s 1884 and 1885. In the former year, there were
27,000 cases, and 14,000 deaths. In the latter year there have been over
6,000 cases, and 3,000 deaths. Palermo was the great sufferer this year,
as Naples was in 1884. Better nutrition during both epidemics caused a
noted diminution in cases and in deaths.

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The _Germania_ says that the Holy Father has expressed a wish to know
the state of Catholic Missions in the German Colonies. He feels very
keenly the arbitrary conduct of the Imperial Government, and has
expressed to the Prussian Minister his astonishment at the prejudice
exhibited in Berlin.

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Referring to the Letter of the Holy Father to Cardinal Manning and the
Bishops of England, which we give elsewhere, the _Moniteur de Rome_ says
that it constitutes "the recompense and the consecration" of the noble
and heroic efforts of his Eminence and the English Episcopate in the
cause of Christian education.

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The 22nd of February is the anniversary of the birth of George
Washington. We give many incidents of his life in this issue of our
MAGAZINE.

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THE IRISH CONVENTION.--Patrick Egan, president of the Irish National
League of America, has received a cablegram from T. M. Harrington, M.P.,
secretary of the National League in Ireland, in which he states that Mr.
Parnell will not be able to attend the League convention intended to be
held in Chicago in January next, and that he is "inclined to think it
best to postpone the convention until after the meeting of parliament in
February." It is, doubtless, the desire of the Irish party to know with
some definiteness the probable outcome of the present situation before
making any authoritative announcement of their plans, or before sending
any message to their American brothers; and it also seems that they
regard Mr. Parnell's constant presence on the scene of negotiations as
indispensable. The convention, in accordance with this suggestion, is,
therefore, postponed to a date to be determined upon hereafter between
the executive of the American League and Mr. Parnell. Mr. Egan will call
the National Committee of the American League together some day in
January, by which time there may be information from Ireland enabling a
definite date to be fixed for the convention.

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