The Sun.
London, England, 1856-08-15 00:00:00

LONDON, FitIDAY EVENING, AUGUST 15, 1856.

THE BRITISH ASSOCIATION.

CHELTENHAM, WEDNESDAY EVENING.
The proceedings of the Cheltenham meeting of the
British Association for the Advancement of Science
have been virtually brought to a close this day, although
excursions are arranged for to-morrow to different loca-
lities of interest in the' district.
THE PRESIDENT'S DINNER.
The actual attendance at the above dinner was over
300. Professor Daubeny was in the chair.
The health of the Queen and Prince Albert having
been given from the chair, was followed by the toast of
the " Army and Navy," to which Col. Sir H. Rawlinson
responded.
The Earl of ELLENBOROUGH proposed the health of the
president, and prosperity to the British Association.
The PRESIDENT, after acknowledging the toast, pro-
posed the health of Dr. Dobson and Dr. Humehreyes,
coupling with them the name of the High Bailiff of
Cheltenham.
The High Bailiff (Mr. Russell), Rev. Mr. Dobson, and
Rev. Dr. Humphreyes in turn responded to the toast.
Professor SEDGWICK, in a humorous speech, proposed i
tho health of the bishop and clergy of the diocese.
Rev. F. CLosg, incumbent of Cheltenham, replied.
Lie said he had a letter from the lord bishop expressing
his regret that be could not obey the call which had been
inaJe upon him to attend the meeting, on account of its
happening at the time of his solemn consecration to his
office. He apologised for the proportionately small num-
ber of his brethren who attended the meeting, remarking
that, if the association could give them some snug ca-
nonry or sweet deanery, they could have more time to
devote to the researches of science ; but the working
clergy were so much absorbed in their actual bread-and•
cheese duties, that they were obliged to neglect such
meetings.
Sir R. MURCHISON proposed the health of the foreign-
ers present, remarking that they ranked among their
number Professor Hooper, M. Snossow (both from
Russia, the latter having been specially sent out hero by
the Russian Government), Dr. Brennecke (the Prussian
mathematician), Dr. Latham, Dr. Hornbeck, and Prof.
Rogers, from America.
Professor ROGERS, being called upon, said this was
his fourth visit, and he trusted it was far from his last ;
though two nations, he considered England and America
essentially onelamily.
Mr. HEYWOOD proposed the health of the vice-presi-
dents, calling up. Lord Ducie and Mr. Blair.
Earl DIME said he felt it an important privilege to
have been selected as one of the subsidiaries of the presi-
dent, the more especially as the meeting had been held
in a county to which he was connected by the ties of
birth and residence.
The party shortly afterwards broke up ; and, on the
invitation of Dr. and Mrs. Humphreyes, of the Chelten-
ham Grammar School, adjourned to that establishment,
where a 80iree musicale was held.

CONCLUDING MEETING.
The concludinggeneral meeting was held in the College,
at three o'clock in the afternoon ; the President, Dr.
Daubeny, in the chair. The attendance was not nume-
rous, but on the platform were Sir R. I, Murchison, Rev.
F. Close, Professor Phillips, Professor Ramsay, Profes-
sor Taylor, Rev. C. Burnby, Mr. J. Heywood, M.P.,
Mr. Atkinson, Mayor Elect of Dublin, &c.
Professor PHILLIPS read the report of the general com-
mittee, which had been adopted that morning, and which
recommended a number of grants of money, amounting
in the whole to 6201. Among these were the following:
101. for further investigation into the temperature of
mines the depth of which has been considerably in-
creased ; 501. for further experiments as to earthquake
waves ; 151. for geological sections, to accompany a geo-
logical map; 25/. for further researches into the British
annelidas ; 351. for sea dredging on the coast of Scot-
land ; 101. each for information as to the imports of
vegetable produce into Liverpool and Glasgow ; 101. to
Sir W. Jardine and Mr. Ashburn to assist them in con-
tinuing their observations of the growth of salmon, par-
icularly in the Scotch rivers ; 101. for specimens of the
mollusca of California ; and 201. placed at the disposal of
Madame Ida Pfeiffer, to assist her in further investiga-
tions into the natural history of Madagascar. (Applause.)
It was also proposed to grant 3501. to the committee to-
wards the maintenance and establishment of the Kew
Observatory. Professor Phillips also reported the results
of the present meeting as to allowance, and the pecu-
niary results. The total number of members present,
including all classes of life members, annual associates,
and ladies, was 1,109, and the total sum re-
ceived was 1,0181. for tickets, besides 22/. for books,
making a total of 1,110/. received. At Ipswich, in
1851, the attendance had been 704, and the snm re-
ceived 6201. At Belfast, attendance 1,108, amount re-
ceived 1,0851. At Hull, 877 .members, and 903/. re-
ceived. At Liverpool, 1,877 members, and 1,814/
received ; and at Glasgow, last year, 2,132 members, and
2,261/. received. A lady in Cheltenham hal drawn up'
a sketch of the rise and progress of the association, and
dedicated it to them. It was proposed to grant 51. for
the purchase of 100 copies. (fiea,r.)
Professor WALKER then read a report, containing
further recommendations of the committee, not involv-
ing grants of money. These were chiefly directions to
certain parties to continue their investigations in parti-
ticular branches of science.

Sir B. MURCHISON then rose, and the business of the
meeting being concluied, moved in complimentary
terms votes of thanks to the directors of the Cheltenham
College, and other institutions in the town for the ac-
commodation afforded during the visit of the associa-
tion.

Professor RAMSAY Seconded the vote, which was car-
ried by acclamation, and acknowledged by the Rev. J.

lose.

Professor PHILLIPS then moved in complimentary
language votes of thanks to the local officers, the three
local secretaries, Messrs. Beamish and Weyhall and
Captain Robertson, the treasurers (Messrs. Wibott and
Gardiner), the Secretary to the Finance Committee
(Mr. Davies), Dr. Wright, Lord Ducie, Mr. Etheridge,
curator, of Bristol ; Mr. J. Jones, Gloucester ; Mr.
Pearson, Mr. V. Pontigny, and other gentlemen who
had rendered valuable assistance.

Professor WALKER seconded the vote, and it was re.
plied to by Captain Rqbertson, who dwelt on the ser•
vices randered by Mr. Davies.
The CHAIRMAN then delivered a closing address,
taking a rapid review of the operations of the several
sectious, and concluded by declaring the meeting ad-
journed to Dublin.

A grand flower show was afterwards held at the Old
Wells.

THE CONVICT MURDOCK.

The follovring letters (say; the TlTest Sussex Gazette)
passed between one of the jury and Sir George Grey in
reference to the unhappy criminal Murdock :
TO THE RIGHT HON. SIR GEORGR GREY, SECRETARY

OF STATE.
"Sir,—Permit me, as one of the jurymen in the late
trial of Murdock for the murder of the H.►stings gaoler,
to implore you to take the case into your most serious
cmisideration ; and I humbly pray you will mercifully
consider him a fitting object for a reprieve. Although
we returned a verdict of 'Guilty,' it was my impression
that the extreme penalty of the law would never be en•
forcz.d ; and I hear with dismay and sorrow that the
execution is appointed for Tuesday next. Oh, sir, who
can doubt, that the crime was committed during his effort
to escape—who can for one instant imagine that the
wretched prisoner was actuated by any malice against
the gaoler ? Surely, sir, this is a case where the cle-
mency of the Crown may be permitted to step in and
save a fellow-creatore from a shameful death. As one
of the jurymen I have given the case my most serious
attention ; and I, at this late hour, humbly entreat you
to spare the prisoner's life, and I enter my solemn and
deliberate protest against the execution. Trusting you
will reconsider yeur decision, and praying to Almighty
God to guide you to the side of mercy,—l have the hon-
our to be, sir, your most obedient servant,
" W. DEAN, one of the jury in the case of the
condemned prisoner Murdock."

THE OVERLAND IVIAIL.

We have received our despatches from India in
anticipation of the Overland Mail. The dates are:
Calcutta, July 3 ; and Bombay, July 10.
The following is from the Bombay Times, of
June 10 :
F The rains, which at the date of our last despatch
had been for three weeks in a great measure sus-
pended, resumed on the last day of the month, and
from that to the present date we have had two feet
of fall. Already we have had in all 40 inches, or
two-thirds of what is due to the monsoon, and
though we are once more in the middle of fair wea-
ther we have every reason to expect at least our
ordinary supply. Rice planting is now proceeding
rapidly, and the agriculturist goes on favourably
with every division of his labour.
The Bengal government have been taking pre-
cautions for protecting some sixty miles of country
along the line of the railway in the neighbourhood
of the Sontal Pergunnahs. The Sontals themselves
seem all but starving, endeavouring to sustain life
on roots until the ripening of the wet weather crotps.
They are generally believed to have hid their wea-
pons in the jungles, but at present it would be found
impossible from want of provisions to subsist a hun-
dred men on any given spot, and the arrangements
in contemplation aro precautionary, and not the
result of any serious apprehension.
The news from Central Asia is as usual of such a
confused and conflicting character that the only
thing to be made of it is that the Affghaus are fight-
ing amongst each other, as they always are, and
that we need give ourselves .iso concern whatever
about their quarrels. The magnificent Persian
armies around Herat are now set down at some-
where about a couple of thousand men, and the
princes and chiefs are engaged in endeavouring to
shoot, poison, or entrap each other--enterprises in
which every honest man will wish them all success.
The Cabul and Candahar brothers are quarrelling as
diligently in 1856 as they were in 1836, when we
entered on the sagacious task of seeking to reconcile
their differences, the moral of the whole being that
civilised countries, unless they wish to burn their
fingers, should leave this land of Ishmaelites alone.
There has been some serious outbreaks in the
Nizam's dominions, and so long as his highness is
suffered to retain in his service some 40,000 ruffi-
anly mercenaries, always in arrears, and ready to
compensate themselves by robbery, nothing but
disorder is to be looked for.
The late disturbances in the northern districts of
Madras have disappeared, and throughout the Bri-
tish dominions universal tranquillity.prevails.
We had occasion to notice in our last the munifi-
cence of Sir Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy in having, since
1825, bestowed close upon half a million sterling on
charity. It appears that within about the same pe-
riod a sum not greatly less than this in amount
has been bequeathed by various rich Hindus for
purposes of benevolence, nearly the whole of it
having been estranged from its intended uses by
reason of the informality of the deed of bequest,
by the kindred of the bequeathers.
A natural historysociety hasjust been established
in Bombay, the chief characteristic of which is that
the monthly meetings are to be accompanied by
excursions, the members bringing with them for
discussion and examination the fruits of their ram-
bles. The most distinguished naturalist amongst us,
Dr. Frith, has accepted the office of honorary pre-
sident. The office of president is held by Dr. Don,
inspector-general of hospitals, for 20. years one of
the best known and popular members of the medi-
cal service. The Governor-General, who is still at
Calcutta, has directed that on Sunday, the 20th of
July, public• thanksgiving shall be offered to Al-
mighty God throughout British India, for His great
goodness in restoring to England and to all Furors
the inestimable blessings of peace.
The Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal, Mr. Halli-
day, was to leave Calcutta on the 2d instant on a
visit to some of the stations in the interior.
Sir George Anson is about to proceed on a search-
ing inspection of the Bengal army, and will make
Meerut his principal place of residence during his
stay in the Upper Provinces, and thence march to
the points to which he is more especially anxious
to direct his attention.

Lord Harris is at Madras, having opened the rail-
day officially to Arcot, a distance of 70 miles, on
the 18th of June.

Lord Elphinstone is about to proceed almost
immediately to the Deccan, where he purposes so-
journing. for the remainder of the monsoon.
The Bombay Bank has just declared a dividend
for the haif-year ending the 30th of June of 50 ru-
pees por share, baing at the rate of 10 per cent. per
annum.

Trade, as is usual at this season, is quiet, but the
market for imports is firm. Money is easy; freights
are dull and lower, and exchange is favourable for
remitters.

OPENING OF THE MADRAS RAILWAY.
(From the Madras Athenaunt of July 1,)
From 9 to 11 a.m., on Saturday morning, the Mount-
road presented the appearance of the road to Epsom on
a Derby-day. -Vehicles of every description—carriages,
wigrams, buggies—were rattling along filled with ani-
mated countenances. the wind, too, at that hour, blow-
ing fresh and cool, and the burning sun being,kept off
by the heads of the conveyances, we might, for a few
mosaents, have pleased ourselves with the illusion that
we were dashing along to the arena of the greatest race
in the world. A few contretemps we understand occurred
by individuals forgetting their tickets, and we saw one
buggy dashing back at a desperate rate on this account.
The station at Royapoonam, a large, roomy, and con-
venient building, contained between 300 and 400 ladies
and gentlemen, who had come to take part in the open-
ing ceremony, and for the purpose of making an excur-
sion on the railroad, as per invitation. On different
sdes of the station were the bands of the garrison, and
the 12th N.I. The ladies looked their very best ; the
style of morning costume in fashion at present infinitely
surpassing, to our humble taste, the gaudy robes and
gew-gaws of the ball-room. Ths6 event they had
come to see was interesting, and it was evident
that the spirit of it had infused animation, not only into
their fair countenances, but into the physisgnomies of
the variega• ed throng of officers in full dress, civilians
in' heir most fashionable " cuts" and " ties," clergymen
in their surplices, barristers, lawyers, merchants, magi-
strates, and editors. As soon as the opening ceremony,
consisting of a prayer and benediction, was over, the
word was given for starting ; and there was a vast flut-
ter of French bonnets and crinoline into the camfertable
and convenient carriages. On starting we passed a
large train of carriages, in which were crowded a thou-
sand individuals of every age, of bath sexes, and of an
infinite variety of coinplexion. Tuere was the stately
Hindoo, sitting stiffly erect, and indignant at being
brought into close contact with the grinning Pallet) ;
the haughty Mussulnian, disputing for room with the
animated and eager Eurasion ; whilst children were
screaming, women fainting, and the greater part of the
crowd cheering (not a hearty hurrah, fe. that is
not yet imported) with all their might and main, at
us " grandees" as we passed. These people were to
start an hour after us, on a shorter excursion than ours,
which we sincerely trust they enjoyed. On Loth ides of
the rail, as we scudded along, the crowd was enormous,
extending back, and covering great part of the plain,
swarming on the ramparts of the city, up every tree, and
under every grove of palms ; and this fact goes a long
way to upset the often-repeated assumption, " that the
natives are apathetic" and take no interest in the won-
ders of art, science, and civilisation.

On, on, we go, with a country little diversified on each
side, but realising to our view what we have so often
heard called the burning plains of the Carnatic. Here and
there, as we went alon, might be seen few and far be-
tween patches of cultivation in which the bright green
rice—each field growing out of its avant° pool of water
—was delightfully refreshing to the eye, Not one foot of
cultivation did we see tha► was the work of pure unaiied
nature. All these little green oases had their sources in
tanks, built ages ago to collect the precious element from
a river or the clouds of heaven. But how barren a land !
How meagre a population ! What boundless plains
tretcked their arid and desert bosoms before us ! What
have we done, but patch up and repair—and even that
indifferently ? Where were to be seen any of our origi-
nal works ? [ndeed were there no other advantage at-
tending the railroad than the fact of showing us in full
and brood relief our shortcomings in India it would be
a noble work.

On, on we go. Those hills on the right are the Pull-
ple +sing relief to the landscape.
cat range. They give a
Go near to them and you will find the scenery delight-
ful, and the cultivation of considerable extent. The
waters from the river and mountain streams that dash
down from them are caught in tanks—too many of
which Ire still in indifferent repair—and turned off to
the parched and thirsty soil. At Christmas, when we
were among those hills, the country was for many
miles completely under water, roads and all. There
is excellent shooting near the Pulleat hills.- Hares
abound ; nor is it impossible iceaslouttily to get a bear
or a sarumbur. Tigers and wild hogs arc also to be met
with there ; but the cover is large, the ravines are
immense, and the necessary toil only to be undergone in
the cold season. On, on—we approach the low rocky hills
that characterise the scenery of Arcot. The country looks
more than usually sterile, but as we approach the termi-
nus it appears absolutely sown with men. It might have
been a delusion, but it struck us that the people looked
better dressed and in better condition than those of
whom the crowd was composed at the Madras station.
On the hill that overlooked the terminus, the motley
assembly with their turbans, red, green, and yellow, pre.
sented the appearance of an enormous sower bed. We
Europeans live surrounded on all aides by the tokens
and monuments of science, and as her powers appear to

us daily more and more illimitable, we gradually relin-
quish our astonishment at any now instance of her won-
derful effecte. Bat, to comprehend the feelings of the
people that we saw here assembled, we should picture
to ourselves what would be the thoughts and asto-
nishment of an Englishman of the days of Elizabeth,
if he were now suddenly recalled to life, and placed
at the terminus of the Loudon and Rrminglmen
Railway; if we told him that important news had just
been conveyed from Liverpool in the space of a few mi-
nute!, and that the passengers he sees issuing from the
carriages had started away from Birmingham some hours
before. In the railroad the native sees suddenly brought
before him one of the miracles of that science of mecha-
nics which has arrived at perfection wader a slow ato'
gradual process, that has been submitted ta our, but
not to hie, observation ; nor can we wonder if ho tinc-
tures it in his mind with superstition, and deems the en-
gine the abode of a god, since he regards it with the eyes
of one who has risen from the sleep of centuries. What
were the fables of the genii of the lamp and ring ; the
apples which when eaten restored old age to youthful
ness • to invented facts that enable a man to live a long
life Of travel in a few weeks, and interchange in the
same period, with a friend in a distant quarter of the
globe, a whole age of verbal communications ?
The cannon booms, and Lord Harris and hi's staff
alight ; a company of sepoys is drawn up to receive
them, the officers of which with their black shakos shin-
ing in the burning sun, stand to their duty most unflinch
ingly ; a hot and thankless' duty indeed ! But it is im-
possible to have any kind of ceremony performed ip
India without some slight infusion of " pipeclay and
shoulder up." We pass through a tented way, into a sort
of tented anteroom—the precincts of the lunch room
being as yet kept sacred. Whilst the ladies are proceed-
ing to the tents prepared for them, and are giving their
bonnets a fresh set, retouching their ringlets, and getting
rid of the dust and smoke acquired in their journey
down, we gentlemen walk off to our tents to wash hand,
—an operation performed with a common earthen
chatty and pocket handkerchief. At last the doors are
opened, and to the strains of the band we proceed to
luncheon. There, a spacious and lofty tent, hung with
garlands, encloses a triple row of tables covered
with cloths, white as drifted snow, upon which reposes
a collation that fresh air, a fatiguing ride, and the diges-
tive influences of excitement and good humour render us
all disposed to do justice to. The champaign corks popped
and flew, and the delicious beverage of an icy coldness
soon restored us to a state -of the highest satisfaction
with ourselves and every one else. Then arose theagent
manager and proposed the health of her Majesty the
Queen, which was drank with all the honours,
Lord HARRIS then rose and said—Ladies and gentlemen,
we have now accomplished two of the objects which we
bad in view on leaving Madras this morning ; first, that
of reaching this place well and safely, and secondly in dis-
cussing with, so far as I can guess from what I have wit-
nessed, considerable satisfaction, the very handsome en-
tertainment which Major Jenlains has so hospitably pro-
vided for us. I feel sure that it would not be in accord-
ance with your feelings, if an opportunity were not af-
forded you- of expressing your congratulations on this
event, and your hearty good wishes for the success of the
undertaking. I venture to give you this opportunity
in the toast I now propose to you, which is, Prosperity
and Success to the Madras Railway Company, and I
cannot but look upon it as a propitious omen that it
should so happen that this inaugural expedition should
bring us to this spot so close to Arcot, whew we may
consider ourselves on classic ground. IlereTlive first
brought himself into prominence, and commenced that
glorious career from which has resulted, perhaps more-
tean from any other direct cause, the predo-
minance of British power in this country. Let
us hops that as great results, though of a
different and of a more peaceful nature, may be
effected by the undertaking we inaugurate here
his day—results which it may be expected will tend na-
turally to increase the welfare of the people of India. It
is not my intention to trouble you at any length, but I
will mention a few facts respecting this railway which I
think will be interesting to many present. ,The chief en-
gineer, Mr. Brace, arrived in India with two .assistant
engineers in March, 1853. The first turf was turned by
Sir H. T. Pottinger on June 9, 1853. The line was
then commenced ; but the last and heaviest district of
the line which we passed over to-day was not com-
menced, from delay in the arrival of engineers, until
March, 1854. Tne distance we travelled over in the
train this morning is 65i miles. I believe there are few
instances, if any, of such a length of railway being corn•
pleted in so short a period. The earthwork, moreover,
has been heavy, being on the average 50,000 yards per
mile. Again, as to the cost of the work. The average'
per mile, so far as it can be calculated, requiring a fair
margin for completion, is 5,500/. ; which is divided thus:
—Permanent way including sleepers, 3,0001. ; earth-
worth and bridges, 1,500/. ; stations and a rolling stock,
1,0001. ;—total, 5,5001. This calculation does not in.
chide the cost of the chief station at Madras, the ex-
penses of which must of course be laid over the whole
line. I believe the cost per mile will be found below that
of most works of the same description. I think, there-
fore, there are strong grounds for expressing satisfaction
at the manner in which this work has been conducted,
and I am desirous of giving full credit to the officers of the
company for the efforts which they have made. I do not say
that all has been dine which might have been expected,
or that some things might not have been better done,
but on the whole, and more especially when it is remem-
bered that the engineers were new to the country, that
the labourers were unaccustomed, arid that nearly all the
iron has been imported from England, and at a time
when the price of that article was exceedingly high; 1
think great credit is due to those who have had the ma-
nagement of the work. I am glad to have the oppor-
tenity of making this statement, because I am aware it
is supposed that the local government has unnecessarily
found fault, and has had a tendency to interfere with
railway authorities, and thus impede their progress. I
can assure those gentlemen that there is no such inten-
tion, but every desire on the part of Government to en-
courage them in their exertions and to facilitate their
labours. But the Government cannot forget that it bee
duties to perform to the hon. court, to the proprietors of
the railway company, and to the public, and that it must
do its best to secure that the work shall be well and eco-
nomically performed. We know that watchfulness and
constant supervision are required with regard to such
undertakings. It is only necessary to read the English
papers to ascertain the fact that rail way transactions have
not been satisfactorily conducted in that country. We
feel that we have a right, and that we ought to collect
information from every part of the world where railways
have been constructed, and to adopt such measures as
may be most likely to make this a successful undertak-
ing. Ladies and gentlemen, I will not detain you any
longer, but have great pleasure in proposing to you,
with all the honours, " Prosperity and Success to the
Madras Railway Company," and to it I will join the
names of Major Jenkins, the agent, Mr. J. W. Bruc
the chief engineer, Mr. Wright, superintendent of rail-
way stock, Air. Fletcher, traffic manager, and the other
gentlemen connected with the company.
This toast was enthusiastically received.
Major JENKINS then said—l beg that you will per-
mit ine to acknowledge, in the name of the Madras Rail-
way Company, the honour you have donelt in so cor-
dially drinking success to this andertaking. The railway
upon which we have this day travelled is one of a system
of railways which has been established in this country
on the recommendatien of the late Governor-General,
Lord Dalhousie. The East India Cempeny ap•
preciated and adopted the views of their able Governor-
General, and at once entered into contracts with several
companies for raising the necessary capital for the prose-
cution of these works. The contract entered into with the
company is, that the sum of four mlilions of pounds ster-
hog be raised and applied in the construction of a rail-
way from Madras on the eastern to a pint on the west-
ern coast. This line of railway proceeds hence along
the north bank of the Pallar, passing Vellcre, it crosses
the river at Ainboor, thence along the southern bank to
Vaniembaddy. After passing that town the ling takes
a southerly direction to near Salem, skirting the high•
lands of the Baramahl ; it goes through the towns of
Coienbatore and Palghaut, and descends to the seacoast
at our terminal at Beypoor. The length of the line is
about 450 miles, and nearly the whole of it is under con-
struction. If we look to the benefits which even up to
the present time have been derived from the construction
of this railway, they will be found to he considerable.
We have given employment on an average to about
50,000 souls daily ; their wages, amounting to a,
large sum, have been spent in the district., and for the'
last few years, during a time of scarcity nearly approach-
ing to a famine, this assistance must have been tett as a
great blessing by the poor. Buten the line coming into
operation for traffic the benefits that will be derived will
_e
be vast and varied ; new sources of industry will be . d. •
thatve l o
wpe ;
ill beaff commerceorded will
lheex cteonndv'eyaa'indcel rOlfngohdeucfaecitollttilem
markets, land which has heretofore been of no value wills
be brought into cultivation. The political advantages I
need not enter unon, great as they may
be ; the social
benefits will be greater ; the easy means ofcommunica-
tion between points at a distance will induce men to tra-
vel, and to see what lies beyond the boundary of their
native village ; information will lie sought after, and
knowledge will spread ; the minds of the native popula-
lation will become enlarged, and prejudice will be
.k for.vard
re-
moved and last, though not least, we may molt
a certain hope, that the railway will prove itself to he
the hest friend and the right hand of the missionary. It
is therefore evident that the greatest benefitandbl,,s,in;
that can be conferred upon India is to spread the iron
network over the length and breadth of the land ; hot
to accomplish this we must procure the nrcsseary toe ens,
by securing the suppers of
and they ate only obtainable
British capitalists. It is cansequently apparent to all
en
sdse rot af k
the
hn
eg
rr
an
in!
we
yd e
ephe
on
ud
tandhat
thethat
tn th thecommercial
t he iusctei
therefore- be such as to place beyond dispute that the in-
vestment of capital in Indian railways is a safe and pro-
fitable transaction. Lord Harris has been pleased to ex-
pressta tI
such
would 1i
onlyigh encomiums
e tosy h
say that
it hag constructionbeena u
oef
sours
line
hof
much regret to us that disappointment has been felt by
the public at the delay in our opening. The fact is our chief
engineer, Mr. Bruce, was led by his zeal arid anxiety to
complete the works as early as possible to name too early
a date, which subsequent events prove to have been pre-
mature. To Lord Harris and the members of the Govern-
ment I beg to express my warmest acknowledgments for