The Sun.
London, England, 1852-05-15 00:00:00

RAILWAYS IN PORTUGAL.

A translation has recently been issued of the report
of the Commissioners appointed by the Government of
Portugal to consider the construction of railways in
that country. The Commissioners commence by point-
ing out that the political and social are quite as impor-
tant as the commercial bearings of the question, and
that i; is to her course in this respect that Belgium owes
enuch of the solid independence of her present position.
All Europe, it is aided, even incesding Spain, is now
alive to the necessity of these works, and Portugal alone
is doing nothing. At the same time it is contended
that there is uo country that could experience more be-
nefit from them or where they are so essential, since its
geographical position with regard to America and Eu-
rope should render it one of the great points of com-
merce, while at present the cost of transit per ton for
goods is 4i. 63. a leegue,and for passengers 28. 64. a league,
spirt from loss of time. Tho commissioners think " that
there is no one who does not see that a railway connect-
ing the south with the north of Europe, Lisbon
with Madrid, Paris, and Brussels, is a lino loudly
called fur by the state of progress, end one that would act
like an electric chain in galvanising tho inanimate body
of old Portugal." The cost of such an undertaking, that
is to say, from Lisbon to the frontier, with a single rail,
they estimate at about 1,400 0001, and, although it
might be urged that this would suffice for 400 leagues of
common roads, which are sadly wanted, such roads would
be comparatively int ffectual, and might rake a genera-
tion to complete, at the end of which Portugal would
be altogether behind the world. With regard to the
best route, the Commissioners describe two as having
been chit fly indicated for selection. One they designate
the Northern, and the other the Eastern. The Northern
would run from Lispon to Oporto, through Santarem,
and thence to Bregatize, traversing Spain by Valladolid
until it joins the line from Madrid to Irun. The Eastern
would take its course from Lisbon along the right bank
of the Tagus, which it woul I cross between Santarem and
Abrantee, continuing thence to the neighbourhood
of Badaj .z, where it would join a line from the
frontier to Madrid. With regard to both these plans the
Commissioners confess the data in their possession to be
very imperfect. They nevertheless decidedly prefer the
Eastern line. Its length would be much less, being only
260 kilometres, while the other would be 564; it would
traverse a mere level country ; its coat would be 1,300,0001.
or 1.500,0001., instead of 4,000,0001, which would be the
cost of the Northern; and it would unite Lisbon di•
rectiy with Madrid. As the first section of it would
proceed to Santarem, Oporto could subsequently be
reached by a branch from that place, which would ulti-
mately torus a basis for all the other lines that might be
proposed. Meanwhile negotiations, it is said, should be
opened with Spain to fix the point of junction between
the lines of the two countries, and also to concert mutual
arrangements as to the period of their completion; but
the result of these should not be waited for, since the work
might be begun at once and carried to Santarem, whence,
in case of obstacles on the part of Spain, it could then be
diverted to Oporto. As respects the mode of execu-
tion, the Commissioners state that it would be impossi-
ble for the Government to undertake it, on account of
the low condition of the public credit and finances. On

the other baud, private companies would not do to, be.
cause the probable returns would not be sufficiently
tempting. It only remains, therefore, for the State to
guarantee a minimum rate of interest.and sinking fund
on a fixed amount, or to give a guarantee on the actual
cost, whatever it might be, allowing a certain bonus to the
contractors as soon as any part shall be finished and open.
On account of the difficulty at present of specifying
any precise amount, the Commissioners recommend the
latter course, and propose, therefore, to fix a maximum
of interest of 6 per cent. (with 1 per cent. for a sinking
fund), and a bonus of three per cent. upon the actual cost
of construction and materials. As security for this
guarantee, they would suggest that the Go-
vernment should set apart the tax now im-
posed for the payment of the Bsnk of Lisbon notes,
which will become available in August, 1853, and
which yields 135,0001. Calculating only the existing
traffic. the Commissioners arrive at the conclusion that
the line would pay 4i per cent. interest, in which case,
if the cost should not exceed 1,300,0001., the Govern-
ment would only have to make up 15,000/.; but, sup-
posing they had to make up the whole, the above tax
went f
Id provide or it and leave a lae marge
undertaking
bH
did not beget a degree of prosperity such as to cause
the present amount of transit to be greatly augmented,
especially as it would render practicable the exportation
i
of much agricultural produce, such as wheat, &c., which
now prevented by the cost of transport. Finally, the
Commissioners refer to a proposal submitted by a Mr.
Hislop, in consequence of an invitation for tenders in
Bcannot think of approving," and
l recommend 49, which ‘
that ‘
ibaQY fresh competition should be opened.—
Times.

DENMARK.
We read the following in the Independance Bflge:—
" It may not be without interest to recall to mind how
it happens that Prince Christian of Glucksburg unites
in his person the rights which have designated him as
successor to the Danish throne and its dependencies, on
the decease of the present King, and of his brother
Prince Ferdinand, actually heir presumptive.
" The rights of the Dukes of Augustenburg and Son-
derburg to the ancient Dutch fiefdom of Holstein not
being recognised, the two lines of Oldeunurg could
alone assert a claim. These two lines are that of
Gluckstadt (ancient royal house of Denmark) and that
of. Kiel (Russia), The Emperor of Russia and the King
rights of Denmark baying mutually resigned their rights in
that ancient duchy fiefdom in favour of Prince Christian
of Gluckshurg, all the
concernedin is
were tranferred to the person of this latter
Prince. in so much as Holste
As regards the succession of the other parts of the
Danish monarchy, which were to devolve on the death
of the King and of his brother Prince Frederick Ferdi-
nand to the Landgravin Princess Louisa Charlotte of
Hesse and her children, who are
three in utinibtli

•
1. Prince Frederick of Hesse; 2. His elder
sister, the Princess Mary, wire of Princl Frederick
of Anhault-Dessau; 3 Princess Louisa, wife of
Prince Christian of Giucksburg. The Landgravin Prin-
cess L misa Charlotte and her two elder children, Prince
Frederick and Princess Mary, have renouncA their
rights in favour of Princ-ss L luisa, who has ceded them
to her husband. Prince Christian of Glueksburg thus
uniks in his person, in virtue of these renunciations, the
right of succession to all parts of the Danish monarchy,
ineuiing Holstein.
" Such are the arrangements which were signed last
Saturdiy at London.
" An agreement of a pecuniary nature has been con-
cluded between the Kiog of Denmark and the Duke of
Augustenburg to settle all claims of the latter."