The first mention of the Hook, says a writer in one of our current journals, appears in the diary of Robert Juet, who was the companion of Hudson during his third voyage in 1609. It was then an island. On maps and charts in the possession of the New York Historical Society it is represented both as an island and a peninsula. It was certainly an island in revolutionary times, for when Lord Howe retreated from the battle of Monmouth by the Navesink road he built a bridge to Sandy Hook Island. Twice during the last century it has tried to get away from the mainland. In 1870, the New Jersey Southern Railway laid a track along the west beach for a distance of three miles. This trestle is now the only connecting link between the island and the mainland, the water for more than a year having been washing away the neck of land which joined Sandy Hook to the coast-line. The War Department owns part of the Hook. A proving-ground for guns, armor, etc., has been established there. The Assistant Secretary of War has sent word to Speaker Reed asking that a joint resolution be passed to enable the Department to protect its property. An appropriation of $75,000 was set aside some time ago to repair the breach made by the sea at the Hook, but the work could not be commenced until certain laws had been complied with, and the consent of New Jersey had been secured, or Congress had passed a resolution instructing the War Department to proceed with the work. It will be a great advantage to the Government to close the inlet, as the heavy guns can then be transferred to the proving-grounds on the Hook by a railroad built on solid ground, and not liable to give way under their extreme weight. The property-owners in the neighborhood, however, are anxious that the inlet should remain open, as they say that the Shrewsbury River has been some two feet deeper since the Hook became an island, the boating and fishing have much improved, and, above all, the current has become so much stronger that the river can now drain itself, and has become much healthier in consequence. The Secretary of War has been asked to give the matter his careful consideration before he allows the work of closing the inlet to be commenced. * * * * * Our Government has had cause to complain of England in reference to the seal question. It seems that Great Britain makes hardly any effort to stop the destruction of the seals, maintaining but two vessels in Bering Sea, while the United States maintains five. We have lately had some correspondence with England on the seal question, but it has not been made public for fear of causing bad feeling. Mr. Foster, who, as we told you, has been on a special mission to London and St. Petersburg to arrange the dispute, has met with a friendly reception in Russia. He hopes that the success of his mission in St. Petersburg may induce Great Britain to look favorably on it also.