The Sun.
London, England, 1838-07-07 00:00:00

tD\ ERUSEMENTO
GREAT WESTERN RAILWAY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

SIR.,-1 beg you will allow space for a few observations on the real
po,ition of this line, from one who is acquainted with every railway in
the kingdom.

It is amusing to notice how every defect upon this line, however
trifling and easily removed, is commented upon and made the foun-
dation of injurious rumours ; at the same time it would be
thought unjust to blame the talented engineers of other
lines for the accidents which are continually occurring,
and we say nothing about bridges, culverts and embankments,
giving way,—continual packing, ballasting, changing and relaying the
rails,—delays in opening; and doubled and trebled expenditure on
other lines. While making several trips of observation on the Great
Western Railway, the following facts presented themselves
On some parts of the line the motion was very evident, but on
others the motion and noise were scarcely perceptible, and this
last, too, on parts which have not been touched since the rails
were laid. Even on the worst parts, the noise and mo-
tion are less disegreeable than upon any other line on which I
have travelled, and it is seen that in some of the carriages the inconveni-
ence is hardly felt ; it is therefore only fair to deduce that the fault is
not in the mode of laying the rails, and that by attention to the springs of
carriages, and to the packing and ballasting the rails, we shall obtain every
satisfaction, and this opinion is confirmed by the great improvement which
has taken place in those parts which have been properly packed and bal-
lasted. I think it impossible to form a railway giving moreease and comfort
than are experienced upon some portions of the line, even at present. The
lateral motion and unpleasant jolting on other lines are altogether al).
sent on this, and there is so much less annoyance from the noise of
the engines. The longitudinal bearer of timber is an excellent
adoption, and " experience" has satisfied the Directors of the
Dublin Railway that upon that portion of the line from which the
stone blocks and sleepers have been removed, and replaced by timber,
there is less noise and motion, and incomparably less wear and tear,
and so evident is this, that they have decided upon relaying their whole
line on wooden btarers. That the" piles" are useful cannot be doubt,i,
rbiu•cttos
the
d utility,o compared
o, p
to
.aevdo with the hme expense,
on
ntherest
is
o f the questionablel
line, as
sufficient and; aud the Di.
ample bearing can be obtained without them, while a very great expense
would be rased, and the completion very much quickened, by this changa
in their plans.
As to the speed, I calculated it at an average of about 40 miles an
hour. Thus, from Paddington to Maidenhead, 23 miles, in 50 minutes,
stoppages included, which are about 17 minutes, or 33 minutes actual
travelling, On some portions the speed could not be less than 70 miles
an hour; and it seems very clear that when the whole line is completed,
those carriages, stopping at the principal stations only, may well pro-
gress at the rate of 55 or 60 unites an hour.

As to traffic, it Is steadily increasing, and the receipts have averaged
nearly 2,0001. per week—an instance of unparalleled success. In
whatever mannet the line may be formed, the traffic must be enormous;
and the public must use the Railway, and there cannot be a doubt that
when it is completed, and the long distance passengers use it, it must prove
a very superior investment ; its returns are already beyond those of the
London and Birmingham for some time after its opening, and are now
nearly equal to 5 per cent. upon the estimated expenditure, while the
line just named will require three times the amount to produce the
same result.

The carrir.gcs are, generally, very comfortable, and the arrangements
at the stations are exceedingly admirable, and superior to anything else-
where. I may sum up these observations by stating, that it will not be
necessary to take up the rails—the remaining portion will be formed at
a less comparative expense—in comfort and ease of travelling it will be
unequalled by any line already formed—the lateral motion and napless-
santjolting will be avoided—the speed will exceed that of every other
railway at present existing—there will be less wear and tear, conse-
quently less annual expenditure—the annual profits must be propor-
tionate, and the Great Western Railway must prove a source of national,
and to the proprietors, individual, advantage.
The Directors having borrowed the full sum allowed by the Act, in
addition to a sum equal to the uncalled instalments of 351. per share,
the proprietors are placed in a position more favourable than any other
line can exhibit

In conclusion, 1 would beg the owners of Shares not to be alarmed
to the sacrifice of their property, but to await patiently the result of
.e annual meeting next month, an .I I am sure they will receive ample
SCItUTATOR.

satisfaction.
Maidenhead, July 7, 1838.

PRICE OF SUGAR.

EFFECTS OF THE BOUNTY.
Table showing the ex-duty pric, of West India Sugar iii Mincing.
Lne, and comparing the same against the price of foreign sugars :

London, July 6, 1638.
The Gazette this day quotes the average price of British Per cwt.
Plantation Muscovade Sugar, exclusive of duty, at 33s. 4d.
Yesterday, at auction, in Mincing-'ane, Manilla (free labour
sugars from the Philippine Islands) were bought in by the
vendor, and from 2ls. to 235. 61
This morning Manilla sugar was sold by auction at the Corn.
mercial Sale-rooms, Minciag.lane, at from 20s. 6d. to 235. Od.
being 10s. per cwt. cheaper thin West India sugar.
Refined sugar, equal in quality to d nible refined, has been
sold this week (free on board) at 33s. 6d.
Deducting shipping charges 2s. 2d.-315.4,1•
which is 2s per cwt. cheaper than the Muscovade sugar
from which it is made.
British treacle is worth 9s. per cwt. in th^ foreign markets. The
same has been sold this morning in London at 265. per cwt., being an
excess of price paid by the Britis consumer of I 7s. per cwt.

VAUXHALL.--One of the It interesting galas of
the present season will take plic on-Tuesday next, when the Duke of
Nassau patronises afete, in ord.ti-- to'witness an ascent of the royal Nassau
balloon, which, as all ouveatr,s are aware, descended in the territory
of his Serene Highness on the occasion of the grand voyage of 1837,
was from that time named after hint. The two young Princes will ac-
company his Serene Highness.
The present effective s:rength of the National Guards
of Paris is 58,431 men, among whom there are 1,784 officers, and 8,500
non-commissioned officers.
The extreme humility of the spring has had a
disastrous effect on some of the more sensitive animals of the menagerie
in the Garden of Plants. Tto monkey tribe have been the greatest
sufferers, chiefly from affectio s of the chest, and a considerable number
have died during thelast few .nontils. and