The Sun.
London, England, 1861-08-16 00:00:00

REVIEWS OF THE WORK.

"Curtis on Manhood.—This is a truly valuable work, and
should be in the hands of young and old."—" Sunday Times,"
23d March, 1859.
"The author has conferred a great boon by publishing this
little work, in which is described the source of those diseases
which produce decline in youth or more frequently premature
old age."—" Daily Telegraph," March 27, 1856.
" This work, which for twenty years has stood the test of
professional criticism and empirical hostility, treats in aplain
and sympathising manner on the various disqualifications
end impefiiments arising from nervous excitement and de-
bility ; and to invalids suffering from youthful errors and
excesses it will be found valuable and useful."—Record.
London : Published by J. Allen, 20, Warwick Lane, Pater-
noster-row; Mann, 29, Cornhill.
Sours 01 Conaultatiou-10 to 3 and 6 to 8;
__Sundays, 10 till 2.

" Alexandria, Aug. 1.
"My dear Sir,—On the 26th ult. I landed here. On the
afternoon of the same day, accompanied by Dr. Forbes, I
waited upon Mr. Colquhoun, her Britannic Maj esty's Diplo-
matic Agent and Consul-General, residing about two miles
from Alexandria, to whom I presented the letter of intro-
duction furnished to me by Lord J. Russell, and requested
I that, in accordance with the terms of that letter, he would
oblige me by ascertaining as soon as possible on what day
and hour it would be agreeable to the Viceroy to grant me
an interview. Mr. Colquhoun at once wrote to the private
secretary of his Highness, and after the lapse of three or
four days it was arranged that I should wait to •day upon
Said Pasha at his Palace at Mariout, 12 miles from Alexan-
dria. The Consul-General accordingly called upon me this
morning, and, accompanied by Dr. Forbes, we drove out to
the Gabarri railway station, whence a private line be-
longing to the Viceroy has been constructed for his sole
use. On reaching the station we observed a flag hoisted at
a Palace which is close to the station, and which takes the
name of the Palace of Gabarri. A messenger was waiting
here to inform us that the Viceroy had just arrived from
Mariout, and would receive us at this place. Nubah Bey,
private secretary of his Highness, having introduced us,
Mr. Colquhoun stated the object of the interview, and I
presented to the Viceroy the memorial from the Associa-
tion, his Highness having been previously informed of the
contents of the document, in order that he might be pre-
pared to express his views upon the subject. He has but
an imperfect knowledge of English, and the conversation
was therefore carried on in French, through Nubah Bey as
interpreter, the Viceroy speaking that language most
fluently. He stated that he was fully alive to the great
importance of this question of cotton cultivation in Egypt,
in which so many of his subjects were deeply interested, and
expressed himself gratified that the Association at Mon-
chester had placed itself in communication with him. He
was afraid, however, that he would not have it in his
power to do much directly to induce an extensive cultiva-
tion, for the following reasons. The Government of Egypt
under Mohammed Ali formerly monopolised the cultivation
of cotton as a source of revenue, aad the lands were culti-
vated by means of forced labour. !The system is now aban-
doned, and the fellah is allowed to cultivate his land as he
pleases. The Viceroy cannot, therefore, do anything to
urge the increased cultivation beyond setting an example
on his own estates, which he expressed himself willing to
do as a landed proprietor. He said that when the fellah or
cultivator found cotton to pay him better than any other
crop he was now ready enough, from self-interest, to grow
as much as possible. But there was one very great drawback
in this country which he thought an association in England
might do something to correct. At present the fellah was
in the habit of receiving advances upon security of his
coming crops, corn or cotton, &c. ; but he was not only not
allowed a fair price for the cotton which he grew, but was
charged an exorbitant rate of interest for these advances—as '
high as 30 per cent. (I am informed that the rate is often
as high as 60 or 70 per cent.) He would recommend that
the rich capitalists of England should make such advances,
charging a reasonable interest and giving the cultivator a fair
price for his cotton. This, he said, might be done to pay
the capitalist well, and the people, finding a sure return for
their labour, would extend the growth. But,' I said to
his Highness, how are the capitalists in England (sup-
posing them to be disposed to adopt this suggestion) to be
secured against the failure of the people in fulfilling their
contracts, or what authority exists in Egypt for this pur-
pose 1" His Highness replied, ' I would recommend that
these contracts be made under the cognisance of the Go-
vernors of the districts, who have power to enforce their
fulfilment ;' and he stated that if some association for this
purpose were formed on this plan, it should have his full
encouragement and support so far as the authority of the
Viceroyalty was concerned. In calling his attention to the
question of an improved system of agriculture, he said he
could not speak practically just then to this question, but
would throw out this suggestion—that the Association
should send out from England a practical agriculturist,
and one well acquainted with cotton cultivation, This
man should study the system pursued in this country, and,
if possible, establish a model farm. If successful, his sys-
tem, he had no doubt, would be imitated by the fellahs,
but it must be a work of time. The Viceroy dwelt ex-
pressly upon the desirability of English capitalists, particu-
larly those interested in cotton, employing capital in the
way he suggests, inasmuch as they were as much interested
in obtaining cotton for their mills as the fellah in obtaining
a market for his cotton. The question of seed to be sown
whether American or otherwise, was one upon which he
could not offer an opinion, as the only instance in which
American seed has been cultivated in Egypt, as far as I
can ascertain, was in the instance of an experiment on the
estate of the late El Hami Pasha. This seed was sent out
by the Association some 18 months ago, and I have the
pleasure now to forward you by this steamer a sample of
the produce, which has been valued in Liverpool at Bd.
per lb. I purpose writing further on this subject hereafter.
"His Highness did not allude to the question of labour.
It is supposed by many persons that the population is being
seriously drained to supply labour for the construction of
the proposed Suez Canal; but, from information which I
have been careful to derive from high and reliable sources,
there are not more than 5,000 or 6,000 men employed upon
these works, which are only yet in a very incipient stage of
progress. This can be no very serious draught upon the
total population of Egypt. On the other hand, the Vice-
roy, who is at the present moment engaged in an extensive
series of financial retrenchments, has within the last few
days disbanded a large number of his troops, sufficient to
make up for the few thousands employed upon the Suez
Canal ; and, judging from the earnest intelligence he dis-
played in his'remarks upon the question of cotton agricul-
ture, it is to be hoped that he is becoming alive to the great
fact that, as England is the best customer of Egypt for her
cotton and other produce, her prosperity is more dependent
upon Great Britain than any other Power. The interview
was on the whole satisfactory, showing as it did the lively
interest taken by his Highness in the interests of his sub-
jects, as well as the sound views he entertains as to the right
of a people to act for themselves in pursuit of their own
commercial interests, and to do so with freedom.
" After he had disposed of the subject of the memorial,
the Viceroy gave instructions to Mustapha Effendi to render
every assistance to myself and Dr. Forbes on our intended
visit to several of the cotton districts of the Delta, to accom-
pany us on the journey, and introduce us to the Governors
of the districts and the sheikhs of the villages, and also to
place the means of conveyance at our disposal when re-
quired, with a view to our acquiring NI hatever information
may be obtainable as to the system of agriculture and pre •
paration now pursued by the cotton-gro veers of this country.
Having thanked his Highness for the attention with which
he had listened to our representations on behalf of the Asso-
ciation we withdrew, the interview having lasted about an
hour. I may state that his Highness received us with
great cordiality, and with the usual courtesies of chiboque
and coffee. His manner was agreeable, and he appeared to
be not only familiar with the topics he discussed, but dis-
played great earnestness in their discussion. I hear that a
few days ago he issued an order for the abolition of the bas-
tinado.

"After our journey into the interior I shall again write
to you. If possible, I shall do so before we embark for India
by the next steamer.
"In conversation with some of the merchants of this
place, it has occurred to me that it would be useful for the
aesociation to make up about 20 packages of 201 b. each of
American seed and send them to Messrs. Peel and Co., our
honorary agents, who should be requested to address them
to the several Pashas of Egypt, or other large cultivators.
A letter, with our treatise on cotton cultivation, should be
sent with each parcel, requesting the favour of an experi-
ment being tried on their several estatest not emitting to
state the fact I have mentioned as to the experiment on El
Huai Pasha's estate of last year. One of the improved
hand-gins might also with very good effect be placed in the
hands of each of these persons, and Messrs. Peel and Co.,
to whom I have named this matter, would undertake to for-
ward them. It would also be well to call their attention to
the new power-gins maje by Mr. Platt, as most of the
princes here are cotton growers, and have a considerable
number of cotton-gins employed on their estates.
" The crop for next year will begin to ba picked at the
end of September. All last year's crop is well out of hand.
I did not therefore see any when 4 paid a visit to the cotton
market, which is about a mile from the centre of the town,
on the banks of the Mahmoodieh Canal.

“So far as I have been able to see or learn anything of
the productive powers of this country, it appears to me there
is scarcely any limit to its resources, Mr. Ross, of the firm
of Messrs. Briggs and Co., of this city, informs me that in
1856-7 the export of Egyptian cotton during the season
amounted to 91,572 bales, according to his estimate ; in
1857-8, to 114,331; in 1858-9, to 119,388; in 1859-60, to
119,013 ; and in 1860-61, to 142,759 bales, showing in four
years an increase of 51,187 bales. The population, or rather
the extent of available labour, does not appear to be so

A US7RALIA.

The Society for Promoting the Adoption of the
Ballot in England has received from a gentleman
resident in Victoria the following communication
relative to the working of the ballot in that
country :

" Although I am averse to meddling in public
matters, I feel ;it my duty, having lived for nearly
eight years in Australia, to attempt to explain
away a few of the fallacies that are current here
with regard to the effect of the ballot in Australia,
of which people in general know very little indeed,
or we should not so frequently hear the remark
that there is plenty of talent and education in the
colony, but that the intelligent portion of the com-
munity are disgusted at the degraded state into
which the Government has fallen through the bal-
lot having introduced a lower class of legislators,
and that they keep themselves aloof and will not
be wooed to an occupation from which no honour
is to be gained. I am quite prepared to prove that
this is a mistake. In order fully to understand the
difficulties to be overcome in the formation of a
Government there, and also the severe test that the
ballot has undergone, it is requisite to bear in mind
the peculiar circumstances under which an almost
unknown colony, peopled chiefly by squatters and
shepherds, neither of which avocations requires
much intellect, sprang all at once into great noto-
riety, and the laws that were formerly thought
quite sufficient were found quite inadequate to the
sudden wants of the greatly increased population,
composed of people from nearly every nation, with
varieus and conflicting ideas as to the best forms of
government. ('the critical position of the colony
may be gathered from the fact that during the
Ballarat riots there was found a regular com-
pany of German Rifles, commanded by Colonel
Vern, to assist the rebels, who were incited to
declare a separation from England). Land that
before was considered of scarcely any value rose to
fabulous prices. Complaints were freely made
about the pre-emptive rights of the squatters, and
the low rentals they paid. The old residents,
many of whom had been transported, and nearly all
of them uneducated persons, suddenly became rich
by the sale of land, whilst the publicans, carters, and
shopkeepers rapidly made fortunes, and frequently,
obtained seats in the legislature. The newly im-
ported talent was employed by its owners to im-
prove their condition, that being the only object
that tempted them to make so long a voyage. Men
did much as they liked, and called it a free country ;
they walked the streets with bowie knives, and
pistols in their belts ; murders were not uncommon
in daylight. During this unsettled state of things
elections had to be conducted, and as will readily
he supposed, bribery, intimidation, drunkenness,
and rowdyism had their full play. Things went on
in this manner until no respectable person would
be nominated to serve, or would vote at an election,
and nearly all the seats in the Municipal Council
were filled by publicans and their friends. It is a
well.kaown fact, that a man who is generally de-
spised by the intelligent portion of the community,
aid who is ridiculed by the press, managed for seve-
ral years to get returned simply by his interest in
public-houses, and his power to get licenses with-
drawn. (I frequently regretted that the ballot was
not adopted in the municipal elections, and have no
doubt that there are as many evils existing in Mel-
bourne from that cause as from any other. The
mayor can tickle the publicans, and the publicans
the mayor.) Whilst this was the state of things in
the Municipal Council, the Legislative was as bad.
ignorant, but rich and
ambitious, were referred to years since
aAscproofs
o fo rm theen(such n
ungentlemanly,
evileffectss w
of :the ballot ; but the
individuals had really been elected before the ballot
was in existence there, and the fault should have
been ascribed to the open system) obtained many
seats, and there is every probability that in a very
short time the colony would have been the laugh-
ing-stock of the world. Things were tending that
way when the ballot was adopted in 1856, through
the exertions of W. Nicholson, Esq. The change
was wonderful. Men who had never voted
before now felt that they were protected from
insult, violence, or :intimidation, and that
in the ballot-box they could deposit their
honest votes. Mark the effect. At the first
election in September, 1856, 5,000 electors voted,
whilst at the last election under the open system
only 2,000 out of 8,000 voted, which shows the in-
oreased interest and security felt. One thing there-
fore is quite
. certain, and must have been a great
satisfaction both to the electors and the elected—
viz., the people really returned the man they
wished to represent them, instead of as before the
mob and cash. having returned a number. The
beneficial effect produced upon the conduct of the
representative is self-evident, for those who only go
in for the honour of tacking M.L.C. to their names
and will not work for the benefit of their constitu-
ents cannot retain their seats, for they are really
responsible to the majority of the electors. The
g in
afterwards prove that they
have can a P
ballot did away with bribery, because as people do
not
a pro quo, andoke,netihtahterisdoimthpeoyssliibklee
the great
expense
o f
tuon dher likeirhbteande to
unlessAabuu y
Australian
quidt
r a
pig
system.
" Another
in
they
ygained was the great
reduction
conducting the election,
both to the country and the candidates. An elec-
tion under the open system costs the candidates in
all cases a great deal of money, and consequently
keeps a great many: clever
it
and worthy men out of
Parliament. I think t will hardly be disputed
that wealth does not confer intellect, and it is
absurd to suppose that men of business will pay to
be allowed to work for the country to the necessary
neglect of their own interest, and it is surely a pity
to lose their services and have to el2ct some Lord
Addle Head to waste the country's time and money
simply because he has nothing to do and is rich.
By the Australian system the. annual battles in the
registration courts are abolished. The method of
obtaining the names of voters is very simple, and
by
good persons are appointed Government to go
from house to house to collect the names of those
who claim to vote; each such person pays 3d. for
a form (which covers the expenses connected with
the collection and printing) ; on this form he writes
his qualification—either householder, or salary LlOO,
and age 21 years. These papers are afterwards
examined, and if no discrepancies are discovered,
the names are printed on bills and exposed in their
respective wards on the church and other public
building doors for some six months, for appeals; but
the only valid objections are misrepresentations as
to qualification. No frivolous objections are ever
raised by either party for fear of damaging their
own cause, not knowing whether the individual is
their friend or foe.
" It will be useless for me to give an account of
the polling booth or the manner of election, for your
tract on the subject is quite correct. I may men-
tion, however, that I was quite astonished when I
went to record my vote in the Fitzroy ward, that
although a great principle was involved, and one
that had created a great deal of discussion, viz.,
should state aid be continued to religion—there
were only some half-dozen persons loitering about;
and during the day I visited La Trobe and St.
Paul's wards several times, and always found them
so quiet that I am satisfied any stranger passing
the booths would not have known that anything
There particular was going on. was an entire ab-
sence of bands, colours, and ribbons, and there were
no cabs or omnibuses for twinging up voters. Elec-
tors went gently into the booths, and were treated
in a gentlemanly manner by gentlemen ; and it
was more a business-like, than a political transac-

tion. Now, as I think that I have shown that the
ballot is a decided success in Australia, where it
had one of the oddest assemblages of individuals to
please that ever were gathered together in one
place, and where law was literally turned upside
down, is it not reasonable to suppose that here
wwohuelrde
weoNer-kryqtuhiinteg a
siswseoll
pmulcht
smeeomres
sotrdraenrgley
tiot
me to hear persons object that the ballot is not
English. What is English ?' Are lying. bribery,
intimidation, and drunkenness English ? These
belong to the system of open voting, and are not
things to be proud of. The truth of the matter
is this—it is not because it is un-English that it is
objected to, for by the same rule we ought to re-
fuse American cotton, rum, sugar, tobacco, &c., but
the powers that be are afraid that, if the real voice
of the people were heard it would not be in favour
of some of those who at present falsely pretend to
be the chosen of the people. The House of Com-
mons at present does not represent the people, but
the peers; and unless the rich can be persuaded
to become too good to bribe, intimidate, or withdraw
their custom from refractory voters (a consumma-
tion not to be obtained until the millennium, when
voting can be dispensed with) we must either have
the ballot, or the people will never be anything
else than puppets, to be made to act as their show-
man directs on the day of election. If we get it we
smay t exclaim,it is a
disgrace Sa/u
to
s
°Pt
uhlecountryi ix sz
to compel a man to vote against his honest convic-
tion or be starved. Such a thing is impossible under
eip retmhaat.
it But
is possible at pre -
the Australian system of the ballot ; and every one
who wishes well to his fellow man should refuse to
support any candidate who will not vote for the
ballot : an extension of the suffrage without it, is
only placing more power for evil in the hands of
those who already have too much.