The Sun.
London, England, 1864-09-23 00:00:00

The Darien Canal,

As a mercantile investment there is no doubt
that this interoceanic navigation will be one of great
pecuniary advantage. When we consider the fleets
of ships, belonging to all nations, desirous of saving
the thcuiands of leagues of distance which this
canal would enable them to save, the magnitude of
the undertakir g is met by the certainty of the
enormous profits which must result to the proprieturs.
No project has ever been before the public which
embraces anything like the objects to be attained
by this canal. All other propositions have but
local importance, and seek their profits from local
trade ; but this one is adapted to every ship afloat,
and seeks a return from the trade of every country.
Every maritime nation has an interest in its success,
and the commerce of the world will yield its profits.
Its completion will make a change in every Pacific
port; and, as a railway makes its own traffic, so
will this work most certainly greatly increase the
commerce between the distantly separated countries
which steam power is only now beginning to reach.
In such a case statistics are almost superfluous ; it
is safer to consult the history of the progress of
commerce and argue from it, than to calculate the
profits from the existing state of things. But even
on this limited ground it can be shown that
the capital invested will meet with a good
return by charging for tollage only a little more
than the amount saved in the insurance, without
reference to all the other advantages which the canal
will offer. From the trade statistics it appears that,
in 1851, upwards of three millions of tons of ship-
ping, and 150,000 passengers would, in that year,
have taken advantage of this navigation. The
Times of Oct. 15, 1850, states—" The traffic that
would pass through the canal, estimated now on the
basis adopted in 184'3, would amount to L 1,700,000.
In the hands of the most timid this cal-
culation could scarcely be reduced to any
point that would leave the enterprise other
than a legitimate and attractive one. But
the great feature always to be borne in mind with
regard to it is, that it would be so identified with
the progress of the world that its returns at any one
period could never be taken to limit our ideas of
what they would become hereafter. At the present
moment, for instance, the calculations would be
based on the existing tonnages of the various mari-
time Powers, and the present position of the chan-
nels of general commerce ; but when we consider
that the shipping of the United States doubles itself
every 15 years, and that of ogland still increases
rapidly, the prospects of the changes to be wrought
by the undertaking will appear still further
beyond the grasp of any of the common concep-
tions of past experience." The field for enterprise
which will open itself, once there is a passage for
the ships of all nations through the narrow strip
which divides the two oceans, appears almost tins
limited. This cosmopolitan work once completed
will endure for all ages a monument of man's enter-
prise and ability, surpassing all ever accomplished.
In the words of the Tinges—°' It is the grandest
physical work the world can witness ; the past has
seen nothing like it, and any similar fame must be
denied to the future, niece there will be
no more hemispheres to join.', As 7lie Sun
has said, "Ere long Darien will become
the great interoceanic portal, the door of
the seas, the entrepot of the world, the store-
house of nations, the grand highway of commerce ;
and the execution of the Darien Canal will confer
upon mankind greater blessings than mere mone-
tary ones. All the commercial nations in the
world will subscribe to it. The Balwer and Clay-
ton treaty will be made to embrace the route and
its approaches on both oceans. The coasts will be-
come common ground, whore war shall not ap-
proach. This is the way to secure universal
peace. The Greeks had their games, so that they
might meet on common ground once a year. The
Isthmus of Darien will be common ground every
day in every year—the place where all the nations
of the earth will meet in peace.—The Isthmus of
Darien, by Dr. Cullen.

SO APPROPRIATE !—Mr Whalley, M.P., of all
men in the world, has been commissioned to go out to
Cdprera, to present to Garibaldi the yacht which has been
purchased by public subscription.

THE GOLDFIELDS OF NEW ZEALAND.—The New
Zealand papers give accounts of an exploring ex-
pedition consisting of three miners (two Frenchmen and
one Englishman), undertaken about three months pre-
viously, from Queenstown, Otago, to the West Coast, in
search of a goldfield. The party were supposed to have
perished, but were rescued by a yacht on the Dart river,
which they had reached on their return, and on the bank
of which they were lying to die, being too weak to cross it
by swimming. Subjoined is an abstract of the account
said to have been gathered from them :—" They state
that they have explored the whole of the tract of country
marked on the mats unknown,' a portion of which is in
the province of Otago and a portion in that of Canterbury.
They reached Jackson's Bay and then set back homeward.
The country is generally well timbered, and the pine and
rutu trees are often 2511 in diameter. They found gold in
payable quantities in several places, the furthest about 80
miles inland from Jackson's Bay, and at this spot they are
confident a payable goldfield exists. They further declare
that the belt of country through which they passed is aurifer-
ous nearly throughout. Ihe country soon after leaving Lake
Wakatip changes. It becomes less rocky, and the hills assume
the appearance of made hills. Some of them are composed of
cement, and the terraces, which they believe to bo aurifer-
ous, are of immense extent. They found innumerable quartz
reefs, and gold in several of them. They have some speci-
mens with them. In some of the creeks the gold could be
plainly seen, and every trial proved the existence of gold in
them. They were unable to thoroughly prospect the coun-
try, as they desired, having to hunt so much after game,
and being very weak. They also found various other mine-
rals, and copper in several places. They are satisfied it is as
fine a gold country as ever was opened. The winter set in un-
expectedly ; they were snowed in their tent for nearly three
weeks,and gave up hopes of reaching theWakatip alive again.
They christened this place 'Linger and Die Lake.' They now
abandoned their tocls, &c., and made an effort to reach the
head of Wakatip, and they were six weeks arriving at the
place where they were rescued from. As soon as they are
recovered they are willing to lead the way again, In the
meantime they intend to throw themselves upon the gene-
rosity of the Otago and Canterbury Governments, confident
that they have found a rich and new tract of habitable
country of immense extent, possessing lakes, rivers, gold,
minerals, copper, timber, and last, but not least, agricul-
tural land."

at:p
(furf* Ortikt

HER MAJESTY.

BALMORAL, S.?pt, 21.
The Queen, accompanied by Princess Helens,
drove yesterday morning.
Her Majesty, with Princess Louise and Prii3BeSS
Beatrice, took a carriage drive in the afternoon.
Princess Helena, attended by the Hon. Harriet
Phipps rode out yesterday afternoon.
His Grand Ducal Highness Prince Elimar of
Oldenburg, attended by Baron Vultzburg, arrived
at the Castle yesterday on a visit to her 1%15j( sty.
The Hon. Emma Lascelles arrived at Balmoral
yesterday as maid of honour in waiting.
Lord Napier left the Cistle yesterday.

The Prince and Princess of Wales in
Denmark.
COPENHAGEN, Monday.

The unaccountable post-office arrangement/ill
which jump up and down irregularly every day,
have this morning taken a wholly unexpected leap
of four hours and a half, diminishing the time for
correspondence accordingly. It must therefore be
stated, with the utmost brevity, that the Prince of
Wales yesterday morning came into Copenhagen
attended by General Knollys and Colonel Keppel,
and was present at Divine service, held in the
chapel of the Embassy, an apartment of the very
plainest character, where the Rev, Mr ELlis is the
officiating clergyman. The congregation for Copene
hagen, was considerable, many having, no doubt,
been drawn to that quarter by an expectation ouch
as was equally gratified. The ordinary Church of
England congregation is naturally very limited--
on this occasion the numbers were nearly doubled.
The weather was extremely unfavourable, but the
Prince, with the same consideration which has led
on the previous day to the countermanding of the
review, exposed himself to the weather in order
that others who were anxious to see him might
have an opportunity of doing so; though, when his
own gratification was in question, he is said to have
urged that V-e National Guards should not be kept
under arms in the rain. Dismissing his carriage,
and taking the arm of Sir Augustus Paget, he
walked from the chapel of the Embassy to the
Hotel Pf eeaix, upon entering the deer of which he
was greeted by the numerous citizens who had re-
spectfully followed his footsteps, with the most
ringing and enthusiastic cheers that ho has yet re•
ceived since his landing in Danmerk. His Royal
Highness turn round, took off his hat, and bowed
very graciously to the large assemblage, and then
entered the hotel,
,where he lunched with Lord and
Lady Spencer, remaining at the hotel about an
hour and a half. On leaving he met with an
equally cordial reception. The Princess of "Wales,
meanwhile, went with the members of her
own family to the quiet parish church of Gjentcll'l
where, when a resident in the country, she had
been accustomed to attend Divine service. Later
in the afternoon the royal party proceeded from
Bernstorf to the chateau of Charlottenlund, where
they dined with the Landgrave of Hesse, and in
the evening drove to Sorgenfri, the residence of the
Queen Dowager, where they remained till it was
time to return to Bernstorf. This morning, at half°
p ist 11 o'clock, they intend to visit the Royal Castle
of Rosenberg, a building filled with relics of Euro•
pean interest, and rep!ete with the richest historical
associations. They are to lunch with the widow of
Prince Frederick, late the heir apparent to the
throne, and about half•past 3 they will proceed to
the Museum of Antiquities, renowned throughout
the scientific world as one of the treasures of the
north of Europe. Ia the evening their Royal High-
nesses will honour Sir Augustus Paget, the British
Minister Plenipotentiary, and Lady Paget, with
their company at dinner, About 30 persons of the
highest distinction are invited to meet them. The
circle will include Prince Hans of Glucksburg, the
Crown Prince,of Denmark, the French and Russian
representatives,_at this Court, the Swedish Envoy,
who lately had the honour of presenting an autos
graph letter from the King of Sweden to the Prince
of Wales; the principal officers of the Danish royal
household, Be.n The Danish Minister for Foreign
Affitirsxas also invited, but he is at present silt:fere
ing eo severely feenal gout that it is not likely he
will be able to attend.

To-morrow it is expected, but not yet quite de.
Bided, that there will be a hunt in the deer park
close to Bernstorf Castle, possibly extending to some
of the adjoining forests. In the evening the royal
party contemplate a visit to the Opera-house; it will
not, however, be made in state, nor will the perfor-
mances be delayed pending their arrival. The royal
box will be quite in readiness for them, and it the
weather should be at all favourable there is little
doubt they will take their places in it in the course
of the evening.

PRINCE HUMBERT OF ITALY.—Yesterday morn-
ing the Prince and several members of his suite went out
walking in the park tili breakfast. At halt-past 12 his
Royal Highness, with his Excellency the Italian Minister,
and accompanied by General Revel and the greater number
of the royal suite, visited the British Museum, and after-
wards drove to Westminster Abbey. After an inspection of
that venerable ecclesiastical building, the Prince and royal
party went over the Houses of Parliament, which occupied
them some hours. After their return to his Excellency the
Italian Minister's residence in Grosvenor-street there was
a dinner party for 14 guests. Baron Marochetti and the
Marchioness St. Germano were among the company.
THE BETROTHAL OF KING GEORGE OF GREECE
to the Grand Duchess Alexandrova is announced on
authority.

TIIE PRINCE IMPERIAL is to go to Lorient next
month to be present at the launching of a vessel which will
bear his name.

The Duchess (Dowager) of Cleveland arrived in
town on Monday last from Ray Castle, Durham.

Ills Excellency Lord Napier is expected in town
to-day from visiting the Queen at Balmoral.

The Earl Cadogan and Viscount Chelsea left
town yesterday to juin the other members of his lord-
ship's family at Windermere. The Ladies Augusta and
Honoria Cadogan are expected to leave town to-day for
Brighton.

The Countess (Dowager) of Belmore and Lord
Florence Corry arrived on Saturday, on a visit to the
Archbishop of Armagh and Mrs Beresford, at the Palace
Armagh.

We are informed that a marriage is arranged to
take place between Viscount Amberley, eldest son of the
Earl Ru'sell, K.G., and the Hen. Katherine Louisa
Stanley, fourth daughter of Lord and Lady Stanley of
Alderley.

Viscount and Viscountess Palmersto❑ returned
to Broadlands, near Romsey, Hants, yesterday afternoon,
from visiting Lady Herbert at Wilton House, near Salis-
bury,

Lord Conyers has arrived in town from York.
shire.

Sir Francis Graham and Lady Moon have left
Portman• square for their marine residence at Brighton.

General Buckley, M.P., has left Wilton, the
seat of Lady Herber, in Wiltshire, for the Earl of Radnor's
seat in Berkshire.

Mr Dandss, Mr and Mrs Lappincatt and family,
have arrived at the Clarendon Hotel, from Paris.

Mrs Washington Hibbert and Misa Hibbert have
recently left the Isle of Wight, on a visit to Lord and Lady
Arundel' of Warkour, at Wardour Castle, Salisbury.

DRURY-LANE THEATRE.—This theatre will open
for the season to-morrow evening, Sept, 24, with the First
Part of Shat-spere's "Henry IV„" the revival of which
was attended with such immense success last season, Mr
Phelps will resume his part of Sir John Falstaff, while Mr
Cr.)swick has been engsged to play Hotspur, On Saturday,
Oct. 1, the Second Part or '• Henry IV." will be produced,
in which Mr Phelps will sustain two characters—viz., King
Henry IV. and Justice Shallow, There is every prospect
of a brilliant season.

THE MYSTERY ( F THE IRON MASK 'Tail'
occupies the attention of bibliophiles, and a new and rather
amusing story is circulated in literary papers this week on
the subject. It states that the Iron Mask induced the
Governor of the Bastille to admit a lady, who, for a veil
large sum settled on her, consented to share his prison life.
A son was born, who was transported to Corsica in 111°
charge of a person who was told that he came di buonapai le,
or in other words that he was well•born. The idea started
is that this child was the ancestor of Napoleon I.
PRINTING WITHOUT PRINTERS' INK.—An ve"
lion hoe just been patented in Paris by means of
printing can be conducted without the employment of 101"
The process consists in the introduction between the Payer:
and the type of a sheet of some fabric on which is deposited
large-black and glycerine, which