The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-30 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

Srrt,—l have carefully real in your impression
of yesterday Dr. Cullea's Report on the Darien
Expedition of 1854, in which he refers to me for the
accuracy of the statements therein concerning the
treatment he received in Caledonia Bay.
Having been on board H.M.S. Espiegle during
the whole time the expedition remained in Darien
I was fully cognicnnt of all the circumstances he
relates and can vouch for their stri ct accuracy.
His account of the English and French explora•
tion coincides exactly with that given to me by the
officers who accompanied it.
Iu every instance in which I had an opportunity
of testing Dr. Cullen's original' statements, which
led to the organisation of the expedition, I found
them to be strictly true ; and in that point in which
I was more particularly interested, viz., the healthi-
ness of the climate, I fully coincide with him—not
a single case of sickness having occurred either
amongst the men who formed the exploring parties,
although they were constantly wading in rivers
during the day and lying in damp ground at night,
or amongst the crews of the ships in harbour. I
shall publish my report on the climate at an early
date.

As to the levels and feasibility of the canal, I
have, from the deck of the Espiegle, and different
positions in the harbour, distinctly seen a valley
across the Cordillera, and having oftenaccompanied
Mr. Parsons, Master in command of H.M.S.
Scorpion, whilst making his admirable survey of
Caledonia Harbour and Port Escoces, I have heard
him express his opinion that it was highly prob-
able there was a line of country of low elevation,
between Caledonia Bay and the Gulf of Sin Mi-
guel, which would offer every facility for a ship
canal.

I am confident that had Dr. Cullen been in com-
mand of the expedition, or had any authority in
its guidance, it would have resulted successfully.
—I have the honour to be, Sir, your most obedient
servant,

WILLIAM M'DERMOTT,
Surgeon, R.N., M.D.
1, Barwick-terrace, Bolgrave-road, Aug. 30.

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE DUCHESS OF GLOUCESTAR,
—We are happy to learn that her Royal Highness the
Duchess of Gloucester is somewhat better—a more fa-
vourable medical report being given yesterday. We
are happy to say that the illness of her Royal Highness
is not of a serious character. The inquiries both at
Gloucester House and Richmond are very numerous.
The Earl of Eglinton has, during the week, enter-
tained a select party at Eglinton Castle, Ayrshire.
Lord and Lady Colville have, we regret to learn, sus-
tained a domestic bereavement by the death of their in-
fant daughter. Her ladyship, although feeling acutely
the loss of her infant, is progressing satisfactorily.
Lord and Lady Ossulston have been seeing company
at Chißingham Castle, near Wooler. The Earl of
Malmesbury has been among the visitors.
MEDITERRANEAN PACKETS FOR EGYPT.—In conse-
quence of an alteration in the arrangements for despatch-
-tog from Marseilles the French mail packets en the
Egyptian line, the mails fcr Alexandria, intended to be
forwarded by those packets, will in future be made up in
London on the morning and evening of every alternate
Tuesday, calculating from _Tuesday the 19th inst.—By
command of the Postmaster General, ROWLAND HILL,
St ore tary,