The Brest festivities have come to an end, and the
result, as is admitted on all sides, has been a great increase in the feeling of camaraderie not only between the two Fleets, but between the two peoples. An interesting article in the Times of Wednesday gives some curious details of the spirit shown by the French authorities. English visitors, even journalists, were conducted over .that most jealously guarded of places, the famous dockyard, as well as over the chief battleships. The inhabitants of the town, who a few years ago were far from friendly to this country, were equally cordial in their welcome. The crews of the two Navies fraternised com- pletely, and we hear of British seamen making intelligible speeches in French,—an exploit, we fear, of which the British private would be incapable. The Times correspon- dent records one interesting event. When Admiral May read alOud the King's telegram at the luncheon to the French Admirals, he said : "You all understand English now, and I won't put that into French,"—a remark which was received with the greatest enthusiasm. Certainly France is now, in the Czar's words, une nation amie ; and the friendship is no accidental or factitious growth, but a recognition of the common interests which bind together the two countries.
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