The Sun.
London, England, 1856-10-16 00:00:00

TERSON, the celebrated founder of the Bank of
England, still continues to this day—as we have
said, as we have seen, as we all of us so very
well know—merely talked about, merely dreamt
of, merely suggested : a scheme upon the verit-
able realisation of which no one has yet seriously
and energetically adventured.
The Electric Telegraph already threads with its
magical wires almost all the principal quarters of
the European and North American Continents.
It flashes night and day under the waters of the
English Channel ; it is actually in course
of being carried under the billows of
the Mediterranean. It is on the eve of having
an enormous coil of wire " payed out" between
Ireland and Canada, submerged under the depths
of the Atlantic, to thrill like an exquisite nerve
of sympathy between the eastern and the western
hemispheres. A little while longer, and the sys-
tem of electric communication between all parts
of the habitable globe can hardly fail, in GOD'S
good time, to be completed. A succession of
wires being linked together from London, through
most of the European capitals, across the Channel,
across the Mediterranean, along the northern
coast of Africa, through Egypt, onwards to Hin-
dostan, beneath the Chinese waters, and so for-
ward by the Japanese archipelago, till, having
traversed the northern bed of the Pacific, the
electric current may pass onwards, still with the
momentary fleetness of lightning, through the
California line, spanning, as is proposed, the ample
breadth of the Atlantic), and thus completing the
circuit to London by way of San Francisco. A
single instantaneous quiver of the needle at
Cornhill marking the flash of the electric spark at
one scintillation around the broad circumference
of the World. The necessary preliminaries towards

the actual accomplishment of this, have already
been commenced—many of them having been
long since substantially completed. The realisa-

tion of the entire scheme being literally now merely
a question of time. Yet all this while the Darien
Ship-414na1, proposed between one and two hun-
dred years ago by WILLIAM PATTERSON, though
still admitted on all hands to be in every way
most feasible—the Darien Ship-Canal of PATTER-
SON'S suggestion is to this hour nothing more nor
less than, a suggestion. As with the Isthmus of
Panama—so too has it been, so too is it to this
day, with the Isthmus of Suez. Although the
latter was proposed at different times to be severed
by the engineers of MEHEMET ALI, as it had pre-
viously been intended to be sundered by the great
modern CAESAR—NAPOLEON. In spite of all
which auguries of success Suez and Panama still
offer a virgin field to engineering enterprise. Can-
not some wholesome incentive to this enterprise be
discovered in the startling, and, in a certain
sense, humiliating contrast displayed between the
serious project, on the one hand, of the Darien
Ship-Canal, and on the other the fanciful day-
dream, the unconscious prophecy, as it may be
Gilled, of what has ripened in our own days into
that great world's wonder, the Electric Tele-
graph.

Have we got the right men at the Meiropo-

litan Board, beginning with the Chairman down
wards ? With all the disposition we have shown
not to press too heavily on the Board, inaugurated
as its career was with an influx of claims on its
attention of a magnitude never perhaps surpassed
in- corporate history, we begin to think seriously
we have not The manner in which business is
conducted at the Board Room is described to us
as anything but creditable. The Chairman seems
to possess but little authority, and the members,
who would be facetious if they could, relieve by
bad jokes displays of bantum-like pug-
nacity, which occur with such frequency
that one member may be said to lie in
wait for a pock and a crow at another. No
order—knots of talkers--no business done
confusion—and salaries going on as usual. The
accuracy of this description, we fear, can be too
readily verified. Not a feeling we have in rela-
tion to the Board but is pained—mortified at its
procedure. Deeply impressed with the evils of
bureaucracy, we cannot but grieve at a show of
reason being thus afforded to the un-English
admirers of centralisation. "Would to HEAVEN I"
we are tempted to eicclaim, "we could transfer one
of our provincial corporations—Manchester or
Salford, for instance—to the Metropolitan Board,
and a plan worthy of the exigencies of the case
would be decided on in a fortnight. No lame jokes,
nor systematic personal hostility over a subject,
involving, as Dr. LETREBY shows in his admir-
able Report, " so vast a sacrifice of useful lives,
would be allowed to interpose between their deli-
berations and so desirable a consummation."
The bugbear of the Board appears to be the
fear of needless expenditure. Let them lay aside
their foolery, and look at the matter like reason-
able beings. Myriads of the population are daily
deteriorating in health, and thousands are being
cut off in infancy and at the prime of life for
want of an efficient system of sewerage. Nolens
volens a system is to be adopted and carried out
under certain provisions of an Act of Parliament.
Hitherto the Board have been trying to evade the
obligations entailed by those provisions. They
want the work done cheaply. Now, no work,
especially no work of this description, can be said
to be done cheaply that is not well done, and no
scheme that does not give fair promise of accom-
plishing this desideratum will meet with the ap-
probation of the Board of Works. What scheme
will accomplish it ? Any hitherto brought before
the Board ? It is admitted that which proposes
the disemboguement of the" sewerage at Sea Reach
will do so—it is more than doubted the Long
Reach disemboguernent will not. Why should
there be any further delay? Is a better scheme than
either forthcoming, or likely to be so ? Who will
undertake to answer in the affirmative ? Why
not decide at once and set to work like men, and
not like a parcel of Brobdignagian babies ? The
difference of expenditure between the two schemes
will only involve an extra halfpenny in the pound
—and to the Sea Reach,
if public opinion is to be
relied on, they will have to go at last.
Hesitation and delay are worse than foolish—
they are positively criminal. Would H'', 'Board
have it recorded of them that, to avsid a paltry
outlay—for, taking into account tl),-a vast popu-
lation and extraordinary wealt,',l of the metropolis,
an extra
wereamillion is a palt7f increase of expendi-
ture—they C°Ptellt to stultify the principle
of self-goverw:ient, and be accessories to
the destrue:tion of thousands of the popula-
tion ? Let us againfurnishingO
remind them they are
indisputable evidence of the truth
of such an 'allegation. To one and all
we say, study Dr. LETHEBY'S Report, weigh well
his appalling statistics, get them off by heart,
and quit you like Englishmen ! The •pallid
cheek, the prematurely feeble frame, the raging
fever, and the hollow cough, ought to speak more
eloquently than we can. Listen to their appeal.
Believe in the ratepayers ; don't defame and dis-
honour them without substantial cause. They
don't like to have their earnings wasted, but we
protest with both hands they would shudder at
the thought of refusing or grumbling at any ex-
penditure necessary to rescue the metropolis from
pestileuel iiACI themselves and their helplesS

brethren from the jaws of a daily and hourly I
encroaching death ! Henceforth, let the motto of
the Board be " Seaward, ho !" adding, wo will do
our duty, and if the Sea Reach scheme does cost
an extra million or more the money will be
well spent, and we can abide the result with con-
fidence. No more chilly shallying ! no more dodging
or waiting on the Board of Works—but " do it !"
and set about the task at once ! Any scheme of
deodorisation can be considered and carried out
afterwards.

ROYAL VISIT TO CANADA.—There is a report preva-
lent in Canada that her Majesty's physician, Sir Henry
Holland, has come over for the purpose of ascertaining
whether Queen Victoria might with safety trust her

royal person to the Canadian climate. The uuiversa'

_ .
response in Canada is, " that the climate can compare
advantageously with any in Europe, not even excepting
Italy itself. Her Majesty need not have any appre-
hensions of this kind, if she pleases to visit this—the

greatest of her colonies. Let her come, and she wil
meet with a most enthusiastic reception."—Canadia2

News.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales, attended
by Colonel Cavendish and Mr. Gibbs, embarked on
Tuesday from the Southampton Docks on board the
Fairy, for Osborne, on his return from visiting various
towns and localities in the West of England.

Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent passed
through London yesterday afternoon, en ronte from
York to her residence, Frogmore, near Windsor. Her
Royal Highness was accompanied by her Serene High-

ness the Princess Amalie of Hohenlohe-Schillingfurst,

and was attended by Lady Augusta Bruce and Sir
George Couper.
Lord John Russell arrived at Pisa on the Bth inst.
The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Oxford arrived at
the Royal Hotel, Aberdeen, on Friday night, on his

way to Haddo House.
The Marchioness of Abercorn who gave birth to a
son at Brighton on Monday last, is, with the infant,

progressing most favourably.
Lord Palmerston visited on Monday the extensive
Ordnance establishment in Southampton, where the
trigonometrical survey of the United Kingdom is car-
ried on. The staff of this establishment is several
hundred strong, and considerable additions to the Ord-

nance building; are now being made.
The marriage of the young Princess Mathilde,
daughter of Prince Charles Bonaparte, with Count Louis
de Canobaceres, was celebrated on Tuesday at the
Chapel of the Tuileries.
The Duchess of Parma has dismissed several high
employ's, " ben :use the state of their health did not per-
mit of their discharging their duties properly."
It is in contemplation to make Southampton the head
quarters of the Medical Staff Corps.
The municipal council of Mantua has voted a consi-
derable sum for the reception of the Emperor of Austria,
aud, in order to perpetuate the remembrance of that
event, has likewise destined a capital of 60,0001 r. for the
erection of a school of reform for young boys.
A private letter has been received in Southampton
from a person belonging to the Tay steamer, which
states that after she had struck all on board landed on
an uninhabited island, where they remained three days,
and lined on a biscuit a day per man. Fortunately
water was found on the island, or great numbers would
have perished. The crew were talien off by a Mexican
war-steamer, and conveyed to Tampico, where the letter

was written.
There was no withdrawal of gold from the Bank o
Eng!and yesterday.
It is rumoured that Paymaster Mowbray will suc
seed the late W. Bell, Esq., in the Royal Yacht.
The inquiry for silver has greatly subsided, and
30,000/. of Mexican dollars, which were brought yester-
day by the New York steamer, have not yet been sold.
A convict attempted to escape yesterday morning
from Portsmouth Dockyard, but he was recaptured by
the police after an absence of half an hour.
OXFORD, Oct. 14.—A congregation will be holden on
Thursday, the 23d inst., at three o'clock, for the election
of five additional curators of the Bodleian Library.
THE AMERICAN MAILS.—LIVERPOOL, Oct. 15.—The
United States' mail steamship Atlantic sailed to-day fer
New York, with 139 passengers. The Royal mail steamer
Asia will sail for New York on Saturday.
Finn IN SMITHFIELD. —A destructive fire broke out
last night on the premises of Mr. Machow White, Hart-
court, West Smithfield, and was not extinguished until
the building was entirely consumed. The surrounding
property was at one time in great danger.
RoesoN, THE ACTOR.—This gentleman, who was
a few days ago suddenly attacked with illness at Man-
chester, has recovered his health, and, according to the
Manchester papers of yesterday, was to appear at the
theatre that evening.
The Star of Peace has arrived from Sydney with 212
ounces of gold, valued at 8481. It appears that the Jas.
Baines, from Melbourne, is expected to bring about
500,0001., and that the Lightning is also likely to bring
a very heavy amount. Beth vessels may be looked for
during the next three weeks.
OMER PACHA AND THE PRINCESS DADlAN.—Ancther
correspondent of the Times, this morning, states, in
contradiction to the assertion of Lieutenant Cadell, that
1001. would cover the damage sustained by the Princess;
that he saw a large quantity of the property of the
lady shipped on board a Turkish steamer and sent to
Omer's residence at the Bosphorus.
THE LATE ROBBERY AT THE BANK OF AUSTRA-
LASIA.—Yestorday, John Andrews, a horse-dealer, re-
siding in the Hackney-road, was brought before the
Lord Mayor, charged with having changed a twenty
pound note, which formed a portion of the property
stolen from this bank. The roan said it was part of 5
sum of 751. he had borrowed from a friend, named Mon-
teau. This assertion was denied. He was remanded
for a week.
At the half yearly meeting of the Agra and United
Service Bank, held at Calcutta on the 15th of August,
the profits for the six mouths were stated at 62,3721 ,
which, after payment of a dividend at the rate of 10 per
cent. per annum and the appropriation of 11,0001. for
the purchase and building of premises for the branches
at Bombay and Canton, leaves 13,8721. to be carried to
the reserve fund, making the total amount of that fund
137,390/.
RUMOURS OF A STRIKE IN PARlS.—Runioura of a
strike among some classes of the Parisian workmen
were rife yesterday. It has not, however, taken place,
but it is feared it may do so in several trades,—among
others, the plasterers, and the workmen of the quays,
and even a portion of the hackney-coach drivers are
spoken of as likely to follow the example. Should it
occur, it has nothing of a menacing character ; but
these symptoms of discontent, and perhaps of distress,
may be followed by others, and we do not now learn
for the first time that political agitators are ever on
the watch to take advantage of any cirounestance in
their favour.—Times (seemed edition).
FREAKS OF THE OFFICERS UNDER AninisT AT BRIGH-
TON.—On Monday morning, at half-past three o'clock
(as we are informed by a respectable inhabitant residing
at the north part of the town), the inhabitants of the
Lewes-road were awoke by a loud noise and shouting.
A quarrel, it seems, bad taken place between Lord
Ernesb Vane and Cornet Dirt (supposed to be under
arrest), who had just driven up to the stables occupied
by his lordship, at the Race Hill Inn. From what our
informant could see, his lordship knocked Mr. Birt out
of the vehicle, using very bad language, and afterwards
a general fight took place between all parties, the grooms
included. This continued for soma time, until the po.
lice came up and put an end to the affair. His lordship
then drove away towards the barracks.—Brighton Guar-
dian of yesterday.
REPORTED MILITARY BARBARITY AT WOOLWICH.
We have received a comaiunication from Woolwich to
the effect that on Tuesday s serpent in the Foot Artil-
lery was subjected to the disgrace and barbarity of re-
ceiving fifty lashes, and that then he was branded with
the letter " D," drummed out of the regiment, and sent
to the treadmill for twelve months, with hard labour.-
We forbear to offer any observations on the affair—sur
poi•ing it shall turn out to be true—until some further
particulars are placed before us. Should the facts be as
they have been represented to us, we shall not fail t•
give a full and fearless expression of our opinion on a
matter in which are alike involved the best interests of
the army and the character of the country.—morning
Advertiser.
EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA.—The arrivals from the
mother country during the month of June have been
mach more ntrAerous than in any previous month this
year, but the Whole :3;"-TI to be absorbed immediately on
e
their arrival, and the lake;erates show that no diminu-
tion in wages follows the infiuF. The official return for
the month of June is not yet ready, but that for the
month of May has been pubr h ce•7l furnishes the
following results :—The comparative arri ve_ sls
and
depar-
tures from and to Great Britain and foreign p --ts stand
tmlionnetihir4r3ivialssifloorwitnhge maonhthi, 477 ; departures- for ~..1-13
a anoe of 360 against the
t:•'011.11Y. Vor the neigilourning Colonies the comparison
is still in our favour, viz,--Arrivals for the month,
1:877 ; departures for ditto, 1 045 • balance in fa your of
the colony, 832. The net balancehett,' f
in our a:rour is 469
Of souls for the month. sexes, we notice that the
arrival of males or all ages has been 1,660, and of
females 697 ; the departures, 1,502 males, and. 386
females
ss ; showing a considerable addition per cent. for
remaining in the colony. The price of bread
(lower
than in England) and the abundance of all the
necessaries of life here are facts which must have
reached
the labouring classes in Europe ere this ; and
taken in connection with the great arid constant increase
of rural occupatic ins, must assure them that it is quite
as much their intorest AS that of the colonists already
here
to make Viritoria their home.—Melbourne Horokly
July 6. •.