeded not in bor- rowing, but in obtaining the promise from native bankers of all the money they at present require, and until these promises are exhausted they will scarcely think of giving up their original pro- gramme of "total surrender! The blockade will be an early difficulty. France will be as little inclined as England to submit to a mere paper blockade. No nation has ever claimed such freedom for commerce in time of war as America; and Europe, wanting cotton, will not allow the Federalists to blow both hot and cold. Unwilling to quarrel with the United States, feeling that neither profit nor glory was to be obtained in such a con- test, we have put up with a great deal of inso- lence and injustice; but, in such a vital question as cotton supply, it is not likely that Europe will admit a paper blockade, which Americans, had European powers been concerned, would have set at defiance. The dispatch of more troops to Canada has led to an impression in some quarters that we must be prepared for all contingencies. It may be regarded as a measure of prudence, although circumstances do not appear to call for it. Four thousand regular troops alone would not do much to defend Canada, but a good deal towards drilling and disciplining the British North American volunteers, and to supplying the trained officers and non -commissioned officers the Republicans have not and much want. 7-1

OUTLINES OF THE WEEK. --

THE WAR IN AMERICA. 4

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EPITOME OF NEWS.

ITALY.

HUNGARY.

POLAND.

AUSTRIA.

FOREIGN ITEMS.

THE QUEEN'S VISIT TO SCOTLAND.

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