NEWS OF THE WEEK.
THERE seems to be little doubt that Russia is at the present moment both restless and irresolute. She is dissatisfied with the state of things both in Europe and in the East, in great wrath about Bulgaria, uneasy as to the influences acting on the Porte, disgusted with the entente cordiale between Germany and Austria, angry as to our post at Port Hamilton in the Corea, where she would like to establish herself in Port Lazereff, and dissatisfied with the concessions which she has won from us in the discussion of the Afghan frontier. Her ruler hardly knows whether he will press the quarrel in the West or in the East, and is looking uneasily and suspiciously at all that happens. Hence, no doubt, the French readiness to go close to the verge of breach of contract with England as to the New Hebrides ; for if France and Russia joined, it would no longer be of the same consequence to France to keep on good terms with England. And hence, too, the new difficulty which is now threatening us on the Afghan frontier.
