The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-07 00:00:00

PRICE 4D. Sr' .

A letter from- Aden, dated March 19th, sass
You will be glad to hear that the trip of the
Cyclops along the south-east coast of Arabia has
been successful. The Nakeeb at Maculla received
Captain Pullen in the most friendly manner, and
assured Mr. •li. Gisborne that, as the Queen of
England and himself were one, he might erect a
telegraph station wherever he pleased within his
territory. This was said in reply to the question
about payment, and reminds one of Arab dealings
as far back as patriachal times ; and I doubt not
that the result will be the same in both cases. The
Hittites insisted upon giving Abraham the land he
asked for; but the patriarch knew what they
really meant and continued to press for a definite
settlement. Then said Ephron unto Abraham :-
6My lord, hearken unto me. The land is worth
400 shekels of silver"—a good round price, we may
be assured; nevertheless, added the chief, "What
is that betwixt me and thee ?" However, I never
had any misgivings about Maculla, and as a spot
has been selected for the landing of the wire not
far from the town, we may consider that point as
satisfactorily settled. What the company may
have to pay for the Nakeeb's aid and protection
may give rise to a long interlocution, wherein both
parties, while striving to overreach each the other,
will disclaim all self-interest; but the, issue will be
satisfactory to all concerned.
At the Kooria Mooria Islands, the same favour-
able result has attended Captain Pullen's survey.
As I had anticipated, Hallania is the island
selected for a station, and a safe spot in the little
harbour fixed upon for the landing of the cable.
Among the 50 wretched inhabitants, who are for
the most part Trogloditesf ate two brothers who
enjoy the privilege of b.arAing the British flag, ad
of representing the British Crown, at a salary of
nine dollars per annum. The commission to this
effect was given them in 1854 by Capt. Fremantle,
of her Majesty's ship Juno, and is now worn, rolled
up as an amulet in a leather case, by our represen.
tatives at Hallania. There are two wells on the
island, and from one no less than 7,000 gallons of
very drinkable water are drawn every day to supply
the shipping which are taking in guano at Jibli.
Native craft trading • along the coast frequently
touch at Hallania for the same purpose, and I am
glad to find that my former report upon the island
is confirmed in other respects. The expedition
were able to procure sheep and goats from the
island, the climate is said to be very healthy, and
with a little trouble the soil in the valleys may be
brought under cultivation. The islanders professed
no fear of invasion from the tribes on the main
land, but such security is attributable only to the
presence of so many British ships at Jibli. As I
said before, it will be very desirable that the sta-
tion here should be fortified, or a small vessel of
war kept permanently at the islands.
From Kooria Mooria the Cyclops proceeded to-
wards Rasel-Had, but a heavy sea off the Cape pre-
vented Capt. Pullen from landing. Two attempts,
however, were made to obtain soundings near the
coast, but the result was unsatisfactory. I believe the
water near the land is too shallow, and, in other re-
spects, the place is considered undesirable. The large
island of Museira has been suggested as a substitute,
but the natives there are wreckers, and the most
villanous set on the whole coast. I believe Capt.
Pullen rather inclines to the idea of taking the
cable direct from Hallania to Kurrachee, but buoy-
ing at the outset off Ras-el-Had, in order that some
third station may be selected should the distance
prove too long.
At Kurrachee the necessary- preliminaries have
been settled. The cable is to be brought in east of
the lighthouse, and must be laid several miles over-
land to reach the town. The company must build a
suitable office, none being available for the purpose
at present.