The Sun.
London, England, 1855-10-22 00:00:00

" CONSIDERATIONS OF THE COURSE OF THE TUNNEL.

"Many lines for the tunnel have been considered.
From Cape Gris-Nez to Dover, in a direct line ; from
Crape Gris-Nez to Dover, in touching the bank of Varne ;
from Cape Blanc-Nez to Foreland ; from the village of
Sanzatte to Foreland.
" PROJECT OP THE TUNNEL FROM CAPE (IRIS-HEZ TO
DOVER.

"The distance from land to land is 30 kilometres. We
find that the bottom of the sea descends by an easy de-
clivity, which in the midst of the channel reaches from
39 to 55 metres. As it advances towards the coasts it
is but from 25 to 16 metres in depth. At the distance
of 9 kilometres from Cape Gris-Nez the tunnel bends
slightly towards the north-west, to avoid a shoal of 60
metres. The works of this lice can be commenced at
Cape Gris-Nez, at Dover, and in the wells constructed
upon a bottom of 33 metres under the level of the sea."

M. Favre then 'proceeds to discuss the merits of the
three other routes, but concludes by expressing his pre-
ference for the direct one from Cape Gris-Nez to Dover.

" GEOLOGIOAL CONSIDERATIONS.
"It is important to consider the nature of the land
through which our tunnel vvill have to traverse. The
basin of the channel is formed of different strata of earth
and of peculiar kinds of stone. We find, first, a bed of
manly earth, but then we arrive at a complete change in
the soil. The soundings, which have been made with
great care, show us that we shall meet a rock, which
will enable us to establish a tunnel of ♦ery great solidity.
The earth itself will form a natural vault of freestone,
which will tend to prevent any filtrations ; but, even if
filtrations should occur, they would be stopped by the
two vaults, which wouli be constructed with all that
ability which the most scientific engineers could bring
to bear.

"SYSTEM OF TRACTATION.

" It now remains for us to examine what is the best
system of trao.tation to be adopted. All the railways
have steam for their motive power ; that system might
perhaps be judiciously employed in this Anglo-French
tunnel, with the aid of such machinery as would prevent
the formation of smoke.

" The second system suggested, though a novel one,
has for its support the name of a man of distinguished ge-
nius, namely, M. Seguin, the celebrated engineer, who
since 1826 has made so many valuable improvements in
connection with railways and sciencegenerally. He has de-
clared that the most rapid, the least dangerous, the least
expensive motive power for this subterranean railway is
the atmospheric. We think that this system will be
adopted by the council of administration of the new com-
pany. With such a locomotive power the journey be-
tween France and England will be performed in twenty-
five minutes.

" CONCLUSION.

" We are impressed with the conviction that we have
proved, not only that this project is possible, but that it
will be comparatively easy to construct a railway under
the channel. We bare now developed our system of
maritime wells,' which would divide the subterranean
tunnel into different sections. Our plan of a double
vault would give as ample securities as any of the ordi-
nary railways possessed.
"The tunnel of Pas-de-Calais would set aside the arm
of the sea which separates France from England. It
would bind upo❑ the most solid foundation the continent
with Great Britain, which is at present isolated from th•
rest of Europe. It would uaite the tWo peoples in the
most intimate and familiar relations—peoples who are
to-day placed at the very head of civilisation, and who,
according to the current events, seem by the community
of their sentiments and their interests to form but one
great nation. .

" Our project has been received everywhere with the
most lively sympathies, and an Anglo-French company
will be immediately organised upon the most powerful
basis to execute the railway of Pas-de-Calais.
"L. FAVRIL"

TEE CASE OF STRAHAAT, PAUL, AND

BATES.

The October sessions of the Central Criminal Court
commenced this morning, and from the important nature
of the cases that are to be disposed of the proceedings
'will be of considerable interest to the public. The num-
ber of prisoners at present for trial is 93, but the ma-
jority of the cases are of a very serious character. There
are two charges of murder—one against a woman named
Jolly, who is accused of cutting the throat of her mo-
ther, a very aged woman, under very extraordinary cir-
cumstances ; and another, in which a man named Lot,
don, is charged with the murder of his wife. There are
also several serious charges of cutting and wounding,
and misdemeanour, but the principal case of public in-
terest and importance is the charge against the bankers,
Sir John Dean Paul, Strahan, and Bates, of having mis-
appropriated securities to a large amount, and which is
specially.fixed to be disposed of this session. It will be
remembered that the trial was postponed from the Sep-
tember session, upon the ground that the counsel for
thi prisoners had not had sufficient opportunity to con-
eider
in what manner to answer an indictment of so spe-
cial and peculiar a character, anal it is said that the course
that will be taken will be one of a very unusual kind.
Some allusion has already been made to the fact that the
prisoners would relyon their having made a full statement
in reference to the matters alleged against them, in the
Court of Bankruptcy, and that they would on this ground
claim their acquittal upon the charge made against them.
With a view to raise this point, it is said that a special
plea will be made on their behalf, in this form—they
will, it is said, plead guilty to the charge of having ap-
plied the securities mentioned in the indictment to their
own purposes, but, at the same time, it will be stated
that in accordance with the provisions of another section
of the statutes under which the indictment is framed,
they had made a full disclosure of all matters connected
with the transaction, in accordance with the requirements
of the statute, and that consequently they are relieved
from all responsibility under the criminal law. Should
this course be taken, the whole case will resolve itself into
one of legal argument, as in the case of a demurrer, and
no evidence will be taken, but the point will be decided by
the judges ; and if it shall be against the prisoners they
will be called up for judgment, as though the jury had re-
turned a verdict of guilty against them. If, on the con-
trary, it should be decided in their favour, they will be at
once released from all further proceedings. The question
is one of immense importance, and it is said that very
great difference of opinion exists among the highest legal
authorities upon the subject, and, under any circum-
stances, there is no doubt that the point will not be de-
cided finally by the judges at the Central Criminal Court,
but that it will be reserved for the consideration of the
Court of Criminal Appeal. The judges who will preside
at the ensuing sessions are Baron Alderson, Justice Wil-
liams, and Baron Martin ; and the aldermen upon the
rota to sit as second commissioners are Messrs. Cope-
land, Humphery, Farncomb, Salomons, Wire, and
Eagleton.

ADDITIONAL HUNTING APPOINT-

MENTS.

STAG HOUNDS,

Devon and Somerset.—To-morrow, Cloutsham ; Fri•
day, Marsh Bridge Kennel—al, half half-past 10.

FOX HOUNDS.

Bellew's, Mr.—Wednesday, Sandy Way ; Saturday,
Exeford—at half-past 10.
Berkshire, Old (Mr. Morrell's).—Wednesday, Abing-
don Road Station ; Friday, Farringdon Road Station ;
Saturday, Radley Park—at half-past 10.
Deacon's, Mr.—Thursday, Cox Torr—at a quarter
past 10.
Durham Coanty.—Wednesday, Warder Law Village
—at half-past 10.
Farquharson's, Mr.—To-morrow, Milborne Wood
Timpsday, Knogle.
F. b. (Truro).—Wednesday, Rudock Water ; Friday,
Ferran Wharf—at half-past 10.
Hereford sb ire. —To-morrow, Callow Turnpike; Friday,
Breintan—at half-past 10.
Heythorp.—Wednesday, Kiddington Gate—at half-
past 10.
Hill's, Mr.—To-morrow, }lankness ; Friday, Lockten
—at 10.
Marshall's, Mr. M.—To-morrow, Soldon Cross, Brad-
worthy ; Friday, Luffincott Shop—at half-past 10.
Oxfordshire, South.—To-morrow, Little Milton ; Fri-
day, Stanton—at half-past 10.
Sinnington.—To-morrow, Sinnington; Friday, Tylass
Bridge—at half-past 10.
Tivyside.—Thursday, Poiatgynon—at 10.
Trelawney's, Mr.—To-morrow, Marley ; Saturday,
Flete—at half-past 10.
YIARRIBRS.

Aikton.—Wednesday, Crafton Toll-bar; Friday, For.
rester Fold—at half-past 8.
Brampton.—Thursday, Cross Laverodale—at 9,
Bromsgrove.—Friday, Round-hill—at 11.
Carlisle.—The Reservoir; Friday, Low Crosby—at 10.
Craven (Yorkshire).—Tuesday, Otterburne ; Friday,
The Craven Heifer—at 11.
Eamont.—Wednesday, Bull's Head, Plumpton ; Sa-
turday, Click'em, Greystoke-road--at half-past 10.
Williams's, Mr. E.—To-morrow, Rock Hotel, Robo-
rough Down—at half-past 10.
Worthing.—To-morro Coombes' Copse ; Saturday,
Kennel—at 11.
Wyelye, Vale of.— Friday, Ty therington Pond—at 12.
SCOTCH.
FOX HOUNDS.

Forfar and Kincardine.—Tomorrow, Letham Grange ;
Saturday, Lauriston—at half•past 10.

. RISH.
FOX HOUNDS.
Duballon. Wednesday, Carri navar ; Saturday, Gina
worth Bridge—at 11. g

THE SUNDERLAND CRYSTAL PALACE.—A long list of
subscriptions to this undertaking a; ;'care in the Sun-
derland Herald. Among the contribiutors are—Edward
Backhouse, jun., 2501. ; William Hh n ay, 250/. ; Robert
James Brown, 250/. ; Anthony Jo Moore, Mayor,
1001. ; R. L. Pemberton, 100/. ; Samuel Alcock, 50/. ;
Henry Fenwick, M.P., 501. ; I'. J. Backhouse, 501. ;
E. H. Maling, 501. ; Hodgson and Atcheson, 501. ;
Northumberland and Durham Bank, 100/. ; Bradley and
Potts, 501. ; Earl Vane, b-ot. ; W. Bell and Co.,
Marchioness of Londonderry, 100/. ; R. H. Potts and
Brothers, 501.; Edward Backhouse, 1051., and many
others.