The Sun.
London, England, 1847-01-02 00:00:00

LITERATURE.

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(?,d Depehotencies. 11ei Churles PrulLun.
Isq , F.R.G.S. Vol. 1. The Mattp4itts cod
its Dependencies.
The author of this volume has undertaken a gigan-
tic task. Ile proposes to give the history of past and
present of all the British Colonies, to enter minutely
into the statistics of each Colony, and by bringing
together from every available source, every species of
information relating to the subject of which he treats,
to produce a work that shall " accurately describe
the components of an Empire, that considered
in any point of iew is as unrivalled for
its grandeur and its fame Its for the spirit
of wisdom and justice, by which its affairs are
administered." Such a work has long been a desidera-
tum, and judging from the manner in which Mr.
Pridham has performed that portion of his task,
which relates to the Mauritius and dependencies,
treated of in the volume now under consideration,
we are inclined to the opinion that the task could
not have been undertaken by any one more able or
more willing to do full justice to the subject. He
• opens with a description of the geographical position
and extent of the Mauritius, and then gives a minute
account of its history down to the close of 1845 ; the
last incident narrated being the joint attack upon
Tamatave by the French and English. From Mr.
Pridham's account, it would appear, that for the
hostility of the Ovahs, we are indebted to the
entente cordiale the Ovahs finding the English so
constantly aiding, or, at all events permitting, French
aggression, ;naturally confounded the commerce-
loving English with the conquest-loving French,
and we have suffered accordingly from keep-
ing bad company. Sir W. Gomm, after the at
tack on Tamatave, ordered a survey of the whole
coast to be made :

" In one of his descents, the English officer was met
in a deprecatory tone by the Ovahs, who assured him
hat it was far from their intention to insult or oppress

the English, and that they would never have experienced
such treatment had they not conceived that his country-
men had combined with the French, who had always
sought to overthrow their independence, in a design for
the subjugation of the island."
It would, perhaps, be as well :that the disposition of
the Ovahs towards England should be tested, and
that, if found friendly, a treaty should be entered
into with them, and, if necessary, British protection
extended to them. This is the more necessary when
we bear in mind the disposition to aggression which
the French have constantly exhibited ever since the
Island of Bourbon was restored to them. An in-
stance of this spirit of encroachment is given by Mr.
Pridham. The Island of Amsterdam and St. Paul's
have always been considered as dependencies of the
Mauritius :

" Recently, however, some merchants of Bourbon,
sensible bf their value as fishing stations, and knowing
that the surrounding seas abounded in cod of the best
quality (they having caught, with a limited supply of
labour, 1,200 fish daily, and expecting, with their pre-
sent means, to increase their catch to 2,000, and thus
supply the Bourbon market with salt cod, the principal
food of the negrees in that colony), induced the Go-
vernor of Bourbon to declare these isles dependencies of
that island, and have occupied them with a number of
negroes, who are superintended by Europeans, that are,
in their turn, directed by a Pole. This person has had
the effrontery to forbid British and American vessels
from fishing in the neighbourhood, and assumed the
protection of French colours. The conduct of the Go-
vernor of Bourbon has. it is true, been censured by the
Minister of Marine, and the permission to use the na-
tional flag has been withdrawn, the style being changed,
and a b'ue edging been substituted; but those who are
fcmiliar with the history of French aggression, from the
time of their intrigues in Acadia to the present day, will
not fail to remember that they ever make the acts of in-
dividuals the cloak of national aggrandisement, for the
cpiasi claim of the former being permitted to become
prescriptive by lapse of time, is presently superseded by
that of the nation, which cannot so well be resisted.
The design of the Governor of Bourbon in seizing on an
island of so little importance would be incomprehensible,
did not the recent movements of France to recover her
lost ground in this ocean furnish a key to the mystery,
I apprehend also that the honour of Great Britain is as
much compromised by this intrusion, trivial as it may
appear, as it would be in a case where the stake was
greater, nor is it a mark of foresight to permit any other
than her own people to occupy islands which will be-
come yearly of greater importance, as the trade with
our Australian possessions is augmented."
Having given the history of the island, Mr. Prid-
ham next proceeds to treat of the manners and cus-
toms of the inhabitants. He then enters minutely
into the physical history of the island, its Zoology,
Botany, Geology, and climate and diseases.
Ile then treats at great length of its agricul-
ture and its commerce, of its ports and bar-
harbours, and lastly of its government and literature.
The concluding chapter is devoted to the history of
the Dependencies of the Mauritius, including the
Seychelles group, Rodriguez and several other smaller
islands, of the importance of the possession of the
Mauritius to the English, and of the value set upon
it by the French to re-possess it, some idea may be
formed from the following passage from the great
work of Abb6 Raynal, who says " policy foresees
that if the Isle of France (the Mauritius) were aban-
doned (by the French), the English would drive all
foreign nations out of the seas of Asia, and would
possess themselves of all the riches of those vast
countries. " That the French ardently desire
to re-possess themselves of this island is openly
bear
awed
cannot
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denied. But
of their political writers,
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oe
by the maintenance of English supremacy, that negro
and Indian liberty can be secured. IVith the follow-
ing extract, in which this subject is fully discussed,
we must conclude our notice of this work. One of
the few published during the course of 1846, which
must become a stock work of reference andauthority—
" If there be any external cause of alarm from any
power in the world, as respects the tenure of our Indian
emp,ire (which may reasonably admit of doubt) it must
arise from France alone. If she were in possession of
this island, and her squadrons could escape from blockade
in Europe, or from an intercepting fleet on the passage
and further elude the observation of the Cape squadron,
or overpower it by its superior force and reach the Mau-
ritius, the fleet might be here recruited, and be detached
on predatory excursions (as before) against British com-
merce, or eluding the Indian squadrons, burst on some
part of the extensive coasts of the peninsula, and landing
troops unite with the disaffected Mussulman. But this
hypothesis being reversed, and the obstacles we have
mentioned being only in part removed, while the advan-
tage to be derived from the possession of the Isle of
France should be in the hands of a rival, such an at-
tempt would be indeed hopeless; for granting that Bour-
bon might prove commodious enough (supposing the
difficulties above mentioned to have been overcome) for
the purpose of temporary refreshment, yet it possesses
no port of refuge in tempestuous weather, and could
afford no adequate protection to a fleet which would be
soon attacked by the divisions of several squadrons.
There is little difficulty, moreover, in perceiving that
even these advantages would be denied it ; for the Bri-
tish Government, from its possessing a monopoly of the
earliest channels of intelligence, would immediately dis-
pose of the cpiestion in the event of a war by assuming
the offensive, for which they would be greatly favoured
by their occupation of the Mauritius, and direct an at-
tack against the remaining possessions of France in these
seas, and against such an attack the French have no
effectual means of resistance. Under such circumstances
the situation of a French fleet from Europe (again as-
suming that it would escape the dangers of the passage)
would excite mingled contempt and pity rather than ap-
prehension. Bereft of all means for refitment, where
such means could be readily obtained, without a port,
from which it could derive protection against the ele-
ments, or defend itself' in case of an attack, after a steam
or sailing voyage of several thousand miles, such a fleet,
with its weary and despairing crews, would become the
prey rather than the assailant of the firet British squa-
dron it might encounter.
" It has been lately urged, that, in the event of an at-
tack on this island by France, no dependence can be
placed on the loyalty and fidelity of the French popula-
tion ; but, assuming this to be correct, that population,
compared with the other inhabitants, is only as one-
twelfth, and of that a considerable portion has been de-
tached from any connexion with the chimerical views
entertained by an insatiable clique, of the prospect of this
island ever reverting to France in the event of a war, by
the judicious and conciliatory conduct of the Govern-
ment. Of late years British-born subjects, both as
planters and merchants, have been gradually increasing
in wealth, numbers, and influence ; while the negro and
Indian population are to a man in favour of a govern-
ment on whom alone they are dependent for protection ;
the slightest semblance, therefore, of treason, from what
quarter soever originating, would meet with the most
condign punishment. Perhaps in none of the British
colonies can any class or section of a community be found
more in the power of a government, for good or evil,
than the French population of the Mauritius.
" Admitting, then, that many parts of the coast are
assailable, yet the difficulties of a march in such a coun-
try, coupled with the impediments arising from the at-
tacks of the vast irregular army that might be almost
instantly assembled, would prove next to insuperable ;
while an effectual resistance could be offered by the capi-
tal, till such time- assistance could arrive. But fur-
ther, assuming that by some fortuitous circumstance, at
present out of the reach of possibility, France could
make herself master of this island, such mastery would
in the very nature of things prove but temporary, from
her inability (unless she continued to hold the maritime
supremacy in this ocean) to subsist her troops,the island
being dependent on Madagascar for the supply of the
commonest necessaries. . .

" With respect to recent French aggressions in these
seas, it may be observed, that their aim would appear
to be to secure a footing (which they do not at present
possess) on the main island of Madagascar, and by
creating divisions among the natives to acquire a terri-
tory in the tropics, which may compensate them for
those in which they have bean supplanted. Their pre-
sent possessions are Bourbon, Nossi Beh, and St. Mary's
off the eastern coast of Madagascar, and Mayottar and

some other islands of the Comoro group on the north-
west coast. The last possession has not, however, as yet
u 1511.71
110, w r s,u,e ito in its aoluisition whiCs
demand inquiry. Though Mayotta can be of little
b9netit to France for the purpo.ses of aggressive or even
defensive warfare, it is useful by its position in relation
to Madagascar for the conduct of intrigues, and gives
her the command of the Mosambique Channel.

RAILWAY S; their Rise, Progress, and Construction.
With Remarks on Railway Accidents, and Proposals for
their Preventiou. By Itcbert Ritchie, F.R.S.S A.,
This is a complete history of the art of railway
making from the first rude attempts at constructing
"stone wheel tracks" up to the present time. The
author goes into minute details as to the construction
of every variety of rail and of every species of loco-
motion—discusses the merits of the different species
of sleepers—enters elaborately into the comparative
merits of the gauges, and comments at length on the
advantages and disadvantages of the atmospheric
system of propulson. His classification of railway
accidents according to their causes is judicious, and
his suggestions for their prevention are worthy of
consideration. His volume is, in fact, a resume of all
that is known at present on the subject of railway
construction and locomotion ; and whoever wishes to
be au niveau des connoisances aciuelles as regards rail-
way engineering should attentively peruse Ritchie on
railways.

THE BRITISH ALMANAC AND COMPANION

FOR 1847.
This valuable annual still keeps up its high cha-
racter. The Companion contains a vast amount of
valuable information on the Legislative statistics and
public improvements of 1846. The article on the
Progress of Education in England is well written
and well timed; and Mr. Knight has conferred an
obligation on all those who take an interest in the
subject, by his judicious condensation of such a vast
amount of information in so small a compass.

HER MAJESTY'S NEW YEAR'S

GIFTS TO THE POOR OF WINDSOR.
WINDSOR, FRIDAY.-Her Majesty and his Royal
Highness Prince Albert, accompanied by the Royal
Family, walked from the Castle to the New Riding
School, in the Home Park, this morning, between nine
and ten o'clock, for the purpose of witnessing the inter-
esting ceremony of the presentation of the royal bounty
to upwards of 700 of the poor of Windsor, and also the
poor of the parish of Clewer residing within the limits of
the borough. The Queen and the Prince were also ac-
companied by their Royal Highnesses the Duke and
Duchess, Prince George, and Princess Mary of Cam-
bridge, his Serene Highness the Prince Frederic of
Hesse, the Earl and Countess of Lincoln, Lady Caroline
Leveson Gower, and the other distinguished visitors at
the Castle. The Marchioness of Douro, the Duchess of
Sutherland, the Hon. Misses Kerr andPaget, the Earl
of Listowel, the Hon. Colonel Phipps, Colonel Bouverie,.
Mr. G. E. Anson, Major-General Bowles,-&c., were in
attendance upon her Majesty. The Duke of Cambridge
was attended by Baron Knesebeck, and her Royal High-
ness by Lady Augusta Cadogan.
Her Majesty, the Prince Consort, the Duchess of
Cambridge, and other members of the Royal Family,
occupied the Queen's Gallery, at the east end of the
budding, which afforded an excellent view of the inter-
esting proceedings.
The Duke of Cambridge, accompanied by Prince
George, walked for some time in the large area of the
Riding-school, aria appeared to take great interest in the
piles of beef (supplied by Mr. Hughes and Mr. Henry
Adams) and mountains of plum-pudding (manufactured
by Mr. Tall and Mr. Phillips) which were displayed
upon long tables, flanked by hundreds of quartcrn loaves,
in the centre of the building. The blankets, flannel, and
red cloaks were ranged upon tables along the north and
south sides of the Riding-school.
-

The Dowager Lady Ljttleton was in attendance upon
the juvenile branches of the Royal Family.
Nearly 500 families were each supplied with meat,
bread, and plum -pudding, and one cwt. of coals, the
article of fuel having been obtained by them by means
of tickets issued on the preceding day. 140 pairs of
blankets wire also given away, besides a liberal quantity
(-f warm winter cloaks and flannel. Several sacks of
potatoes were likewise included in the royal gifts to the

poor.
The recipients of her Majesty's bounty (the distribu-
tion of which was superintended by Mr. J. J. Bed-
borough, the mayor ; the clergy, magistrates, parochial
authorities, and the ladies of the Windsor Visiting So-
ciety) entered by the western door of the Riiing-school,
proceeding along the centre, where the supplies were
handed to them, and retired at the eastern entrance, be-
neath the Queen's Gallery ; each, as they walked up
the building laden with their gifts, respectfully acknow-
ledging to the Queen her Majesty's kind benevolence.
Her Majesty appeared to be much pleased with the
gratifying scene.
The Prince Consort and several members of the Royal
Family tasted the plum-pudding, and declared it to be
excellent.

The tables (containing the provisions), the chandeliers,
and the side gas branches, were profusely decorated with
laurel and evergreens from the royal gardens ; the whole
having been arranged under the superintentle.nce of Mr.
Norton, the clerk of the kitchen, agreeably to the sug-
gestions of Major-General Bowles, the Muster of the
Household. The interior of the Queen's gallery was
tastefully ornamented with laurel and holly displayed in
various emblematical devices. Two flags, 'me embla-
zoned with the royal arms, and the other with the
armorial bearings of the Prince Consort, were displayed
from the Leaping-bar, nearly in the centre of the riding-
school.

The issuing of tickets for ale upon this occasion, as
upon the last, was dispensed with, it having been con-
sidered politic by her Majesty's domestic chaplain and
the Rev. Mr. Gould, that ale should not agaitt be given
away to the objects of the Queen's bounty.
At the conclusion of the interesting procee dings, which
occupied about an hour and a half, the Q, xecn and the
Prince Consort, with their royal and d istinguished
visitors and their attendants, returned to the Castle.