The Sun.
London, England, 1851-11-10 00:00:00

OPENING OF THE SUBMARINE TELE
GRAPH.

On Saturday the following important and interest-
ing report was presented to the directors of the Sub-
marine Telegraph Company :
" Gentlemen,—ln compliance with your request we
beg to submit the following report of the state of the
works of the submarine telegraph.
"Four protected wires have been laid down be-
tween the South Foreland, on the English coast, and
the village of Sangatte, about four miles from Calais,
on the French coast. The land communication on
each side of the channel connecting Sangatte with
Calais on the one hand, and the South Foreland with
Dover on the other, will be completed on Tuesday
next, the 11th inst.
" Some delay has of necessity occured in con-
structing the works on the English coast, arising
from the question of arrangement and compensation
with the different proprietors through whose lands the
wires have been carried.
" These arrangements are now made upon fair and
equitable terms, and the telegraph will be brought
into a station on the east side of the town of Dover.
" We have very great pleasure in stating to you
that nothing can be more perfect than the insulation
of the submarine wires, and we must here beg to re-
cord our opinion of the excellent manner in which
these wires were cased with gutta percha, under the
direction of Mr. Statham, the manager of the Gutta
Percha Company.
" Since the telegraphic wires were submerged in
the Channel last month they have been tested by
daily experiments, and notwithstanding the prevalence
of the equinoctial gales, and the unusual strength of
the tides, nothing has occurred to disturb either their
insulation or position on the two shores.
"We can, therefore, with confidence recommend
that the telegraph be opened for the public transmis-
eion of messages on Thursday next, the 13th inst.
"During the progress of these works the French
and English Governments have not only expressed
themselves anxious for the success of the undertaking,
but have in the most liberal manner placed steamers
of their respective navies at the disposal of the com-
pany.
" We wish to take this opportunity of most respect-
fully offering our best thanks to Captain Bullock and
the officers of her Majesty's steamer Fearless, as well
as Captain Arpin and the officers of the French
steamer Ariel, for their cordial co-operation, and the
many kind acts we have received at their hands.
"To Captain Bullock and Lieutenant Burstill we
are especially indebted for much valuable assistance
and advice in the actual work of laying down the
telegraph.
" Indeed, it has been our good fortune in every
quarter to meet with kindness and aid in carrying
out what may
be justly termed a work of great im-
portance to our own nation, and the Continent in
general.
(Signed) "T. R. CRAMPTON )
Engineerp."
" C. J. WOLLIASTON,

A continuous decline in the bullion of the Bank of
France is beginnins, to attract attention. During the past
four weeks the diminution has been equal to an aggregate of
800,0001. It is attributed solely to the influence of political
distrust, which has caused. extensive hoarding, especially in
the provinces, the facilities for that practice being greatly
increased by the power, which has existed only during the
past year or two, of obtaining.gold without paying a premium
for it.

LIFE BOAT AT PORT MADOC.—A public meeting
was recently held at the Town• hall, Port Madoc, Samuel
Holland, Esq., in the chair, for the purpose of establishing a
life boat for the bay, in connexion with the Shipwrecked
Fishermen and Mariners' Royal Benevolent Society. The
leading gentlemen of the neighbourhood took part in the
proceedings, and a committee was appointed.—North Wales
Chronicle,

CITY IMPROVEMENTS.
On Saturday evening, upon the return of the Lord
Mayor after having been sworn into office, a deputa-
tion, consisting of Sir James Duke, Alderman Hooper,
Alderman Humphrey, Alderman 'Wire, Deputy Har-
rison, Mr. Waterlow, Mr. Dakin, and other members
of the Gl:ninon Council, waited upon his Lordship to
present a requisition jo him to call an early Court of
Common Council, to consider the propriety of taking
into their canskleration a most important improve-
ment of the metropolis, particularly of the city of
London:

Mr. Deputy HannisoN, who beaded the requisition-
ists, said the document had been signed in six days by
upwards of 150 members of the court, including a
majority of each of the three classes, aldermen, depu-
ties, and other commoners. It was a requisition
quite unprecedented in the number of signatures, and
demonstrated the strong conviction of the Court of
the magnitude and importance of the object Mr. Pear-
son had in contemplation, and their sense of the ne-
cessity of having it fully examined.
The Loan Maxon said he should at all times deem

it his duty to concede to the wishes of the Co
Council in convening courts upon all subjects affec.
ing the welfare of the City which they might think
it necessary to discuss. He wished it to be distinctly
understood that he should not require a requisition so
numerously signed to induce him to call a court ; but
when a requisition came recommended by so large a
body of the members, and by the presence of so nu-
merous and influential a deputation, he should at once
say that, without inquiring into the object of the
court, he would grant it on any day that might be
mast convenient.—(Hear, hear.) If it were desired
to be convened during the week the 'aotirt .talter/W
held within the Egyptian-hall at the Mansion-house,
as the arrangements of the Guildhall would not admit
of the court being held in the usual place.
Alderman CHALLIS said it was important that no
time should be lost, and his Lordship gave immediate
orders to the town-clerk to issue a summons con-
vening a court for Thursday next, the 13th inst.
Mr. C. PEARSON then, addressing his Lordship, re-
quested the use of the Egyptian-hall on the previous
day. to enable him to exhibit his model, and explain his
project to such of the members of the Court and their

tam-ilies and friends as had not had an opportunity of
attending his soirees in Park-street, when he had ex-
pounded his views and objects. It was impossible to
convey an adequate exposition of his plan except by
visual examination and oral explanation, and he felt
that his official position as city solicitor would render
it embarrassing for him to give the requisite explana-
tions before the Court, although, as individual mem-
bers and part of the public, they might allow him at a
previous meeting a freedom of expression which, at a
Court of Common Council, he should deem it improper
to employ.
The LORD MAYOR said he should afford Mr. Pear-
son the use of the Egyptian-hall with much pleastare,
and, at the request of Alderman Challis, his Lordship
consented to preside on the occasion.
Wednesday next, at twelve o'clock, was then fixed
for the previous meeting.
The following is a copy of the requisition :-
1 "TO THE RIGHT HON. THE LORD MAYOR.

" We, the undersigned members of the Court of
Common Council, request your Lordship will convene a
Court on an early day to consider Mr. Charles Pearson's
comprehensive plan tor improving the metropolis—par-
ticularly the eity of London—by widening the internal
new street from Farringdon-street to Clorkenwell; by
raising it on a level with the high ground of the adja-
cent streets, and extending it to King's-cross; by con-
structing a trunk railroad in a well-lighted and venti-
lated subway under the surface of the street, connecting
the northern railroads and northern suburbs of the me-
tropolis with termini in Farringdon-street and the new
street; by lifting Holborn valley 17 feet, nearly on a
level with Holborn-hill and Snow-hill; and by removing
the wholesale meat and vegetable markets and the rail-
way carriers' receiving houses from their present con-
fined and inconvenient situations to spacious sites in the
new street; by which means (as Mr. Pearson asserts) the
over-crowded streets of the City will be relieved of a
large portion of the railway waggons and the omnibusses
from the northern railroads and the northern suburbs
of the metropolis, that now throng the City, and impede
its ordinary traffic.
" We likewise request your Lordship will insert on
the summons convening the meeting notices of the spe
cifio motions it may be intended to propose for the con-
sideration of the Court.
" November, 1851."