The Sun.
London, England, 1851-12-05 00:00:00

THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

On Tuesday morning London was startled with
news brought by electric telegraph, of events that
had on the same morning taken place in Paris; and
we saw revived afresh most vividly the wonder with
which the first message of the submarine wire was
received. The particulars given in another column will
be read with intense interest, and need at this moment
no comment. By electric wire and by special train we
give all that could be gleaned :up to the hour when our
journal goes to press. But even the story of a Paris
revolution has to divide our wonder with the means by
which that news first reached us. We were long accus-
tomed to consider the line " And panting Time toil'd
after him in vain," as containing a tolerably bold meta-
phor, even when applied to Shakspere; it turns out, how-
ever, to be the merest prose when spoken of the electric
telegraph. Every railway clerk sees time beaten hollow;
distanced every day by the wires under his control. You
hear him announce as calmly as if he were remarking on
the state of the weather, that a robbery was committed
at ten minutes past two, same hundred miles distant,
and that the officers at the station are enjoined to be on
the look out. You look up at the clock and see that it
wants exactly ten minutes to two. The telegraph has
beaten the sun by 20 minutes! If you believe the sun dial
or your watch, you have heard of the robbery twenty
minutes before it happened. Now that the lines of the
international telegraph are completed so as to form an
uninterrupted communication between Paris and Lon-
don, it may happen that the inhabitants of London may
hear of an &cute being crushed at the very minute
which is registered in the Paris chronicles at the time
of its breaking out. Nay, it may yet be possible that
Louis Napoleon may perpetrate another coup 'Riot at
five minutes past twelve some Sunday morning, and that
we may be made acquainted with the fact at five mi-
nutes to twelve on Saturday night ! Such are a few spe-
cimens of the pranks which the mad young genius gal-
venism is playing, to the discomfiture of old Father
Time. We do not allude to them for the purpose of ex-
citing vague surprise, but to draw attention to the fact
that a mightier power of nature than was ever before
made manifest is now placed in the hands of man; and
that our scientific and practical resources will be taxed
to the utmost in watching over its develop-
ment and securing its most serviceable ac-
tion. Philosophers and practical men are equally
at a loss to place any limits to the effects upon the
ordinary economy of the world that must be produced
by this wonderful agent. Even regarded merely from
one point of view—that, namely, of carrying messages—
what revolutions may not be expected from a spirit
which can " put a girdle round the earth" exactly six
thousand times—this is a matter of rigid mathematical
computation—six thousand times while Shakspere's
Puck performs the operation once I Puck's " forty mi-
nutes" appears an age when compared with the time de-
manded by the galvanic current. One most startling
effect of the perfection of the telegraphic system will be,
that, with respect to the ordinary political and domestic
occurrences, the inhabitants of every capital in Europe
will be made acquainted with the events which happened
the day before, not only in their own town, but also in
every other town almost at the same monseut.Now that the
communication between Paris and London is perfect, the
editors of the daily newspapers read, every day, news
from these capitals not more than an hour and a half old.
Nearly the whole of this hour and a half is due to
the necessity at present existing of transmitting
the news by the ordinary methods of locomotion to and
from the stations. In some instances even one town may
be in possession of accurate accounts of what has passed
in another hours, nay days, before the inhabitants of the
latter know anything about these events beyond what
reaches them by vague rumour. Thus had the telegra-
phic communication between Paris and London existed
at the time of
the last French revolution, and no politi-
cal reason existed for interrupting it, we might have lis-
tened to reports from the seat of action describing the
events as they succeeded each other every five minutes,
while the peaceable inhabitants of Paris were ensconced
in their cellars or in their bedrooms, unconscious of every-
thing but the rattle of musketry and the booming of can-
non. We can conceive nothing more calculated to stir
up the energies of some " used up" man of fortune than
his engaging a room in the office of the international tele-
graph, through which acommunication is kept up between
London and some town on the Continent which is in a
state of insurrection. The railway clerk would then
stand to the languid seeker for excitement in the posi-
tion of Rebecca to Ivanhoe, when she looked down
from the turret window and described to him the
desperate strife which was being carried on below. We
can imagine the gradual heightening of the colour, the
brightening of the eye, and the acceleration of the pulse,
as the palled Sybarite listened to the announcements,
The troops have
,fired on the people"—" the people are
forming barricades the troops are storming them"
they are repulsed —" the King has abdicated"—and
go ou. As the
.Governments on the continent seem in-
tent upon furnishing their subjects with ample tempta-
tions to resort to measures of this kind, we recommend
to the notice of the Electric Telegraph Company the
establishment of a department where amateurs of revo-
lutions may be supplied with instantaneous intelligence
at an exorbitant rate. But with all this astounding
power, the telegraph is not free from a few peculiarities
which in some measure cast a cloud over the great ad-
vantages which it produces. It is not content with i
beating time, but t throws all the world into a state of
inextricable confusion with respect to time. Already
are the towns situated east and west of Greenwich be-
ginning to feel the annoyance of never knowing " what
o'clock it is." Already are the old market clocks, which
exercised a despotic sovereignty over all the clocks in
town and country adjacent,
,beginning to grumble over
the levelling effects of a democratic influence, which
"Disturbs their ancient solitary reign." Many of them
' even have had to submit to the disgrace of publishing
their own incapacity by having an extra hand affixed to
their dials. The uninitiated traveller, who looks upon
a clock of this kind at Exeter, and asks with surprise
which of the hands indicates the true time, is answered
by the indignant townsman in the words of the showman,
" Whichever you please." This which may be sport to
is death to him. This " condition-of-the-clock
question" is becoming more important day by day, and
will increase in importance as the railway system be-
comes more extended, and the telegraphic system more
complete. The two lovers in the story, innocent of as-
tronomy, who, when separated by the Atlantic, looked
every night at 11 o'clock upon the moon
.when it was
visible, and fancied that they were looking at it together,
were not more stupidly wrong than any modern traveller
would be who, because ho has kept his appointment
by railway time, fancies that " mean:time" tells the
same tale. The simple remedy which has been proposed
by some, that all the clocks in the kingdom should keep
ono time—which amounts, in fact, to decreeing that the
I sun shall tell when it is twelve o'clock to the inhabitants
, of no places but those situated on the meridian of Green-
, wich—turns out, like most " simple remedies" for com-
plicated evils, to be a contrivance for introducing other
complexities and diseases. Such a " remedy" would,
amongst other evils, render nearly useless numerous
tables of the greatest importance—such as tide-tables for
instance. The confusion which is gradually being intro-
duced is too complicated for any very simple " remedy,"
and it must be left to men of science to devise one. In
the meantime public attention must be directed to the
facts which we have touched upon, and every locality,
the interests of which are affected, should contribute its
mite of information on the subject, in order that a suffi-
cient body of evidence may be procured, to enable us to
make such alterations in our arrangements as will
keep us free from the small annoyances which ever
attend the introduction of a great public benefit. The
great problem that remains to be solved is the extension
of the telegraph to our Indian possessions, and to
America. We are afraid that our hopes of the accom-
plishment of the first of these tasks are doomed for
many years to disappointment. The only difficulty—
that
tribes
rcivilisingand
inhabit
manybringing
bi into t
tohe subjectiontracta
whichtti e l i
edisor-
derlybnthe road which the line must take, is, perhaps, at pre-
sent, insurmountable. We have strong grounds,hot!-
ever, for believing that the connexion with America is
destined to be accomplished at no very distant period.
The project of a submarine line is generally considered
.
by the best engineers as visionary. There however, one
direction in which the line might be carried,
i which pre-
sents no engineering difficulties, and n fact suggests
no difficulty but that of expense. The telegraph will
shortly bo completed as far as St. Petersburgh. The
continuance of the line through the northern parts of
Asiatic Russia depends upon nothing but the consent of
the Emperor and the presence of sufficient funds.

Behring's Straits, which separate the two continents, are
not only narrow, but are studded with islands, which
would afford considerable facilities for the erection of
stations; and when once the Straits:were 'crossed, the
continuance of the line to the great cities of the British
possessions and the United States would soon be accom-
plished. We should then have " girdled the earth."
The two greatest empires in the world would have a
means of instantaneous communication, and among the
minor advantages flowing from this wonderful achieve-
ment, we might reckon that of reading at our breakfast
not only the news of the latest revolution in Paris, but
also the last night's tittle-tattle from New York.—
Daily News.

LAW INTELLIGENCE.
ROLLS' COURT, Dec. 4.
MOORHOUSE V. COLVIN.
This cause, which was partly opened yesterday, was
resumed.

Mr. Roupell and Mr. Toiler were for the plaintiff,
Susan Moorhouse.
The object of the bill was to obtain from the Court a
decree, setting up a marriage contract in the nature of a
covenant, entered into by Peter Cochrane, the testator,
who had been resident i❑ India for many years, and
whose rank there was equivalent to that of general in the
army, ho being first member of the Medical Board at
Bengal. He married a native woman, named Baba
Begum, in 1800, and the result of the union was the
plaintiff. In 1808 Dr. Cochrane married a lady named
Fearon, by whom he had issue two children, Peter Coch-
rane and John Cochrane. He brought the plaintiff up
in the same manner as his other children, and sent her
to England for the purpose of education. Upon his re-
turning to this country, in 1818, be took up his resi-
dence in Scotland, where the plaintiff resided with him
for some time. By a will, dated in Dec., 1818, he made pro-
vision for the plaintiff's mother, and gave to the plaintiff
a lac of Sicca rupees—equivalent to 12,5001. sterling. He
afterwards sent the plaintiff out to India, and placed her
under the charge of Dr. Thomas. He was very desirous
that she should form a marrimonial connexion, and,
upon proposals being made by Ensign Moorhouse, he
authorised a communication to bo made to that gentle-
man to the effect that upon the marriage taking place he
should receive 2,0001., nor should that bo all, she (the
plaintiff) was and should bo noticed in his will, but to
what amount, from the then low state of interest, he
could not say. He also expressed a wish that the amount
to bo given should be settled upon the lady. The mar-
riage took place. The testator had stated to various
persons at different times that he intended to leave the
plaintiff a lac of rupees. By his last will, made on the
14th of October, 1829, he left his property, amounting to
between 200,000/. and 300,0001. to his two sons, Peter
and John, upon their attaining 25; but in case they died
before or without issue, then he left it to the issue of the
plaintiff's marriage. Both sons have since died, without
issue. The present bill was filed to enforce what was
contended by the plaintiff amounted to a covenant on the
part of the testator, which bound his estate.
Mr. JAMES appeared for the husband of the plaintiff.
The MASTER of the ROLLS, without hearing Mr.
Roundell Palmer, who was for the defendant, said he did
not consider that there was such a contract as the Court
could enforce, and must dismiss the bill, but without
costs. The defendant to have his costs out of the estate.

INSOLVENT DEBTORS' COURT, Dec. 4.
(Before Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS.)
IN RE JOHN BERNARD BURKE.
This insolvent, described as an heraldic and general
author, and a barrister, applied to be discharged.
Mr. J. MORGAN appeared on behalf of the assignees of
Mr. Churton, the bookseller, who has recently become
bankrupt.
Mr. COOKE, for the insolvent, objected that the par-
ties for whom Mr. Morgan appe,ared were not creditors,
and therefore could not appear. The debt arose upon
bills, and it might be that not a single bill was in Mr.
Churton's hands or those of his assignees, in which case
they would not be creditors.
Mr, MORGAN said some of the bills had been proved,
and consequently the estate was injured to the extent of
those bills.
Mr. COOKE replied that at present no dividend had
been paid, and consequently the estate had not been
damnified.
The Learned COMHISPIONER said his impression was
that no debt had been proved.
Mr. MORGAN then called Mr. Churton, who stated that
independently of the bill transactions there was a book
debt duo to him from insolvent for printing to the extent
of about 1501. He held 400 copies of a work which was
sold at two guineas, but, as it was of a peculiar charac-
ter, he could not say what the real value was.
Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS considered a sufficient
debt had been shown to give the assignee a locus standi.
Mr. MORGAN was not desirous of pressing any-
thing against the insolvent, but his clients wished to
know whether tho insolvent would consent to appro-
priate any portion of his future earnings to the payment
of the debts.
Mr. COOKe remarked that the profits of a literary
man were too vague to base any proposition upon them.
The insolvent had laboured hard to liberate himself
from the burdens which he had incurred from his father.
The insolvent, upon being questioned, said he was
in receipt of 201. a month for editing certain works, but
out of that he had to pay a clerk 1001. a year ; and, be-
sides, his health had been so shattered that ho was al-
ways in the doctor's hands. Therefore, he could not
undertake to set asido any sum without exposing him-
self to fresh difficulties.
Mr. COOKE drew the attention of the Court to the fact
that the insolvent's own debts were only 300/, although
his means had been drawn upon largely to meet his
father's liabilities.
The insolvent said at his father's death ho was left
encumbered with 2,0001. of debts, besides bill transac-
tions, of which he had paid 1,6001. His debts were
6,0001., of which 5,0001. were liabilities of his father.
Mr. Commissioner PHILLIPS thought there was no
reason to refuse the insolvent the discharge he asked for,
and there was nothing in the case in any way to affect
his honour. The cause of the insolvency was self-
inflicted, but springing from certainly the purest sources.
The insolvent was ordered to be discharged forthwith.

POLICE INTELLIGENCE.
GUILDHALL.

Mr. James Solyman Davis, a dealer in plate, watches,
jewellery, &c., of 14, Dalby-terrace, City-road, was
brought up on a warrant before Alderman Cubitt,
charged with obtaining on credit 20 silver watches and
other goods from Messrs. Holland and Co., withi❑ three
months of his bankruptcy, under colour and pretence of
carrying on business, and dealing in the ordinary course
of trade, with intent to defraud the said Messrs. Hol-
land and Co.
After some discussion as to the amount, the Alderman
fixed the bail in two sureties of 2501. each, and prisoner
in his own recognizance of 5001, with 24 hours' notice.
The prisoner was then remanded.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

Edward Clarke, a surly-looking man, was brought
up for final examination, charged with nearly killing his
wife by striking her on the head with a hammer. The
prisoner was fully committed.
Richard Anthony Knight, collector in the service of
Mr. B. Nicholl, shirtmaker, Regent-circus and Lombard-
street, was charged with embezzlement. The prisoner
was fully committed.
WESTMINSTER.
William Burn, a driver in the employment of Thomas
Orchard, carman, Gould-square, Crutched-friars, was
charged with cruelty to his horses.
Captain Stritch deposed to the defendant whipping
his horses with the most unnecessary cruelty in the road
of Shaftesbury-terrace, Pimlico.
William Butler, a cabman, said, that finding the
wheels of the cart fixed in the gravel, he removed his
cab and some others to afford defendant an opportunity
of getting to the :sound part of the road. He recom-
mended defendant to give his horses a little time to get
their wind, when he applied a most disgusting epithet to
him, and struck him with the whip.
Mr. Barker, of 28, Shaftesbury-crescent, surveyor, con-
firmed Captain Stritch's account of defendant's cruelty,
and added, that after the horses had fairly started upon
the road ho continued wantonly to lash them in a most
spiteful manner for thirty yards, at the same time using,
very bad language. People around expressed their dis-
gust at his exhibition of wanton cruelty.
Defendant, who had at first, upon finding that Cap-
tain Stritch could not speak to his identity, pretended
that he knew:nothingiof the circumstances, and that there
being other carts from the same firm near at the time,
he must have been mistaken for the real offender, be-
gan, upon finding that he was positively recognised by
the other witnesses, to identify himself with the trans-
action, and then alleged that he merely got down and
took the foremost horse by the head to remove the cart,
but that he never whipped them nor the cabman, and
further, that he had not the whip in his hand.
George Ste►enson, of 9, Fieldgate-street, White-
chapel, a jobbing ostler, who had accompanied the de-
fendant on the day in question, for want of anything
better to do, swore that he had his whip in his hand all
the time and sat in the cart, and that defendant neces-
sarily never touched the horses or man with it; and
John Bolt, a boy twelve years of age, belonging to the
charity school of St. Betolph, Aldgate, who was also
with defendant, gave similar evidence.
Mr. Aarioma felt that he should no be doing his duty
to society unless his inflicted upon the defendant the
severest penalty of the law. The cruelty of which de-
fendant had been guilty would alone justify him in that
course; and when he took into consideration that de-
fendant had suborned two witnesses to commit perjury,
he felt the greater reason for severity.
Defendant was then convicted in the penalty of 51.,
and committed for two months to hard labour, in default.