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This gentleman reports that actual operations cannot begin till

February, that the total number of people employed will scarcely be under fifty thousand, that the enterprise will probably con- sume- two seasons, and that there is a talk of 35,000 transport animals being required. Surely Sir R. Napier, in his wise eager- ness not to fail, is over-estimating probable opposition and under- estimating cost. The Indian Army cannot be so immovable as all that, and every man and beast will have to be conveyed by ship, while the mere watering of such a crowd will be a most difficult enterprise. If we are to keep Abyssinia, well ; but if not, every camp follower not absolutely indispensable will be a burden to the expedition.

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