Though Lord Methuen's success at Belmont and the promising movement
which is developing towards Colesberg under General Gatacre cannot but help the general situation, as well as prove a source of great satisfaction here, it is impossible to deny that the state of things in Natal is for the moment, we will not say extremely perilous, but at any rate extremely disquieting. Since we wrote last, not only has Estcourt been isolated by a Boer commando getting between it and the troops advancing to the relief of Ladysmith, but our camp at Mooi River has also been isolated and "held up." In addition, a large force, which is believed to be led by General Jonbert in person, has got well below Mooi River,—i e., between it and Maritzburg. This force, which on Thursday had nearly reached Howick, is said to be attempting to rush Maritzburg, with the hope of thus being able to split up, and so entirely paralyse, the army which was prepared to relieve Ladysmith and clear Natal of the invaders.
