The interest in the matter just alluded to is reflected
in Por- tugal; whose wine-dealers, " protected " by us—such is our dislike of foreign dependency !—begm to fear that the Duke of Soto- mayor may succeed in exposing them to the competition of Spain. Their fears will be allayed by the correspondence : but it will be better for them if instead of trusting to diplomacy and the con- tinuance of " protective" principles here, they follow the counsel of their best advisers, and, by restoring the qualities of their fine wines, fit them for competing with all the world.
In the French Chamber of Deputies, attacks have been made on England for slave-trading on the Eastern coast of Africa ; and in that quarter France is to retaliate repression upon us. India sends US no news, except that Oude is to be added to the list of anarchical provinces which seem to invite British inter- vention.
Quebec, a third of its whole extent destroyed by the dreadful Ere, calls to this country, through its Roman Catholic Bishop and other leading colonists, for aid. England is not used to meet such appeals with denial or even with coldness; and steps have already been taken in London for setting on foot a liberal sub- scription. Whatever our past quarrels with the colony, these things are certain—Canada is poor, England is rich ; we have arrears of kindness to make good ; and the need is undoubted— the last consideration being such as to supply the want of all others.
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