upon
British Australia was, however, most prosperous--several of the colonies
of that vast region becoming enriched with mineral wealth. Although the
public announcement of the treasures contained in the mineral resources
of certain of the Australian settlements was made at the period above
referred to, it was known to the authorities many years previously that
gold might be obtained, but, under the influence of a false policy, the
fact was concealed.

_Hostility of the Arabs at Aden_.--The British settlement at Aden,
important because of the command of the Arabian Sea, which it enabled
the English to maintain, suffered this year in various ways. The station
was most sickly, and the Europeans, and Bombay sepoys, in garrison, were
alike exposed to heavy mortality. The Arabs resorted to violence and
assassination; British officers were murdered if they strayed beyond the
limits of the garrison. The crews of British merchantmen on the coast
were attacked, and some wrecked mariners were massacred.

The Mohammedan populations of the British empire showed indications
of intense irritability against the English, and, indeed, everywhere
amongst Mohammedans, animosity to Europeans appeared to increase.

FOREIGN AFFAIRS--EUROPEAN RELATIONS.

_France_.--The relations of the United Kingdom with France, are not only
more important in themselves than those which the former sustains with
any other nation, but they influence the whole foreign policy of
the British government. France is ascendant upon the continent
notwithstanding the rivalry of Russia, and the policy of France often
complicates the relations of England with other powers. This has arisen
frequently from national jealousy, and as frequently from the sudden and
extreme changes to which the government of France is liable in its form
and principles. The revolution of 1848 brought France morally nearer to
England. Louis Philippe had much difficulty in holding in rein the war
spirit, which for, his own selfish and crooked policy, he had himself
evoked. After that corrupt prince was driven from the throne by the
people he had betrayed, a friendly feeling sprung up towards England.
The moderate republican party regarded Great Britain as a land of
freedom, and the natural ally of France. That party, however, maintained
its ascendancy but for a short time. The Napoleonists, red republicans,
priests, and peasants, united in the support of Charles Louis Napoleon
Buonapar