The Sun.
London, England, 1859-09-08 00:00:00

STANFORD'S MAP OF AUSTRALASIA

This magnificent map of the world's fifth conti-
nent is the second of the uniform series of Library
Maps issued from the press by Mr. Stanford, of
Charing-cress. The series recently commenced by
that superb library map of Europe, which we are
glad to know, but which we are not at all sur-
prised to know, has elicited from the publisher's
royal, noble, and other eminent subscribers expres-
sions of the most unqualified approbation. Subse-
quently there will appear, in continuation of the
same admirable design, " entirely new representa-
tions" of Asia, of Africa, of North America, and of
South America. According to the descriptive title
of the enterprise, we observe that the project is re-
stricted to the delineation of• the great terrestrial
divisions of the globe. But earnestly do we hope
that upon the completion of the last of those
six great maps—the original design may be
somewhat extended. Extended we mean so far
as to admit of a series of hydrographic supplements
—giving us, let us say, the Baltic, the Caspian, the
Euxine, and the Mediterranean. Perfected even
beyond that by appendices, pourtraying the thief
of the great archipelagoes—at any rate the Spice
Islands constituting that grand aromatic eastern
group, illustrated so resplendently by the memo-
rable careers of Sir James Brooke, and Sir Stamford
Raffles—and that profusion of clustering islands,
large and small, sprinkled far and wide over the
southern waters of the Pacific. Mr. Stanford may
observe from this how keenly he has al-
ready contrived to whet our appetite for
novelty in the way of these superb and comprehen-
sive library maps, henceforth to be the glory and
the solace of many eager students in the enthralling
science of geography. With the map of Europe,
already here referred to as not long since inagura-
tive of the series, the public is by this time toler-
ably well familiarised. The newly published
library map of Australia has only within the last
few hours unfolded its alluring array of facts to our
curiosity and, we may add at once; to our deep and
earnest admiration. In introducing this new map
of Australia to the English public, Mr. Stanford,
while not unreasonably claiming particular credit
for his own novel and hitherto in many respects
unexampled publication—frankly, and manfully,
and honourably pays a tribute of well-deserved
applause to the labours previously adventured
upon sa very successfully by the hon. gentleman,
' the member for Bodmin. This tribute to Mr.
Wyld being altogether unmistakeably recognisable
in the mention made here (in the printed prospec-
tus accompanying the map) of the manner in which
" the Australian colonies have long been admira-
bly delineated by a very eminent metropolitan geo-
grapher." Having made which courteous and
courtly salute to his distinguished contemporary,
en passant, Mr. Stanford can add, with a certain
air of not ungraceful pretension, " Yet it is believed
that, as a general map, Stanford's New Library
Map of Australasia' may justly claim preference."
As a general map—considered strictly in that
light—the noble work of geographic skill before
us might secure our ready agreement to the justice
of this high claim but that we remember that, as Mrs.
Malaprop judiciously expresses it, " comparisons
are odorous." Besides, in truth, here comparisons
are altogether unnecessary. The Library Map of
Australasia, but just now issued from Mr. Stan-
ford's establishment, demands our hearty greeting
of approval entirely on its own account, and irre-
spective of the merits or demerits of any predecessor
whatsoever. The authenticity, the perfect relia-
bility of every atom of information contained within
the compass of its ample dimensions, it will be seen,
may be at once acknowledged unreservedly—
remembering that this huge map (as it was with
its predecessors, as it will be with its successors),
has been "constructed" by one of the most skilled
and accomplished geographers now living, one
whose name, we may rest assured, will survive to
after times as the Editor of the Physical Atlas,
Alex. Keith Johnston. The extraordinary labours
of Mr. Keith Johnston in the construction and
compilation, and revising and arrangement of
the Physical Atlas, have been rewarded
not simply by the praise—that is a poor
word for it—by the absolute eulogium of
suoh profound and authoritative judges upon
such matters as Humboldt, as Brougham, as Roderick
Murchison, and as Mary Somerville. His renewed
labours of a different, though of course to a certain
extent of a somewhat analogous kind, in the con-
struction of these splendid library maps of Mr.
Stanford, will tend undoubtedly to confirm, if they
can hardly contrive to enhance, the Scotch geo-
-grapher's now literally world - wide reputa-
tion. As to the engraving of the map, that
has been accomplished in the finest style—
upon copper-places. As to the size of the map
—it is 65 by 58 inches. As to the scale
of it—it is six miles to the inch ! As to the manner
of its publication, it is purchaseable at varying
prices in four different ways—on Spring Roller;
on Roller Varnished ; and again, Full Coloured
and Mounted to fold in cases either of Cloth or of
Morocco. Specified upon the prospectus among its
distinguishing features are "the insertion of seve-
ral new and important surveys and discoveries
never before published together—the introduction
of new administrative boundaries—the boldness
and perspicacity, as well as the precision, of the
delineation aid names—the distinctive colouring,"
and beyond ill this, the " comprehensive scope" of
the entire production. All the various surveyors
of the coast, north, south, east, and west, from Ad-
miral Hunter and Captain Kent, R.N., downwards,
have been studiously consulted. The same may be
be remarked of the different adventurous travellers
who have from time to time penetrated further and
further inland. Appended to the record in the
prospectus of what has really been accomplished in
this way, ;we find the following most sugges-
tive observations. It is remarked—" The advance
of the Australian shepherds and herdsmen to within
300 miles of the North Coast, renders highly pro-
bable the early establishment on the great inlet of
that coast, of stores and wharves for importing the
tea, sugar, tobacco, &c., for their consumption ; and
exporting the wool, hides, tallow, horses, &c., which
they produce. Such ports must become emporia
for the trade in British goods with the Eastern
part of the Archipelago, like Singapore has become
for the Western part. At present the Dutch vir-
tually exclude other European nations from settling
in these seas, but the man will render it obvious
that the introduction of stock, and the establishment
of ports in North Australia, will effectually break
up that monopoly and add greatly to the trade of
the colany. As a step towards the fulfilment of this
anticipation, it may be noted that it is already more
than proposed to connect Australia with the
Overland Electric Telegraph, by a wire along
the Asiatic Archipelago to the North Australian
Coast," And as a giant step towards the more
perfect appreciation by the " gentlemen of England
ho live at home at ease"—of the magnitude, the
diversity, the value, and the grandeur of our vast
antipodeal possessions, We may add, it will be
enough to particularise this truly admirable publi-
cation. Folding it up again in its morocco case,
after a survey of its immense store of facts, our
predominent thought is—Floreat Australasia

Mons. Alexr. lolenline, Conseiller d'Etaf, in the
service of the Emperor of Russia, bas arrived at (trillion's
Clarendon Hotel from Moscow.