The Sun.
London, England, 1860-05-15 00:00:00

A New Edition of

THE PHILOSOPHY OF MARRIAGE.
By JOSEPH KAHIsT,Gra :nate in Medicine, Surgery,
and Midwifery in the Royal and Imperial University of
Vienna, Erlangen, &c.
+ti This popillar *Work (which has been translated Into four dif-
ferent languaizes) has now gone through 41 Editions of 10,00
each, and is designed to impart accurate knowledge on sub-
jects which involve the means of securing moral and physical,
happiness. Price ls., or post free for 12 stamps direct from
the Author, 17, Harley.;street, Cavendish-square, London,W.

PROPOSED NORTH ATLANTIC TELEG.RAPIL

Yesterday morning an influential deputation
waited upon Lord Palmerston at his residence in
Piccadilly to lay before him plans of the route
of the intended line of telegraph to America vie
the Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland, and to
solicit the Government to despatch two or more
vessels to make soundings and otherwise survey the
facilities offered by the proposed line. The deputa-
tion consisted, among others, of the Right Hon. M.
Gibson, M.P., Sir J. Duke, M.P.,Mr. T. W. Rus-
sell, M.P., Mr. H. Pease, M.P., r. J. A. Roebuck,
M.P., Hon. S. Smith, Postmaster •General of Canada;
Capt. Sir E. Belcher, R.N., Capt. Collinson, R.N.,
Capt. Robinson, RN., Dr. Rae, Col. Shaffner, Capt.
Young, Mr. J. R. Crosskey, Dr. N. Shaw, r. C.
Bischoff, Mr. J. Howard, Mr. J. Arrowsmith, Mr.
J. Barrow, Mr. L. S. Magnus, Mr. W. Bevan, Mr.
E. Wakefield, Mr. H. Clayton, Mr. C. E. Deacon,
Mr. J. S. O'Beirne, &c.
Mr. M. Gibson having introduced the deputation,
Mr. CROSSKEY said the object with which the de-
putation had sought an interview with his lordship
was to call his attention to the new route which had
been proposed for'affecting telegraphic communica-
tion between this country and America, via the
Faroe Islands, Iceland, Greenland, and Labrador;
and to ask the assistance of the Government in car-
rying out a complete survey and line of soundings
along the proposed line. He might mention to his
lordship that the line had been already in a great
measure surveyed by Col. Shaffner, who had re-
ported most favourably as to the absence of any phy-
sical difficulties in carrying out the scheme ; but
that survey as the act of a private individual could
not, of course, have the same weight, nor be so
thorough and complete as was desirable before com-
mencing an undertaking of such importance and
magnitude. It was of the gravest importance for
this country, both scientifically and politically, that
the question of the practicability of so very desir-
able a route should be placed beyond a doubt, and
that, of course, could only be done by a complete
Government survey of the line, which they trusted
his lordship would assist them in obtaining. Be-
lieving that the scheme when carried out would
be commercially profitable, it was not the inten-
tion of those promoting it to ask for subsidy,
or guarantee, or money aid of any kind,' but
simply for such assistance in the way of survey
as the Government might fairly and legitimately
grant, and which would only be thoroughly satis-
factory when coming from GoVernment.
Col. SIIAFFNER then pointed out to his lordship
the maps and charts of the proposed route, and ex-
plained the various physical and geographical fea-
tures of the lino. He said the principal advantage
which this route, if carried out, would possess over
all others would be the rapidity of transmission
of messages. Supposing that tho direct Atlantic
cable, submerged some two years since, had re-
mained perfect to the present time, it would still
not have been possible to telegraph at a greater
speed than five words a minute, while he could show
that the minimum speed of transmission by the pro-
posed northern route, arising from their having to
work through such short lengths of submarine
cable, would be at least 20 words a minute. Thus
practically and commercially speaking, one cable
submerged by this route would represent in work-
ing efficiency nearly four lines between Ireland and
Newfoundland. Col. Shaffner then proceeded to
point out the positions along the route where, in
his opinion, the cable should be laid and landed.
He also explained away the difficulties in the way
of ice which had so long been thought insurmount-
able obstacles to the adoption of this plan.
Capt. A YOUNG, who accompanied Capt. M'Clin-
tock's celebrated expedition in the Fox, said he en-
tirely concurred in what had been stated by Col.
Shaffner as to the practicability of the proposed
route.
f the immediate
objectul.
tNs.O,
vsgahi dt ttho abt oindependentlyaccomplished,
o
it would be of great importance in the interests of
science that such a survey should be carried out.
It would add to the knowledge of the Arctic regions,
and it was not at all improbable that new grounds
for whale and other fisheries might be discovered.
In reply ,to Lord PALMERSTON'S question as to
what time it was desirable that the expedition
should sail, it was stated that to be of effect this
year it ought to start as soon as possible.
Mr. PEASE, M.P., said he thought it was exceed-
ingly desirable, both in the interests of science and
commercial speculation that such a survey should
be undertaken by the Government. He considered
that the Government was in duty bound to facili-
tate in every legitimate manner a scheme of such
importance as that which proposed to secure to
Great Britain direct electrical communication with
the American continent. It was not, and never had
been, the desire of those interested in this plan to
ask for subsidies or guarantees, but only that the
Government should grant assistance in carrying out
a fair and impartial survey of that route, which, if
found practicable, must in its results be most ad-
vantageous both commercially and politically.
The proceedings then took rather a conversational
turn, in the course of which his Lordship asked a
variety of questions relative to the regions proposed
to be traversed, and which were satisfactorily an-
swered by the gentlemen present connected with
Arctic discovery. After the interview had lasted
upwards of an hour,

Lord PALMERSTON said that before he could grant
the request of the deputation he must know pre-
cisely what was wanted, and he would therefore be
glad if they would furnish him in writing with a
detailed statement of the number of ships required,
the route over which the survey was wished, and
the time that would probably be occupied by the
expedition.
This was accordingly promised at once, and the
deputation thanked his Lordship and withdrew.
_ _

The chief features of this neviroute are stated to
be briefly as follows :—Since the failure of the
Atlantic Telegraph the confidence not only of the
public, but even of scientific electricians, has been
clinsiderably shaken in the ultimate practicability
of a long direct line between England and America.
It is evident from the experience of the Atlantic
expedition that the laying an unbroken length of
nearly 3,000 miles of cable across a very deep
and stormy sea alone presents difficulties of
such magnitude as to deter even the most
enterprising from engaging in such a scheme. The
recent discoveries which have been made in electric
science also show that it is almost impracticable,
to work through an unbroken submarine circuit of
nearly 3,000 miles at any such speed as would
insure a commercial profit on the capital invested in
the line. These difficulties have led to attention
being directed to that route through which, by its
geographical position, the American Continent can
be reached without traversing any greater deep-
ar•a length than 600 miles,—a distance which, with
land lines, is repeatedly worked with the greatest
success and profit. The difficulties which-were at
first apprehended with regard to this route were
those which were naturally due to thehigh northern
latitudes to be traversed ; but the most eminent
Arctic navigators having been consultud have una-
nimously, it is said, recorded their opinion in favour
of the route. This route has already been partially'
surveyed, and the promoters of the scheme have ob-
tained a concession from the King of Denmark for
the exclusive rivlit of laying lines through the
Faroe Islands, Iceland, and Greenland, and the
result of these surveys, coupled with the experience

of the Arctic navigators as to these localities, is
st tted to be most conclusive in favour of the'plan.
It is, however, intended before bringing the enter-
prise definitely before the world to undertake, under
Government auspices, a careful survey of the whole
line, and hence the al ove deputation to Lord Palmer-
ston. It is at present intended that the European
terminus shall be in the north of Scotland, whence
the cable will be laid to the Faroe Islands, a dis-
tance of 230 miles, and thence to Iceland, a short
length of 280 miles more. A land line then pro-
ceeds across part of Iceland to join the submarine
cable on the western coast of that island, near or at
the town of Itcikiavik, whence the cable is intended
to proceed direct to the southern end of Greenland
—a distance of between 600 and GOO miles; then,
crossing by land lines from the eastern shore of
Greenland tnJulianshaab, a submerged line leads
from that town to Hamilton's Inlet, on the coast of
Labradcr, a distance of about GOO miles more.
Short land lines then continue the whole way to
the shores of the St. Lawrence, and are there placed
in junction with those that traverse the United
States.

The first part of this intended route from the
north of Scotland to the Faroe Islands presents
no difficulties whatever. The :depth is at no part
supposed to,exceed 300 fathoms, the bottom is soft
sand, and, with the exception of a much weakened
portion of the Gulf Stream, there are no currents.
From Faroe to Iceland the water is deeper, but the
bottom is said .to be good and level, and the low-
ness of the temperature is favourable to the insu-
lation of the land lines across Iceland to Reikiavik.
ifhere is said to be no sea ice on either shore of
Iceland at the points selected for landing which
could at all interfere with the shore ends of the
cable. From Reikiavik' to the southern end of
Greenland is.the longest sea stretch; the depths
vary from 1.000 to 1,500 fathoms, and as far as has
been learnt from Arctic explorers, and the evidence
of natives; no heavy ice is ever seen grounding in
the bays selected as the landing places. From the
eastern shore of Greenland the line will be carried
to Julianshaab, the scat of Government, and thence
direct to Hamilton's Inlet, a distance varying from
500 to 600 miles, according to points chosen for
landing or departure. This is the deepest portion
of the route, averaging from 1,500 to 2,000 fathoms.
The peculiar nature of the bottom round Hamilton's
Inlet, it is said, prevents icebergs from proceeding
along the shore, as it is proposed to carry the line
under the lee, as it were, of a ledge of rocks that
intercept the ice coming down from Davis and
Hudson's Straits.

211 E LETTER•CARRIEI2S AND THE

POST-OFFICE.

Yesterday evening a public meeting of the letter-
carriers employed in the London district was held
in St. Martin's-hall, for the purpose of explaining
the nature of the grievances under which they at
present labour.

Mr. John Bennett took the chair soon after
eight o'clock, at which hour the hall, platform, and
galleries were densely crowded with letter-carriers
in uniform, and sorters employed at the General or
District Post-offices.

Mr. BENNETT, after a few prefatory remarks,
said they were met to hear the complaints of the
letter-carriers, and he was sure there must be great
truth at the bottom of all their allegations, or
2,000 or 3,000 well-conducted men would not
be found so unanimous in demanding redress.
When the whole body were seen thus united in
their appeal to reason and to the public, he was cer-
tain there must be something wrong in the way they
were administered. He hoped that night they
would state their grievances with temper, and he
felt sure they would do so with truth. It was im-
possible for them not to feel their wrongs, but he
trusted they would abstain, as far as possible, from
all violent expressions of dissatisfaction, and con-
fine themselves only to such facts as were abso-
solutely necessary to , be stated in order to be re-
formed. There was no denying that within the last
15 or 20 years the Post-office had improved im-
mensely in the discharge of its public duties; bat
latterly, most unfortunately, it had been regarded
too much as a system of taxation, and bitter dis-
content had been engendered by the continued
attempts to, wring more work from what he might
term the starvation--pay of the subordinates em-
ployed to carry out the system. (Hear, hear.)
They had memorialised over and over again, but in
vain ; and now that the press had taken up the
matter they were determined to appeal to the pub-
lic at large. The masterly articles which had
appeared on the subject of the Post-office disorga-
nisation in the Times had been echoed and copied
by the press of this country throughout the length
and.-breadth of the land. (Cneers.) The country
had thus beep thoronghly awakened to the impor-
tance of tile subject, and the matter would net now,
he trusted, be let drop till the entire syStem at St.
Martin's-le-Grand had been regenerated. The com-
mission lately employed by the Government had
never had the confidence of the Post-office employes,
and had not even treated their memorials with the
common courtesy of acknowledgment. Now, how-
ever, within the last few days, the commissioa had
been reconstituted, and he believed that they would
be found to be sincere in their efforts to ameliorate
the condition of the subordinates at the General
Post-office, though their first request to the men had
been to send in a statement of their complaints, but
not to hold a public meeting at St. Martin's-
hail. But the letter-carriers declined to take that
course. They felt that they had incurred the respon-
sibility of calling that meeting, and they had too
much self-respect to shrink from the duty they owed
to the public when they put themselves before it,
and therefore the meeting had taken place. Re-
trenchment was the order of the day at the Post-
office, and while he thought no remuneration was
too high to reward Sir Rowland Hill for the great
benefits he had conferred upon the public and the
world, he was still of opinion that economy might
be safely ventured on in regard to the salary of the
Postmaster-General, who, while drawing his high
pay, could nevertheless be off to Hong Kong, or
anywhere else, without the least detriment to the
service, as far as letter-carrying or the duties of the
Post-office were concerned. (Cheers and laughter.)
Mr. COOPER, in moving the first resolution, briefly
recapitulated the grievances of the extra midday
duties. They were at first imposed upon already
overworked men, who undertook them for the sake
of the 6s. a week which was then allowed. Gradually,
however, as the principle of the work was established,
the extra money was withdrawn, and the labour
was increased, though the men received nothing
whatever for its performance.

Mr. SHAW, who followed this speaker, said he
felt compelled, with the utmost deference, to differ
with what had fallen from their chairman in the
opinion which he had expressed that the Commission,
which was then sitting would permanently amelio-
rate their condition. The letter-carriers, and he be-
lieved also the sorters, had no faith whatever in the
Commission. (Hear.) It would only have the effect
of softening their hardships for a time, but they
were sure, sooner or later, to see them reimposed.
(Cheers.) What they wanted was to have their just
complaints attended to, and the causes of discontent
done away with at once and for aver. He complained
bitterly of the system of promotion by merit, which
he believed to be nothing more nor less than a gross
system of favouritism. (Cheers.) Boys were placed
high over the heads of men who had grown old in the
service, and who had large families to support.
(Continued cheers.) It was not to the men thus pro-
moted he objected, as he wished to avoid anything
personal to them ; it was the system against which
they one and all wished to be protected. (Cheers.)
These were not imaginary grievances which had
been raised, as the Postmaster-General had stated
in his last report, by the aid of the press. They
were true cases of everyday injustice, under which
all of them writhed. (Cheers.) It had been boldly
stated in the last general report for 1859 that there
was difficulty in selecting fit objects for promotion.
Did not all in the Post-office quite agree with that
when they saw the characters of the men who were
so chosen'? (Hear, hear.) As regarded wages, the
letter-carriers had not new actually enough to live
üblic had been warned by the
on and keep their famainlides
wherelt were they to look
for could not be done on
secretary
r.meotorarrely9l,s
nota I\t,Vhoeees kep:i d
money
in letters, as it would
be certain to tempt the men. Would it not be far
better to pl we them on such a scale of remuneration
as would at least remove the weight with which
this temptation' now came upon them. Was it un-
reasonable that they sliSithl ask, after 15 years' con-
pay of J.:2 a week,
which. he most,
tar iiiislideu
?otti -.=a(tscelvr vice,sa. )tboe bAte,
hleiconuttlititi.ellrieodfirtet oftooar
in
earnestly trusted would be attempted and carried
goading the men through their heavy
out would be some change in the present system of
droivrkh.)H galeulbelieved all the slaveries he had had read
w
of were not worse than the slavery system which
went on unknown to the public fromyear to year in
St. Martin's-le-Grand. He had been told he would
be " marked" for speaking out on these matters, but
unless they were all united and co-operated in this
matter nothing would be done., There was more
required than mere Aympathy; earnest etfort was

This resolution was put and carried amid tre-
mendous oh eering.
Two other resolutions—one thanking the press
for its exertions in their cause, and another in com-
pliment to the chairman—were also passed nem.
con., and the proceedings terminated.