The Queen's Speech was immediately followed by the an- nouncement
that Mr. Shaw, the English Missionary, had been set at liberty by the French in the Island of Bourbon (or Reunion), and that an explanation—of the nature of an apology—of the cavalier manner in which her Majesty's ship ' Dryad ' had been treated by the French Admiral at Tamatave is to be published. It is added, too, that a compensation is to be offered to Mr. Shaw for his imprisonment, but this is not yet officially confirmed. In any case, it is clear enough that Mr. Gladstone's very moderate language in Parliament, which the leader of the Opposition and others so greatly misunder- stood, was merely the moderation of a Minister who had put his case strongly, though courteously, in private, and had not failed to produce the required effect. Nothing can be more foolish than to hector Foreign Governments in public, if you really wish to press your representations on them with becoming force and firmness. Admiral Pierre has been replaced by Admiral Caliber, and the French papers themselves express the opinion that Admiral Pierre has not been relieved of his command on the ground of health alone.
