The Sun.
London, England, 1852-04-14 00:00:00

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.

OXFORD, WORCESTER, AND WOLVERHAMPTON.—
Monday, the 3d of May, has at present been fixed for
the opening of this line from Worcester—or rather
from Droitwich, seeing that at present the line is
being worked between Worcester and Droitwich by
the Midland Company—to Stourhridge. The por-
tion of the line from Worcester to Evesham-16 miles
additional—would have been opened at the same time
but for the disagreement with the Great Western
Company.
SHREWSBURY AND HEREFORD.—Tuesday next
April 20) is fixed for the opening of the first portion
of this line from Shrewsbury to Ludlow, and grand
preparations are in progress for celebrating the event.
There will be a dinner at Ludlow, and a grand ball
in the evening under the patronage of numerous mem-
bers of the county aristocracy. The works between
Ludlow and Hereford, via Leominster, are progres-
sing in a very satisfactory manner.
HEREFORD, ROSS, AND GLOUCESTER.—At length
there is some prospect that the construction of this
line, which has been long in abeyance, will be pro-
ceeded with forthwith. Contracts have been signed
by Mr. Peto, who is under an engagement to con-
struct the whole line at a cost of 230,0001., of which
sum he takes shares to the value of 135,0001. Of the
remainder he is to receive 50,000/. in cash, and the
balance in debentures. About 1,000 workmen are to
be set at work immediately. The line will be on the
broad gauge, and worked in connexion with Great
Western trains to and from Gloucester.
works on this line,
proceeding NEwroaT, AB
that it is said a ABERGAYENNY, AND HEREFORD.—The
so suddenly retaken in hand, are
g with remarkable vigour and dispatch, so
portion of it, from Newport to Ponty-
pool, will be reaPd
ggaarivegnspoyf 3aondo Hereford
Be-
t ween Pontypc,,i ready for opening
men
eachAnbergavenny there are several
in a week or two. Be-
t work, and between Aber-,
and
activity is displayed.
neighbourhood Some heavy cuttings
c:lankments are under
TlTheerleifuerdwiill b
coenareford, and it is ar-
ranged in the n
itself
within the
ranged that the works shall of
in the course
liberties e
ther. ti epsr oe
sfetnhte
week.city of
on the narrow
gauge.

FRENCH RAILWAY TRAFFIC.
The following are the last returns of the gross re.
c e iNp
ot sßoTfli tERNhe nFcriopma 1
:,Fraernchtho2tsalllt, oalslmow9aay .3r
.8935 E
:1—:
Passe ge r
225,238 f.; goods, 284,11i..f .; c
69R004u5Ef.N; .—From
HIVRE.—Frona March
23,099 f.; goods, 39,242 f.; total 62,311 E
April 40 Passongors,
o
o
ORLEANS.—FrOM March 29 to •
;22t880 t att 1AA6Pp9r;81:12733f.: Ppaa:sseelinggeerres:
89,099 E ; goods, 146,37 if.; total, 235,170 L
BORDEAUX.—From March 21 to Mar. 29: asengers,
50,197 f.; goods, 71,742 f.; total, 121,939 f.
VIERZON —From March 29 to April 4:
PassengErs,
48,808 f.; goods, 55,7361_ .•, total, 104,544 E
NANTES.—From March 23 to March 29 : Passengers
28,201 f.; goods, 31,904 E; total, 60,105 f.
STRASBURG —From March 25 to Mar. 31: Passengers,
103,023 E; goods, 138,112 f.; total, 241,535 f.
BALE.—From March 22 to March 28 : Passengers,
21,2441.; goods, 22,209 f.; t0ta1,43,453f.
MONTEREAIL—From Mar. 25 to Mar. 31: Passengers,
10,115 f.; goods, 16,180 f.; total, 26,295 f.
MARSEILLES.—From Mar. 19 to Mar. 25: Passengers,
41,404 f.; goorl3, 31,702 E; total, 73,106 f.
LYONS.—From March 28 to April 3 : Passengers,
156,347 E; goods, 139,641 f.; total, 295,988 f.
WESTERN.—From March 29 to April 4: Passengers,
21,3121.; goods, 25,716 f.; total, 50,028 f,

(From the Bengal Llarkaru of March 5.)
SUMMARY. —We have no recent intelligence of
warlike operations in Burtnah. There is an ominous
calm foreboding the approaching storm. On one side,
we are summoning up all our strength, for a heavy
and decisive blow ; on the .other, as we may suppose,
the enemy is preparing himself to receive or ward off
the stroke. The three Presidencies of India are
upreparing or contributing each its quota to the
powerful armament, with which it has been resolved
to quell the pride of the golden-footed and leaden-
headed potentate. Bengal and Madras are collecting
their troops and their munitions of war, while Bombay
has already sent forth an imposing force of war
steamers, which are now, probably, at Madras, ern-
barking her Majesty's 51st Regiment, two native
infantry corps, and three companies of artillery,
which they will convey to the scene of the impending
struggle.
Here the preparations, ashore and afloat, are pro-
ceeding with unwonted vigour.. The arsenal is astir
even on the Sabbath, it is said ; and the results of all
this toil and bustle are beginning to develope them-
selves in a formidable 'ordnance train and a well
furnished commissariat. Five vessels have been taken
up for the conv3yance of troops and stores, the Fatel
Roz ick, the Futteh Allum, the Lahore, and the
Favourite, with the fine new iron-framed ship Tubal
Cain, which is being fitted up as a hospital-ship for
the expedition. The authorities are displaying a most
laudable anxiety for the health and comfort of the
troops on board ship, and a committee has been ap-
pointed to see that the benevolent intentions of the
Government are carried into effect.
A wing of her Majesty's 80th has arrived from
Dinapore by steam, and the other half of the regiment
is now on its way hither. Two native regiments will

also form part of the expedition.
Major-General Godwin, who is to command the
land forces, is now at the Presidency, having arrived
here two days ago. It is yet uncertain when the
expedition will sail for the scene of action.
The plan of operations still remains undeveloped.
The prevalent surmise, however, appears to point to
the immediate capture and occupation of Rangoon
and Martaban, as a blow designed to exhibit our
strength, and struck in the expectation that it will
frighten the insolent Court of Ava into a desire for
peace on our own terms. It is generally supposed,
too, that after these towns have been destroyed or
taken, our force will remain inactive through the
now-approaching rainy season, partly because it will
not be convenient to move, and partly to give the
Burmese an opportunity of profiting by the lesson
this display of power will have taught them.
It has been suggested, and with general accept-
ance, that as the Bassein river is navigable beyond
the town which gives its name, the best course would
be to run up as far as possible or convenient with the
steamers, and to occupy Promo till the cessation of
the rains permitted the troops to advance on the ca-
pital if necessary. This bold and decisive step pre-
sents several advantages. While it would be quite as
easy, or perhaps easier, to take possession of Promo
as of Rangoon, the former might be held during the
rains with less risk to the health of the troops ; and,
as the Burmese have expected us and prepared for
us chiefly or only on the line of Rangoon, thus to
turn their defences and place our force in the
centre of their country, and far on the road to their
capital, would be to them a heavy blow and great
discouragement.
The most important news from the North-
Western frontier is of Sir Colin Campbell's return
to Peshawur. The force marched in on the 15th
ultimo after destroying a number of villages in the
disturbed districts. There is a general inquiry as
across to; the results of this protracted demonstration and
be troublesome
no satisfactory reply can be elicited. Garrisons have
been left in the forts of Dubb and Shubkudder, and
on the 4th ihnas't ,
they already. find the people around them beginning
to
Calcutta somewhat The line of '
theth
i ioelectricog h
Itelegraph
near
p iwa
Ina s 0
h successfully
Harbour
carried
The weather eand we may therefore expect very
Calcutta and
shortly to
the
an unbroken communication betwixt
ehmouth of the river.
egoßiciren somewhat changeable, vary-
ing from heat to
this, with the want of rain,
was beginning to prevsanilliewhat unhealthy. Cholera
had rendered C
t-e
have to mention h Rev.ani4 among its victims we
Church .lissionary Society. r. Weitbrech. of the
•I
Little change has occurred in the export and import
markets—the former is perhaps a little better,
latter no worse than at our last report. The B hre,
anmo the
id
market has improved conserably. Tikne ofy
Bengal has loweredinterest its rates of
and discount
Government paper has one per cent. advanced in
a little
price. Exchange has risen lately, but there
is not much doing. Quotations are is, lid, to ls.

The following is from Rangoon, Feb. 24, 1852. Mouth
of River. "To the Editor of the Morning Chronicle.—
Dear Sir,—By the Fire Queen we understand the Go-
vernor-General has determined on settling matters with
his golden-footed Majesty by force of arms, having made
a complete failure to do so with diplomacy. We hear
that Bassein is the place fixed on as the rendezvous,
whore the Bombay steamers with the force are to as-
semble about the 25th of next month. Rangoon is to be
left to the last, it being decided that operations on the
capital is to be the first move, simultaneous with which
the Maul:main force to advance to Bilerry, and thence to
Ava by way of Myho:'—Cakiitta Morning Chronicle,
March 2.

soon The preparations for war on our part, since the Go-
vernor-General
r' sarnedt udrins
p, a havete h
been carried on with a
this
in)ever exceeded and seldom
retshitei elnBctyh the
Royal37th
Irish Native
h s
Infantry had been sent out
to 2,e500
equalled in India. At
about guard Arracan, which
as hostilities are Rilloffici-
al
ly
A invadedpeio
ris s to
gan down from Dinapore by
been sent to Maulmain, °which
by a force little short of is ,now protected
jesty's 80th Foot is mein
be
20th of the present
water with all speed ;
40th Native Infantry; they mayd so, likewise is the
the Presidency by the 15th or
be expected to reach
dispatchedm en
liwei rl
I be ao-f
month. The artillery
the most efficient and formidable
has reached Madras, with instructions
character. An express
lowing force in readiness for • uctions to hold the fol-
Three companies of European
nimAnadiato embarkation:-
51st Regiment, and two Regimentsrtillery; her Majesty's
For the conveyance of these tro of Native Infantry.
of steamers was ordered by ex trot , a large squadron
without delay. Within three express to leave Bombay
reached that presidency, every arrangementours after these orders
plete. The next morning the ships was cons-
be in such a state of equipment
to start on the third day. Of these they were in orders
500 horse power and 1,500 tons.vessels, two are of
power and 1,200 tons, all armed with large
of 300 horse
of eight inch calibre, throwing 11,110 large swivel guns
shrapnell to the distance of a couple of slclot, shells, or
of the other steamers are about half °I miles. Two i
others, but both in a highly effle; the size of the I
-ant state. Including
the Hugh Lindsay, seven steamers will .
with the troops from Madras will
be dispatched
whole, when assembled in Burmese waters
the bay. The
largest and the most efficient and the Lers, will form the
of steamers which has ever been Collectedl3eet terrific fleet
the East. It will consist of the theFeroze, together in
Sesostris, the Zenobia, the Semiramis,
_, Mozuffer, the
Hugh Lindsay, the Tenasserim, the Euler Medusa, the
Enterprise, the Proserpine, and the Phl 0 Queen, the
egethon twelve
steamers belonging to the Hon. Commie_ ,
Hermes, of her Majesty's navy: The •Y and
sudden
one, the
binge of so magnificent a fleet of steamers, _ ea assem-
and equipped, will serve to prove the 11,401[7.11y armed
astonishing in-
crease of power which the Government of India derives
from steam navigation, and the complete
command which
it holds of the whole sea coast from Suez to
the Yellow
Sea. The force from Calcutta, which
under the command of General Godwin, isto be
on his way to the Presidency, will now
not be
ready for starting so early as that from Ma-
dras, and as the two forces must act in
cO-operation
with each other, it is scarcely poasibla to
Open the
campaign before the first week in April, aah,,n
there will
be little more than a mouth left before the i,onialence-
merit of the rains. It has been confidently 'asserted that
this powerful armament is to batter down th
Rangoon and Martabau, and then to leave the country
of
country
towards the end of May, in the expectation that this de-
monstration of our power will induce the Burmese
to sun
for peace. We think it far more probable that
take possession of Rangoon and other maritime if
weowns,
it wilt be not with a view to precipitate retreat, tbut as
the lawyers say, to have and to bold, and that we shall
not make any retrograde niovement until after we
have
completely settled the affair. The present force is not
sufficient for a march to the capital, and we
naturally
conclude that it is intended only as a demonstrati,m
may possibly induce the Government of Ava to 1 which ,
throw it-
self at our feet implore and
mercy,
and pray for the rod
that has punished
it. It this expectation should be dis-
appointed, then there will remain 4 cold
we
ather cam-