The Sun.
London, England, 1863-05-26 00:00:00

that the true centre of Africa is a great
elevated watery basin, abounding in fertile lands,
its large lakes fed by numerous streams, and its
waters escaping to the sea by fissures and
depressions. "While this theory was clearly verifi--d
in Southern Africa by Livingstone in the escape of
the Zambesi, as narrated by himself, and is well
known to be true in the case of the Niger, so does it
apply to the Nile,in asfar as the great central lake,Vic-
toria Nyanza, occupies a lofty plateau of 3,500 feet
above the sea. In this example, as the waters flow
from a southern watershed, and cannot escape to
the east or to the west, there being no great trans-
versal valleys in the flanking higher grounds, they
necessarily issue from the northern end of the
Lake Victoria Nyanza, and, forming the White
Nile, take advantage of a succession of depressions,
through which they flow and cascade. The upper-
most of these cascades, and close to the lake, has
been named, after my predecessor, Ripon Falls,
Thenceforward, the White Nile, fed by other affluents
as it flows to the South, has a descent of 2,400 feet,
when it reaches Khartum, which is 1,100 feet above
the sea. The general course of the Nile, from south
to north, and its peculiarity as a stream, in having
no affluent between the Atbara River and the sea,
a distance of 1,700 miles, has been illustrated by Sir
HENRY HOLLAND. The phenomenon of its being
confined to this northward course is due to the
fact that the flanking higher grounds, ranging
from south to north, do not afford, as in Southern
Africa, lateral valleys which lead to the sea."
The triumph of ascertaining these valuable and in-
teresting facts has been justly earned by English-
men, and this by the perseverance end courage
with which they have explored these danger-
ous and inhospitable regions. Further infor-
mation will doubtless be obtained by sub
sequent discoverers, but the glory of the
first discovery indisputably rests with Captain
SPEXE and his brave companion. Sir RODERICK
MURCHISON justly reminds the public of the en-
couragement given by him to the proposed route
by Zanzibar, at a time when great prejudice existed
against it. The result is gratifying in every point
of view, and adds a fresh leaf to the laurels won by
British discoverers.

The wording of the address to the KING by the
Chamber of Deputies in Prussia is now published,
and is most worthy of attention. It is of some
length, and is very carefully arranged. The com-
pilers of this document appear to have achieved
what the French call a juste milieu, between assert-
ing their rights and yet showing respect to their
SOVEREIGN. The address commences by remind-
ing the KING that at the commencement of the
present session, the Chamber pointed out to him the
importance of a return to constitutional rules by
means of which alone could they hope for a restora-
tion of peace at home and strength abroad. This is

strictly true, and had the Ministers not been
so headstrong in their course, very different
would now be the prospects of Prussia.
They appear to have adopted Perversity as their
motto, and the more the Deputies objected, the more
determined grew their opposition to all popular
rights and all constitutional principles. Next re-
ference is made to the very extraordinary conduct
of the Ministers. In this passage, not being restrained
by the respect that naturally influences their lan-
guage towards the KING, the Deputies speak out
strongly, and in no way mince matters. " Your MA-
JESTY'S Ministers openly express unconstitutional
principles, and prepare to act on them." This is
stating their grievance in plain terms, and proclaim-
ing the dereliction of those entrusted with high
authority in a manner that cannot be mistaken.
Their offences are then enumerated. They have re-
fused to take part with the Chamber in the bill on

Ministerial responsibility, and they have gone so far

a 4 to declare that "they could not submit their respon-
sibility to the judgment of the judicial court desig-
nated by the constitution." Tnis is a cowardly act
in. the first place, and, secondly, proves a violation
of the first principles of the constitution. The most
inexcusable act is last cited, namely, that they have
on a most futile pretext withdrawn themselves
from the Chamber in defiance of the right of the
two Chambers to demand their presence. After-
wards reference is made to their influence abroad,
and here it is truly stated that danger is to be
apprehended, and that the Ministers have
disappointed all their hopes by their foreign policy,
while by their very unconstitutional acts at home
they have lost the confidence of populations and of
governments. Even when the Chamber of
Deputies has raised its voice against their mistaken
and mischievous course no heed is paid to their
suggestions ; and the Ministers have even gone so

far as to declare that they should make war if
they thought it necessary—that they should
make war with or without the consent of the Cham-
ber. Great stress is laid on the failure of the prin-
cipal object of the session in consequence of the
rupture of the personal relations between the Minis-
tars and the Chambers. We now come to the most

important part of the reply, that part of it in which

the Chamber tells the KING that it has no further
cleans of coming to an understanding with the
present Government, and that it declines to co-
operate in its present policy. They go so far as to
say that they consider an abyss is between the
advisers of the Crown and the country, an abyss
which cannot be filled up but by " a change of per-
sons, and, what is more, by a change of system."
"The country calls for respect for its constitutional
rights," says the Address, "may the respectful
prayer of the Deputies be heard by your MAJESTY,
and may you, as in the glorious days of our
past, seek for and find the éclat of the royal house,
and the power and safety of the Government, in
the reciprocal bond of confidence and of fidelity be-

tween the Prince and the people. It is only in
that union that we are strong. On that.condition,
but on tbat alone, we may without fear await any
attack from whatever quarter it may come." This
last passage is a worthy conclusion to this most for-
cible address. If the KING resists the appeal he will
have only himself to thank for all that may occur.
It would have been difficult, if not almost impos-
sible, for the subject to have been better treated than
it has been in this eloquent and energetic document.
The Deputies appear to have been actuated by a
due sense of responsibility, and animated also by.
that love of their country which has always in-
,pired men to great and glorious deeds. They are
likewise honest in their remarks; they do not cry
peace where there is no peace, but, on the contrary,
t hey show the
.danger while they suggest the
remedy. It is earnestly to be trusted that this
final attempt will be si.ccessful, and that the RING
will at last recognise the evil that must ensue from
if
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—At a muting of siiirl holders of this company
May the 21d-.held at Birmingham on Saturday last, .
no• resolutions
IMPERIAL CONTINENTAL GAS LIGHT RT COMPANY.
J. Rawlins, Esq., in the chair, the follow]
wore pawed —Moved by F. J. Welch, Esq.,
by S. W. Lucas, Esq., and resolved—"ll secondedat whilst
an increased dividend, or a capitalisation
of undi-
divided profits, or both, it begs to express its entire con-
fidence in the directors, whose prudence, discretion, and
pleased to see
this meeting would be much
management have obtained for this company so pre-eminent
a position." Also resolved—" That the chairman be re-
quested to forward a copy of the above resolution to the
board of directors,"