The Sun.
London, England, 1858-10-14 00:00:00

THE MAIL SERVICE.

It will be seen by the following letter, that our
industrious fellow-citizen, Mr. Councillor Bowden,
had got into the Red Sea, but we are glad to say,
haknot joined Pharaoh and his host. His sugges-
tions with regard to our mail service are deserving
of consideration, and we need offer no apology for
publishing his characteristic letter entire :
" Steamship European,
" In the Red Sea, about 500 miles up,
Saturday 28th June, 1858.
c, Dear I have got this length safe and
sound, but do not expect to reach Suez before
Tuesday night, the 29th instant, and Southampton
about 14th to 15thproximo, a week after the regular
time. We were thirty-six hours at King George's
Sound, three and a-half days at Galle, and two
clear days at Aden. This vessel is first-rate, but
the engines being direct action, whenever any-
thing has to be done, we have to stop. Our
detention at Galle and Aden was partly owing
to a crank-pin, made at Sydney, having to be
taken out and refitted. A very good lot of
passengers. We kept a newspaper going, for ten
numbers, during the cool weather, The Daily
Reckoning,' had one concert, a farce, and a
judge-and-jury trial. The latter was a breach of
promise case ; I was leading counsel for the
plaintiff, and Captain Parfitt for defendant, with
one junior each ; Piper was judge ; and it caused
great amusement. Aden is a fearfully hot place,
and our experience of the Red Sea, ditto, ditto.
"About mail communication by this route.—lt
would appear that a weekly line from England, as
far as Aden, would answer best, both for India and
Australia; and I have heard enough on this voyage
to be convinced that it would answer Australia
better to have the following changes made:—l find
that we can have a line, once a fortnight, between
28 days—for £150,000
Galle and Sydney—time,
per annum of subsidy; or between Suez and
Sydney, fortnightly—tune 41 days—for £lBO,OOO
per annum. The route would be—Aden, Diego
Garcia, King George's Sound, Melbourne, Sydney;
—aucl by as amagemcut Mauritiw, 4 fcui-

nightly mail might be run from that island to
Galle, meeting the Australian mails both
ways, at Diego Garcia and thereby enabling
us to maintain our communication with
India. Quick passages can be made by
this route, to and from Australia, with more
certainty than via Galle. This is owing to the
prevailing winds.
" The Emeu would be behind her time with you,
and the Victoria had a very long run to Suez, and
would be very much behind. This steamer will
also probably be a week behind. Such a state of
things cannot continue, as it will only increase the
dissatisfaction already felt. Look at the route on
the map, and see if -- and you can support it in
the Chamber of Commerce. The Herald will, no
doubt, lend its aid; and if Dr. Evans will take it
up in Parliament, as Postmaster-General, it will
be of great assistance.
" I write under great disadvantages, owing to
the great heat, 91 degs. in the shade, and the vibra-
tion of the ship. I have been quite unable to keep
a journal, or, in fact, to do anything.
" Australia should go in for a fortnightly mail ;
it would suit both for passengers and. corre-
spondence.
"I hope that you and all friends have been well
since I left. Pray remember me kindly to all who
inquire, and believe me, sincerely yours,
" ROBERT BOWDEN."