ny power, becomes a Russian possession. The
territory acquired by the last treaty with China is thus considerably
increased. All the southern part of the coast near Corea--that is to
say, all under the same latitude as the Caucasian provinces, is supplied
with a considerable number of excellent harbours. In fact, in no other
country in the world is there to be found so many good harbours so near
to each other; in fine, it is difficult to decide which is the best.
The famous port of Sebastopol, and the Golden Horn in the Bosphorus, are
inferior as compared with these bays and ports. The land on the borders
of the coast is covered with virgin forests, in which are to be found
oaktrees of nine feet in diameter. The writer of the letter adds that
the sight of this gigantic vegetation filled him with amazement. It
is expected that this newly-acquired territory will become of immense
importance, the forests being situate so near such magnificent harbours.
The labyrinth of bays, harbours, and islands is called the Gulf of Peter
the Great, and the best port is named Vladiwosjok (Dominator of the
East), because it is the cradle of the Russian fleet in the Pacific
Ocean, and the commencement of Russian domination in the East. This
letter was received at St. Petersburg through Pekin, and thence by a
Chinese courier through Mongolia and Kiachta. This gives an idea of
the celerity with which communications are transmitted between St.
Petersburg, Pekin, and the Gulf of Pechelee."

France had also designs of Oriental empire, which, however awkwardly
prosecuted, had never been abandoned. Her efforts during 1857-8-9, in
Cochin China, to establish a position there and make acquisitions of
territory, were expensive and persevering, although not attended with
the success which English and Russian enterprise has so generally
secured.

FRANCE.

England and France were ostensible allies during the period of which we
now write; but there existed a mutual jealousy, certainly provoked by
France, which seemed to regard rivalry with England as the grand object
of her political mission. The emperor made great efforts to bring up the
revenues of France to a standard that would enable him to undertake
all the schemes of his ambition. The actual results in that part of his
labours were as follows, taking the statement of the government official
organ, the _Moniteur_:--"The general revenue for the year 1858-9
amounted to 1,094,614,000 fr., bei