The builders of the dock have received a letter from the captain of the
steamer that is towing it.

The letter was written at Madeira, an island off the western coast of
Africa. In it the captain says that the dry-dock has excellent seagoing
qualities, and that he has no further fear of being able to tow it
safely into port.

Up to the time of writing, the captain had made eleven hundred miles
with his tow, and as he considered the worst part of the voyage over, he
expected to be able to increase the speed a little, and arrive in Cuba
about the 8th of November.

* * * * *

It is stated that his Holiness the Pope is trying to find some means of
bringing the trouble about the excommunication of the Spanish Minister
of Finance to a satisfactory conclusion.

It appears that the Carlists are making great capital out of the affair,
and are using it to turn the Spanish peasants against the Government.

These people are very religious, and regard their priests with great
respect and awe. They would not dream of disobeying their orders, and
are led and advised by them to a very great extent.

That one of the great men who are governing them should dare to disobey
the commands of the Church, and have to be punished by so awful a
penalty as excommunication, is so extraordinary to them that they can