The Sun.
London, England, 1869-07-30 00:00:00

great augmentation on greater facilities and increased
comfort being afforded." Captain TILER adding,
here, that " the existing steamers, restricted to their
dimensions for want of better pier and harbour ac-
commodation, are not proportionate to the impor-
tance of the service." Larger vessels, he insists, with
less movement in rough weather, more shelter, and
better accommodation generally, would do much to
mitigate the discomforts of the sea passage—and,
even supposing the Tunnel Project to be undertaken
some time, ten or fifteen years must inevitably be
consumed in its construction, during which interval
the proposed improvements in the regular steam
packet service ought in reason to be enjoyed by the
two countries. Three millions sterling would cover
the whole cost of these suggested improve-
ments. Two millions being the cost involved,
according to Mr. FOWLER'S calculations, in
the construction of entirely new harbours at
that portion of the Channel at the opposite sides
of which the shores of England and France the most
nearly approach one another, namely, at Dover
and at Audresselles. By the expenditure, there, of
£2,000,000, and by the expenditure of considerably
less than a million at two other points, namely, of
£lOO,OOO on the English coast, and of £500,000 on
the French coast at Boulogne, the steam packet ser-
vice between France and England might be im-
proved forthwith, and to the fullest extent that
could in reason be desired. As the report expresses
it, " larger vessels cannot be employed for a fixed ser-
vice until better provision is made for embarking and
disembarking passengers, especially on the French
coast." And it adds, " The pier at Dover is not
only ready, but has frequently been used for military
transport vessels of the largest size, though certain
improvements are required in the jetties for greater
convenience in embarkation and disembarkation.
The difficulties in the way of fitting the harbour of
Calais for the reception at all times of larger vessels
are very great, but by a judicious extension of the
west pier at Boulogne, similar accommodation
might be provided on the French side. At a cost of,
say £lOO,OOO at Dover and £500,000 at Boulogne."
Captain TYLER assures the Board of Trade " the
desired object might, apparently, be attained in
the most economical and most expeditious manner."
Immediately after this, the Official Report thus
throws out the very simple and matter-of-fact sug-
gestion, to the effect that "by the adoption of
steamers, capable of moving with equal facility in
either direction, the difficulties incidental to turning
round in small harbours may be avoided ; and the
existing harbours at Dover and Boulogne might,
with certai❑ modifications, be made available to some
extent for improved vessels." Summing up the whole
argument in two or three sentences, the Report thus
puts the whole hinted proposition as it were in a nutshell.
" The relative distances may be stated to be—be-
tween Dover and Audresselles 24, Dover and Calais
26, and Dover and Boulogne 30 English miles ; while
the passage to Boulogne, though longer, is admitted
to be better than that to Calais. Either by the con-
struction of naw harbours at Dover and Audresselles,
at a cost (as estimated by Mr. FOWLER) of £2,000,000,
inclusive of steamers, or by the improvements above
suggested at D over and Boulogne, at a cost of £600,000,
exclusive of new and improved steamers, the imme-
diate object should be to provide an improved fixed
service, irrespective of wind and tide, between London
and Paris in eight hours ; and it would appear to be
desirable now to refer the whole matter, through
the Foreign Office, for the consideration of the
French Government, with a view, perhaps, to the ap-
pointment of an international commission, in which '
that Government would, no doubt, readily acquiesce,
and without which the important interests involved
could not be authoritatively dealt with, nor the gene-
ral question satisfactorily decided." Would it be un-
reasonable to utter here an aspiration that the prac-
tical suggestions thrown out thus iu the Official Re
port just addressed to the Board of Trade by Captain
TYLER may be acted upon, and not simply stored up
among the archives of that department?

kV*
tVe
P anf:}l
' ,

HER MAJESTY.

OSBORNE, July 29.

The Queen, accompanied by their Royal Higl.-
nesses Prince Leopold and Princess Beatrice,
drove out yesterday afternoon.
ller Majesty, accompanied by Princess Beatrice,
walked and drove in the grounds this morning.

LATEST INTELL MENGE

(REUTER'S TELEGRAMS.)

AMERICA;
NEW YORK, July 29.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.
CLOSING PRICES.

Gold closed at 1364 ; the highest quotation dur-
ing the day was 1364 ; the lowest, 135 a.
Sterling Exchange on London llok.
5-20 U. S. Bonds, 1882 l24g_.
" 1885 123.
cc " 1867 l2ll.
10-40
Illinois 1414.
Erie 284
Cotton—Mid. upland 34c.
Petroleum—Standard White 32le.
Flour, extra state, $6.70e. to $7.30c. Corn, old
mixed, $1.12c.
QUEENSTOWN, July 30.

The Cunard Royal Mail steamer Scotia, from
New York, arrived here at 11.30 p.m. yesterday
with 188 cabin passengers and $519,276 in specie.
She landed 71 sacks of mails and 28 passengers,
and proceeded immediately for Liverpool. All well.
The Scotia performed the passage in eight days.

INDIA AND CHINA MAILS.

LGIBRAETAR, July 29.

The Peninsulrr and Oriental Company's steamer
Bangalore, from Southampton on the 24th inst.,
arrived at 8 p.m. yesterday, and left for Alexandria
at 7 this morning (Thursday). All well.