§ Sir ELLIS ASHMEAD-BARTLETT (Sheffield, Ecclesall)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can give the House any information as to the object and proceedings of the Russian Mission to Abyssinia?
§ Sir E. GREYHer Majesty's Government have been informed that the expedition is not official or connected with the Russian Government, but has been sent by the St. Petersburg Geographical Society for scientific purposes. M. Leontier, a celebrated traveller, is the head of the expedition, assisted by several scientific officers, and accompanied by a Russian Archimandrite, who may very possibly be charged with some religious mission from the Russian Ecclesiastical authorities. The expedition went to Constantinople, thence to Cairo, from which place it is understood that they proceed to Oboka en route for Harrar.