The Sun.
London, England, 1864-10-25 00:00:00

U lie African Traveller, Mr, S. Baker.

The following communication from Mr Pethe4
rick, late her Majesty's Consul at Khartoum, who
concludes his communication at Berber on his way
home, has been published :

Khartoum, June 8, 1864.

My dear Sir,—Since ray last, dated May 23, I have had
several interviews with llhurshid Aga's men from the in-
terior of Gondokoro.

They unite in their statements of having accompanied
Mr Baker to Kamrati's residence, where they had met with
a good reception ; that Mr Baker was in excellent health,
but that he had lost the whole of his cattle, and had been,
training bulled-3 for riding.
From this point all agree that Mr Baker and his 10 men,
under the guidance of a confidential person of the chief, left
to inspect a lake, but thenceforth tho stories told by the
men are conflicting. Some say he went to the Lutu Nzigi,
while others maintain that ho left for the Lake Nyanza,
and that he did not intend to return, but to proceed onward
to Zanzibar.

It is, I fear, but little light that is in my power to throw
men upon hrs movements, but of the two versions I am
more inclined to give credit to the first—viz., his journey
to the Lulu Nzigi.

From what I have been able to glum by cross question-
ing, I am disposed to think that Mr Baker intended to have
returned to Kamrasi, in ender to join the trading party on
their return journey, or he would have consigned letters. to
them respecting h!s future requirements from Khartoum,
as also for posting letters at this place fur Europe.
Ten men of Hhurshid Aga remained stationary, while
the majority with the proceeds of their trade, went to Goa-
dokord, there to be reinforced for the purpose of returning
to form a permanent trading establishment at Kamrask's
residence.

I have stated in my last that these men conveyed
packet of letters from Gondokoro to Mr Baker, but, plead-
ing want of porters, they refused to take charge of sundry
provisions I had sent for his consumption.
From these men Mr Baker will have learnt the departure
of the boats from Gondokoro, and their absence during the
rainy season ; therefore, until the nest trading compaign
nothing more can be heard of him.—Believe me, very

sincerely, yours, JOHN PETHEILIC.
Sir Roderick I. Murchison, President of the
Royal Geographical Society, &c.

P.S. My wife's very serious illness, together with oar
departure from Khartoum, prevented my completing and
forwarding this letter until this day at Berber—namelyi
August 11, 1864.

SUBWAYS IN LONDON.—The Metropolitan Board
of Works has determined to carry out the plan of
constructing subways, as in King-street, Covent-garden,
and Southwark-street, behind the embankment of the new
Thames Way. The same body will shortly, we believe, tale
into consideration the propriety of constructing passages
beneath the most dangerous crossings in the metropolis.
The City authorities have the same thing in view; and the
time will, we trust, not be long era passengers may traverse
such streets as Cheapside, Fleet-Street, King William..
street, the Strand, and Bridge-street, Westminster, with
safety to life and limb, and without interrupting the carriage
traffic or waiting till a policeman gives signal for a rush. It
has been ascertained that at least half the "blocks" in :he
great thoroughfares are caused by the necessity for allow.*
ing persons on foot to proceed. If it be not found conve-
nient to have sub-crossings, surely light iron bridges would
answer the purpose; these might be extremely elegant rn,
appearance, and give a picturesque aspect to a street. It is
objected that infirm persons could not use these sub-cross"
ings or street bridges ; in reply wo may ask, how then does
the small proportion of such passengers now traverse the
thronged streets? Doubtless the loot bridges added to (be
viaduct over Ludgate-Lill will prove public convenience
and load to the construction of others. These bridges will
be open for use in a very short tune.