The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-02 00:00:00

A CUNARD RECKONING.

In a voyage to America, some. nine years since,
on the seventh or eighth day out from Liverpool,
Captain L— came to dinner at eight bells as
usual, talked a little to the persons right and left
of him, and helped the soup with accustomed po-
liteness. Then he went on deck and was back
in a minute, and operated on the fish, looking rather
grave the while. Then he went on deck again ;
and this time was absent, it may be, three or five
minutes, during which the fish disappeared, and the
entrees arrived, and the roast beef. Say ten minutes
passed—l can't tell after nine years. Then L—
came down with a pleased and happy countenance
this time and began carving the sirloin. "We
have seen the light," he said; " Madame, may I
help you to a little gravy or a little horseradish ?"
or what not ? I forget the name of the light, nor
does it matter. It was a point of Newfoundland for
which he was on the look-out, and so well did the
Canada know where she was that between soup and
beef the captain had sighted the headland by which
his course was lying. And so through storm and
darkness, through fog and midnight, the ship had
pursued her steady way over the pathless ocean and
roaring seas so surely that the officers who sailed
her knew her place within a minute or two, and
guided us with a wonderful providence safe on our
way. Since the noble Cunard Company has run its
ships but one accident, and that through the error
of a pilot, has happened on the line. By this little
incident (hourly of course repeated, and trivial to
all seagoing people) I own I was immensely moved,
and never can think of it but with a heart full of
thanks and awe. We trust our lives to these sea-
men, and how nobly they fulfil their trust! They
are, under Heaven, as a Providence for us. While
we sleep, their untiring watchfulness keeps guard
over us. All night through that bell sounds at his
season, and tells how our sentinels defend us. It
rang when the Amazon was on fire, and chimed its
heroic signal of duty and courage and honour.
Think of the dangers these seamen undergo for us,
the hourly peril and watch, the familiar storm, the
dreadful iceberg, the long winter nights when the
decks are as glass and the sailor has to climb
through icicles to bend the stiff sail on the yard.
Think of their courage and their kindnesses in cold,
in tempest, in hunger, in, wreck !—Cornhill Naga-
zinc.

Messrs. Seymour, Peacock, and Co. state, we have
again pleasure in reporting that the general im-
provement in the freight market which has been
manfest since the commencement of the year has
continued during the past month. As on former
occaions of great depression ie. the shipping inte-
rest the relief which is being experienced arises
chiefly from an unusual course of events—the quar-
rel with China having on the present occasion
caused the improvement in the rate of freight. The
extensive operations of the English and French
Governments have created an important demand
for tonnage for transport of troops, horses, stores,
&c., from India, this country, and France, to the
Chinese waters ; and the result in India has been to
raise freights from the lowest point to the highest
known for some years. We still think the chances
of a maintenance of the high rates during the next
shipping season very problematical ; the expedition
to China may result in a mere demonstration, the
demands of the allied Powers being yielded with-
out actual hostilities. On the other hand, if force
be resorted to, the war may be speedily terminated,
and under any circumstances the accumulation of
tonnage in the eastern seas will be very large be-
fore the termination of the approaching rainy sea-
son. We have to-day loading in London for India,
China, and South African ports upwards of 100 sail
of shipping ; at Liverpool there are about 75 vessels
entered, and many others already chartered but not
arrived, besides a large aggregate of tonnage load-
ing at less important outports. The Indian railway
companies have arranged for further large ship-
ments, the coal contracts running and advertised,
and the troops to the number of aout 4,000 to be
despatched during next month, will combine to keep
the eastern ports largely supplied with tonnage.
Under these circumstances we repeat what we have
frequently urged in our recent reports, that there
is no warrant for the reduction in outward freights
which has been already submitted to. The pres-
sure on the money market threatened, at the be-
ginning of last month, to interrupt business, but
there is now a marked improvement, and a lower
bank rate of discount is expected this week.

AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND.—We have no
improvement to report in the Australian trade, ex-
ports having declined considerably and rates of
freight been low throughout the month.
INDIA AND CHINA, &c.—Outward freights have
declined for coals, but are without alteration for
iron, beer, and general cargoes.
BRAZILS, WEST INDIES, &c.—Outward freights
have improved, and there is still an excellent de-
mand for tonnage.
MEDITERRANEAN, &C.—Outward freights have
advanced and continue very firm, but homeward
business is inanimate, the facilities afforded by the
telegraphic communication with the Danube, &c.,
havinz interrupted speculative chartering business
to a considerable extent.

PACIFIC AND WEST COAST OF SOUTH AMERICA.
—We have had a fair business during the past
month, outward freights being rather weaker, but
homeward rates well maintained.
WEST COAST OF AFRICA.—The most recent ad-
vices are rather more favourable as to the prospects
of oil shipments, but the inquiry for tonnage on
this side is quite unimportant.
THE TIMBER TRADE.—The general features of
this business are without alteration, the demand for
tonnage being good and rates well maintained,