The Sun.
London, England, 1852-09-07 00:00:00

RAILWAY
.ANTICIPAI lONS.

In a pamphlet on the advantages of railways, pub-
lished by the conductor of this journal some years ago,
in student days, when men's minds wore less made up as
to the results of railways than they are now, the writer
closed his remarks on the probable effects of the estab-
lishment of railways with this sentence—" The length
of our lives, so far as regards the power of acquiring in-
formation and disseminating knowledge, will be doubled,
and the whole world will ultimately become as one great
family, speaking one language, governed in unity and
harmony by like laws, and adoring ono God." The
pamphlet was favourably received in all quarters, but
many even of those who went fully with It demurred at
the closing sentence, as hyperbole and exaggeration,
and, as one intelligent commentator wrote, thought that
when the author had laid down his pen, having
achieved a useful work, some malignant imp had taken
it up and added the closing paragraph, to throw dis-
credit on all that preceded it." It will scarcely be read
so now: such a result appears not merely possible, but
probable. The railway and the electrio telegraph are
two of the greatest results before us of the philosophy
taught by Bacon—in opposition to the philosophy taught
by Plato and the other ancients—the philosophy which
seeks to improve the condition of mankind; the science
which deals with things instead of words; which pro-
duces what we need, lessens suffering, shortens life.—
Builder.

from a kind individual, - =-- --- TALE----
OF A R reoeived
RAT.—.A of ours oaurfosrleaigtenl
package •
containing a few bottles of salad oil, of the most
Ycountry, a
savoury kind, a present which, apart from viewing it as a
mark of esteem, afforded him unspeakable delight, being an
ardent admirer of this sort of dainty. The bottles, which
were carefully sealed, were place" a the apartment allotted
for edibles, there to lie comforts.;., and safely, as was sup-
posed, till wanted. A few days after, our friend, being
afflicted with an irrepressible desire to " prce" the exotic
'' kitchen," betook himself without delay to the pantry, when
he found, however, to his surplise and indignation, that a
nice little aperture had been made in the bungs of all the
bottles, and a nice little drop.o: its contents extracd from
each. There was something incomprehensible to him about
the matter. Ile could understand how a cork might be eaten
through by a rat or a mouse, but how they could manag3 to
get at the contents was a mystery, the hole being too small
to admit the head of either of these animals. beautiful
Determined to ascertain who the delinquents were, and th e
method adopted by them to effect their purpose, he secrete
bottles himself one night iu the corner of 11‘e room, and so
glossy rat made its appearance, approached the b on a finwithe
a fortitude unknown to (ir) rational depredators on kindred
errands, inserted his tail in one of them, drew
cleaned that member with his mouth, it out gently,
and
pro-
cess over and over again." - Montrose cßeview.repeatedpeated the pro-
Lord arid Lady Stafford and Lady
arrived at the St. Katherine's Wharf M‘Donald
the General Sleam tinvigatien yesterday morning, by
Vellittellittej f
-ora AntWer,p, Company's steam-ship ita-