ship.

The entertainments that have been given have been by the government
officials, the Irish themselves carefully abstaining from any signs of
satisfaction at the visit.

It has been conveyed to the Prince, however, that the Irish as a nation
are quite willing to be friendly with him after he has proved himself
worthy of their friendship.

* * * * *

France is very proud and happy over the visit of her President, Monsieur
Faure, to the Czar of Russia.

Last October the Czar visited Paris, and during his stay it was openly
hinted that an alliance between Russia and France had been formed which
was to be of great benefit to both countries.

The return visit of Monsieur Faure to Russia is supposed to be for the
sake of finally cementing the new alliance.

The Russians are making his trip delightful to him in their own
charmingly hospitable way, and from general appearances it would seem
that M. Faure's visit is purely one of pleasure. Diplomatists, however,
declare that the outcome of M. Faure's visit will be a new arrangement
of the European alliances, which will leave Great Britain out in the
cold, and lessen her influence in European politics.

* * * * *

Prof. David Starr Jordan has written a letter from the seal islands
which fully confirms the worst fears about the decrease of the seal
herd.

He says that if the sealing is carried on in its present fashion the
seals will disappear in the Bering Sea in a very short while, and that
even with the greatest care the herd will not be up to its full strength
for a good many years.

Not only are there fewer mother seals than formerly, but the killing of
the young pups has made such a difference in the herd that there are
very few young braves growing up. This year there seems to be only old
men and mother seals, and hardly any young families at all.

* * * * *

This Bering Sea dispute has been very long in settlement and seems to be
as far from a decision as ever. There is much difference of opinion on
the subject, and of course there is more than one way of looking at it;
and yet it would seem as though some agreement ought to be reached that
would prevent the destruction of the seals.

Doubtless, after much diplomatic delay, dispute, and talk, the matter
will be settled, and we will hope that this may be accomplished before
it is too late to save the seals from