NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THE destruction of the Army of Hicks Pasha has been placed beyond a doubt, but nothing whatever is known .of the subsequent movements of the Mahdi. A report has :reached Cairo that Khartoum has fallen, but it is not true ; and -a subsequent report that Dongola is in insurrection, though probable, is not confirmed. That would cut off Khartoum from Egypt. What is certain is that the scattered Egyptian garrisons have fled to Khartoum, that the people there are excited, that the resident Europeans have fled, and that Colonel Coetlogon, who has taken command, thinks the place -untenable. The Egyptian Government has despatched General Baker, with 2,000 gendarmes, to Suakim, with orders to clear the road to Khartoum, and will forward a regiment by the Nile route to that town. It is reported, however, that the gendarmes went very unwillingly—the Turkish officers, indeed, resigning, and nearly half of the men deserting— and the new Regulars are to be kept in Egypt. The Egyptians themselves half believe that the Mahdi must be the true -" Messenger," as he is victorious, and but for the Euro- pean troops, there might be disturbances. The Europeans are, however, to remain; and Admiral Hewett, with the 4 Euryalus ' and four gunboats, is on his way from Bombay to Suakim. According to statements slowly dribbling in, the Europeans are all dead, except F. Vizetelly, artist, of the Inas- Pirated London New, but many of the soldiery have been allowed to take service with the Mahdi.
