The Sun.
London, England, 1861-09-11 00:00:00

THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 11, 1861.

proved, it is, more than possible, it is quite pro-
bable; that an amount of travelling wholly un-
known at-inesent might be elicited by constant
cheap trains. it would be a revolution, it is
true, much such a one as the penny postage, but
a most advantageous one for the whole country:
We would not advocate such a change
for a- moment if the coriimercial results
would be unsatisfactory. Railwai+ 'shareholders
have a. right to the most profitable use they can
make of their line. We should, like, however,
to see some railway ROWLAND HILL come for-
ward and change the whole system—dispensing
with excursion trains by dividing their travellers
amongst the daily trains.

At present it seems like a dream; and but for
the suggestions of the eminently practical gentle-
man referred to, we might have thought so. Per-
haps some practical light may come to us from a
distant quarter. In India it was found that the
numerous and lowest class of the population,
who could subsist on three halfpence a day,
walked or went by boat on the Ganges,
though the railway would take them at third-class
fares very cheap indeed. It was resolved, there-
fore, to carry them at a price which should make
the food consumed on the slower journey more
costly than the railway fare. The effect was im-
mediate. A fourth-class was thronged; caste was
forgotten, and these cheapest fares proved the most
remunerative of all.

At the meeting of the British Association at
Manchester last Saturday, Sir R. I. MURCHISON
stated that " the Government had been pleased to
accede to the application of the Royal Geographical
bociety, who had requested that a sufficient sum of
money should be granted to Mr. FRANK GREGORY,
to enable that gentleman to complete his expedi-
tion through North-Western Australia." The civil
war in America has roused our manufacturers ;
self-interest is a more potent agent than philan-
thropy. The Manchester cotton-spinner might
subscribe to the missionary societies to convert the
cannibals in Central Africa or to establish a despotic
government, under the cloak of religion, in the
islands of the Pacific, but while the Southern States
of America could supply them with cotton at a
cheaper rate by slave labour than they could ob-
tain it elsewhere, what cared they for the sufferings
of the negro ; in fact, they resolved to believe him
a contented and happy individual. Why should
they risk capital in endeavouring to produce an
article in our own colonies which could be obtained
at a cheaper rate from the other side of the
Atlantic ? Now, however, we are likely to feel the
injurious results which must accrue from such short-
sighted policy, for not only are the Southern
States unable to produce the usual supply, but
threaten to prohibit the exportation of cotton to
any nation which acknowledges the Federal
blockade.

The consequence of all this is, that now, at the
eleventh hour, great efforts are being made to pro
duce cotton in our various colonies. Private indi-
viduals have, on several occasions, tried the experi-
ment in Australia, but have received no encourage.
ment from the local Government. Not long since,
before Moreton Bay became a separate colony,
certain parties proposed to the authorities in Sydney
to try and raise cotton on a large scale, provided
that they received a grant of land for that
purpose; but that short-sighted and indifferent
body declined the proposition. Now, however, the
new colony of Queensland, a young and energetic
community, just emancipated from leading strings,
is endeavouring to develope the resources of the
country, and we have no doubt that in a short time
cotton will form one of its staple productions.
The Home Government are likewise in earnest, the
fact that money has been granted for the purpose
of exploring the North-West of Australia proves
that the Colonial-office feels the necessity of inves-
tigating the resources of Great Britain, and of
endeavouring to place her, through the agency of
her dependencies, in a position that will render her
independent of foreign nations. It is proposed in
the present exploration to go northward (starting,
we presume, from Swan River, or Western Aus-
tralia), turn the north-western corner of Australia,
and proceed eastward as far as possible towards
Cambridge Gulf, which is situated about 15 deg
south lat., and 128 deg east long. Provided the
supply of water be adequate and the soil fertile,
this ought to be a region favourable to the produc-
tion of cotton, but be the success of the expedition
what it may, the Government deserves credit for
the energy it has displayed ; the more so for
having granted the money to enable a gentleman
who is well known as an explorer to prosecute the
expedition. The great mistake made by the Aus-
tralian colonies has generally been in giving the
command of such expeditions to men who, however
clever in other matters, have too often been quite
unfitted for such enterprises. In fact, until very
recently the tracts of country explored by Govern-
ment expeditions had already been traversed by
private individuals. The equipment of most of
these expeditions has been faulty, and a wrong class
of men chosen to accompany them. The object in a
first exploration of an unknown region ought to
be simply a superficial survey of the country,
which does not require a botanist, mineralogist, or
engineer to understand, the main point being to
determine whether there be water and pasturage,
the sine qua non of colonisation. If these requi-
sites be found, it is easy to complete the survey at
leisure. But in these expeditions time is every-
thing. Therefore, independent of the drays or
waggons which carry the stores, each man should
have two horses—the led horse to carry water and
provisions ; and by occasionally changing the saddle

E'rom the one to the other, a much greater distance

aan be performed than when the party are de-

pendent each on a single horse. Again, it has been

he custom to choose one man as blacksmith, gun-

smith, and armourer, and one man for each parti-

cular branch of trade which may possibly be re-

quired. This is wrong. Each man who joins such
expedition should not only be accustomed to the
use of his arms and tools, but should be able to

repair them. He ought to be, in fact, a thorough
Bushman, or, as the Yankees have it—a back-
woodsman; and, combined with this, education
enough to enable him to take observations and
give correct descriptions of what he may observe.
With a small party thus constituted, an able and
energetic leader would find no difficulty in crossing
any•part of Australia; provided he were adequately
supported by the Government. H- would only

have to leave stations or pickets at available points,
and before advancing his drays, explore from two

:o three hundred miles on horseback, and fix the

advance station before leaving the last. As regards

he natives, there is nothing to fear. A few reso-
.ute men, entrenched by their wagpns, can always

resist any number of aborigines, who *after a short
time will alWays, be glad to make friends of, the,
whites, ,(for whom they have a great respect.
The' majority of murders committed by the blacks
has been owing to the breach of faith and te,
cowardice of the Europeans: kind treatment aid
honesty will alWays sectre a reciprocation of god
feeling.. Austratia cannot , long be eVen..t too
months distant from •England. The magnetic
telenaph is extending its arms steadily but.)
, , :,'1,,3 ~ ' •'- :• ' 'i -- - ' i ...,, ,- . i+- '

surely over, the whole globe ; nor can our anti-
podes much longer remain isolated. The gradual
advance of 'colonisztion up its eastern coast
will necessitate the laying down of telegraphic
wires. It were of course absurd to attempt to
set up a telegraph through uncivilised regions,
or where the authority of the white man is not
"respected; but there will be no'difficulty in carry-
ing the telegraphic line along the coast add via the
Yoik Peninsula,. across Torres Strait to New
Guinea, and so through the Indian Archipelago
to India. The communication once opened, a
stimulus would be given to Australian industry
and commerce, almost equal to that which it re-
ceived from the discovery of its auriferous wealth,
and which is now beginning to flag. Capital
would be invested in colonial enterprise, and the
resources of unquestionably our richest and most
extensive colony be fully developed.

THE OXFORD MUSIC HALL.—At this establish-
ment, where much care and attention is bestowed on the
musical selections which are nightly given to very full
audiences, the latest novelty is one for which some credit is
to be taken. It consists of 871 arrangement of portions of
Verdi's last opera, " Simon Boccanegra," the name of which
has not been heard as ,yet in any shape in this country. A
numerous body of vocal execatants, accompanied by a band,
deliver several solos, concerted pieces, and choruses, in a
manner which, perhaps, the general public might suppose
was not within the compass of an institution of this kind.
There arc singers far above the average, and the training
of every department has been evidently carefully attended
to by a conductor of no small musical skill and"knowledge,
and the performance is in every sense satisfactory. This
operatic selection is only a small part of the entertainment,
which extends over every species of popular song, comic,
sentimental, and serious; and everything that is produced
is dully appreciated by those who are present, who enter
keenly into the enjoyment of the evening.
CREMORNE GARDENS.--Under the manageMent
of Mr. E. T. Smith the Chelsea gardens are quite as attrac-
tive as in the days of his predecessor. A race between
three Mammoth balloons for a prize to be awarded to the
aeronaut who makes a safe descent and returns first to the
gardens, is a new feature in the entertainments. On Mon-
day one of these races was contested by the Prince of
Wales, the Garibaldi, and the Normandy, which severally
alighted at Acton, Camberwell, and Peckham. The prize
was gained by Mr. Lythgoe, who had the charge of Nor-
manby, but was closely contested by Mr. Adams, the aero-
naut of Garibaldi. A similar race is announced for Mon-
day next.

DEPARTURE OF THE STEAM-SHIP GREAT
EASTERN FOR NORTH AMERICA.—The steam-ship Great
Eastern sailed from Liverpool yesterday afternoon for New
York with about 400 passengers and a general cargo.
Though this was the second departure of the " big ship"
from the Mersey, and she did not, as on the previous occa-
sion, take any troops, her sailing was witnessed by thou-
sands of spectators, who linod the piers and landing stages
on both sides of the Mersey. Numerous densely crowded
steamers followed in h.r wake, and as she passed several of
the large Atlantic steamers, they saluted her at intervals,
compliments which were promptly and noisily replied to.
Mr. Yates, the secretary, Mr. Dixon, the local agent, and
many directors of the company sailed in the Great Eastern
as far as the Bell Bucy.
Bankruptcies are increasing fearfully in France.
According to official returns there were only 3,540 bank-
ruptcies declared throughout France in the year 1855. They
increased to 3,717 in 1856. The following year there were
3,975 bankrupts gazetted, and in the year 1858 they rose to
4,330, The official returns for the years 1859 and 1860
have not yet been received.
Oscar Becker's claim to be tried on the charge of
high treason against the German Confederacy has been re-
jected by the Court of Appeal, and the trial for murderous
attempt will consequently be proceeded with. The sentence
cannot, according to the existing law, exceed imprisonment
for 20 years.

According to accounts from New York by the
last mail, it seems likely that a Federal force will be landed
at some Mexican port to attack the Texan Secessionists on
their Southern frontier. Mr. Corwin is alleged to have
negotiated a treaty in Mexico to enable this object to be
effected.

The wheat crop of lowa, in the United States, is
abundant this season. It is estimated that the surplus will
be 20 million bushels.

SEVERE SENTENCE FOR STEALING Two TURNIPS.
—A poor shabbily-dressed widow, named Julia Garraway,
who had her child, about six years of age, with her, was
charged before the county magistrates at Rochester (the
Rev. J. J. Marsham and Mr. Day) with having stolen four
small turnips, worth less than one penny, from a field be.
longing to Mr. R. Tassell, Snarridge Farm. The poor woman
admitted that she took up the turnips, which were lying on
the ground, with the intention of eating them, two of
them were so filled with insects that she threw them
away. Just as she was about to eat the other two she was
pounced upon by one of the farm men, who, by direction of
the prosecutor, had her removed to the station-house, where
she and her child were kept in custody the whole day and
all night. The two turnips found on her were produced,
and were very small. The prisoner pleaded hard to be for-
given, as she took them to satisfy her hunger, having just
come from London. The magistrate, however, ordered her
to pay a penalty, including costs, of 7s. 2d., and in default
committed her for seven days' hard labour. As the pri-
soner had no money, the magistrates desired her to pay the
fine and costs on her return from hop-picking, which she
vehemently promised to do.—South Eastern Gazette.
PENALTY FOR APPLE STEALING.—James Parker,
13 years of age, employed as herd boy, in the service of
Mr. John Saddleton, of Whitstable, was charged at the St.
Augustine's petty sessions, on Saturday last, with having
stolen 20 apples, value Gd., the property of his master, who
stated that the defendant and other boys were continually
said he was guilty of stealing the apples, and he was
stealing the fruit out of his orchard on the Sunday. Defen-
dantvery sorry for what he had done. The bench ordered him
to pay a fine of Gd., the value of the apples, and Bs. costs,
or to be imprisoned for three days. The clerk pointed out
that the three days' imprisonment would expire on Monday
morning at seven o'clock, and therefore it would be very
little punishment. The chairman thought it would be
quite equal to the offence. He, for one, was of opinion that
boys of the defendant's age got more harm than good in
Prisoa. The defendant was then asked if he would autho-
rise his master to pay the money, to which he replied in the
negative, saying he would prefer going to prison for three
days. It then transpired that in the event of the defendant
going to 'gaol the master would have to pay the costs of
the hearing, whereupon the bench inquired if they had
power to alter their decision. The clerk said he apprehended
they could, provided they did so before the court rose. The
magistrates then altered the term of imprisonment from
three to seven days. This term had its effect on the boy,
who at once elected to pay the fine and costs, and empew-
erect his master to advance it out of the wages then due.—
South Eastern Gazette.
FRAUD AND EMBEZZLEMENT BY A RAILWAY
CLERK.—Yesterday Fitz william Goldsmith, a telegraph
clerk to the London, Brighton, and South. Coast Railway,
stationed at Havant, was brought before Sir L. Curtis and
Colonel Le Blanc, at Havant, charged with stealing a par-
cel containing 145., and with embezzling several sums re-
ceived for telegrams. It appeared that a parcel had been
made up by Mr. Mark Wenham, the Havant station• master,
containing half-a-sovereign and 4s. in silver, to be sent to
the Gipsey-hill station, Norwood, and this he placed in the
despatch box. He went out for five minutes, leaving pri •
soner alone in the station, and on his return the money was
gone. The prisoner denied having taken it, and Mr. Wen-
ham knowing no other person had been in the office, went
for a policeman. On his return he met prisoner coming
from the water-closet, and on removing the seat, half-a -
sovereign and half-a-crown were concealed there, Prisoner
pleaded guilty to the charge. The company did not press
the charges of embezzlement; but the fraud, it seems, was
effected by giving in smaller sums than those actually re-
ceived for, telegrams in the abstracts furnished by him to the
station-master. On the thefts being detected, these abstracts
and the forms furnished to prisoner were compared, and the
result was that deficiencies were at once detected. In con-
sideration of his youth, his being an orphan, and a good
character given him by his uncle, Mr. Bray, of Horley,
Surrey, who seemed much affected by his position, he was
sentenced to six weeks' hard labour.
DEATH OF THE KING OF THE GIPSIES.—There
has lately • been great grief in the gipsy community at
Yefholm and throughout the district on account of their
venerable king, whose death took place on the 19th ult. It
is not right that ono exalted so high above his kindred
should- be laid in the dust without a word of farewell over
his grave, especially when his reign was of a peaceable and
not predatory character. Unlike some of his contemporary
monarchs, his rule was so mild that his subjects not only
maintained a loyal deference, but were tenderly attached to
him ; while his exemplary habit of abstaining from interfe-
rence or aggression on the empire of others procured him
much of the goodwill and respect of other powers. While
his regal character and conduct were thus exemplary, his
personal demeanour gained him the respect of those not
acknowledging his sway. His palace had been a house of
call for many a tourist, and the conversation of the old king
was generally much relished. His most noticeable habits

Li AT E T F w
A. _I 't
•

Despatches confirm the statement already made
of General Cialdini having adopted strategical
measures near the confines of the Roman States.
He has, in fact, caused all the southern frontier of
the Pontifical States to be surrounded by Italian
troops, and has thereby stopped all the roads by
which the brigands were accustomed to seek refuge
on the Roman territory..

TURIN, SEPT. 10.

Several battalions of the National Guard have
been mobilised, in order to relieve the garrisons of

various places.

The Opinione of to-day replies to th 9 recent
articles in the Constitutionnel and the Giornale di
Roma, on the allegations of Baron Ricasoli, and
promises to publish to-morrow a document proving
the organisation of a central Bourbon committee at
Rome; The Opinione adds that Bavarians, Spaniards,
and Irishmen are among the brigands in Naples.

The same paper publishes another article, refuting
the assertions of the Patrie, in regard to the atti-
tude-of France in. Italy. It says :—" An indepen-
dent policy is a necessity for France and Italy, and
will be a guarantee of their `allianCe. Italy wishes
to possess Rome, but it is not necessary to increase
the garrison of Rome in order to prevent us from
going there. A strong garrison can only be
necessary to defend the Pope against his own
subjects."

MADRID, SEPT. 9.

The Correspondencia Autografa of to-day says :
—" Spain, in conjunction with England and France,
will intervene in Mexico by sending troops into
that country from Cuba."

The Government has decided upon challenging
ample discussion in the Cortes on home and foreign
questions, and will modify the law on stamped