The Sun.
London, England, 1869-11-16 00:00:00

rnE SUN, LONDON, TUESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 16, 1869

THEATRE - ROYAL DRURY- L ANE.
role Lessee and Manager, Mr. F. B. Chatterton.
Tuts EVENING, at 7, BELLES OF THE KITCHEN. At 8,
FORMS A : Messrs. Barrett, H Irving, David Fisher, Brittain,
Wright, John Rouse; Mrs Billington, Misses M. Brennan, Mac-
donald. and Katharine Rodgers. Conclude with BORROWED
PLUMES

LOIVDON, TUESDAY, NOV. 16, 1869.

TO.I/ASC animnoirvsoe. 41,a enrtnal onenincra
justly been described as the greatest scientific work
of modern times. It is now fifteen years since the
project of cutting a canal through the Isthmus
of Suez, and thus shortening the voyage to India
by 8,000 miles, was started, or re-started, by M. DE
LESSEPS. For more than ten years the work
has been actually in progress. And to-day a large
gathering of crowned heads and princes meets to cele-
brate the completion of the undertaking. Though
the final success of this great enterprise—its success
in a financial sense--can be shewn only by time, our
neighbours may claim the highest praise for what they
have already achieved, for actually accomplishing what
was pronounced an impossibility, for reducing, in
short, the whole problem of the Suez Canal to a
simple money question. Incredible have been the
difficulties surmounted by M. DE LESSEPS and his
coadjutors. The canal runs for just a hundred miles
through a land of sandy desert and swamp. The
country itself produces nothing in the way of
material to assist such an undertaking. Nearly all
the apparatus required for the construction of the
works had to be brought from Europe, even to
the lime of which the concrete blocks for the
breakwaters were made. To one place fresh
water for the use of the labourers had
to be conveyed a distance of thirty miles. The
labourers themselves were not to be obtained in
Egypt to any available extent ; the want was supplied
partly by new machinery and partly by impor-
tations of men from Europe. Towns were
built, lakes filled up, morasses crossed, and
a large harbour constructed in the
.interests
of this single enterprise. One of the greatest
difficulties was that which confronted M. DE LESSEPS
at the outset. The point on the Mediterranean Sea
at which the canal commences was, in the month of
April, 1859, a low desolate strip of sand, sometimes
covered with the waters of the ocean. A few wooden
huts were the nucleus of the now busy town of Port
Said. The first duty of the canal constructors
was to form dry land, by dredging the sand
from one place, and heaping it up in another. Thus
a harbour and the site of a town were formed at the
same time. So slow were the early operations that
more than six years elapsed before the breakwaters
were commenced. As Port Said is situated on an
open shore, it was necessary to make a port by con-
structing two piers, and this was done by manu-
facturing blocks of concrete with lime and sand, and
dropping them into the sea. From August, 1865, to
January, 1869, sufficed for the construction of two
breakwaters, one two miles, and the other a mile and
a half in length.
The works at Port Said and at the canal proper
were carried on at the same time. Endless is the
story of the difficulties experienced in excavating the
channel. For several miles the cutting passed
through a wretched marsh, a mixture of sand and
mud. As fast as this stuff was heaped up by the
dredges it slipped back again, and for a time the
excavation came to a standstill. A Dalmatian peasant
solved the problem by heaping up a thin layer of the
dredged material, and allowing it to dry, then putting
on more, and so on until the bank was formed. At
one time the contingent of native labourers furnished
by the Egyptian Government was withdrawn, and
the contractors were obliged to make up the deficiency
by inventing improved dredges which both excavate the
canal and empty the earth on the bank. Near to the Suez
end of the canal are the "Bitter Lakes," large dry
basins twenty-six miles long in all, and from one to
, six miles broad. As the cutting runs through these
depressions, it was necessary to fill them with water,
and accordingly an immense weir, 300 feet long,
was constructed. Since last March the waters of the
Red Sea have been pouring into the open space, which is
now nearly full. Nineteen hundred cubic metres of water
is the quantity which the Bitter Lakes are calculated
to hold. Not the least interesting of the various
contrivances to which different obstacles have given
birth are the expedients adopted for getting rid of the
superficial soil. The principle of the canal is simple.
It is a plain cutting from sea to sea, very broad at
the top, but narrowing greatly towards the bottom.
At those parts where the soil is not more than
seven feet above the level of the sea, the width is
about uniformly 330 feet ; where the ground is
much elevated the breadth is about 190 ft. At the
bottom, however, there is a 'uniform breadth of 72ft.
This space will not permit the passage of two vessels,
and docks or stations are being constructed at
ten points on the route, to allow ships
going in different directions to continue their
course. The depth throughout is fixed at
not less than 26 feet of water ; but whether this
draught really exists along the whole length is one of
the most important questions which the inauguration
will solve.

Divers difficulties and doubts as to the ultimate
success of this enterprise yet remain ; but the result
so far must be regarded as a signal triumph for the
French engineers. It is now questioned whether the
canal can be so worked as to afford the share-
holders a dividend ; but some years ago it
was confidently affirmed that the canal could never
be made at all. The leading English engineer then
declared that the idea was a chimera, that the con-
struction of such a water-way was a simple impossi-
bility; and the great English representative of obstruc-
tiveness—Lord PAL3IERSTON—set himself vigorously,
though in vain, against the improvement. The
opposition has been set at naught, the prophecy
has been confounded. The canal is a reality. Ten
years' earnest application has subdued the desert ;
greater difficulties than any that remain have
been overcome ; a wide and deep water-way
now stretches from the Mediterranean to the
Red Sea. The problem of shortening the distance
to India by 8,000 miles has been solved. No
competent authority doubts that time and money
only are required to surmount any obstacles which
may be disclosed by the experiment of this inaugura-
tion. Whilst we write it is still a matter of uncer-
tainty—which a few hours will clear up—whether the
canal is yet sufficiently deep in water to admit a large
vessel along the whole length. But if it prove too
shallow it can be deepened ; nor will the excavation
be attended with much trouble, save in one place
near the town of Suez, It has been feared that the

motion of vessels passing along will wash down
the sandy, brittle sides of the canal. To a
certain extent this difficulty has actually been met
with. It is quite possible, however, to protect the
banks so as to preserve them against any action of
the water. Another, and very serious danger, is the
probability of the harbour of Port Said, the Mediter-
ranean terminus, being filled up with detritus.
As we have seen, Port Said is an arti-
ficial construction—a harbour formed by run-
ning two piers of concrete into the sea. The
blocks forming these piers have not all been regularly
laid, but for the most part simply dropped into the
water. Interstices of considerable size have thus been
left between the various blocks, and quantities of
earthy matter brought down by the Nile
ooze through the piers into the harbour.
In order to keep this formidable foe out,
dredges must be kept constantly at work, or the
breakwaters partly reconstructed. Lastly, there is
ground for apprehension that the canal itself may be
filled up or rendered useless by the drifting sand of
the desert, unless the work of dredging be constantly
carried on.

Here are several difficulties, all of which
may be overcome to a certainty, but
not without expense. One or two will
it is thought, be a permanent charge on the revenue.
It remains a question, therefore, whether the in-
come derived from the passage of vessels will pay
interest on the capital and bear • the cost of mainten-
ance as well. The commercial part of the
problem is in fact the only part that is
left to solve, and it is a question which time
only can dispose of. But should it transpire
that the pockets of the liberal capitalists who have
furnished the money for this splendid achievement
become at length- exhausted, should it appear that
the traffic will not prove remunerative, it is to be
hoped that England will not allow the work to perish. Of
the nations which the passage to the East will benefit
Engiana unt IJ 77,.1
mercial nation of the world has allowed the greatest
commercial undertaking ever known to be made with-
out her assistance. Of the 400,000 shares which
form the whole capital, only 5,000 were
taken up in Britain. Whatever excuse there may
have been for this inaction, there can be none for
similar supineness in the future. The work has been
done ;it remains only to keep it up. This nation
surely cannot be indifferent to an achievement which
reduces the distance to British India by one-half.

VICTOR EMMANUEL ON lIIS SUPPOSED

DEATH-BED.

Letters from Florence report that it was commonly
asserted there that the Archbishop 4 Pisa had forbidden
the royal confessor to give absolution to the King of Italy
unless
.the latter should first make a full and
formal retractation of all that he had done or per-
mitted against the interests of the Church. The
condition was flatly refused, and after some negotiation
was withdrawn, and the sacrament was administered.
After which, says gossip, came another sacrament, that of
marriage. Having first consulted Prince Hunabert,and with
his full approval, the King, it is asserted, made the
Countess Rosina di Mirafiori his wife, as far as the Church
can effect that purpose ; but in Italy the civil ceremony is
alone a legal form of marriage, and that has not yet taken
place. There is a little Count of Mirafiori, who will thus
have been made ecclesiastically legitimate, at least.—Pall
Gazette.

MR. DREW AND THE BOTTLENOSES

AGA IN.

Mr. Alexander Drew, Nairn, sends to the Scotch papers
a long correspondence which he has had with various
members of the Government on his favourite sub-
ject of bottlenosed whales. On the 15th May he wrote to
Mr. Bright, stating that about the Bth of that month "a
bottlenosed whale, measuring about fifteen feet long, was
drifted ashore, dead, at the East Bay, Nairn, abOut three
miles distant from the burgh. The fishermen and women
cut up portions of the animal, and carried the same into
the burgh, to the extent of four or five hundred-
weight. Next day the Castom House officer, act-
ing upon an order from the Board of Trade, claimed
those portions taken away, and sold the same
by public roup for 19s. (nineteen shillings sterling) "
This whale, Mr. Drew states, was about two tons in
weight, and was worth £5 yet, with the exception of what
the women had carried away, it was allowed to lie and
rot. He also states that recently two fisherwomen had
pelted a porpoise ashore at Kirkton, Localsh, Ross-shire,
and that, after doing so, the Custom-house officer seized it,
and the price os the blubber was not allowed them. Mr.
Drew therefore prayed the Board of Trade to rescind the
order under which these captures were made, as he con-
sidered them not only "useless and unjust, but mischievous
and a hindrance to good order and industry." In reply,
Mr. Drew received a letter from the Board of Trade,
signed " Thomas Gray ;" but not being satis-
fied Mr. Drew next addressed himself to Mr.
Lowe. To his letter the following reply was sent :
"Sir,—l am commanded by the Lords Commissioners of
Her Majesty's Treasury to acknowledge the receipt of your
letter of the 31st ult., on the subject of the bottle-nosed
whales, and I am to state that this is a matter which pro-
perly concerns the Board of Trade, and that any farther
representations which you may desire to make on this sub-
ject should therefore be addressed to that department.—
I am, sir, your obedient servant, WILLIAM LAND."
All undaunted, Mr. Drew next turned his attention to
Mr. Gladstone, whom he addressed, as he had done in his
letter to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, as "My dear
Sir." He repeated the same complaint to the Premier,
only in a little more emphatic terms, and adding that he
thought, "under the circumstances, it is now a Cabinet
question." The reply he received was as follows :—" Sir,—
I am directed by Mr. Gladstone to acknowledge the receipt
of your letter of the 17th inst.—l am, sir, your obedient
servant, Wm. B. GunDoN.---A. Drew, Esq., Nairn."

It has been suggested that the laity of the Diocese
of Exeter should present Dr. Temple with a congratulatory
address, now that ho has been elected.
it is understood that peerages have been offered to
and declined by Mr. W. B. Beaumont, member for South
Northumberland, and Dr. George Grote, F.R.S., the eminent
historian of Greece. . _ _

-- -
A man named Martin Mackenna, fifty-four years
of age, a labourer, was found dying in Bradford streets on
Friday morning last. At the inquest it was proved that a
discretionary order for relief had been given by the guar-
dians, but relief or admission to the workhouse was refused
by Mr. Burniston, the relieving officer. Burniston has been
committed for manslaughter.
-

---- -
On Saturday an inquest was held on the body of
Samuel Weave, the man whQ was shot on Thursday morn-
ing whilst driving to St. Helens. It appeared from the me-
dical evidence that the fatal shot must have been fired by
some one behind the deceased, on a lower level, and at a
distance of from four to eight yards. A reward of £2OO has
been offered by the family for the discovery of the mur-
derer, but no clue has as yet been obtained.

The Sheffield Telegraph says A very beautiful
phenomenon was observed in the heavens on Sunday night.
Round the moon there appeared a body of pale, milk-like
mist, very brilliant and tinged with a kind of golden green.
This was bordered by a beautiful rainbow fringe, and again
at a greater distance from it and quite detached there was
another rainbow greater in extent, and bearing still more
beautifully varied hues. The whole formed a most interest-
ing spectacle as seen from Sheffield shortly after midnight.

- -
An alarming accident happened a short time after
the Leeds and Liverpool express train left lludde: afield on
Saturday morning. Several waggons of a goods train
proceeding in advance became detached at a siding,
and rolled backwards down an incline till they
met the express. A collision of course ensued, but
its consequences were considerably reduced owing
to the driver of the passenger train having found in time
that the trui,ks were coming upon him. Being signalled to
stop, ho bad his train almost at a standstill when the crash
occurred. One gentleman only, a first-Class
passenger, had
his face cut.

THE POPE TO PROTESTANTS.

The Secretary to Archbishop Manning sends to the
papers a letter from his Holiness Popo Pius IX., on the sub-
ject of the admission of Protestants to the (Ecumenical
Council. The letter is addressed "To Our Venerable
Brother Henry Edward Archbishop of 'Westminster," and
runs as follows :—" Venerable Brother,—Health and the
Apostolic Blessing,—Having said, in the letter which
we addressed to you, Venerable Brother, on the
fourth day of September last, that subjects
which had already been carefully examined and
decided by an (Ecumenical Council could not again be
called in question ; that therefore no place could be given
in the approaching Council for any defence of errors which
had been condemned, and that for this reason we could
not have invited non-Catholics to a discussion, we now
learn that some of those who dissent from our faith have
so understood those words as to believe that no way is loft
open to them of making known the difficulties which keep
them separated from the Catholic Church, and that almost
all approach to us is cut off. But so far are we, the vicar upon
earth, although unworthy, of Him who came to save that
which was lost, from repel: ng them in any way whatever, that
we oven go forth to meet them and nothing do we seek
for with a more ardent wish than to be able to stretch out
our arms with a father's love to any one who shall return
to us. And never certainly have wo wished to impose
silence upon those who, misled by their education, and
believing their opinions to be right, think that their
dissent from us rests upon strong arguments whith they
would wish to be examined by wise and prudent men.
For although this cannot be done in the Council, there
will not be wanting learned divines, appointed by our-
selves,to whom they may open their minds, and may with
confidence make known the reasons of their own belief ;
so that even out of the contest of a discussion, under-
taken solely with a desire of finding out the truth, they
may receive a more abundant light to guide them to it.
And may very many propose this to themselves, and
carry it out in good faith ! For it could not be done
without great profit to themselves and to others ; to
themselves, indeed, because God will shew His face to
those who seek Him with their whole heart,
and will give them what they long for; to others,
because not only the example of eminent men cannot fail
of its efficacy, but also the mere diligently they shall
- - - - • - hpnefit of truth- +r.-
earnestly will they strive to impart the same . benefit to
the rest. Earnestly praying the God of Mercy for this
most happy issue, we desire you to receive, Venerable
Brother, the apostolic blessing which, as a token of the
' Divine favour, and of our own especial goodwill, we most
lovingly grant to you and to your whole diocese.—Given
at St. Peter's, in Rome, on the thirtieth day of October,
1869, in the twenty-fourth year of our Pontificate.—Porr,
Pius IX."

ARRIVAL OF THE KING OF THE

BELGIANS.

The King of the Belgians arrived at Dover on Monday.
Ho left Calais in the Belgian Mail Packet Belgique (Cap-
tain Chard), accompanied by his youthful daughter, the
Queen being unable at the last moment, from severe in-
,n, to leave Brussels. Ills Majesty left the Admi-
ralty Pier soon after two o'clock. The King was received
by Captain Bru e, R.N., the Admiralty Superintendent;
the Belgian Ambassador at London ; the Belgian
Consul in Dover ; and Lord Torrington representing her
Majesty the Queen. A guard of honour of the 91st Argyll-
shire Highlanders formed upon the pier, and their band
)I.ayed the L'rabanc;cnee and a Royal salute was fired
from the castle as his Majesty landed. The King was
conveyed in a carriage to the Lord Warden Hotel, where
its Majesty was received by the Mayor of Dover,
Aldermen J. G. Churchward, Norwood, E. Knocker, and
other members of the Corporation, together with a large
number of the borough magistrates. An address of wel-
come was then read by the Town Clerk (Mr. W. Knocker),
in which allusion was made to the cordial hospitality
extended to the English people by the King at the
international fetes in his kingdom, which had promoted
the strongest feelings of amity between the two countries,
and a hope was expressed that the friendly relations
that now existed between Belgium and Great Britain
would bo more and more closely cemented, to the com-
mercial prosperity and social happiness of each. The
Mayor then presented the address to the King, who
replied as follows :—" Mr. Mayor and gentlemen, if the
sight of the harbour is always pleasing to every traveller,
the approach to Dover is the more peculiarly pleasing
to myself, for when I reached the magnificent pier
at which I landed just now I put my foot on
the shores of England—a country to which I am very
irongly attached, as it is that of my dear and beloved
lousin, your gracious Queen. This town of Dover being
one of the nearest to the Belgian coast, I feel that I have
almost a right to take a peculiar interest in its welfare.
Let me then tell you, that I thank you very much for the
trouble you have taken in welcoming me. Accept my very
Lest wiles, my warmest and sincerest wishes, for the
future prosperity of Dover." There was a great deal of
applause at the fluish of his Majesty's speech, and all ex-
cept the officers present retired from the room. The King
then spoke to all the military gentlemen in turn, and took
a great interest in conversing with them. After partaking
of luncheon, the King and the young Princess, with the
Belgian Ambassador and suites, left by the South-Eastern
Railway, a special train having been provided. His Majesty
was received at the station by the Hon. J. Byng,
deputy chairman of the company; and Mr. Eborall, the
general manager, who accompanied the train to London.
The Lord Warden, General Brownrigg, Mr. J. G. Church
ward, and Colonel Cox, witnessed the departure of the
King, who was loudly cheered as the train moved away.
The distinguished visitors arrived at Waterloo junction at
twenty minutes past five. The South-Eastern engine was
detached at Waterloo,and a South-Western engine coupled
to the train, which passed by the working junction into
the South-Western Station, and onwards without
further stoppage to Windsor. From Waterloo junction
the train was under the charge of Mr. Williams, superin-
tendent of the South-Western line. Only a small number
of persons were assembled at Waterloo, and the Royal
visitors were not greeted with any noisy demonstration.
The train consisted of engine and tender, four saloon and
first-class cars, and two luggage vans.
The Royal party arrived at Windsor at 0.30. Prince
Leopold and Prince Christian came to the entrance, and
remained facing the saloon while his Majesty alighted, the
band of the Grenadiers, under Mr. Dan Godfrey, playing
"La Brabanconne." The meeting of the King and Princes •
was cordial in the extreme. The King, the Princes, and
the suite were conducted to the Royal carriages, Prince
Leopold and Prince Christian riding with his Majesty.
The drive from the station up Thames-street to the
Castle was a sort of ovation, for nearly every house
:nd shop was draped with flags and banners of all
.actions, while the bells of St. George's and the town rang
lilt merry peals of welcome. Before reaching the Palace
another mark of respect was shown his Majesty, for upon
the left of the Castle-bill were the Windsor Volunteers,
with their drums and fifes, under Lieutenant Ellison. As
his Majesty passed, the corps presented arms, and the
band greeted the King with the strains of the Belgian
national air. Upon entering the Castle the King was re-
ceived by her Majesty and the Royal Family. There was
a grand dinner party in the evening, his Majesty the King
of the Belgians and the Princess sleeping at the Castle, a
magnificent suite of apartments having been prepared for
their reception.
At a meeting of volunteer commanding officers of the
metropolis, present—Lieutenant-Colonels Lord Elcho (in
the chair), Marquis of Donegal, Lord Truro, Lord Bury,
and Lieutenant-Colonels Lloyd Lindsay,Wilkinson, Beres-
'ord, Vickers, Gordon, Ives, Laurie, Durnford, Murray,
Macdonald, Walmsley, Labrow, Comyn, Money, APLeod,
and Captain Angel, it has been resolved—l. " That
it is desirable that an address should be pre-
sented to the King and Queen of the Belgians on their
visit to this country, expressing the grateful sense
entertained by the volunteer force of the hospitality and
kindness shewn by their Majesties to the volunteers who
visited Belgium on the occasion of the tics internationaux."
2. " That a committee bo appointed to communicate
with the commanding officers throughout the country for
the purpose of obtaining their co-operation with the above
resolution. That such committee consist of Lieutenant-
Colonels Lord Elcho, Marquis of Donegal, Lord Truro,
Lord Bury, Lloyd Lindsay, Thomson, Walmsley, and
, 'Wilkinson.

A woman named Martha Shepherd is in custody
at Wigan on a charge of stealing £2OO in cash, and a bank
book representing deposits to the amount of £l5O, from her
stepfather, William Prescott, a paralytic, on whom she had
been in attendance. On being charged with the theft, the
woman produced the bank-book and £5B in cash.

The anaby Main miners celebratel the recent
settlement. of the di:pute between themselves and their em-
ploye' s by a dinner, which was held in Mexbre' on Satur-
day. The Mayor of Sheffield (Mr. Alderman Moore)
occupied the chair, and them were about four hundred
persons present. his worship, who it will be borne
in mind, was maiuly instrumental in the first
instance in bringing the contending parties together with
a view to a reconciliation, delivered an address, in the
course cf which ho advocated the establishment of courts of
arbitration. Mr. Smith, the consulting engineer to the
Denabf Main Colliery Company, was also amongst the
speakers, and offered a handsome subscription with a view
of providing a feast for the wives and families of the men.
The Mayor of Sheffield gave a liberal sun towards OA9 qtrao
OW.

THE IMPRISONED BEVERLEY

NESSES.

We subjoin the Home Secretary's reply to a compfaint
made touching tho treatment of the two men (Flint and
Fitzgerald) by the officers during their transit from
Beverley to York :—" Whitehall, S.W. Nov. 9, 1869.
—Sir,--I am directed by Mr. Secretary Bruce to
acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 27th ult.,
complaining of the treatment of Thomas Ward Flint
and Charles Henry Fitzgerald, by the officers who con-
ducted them to York Castle, whither they were committed
by the Beverley Election Inquiry Commissioners for
refusing to give evidence before them, and to acquaint you
that the Secretary of State has no power to deal with tho
case.—l am, sir, your obedient servant, "E. W. KNATCII-
-

CRIMINAL INFORMATION AGAINST THE
PuBLIsHER OF "PORCUPINE."

On Monday, in the Queen's Bench, Sir John B. Kars-
Like, QR., applied for a rule calling upon Mr. Hngh
Shimmin, the pi inter and publisher of a satirical news-
paper in Liverpool, the Percupiße, for a libel published by
him in the latter end of October, reflecting on a Mr.
James Fernie. The latter is the managing director
of the Merchants Trading Company, which had
its "aces in London and Liverpool, and the charge made
against him in the Porcupine was that he had obtained an
insurance upon a vessel which was double her value. The
court granted a rule as asked.