The Sun.
London, England, 1861-04-22 00:00:00

EGYPT.

A letter from Alexandria, dated April 10, says :
—We are again beginning to look forward with
some confidence to the prospect of being in tele-
graphic communication with Malta before the end
of this summer. Her Majesty's surveying ships
Medina and Firefly are actively engaged in taking
the last soundings along the course of the line that
has been chosen, and Mr. Forde, the superintend-
ing engineer, having completed his preliminary ar-
rangements for this end of the line, returns by the
present mail to Malta, and will there await the ar-
rival next month of the Malacca, with the first por-
tion of the cable.
The line is to be laid in three sections—the first
from Malta to Tripoli, and thence along the coast
to Bengazi. The second will be brought by a sepa-
rate steamer to Alexandria, and will be paid out
from this end, proceeding to the westward. The
Malacca, meanwhile, is to return to England for the
middle section of the cable, by means of which the
entire line is expected to be completed before the
end of July. Three dimensions of cable will be em-
ployed ; one of about 21 tons, the second of 5 tons,
and third of no less than 7 tons to the knot, These
will be submerged along the coast in such wise as
to keep as much as possible within a depth of 100
fathoms, so as to admit of the cable being raised to
the surface for examination and repair at any point
where a defect may occur. In one place, however,
at the top of the Bay of Sidra, it will probably have
to lie in about 300 fathoms. From Malta to Tripoli
the greatest depth is 450 ; but the bottom is little
else-but smooth sand, and this part of the line will,
consequently, consist of the light cable. The same
size will be employed at the Alexandrian extremity.
The starting point here will be from the new har-
bour. For a distance of 11 miles the course of the
ship will be in a straight line, almost due north, so
as to keep clear of the anchoring grounds of the
western harbour, and a depth will then be reached
of about 55 fathoms. Thence the line will again
gradually bend towards the coast, for a length of
about 60 miles, along which the cable will lie gene-
rally upon sand and mud. It is the middle section
that will be the most trying part of the work. The
bottom at that portion consists apparently of jagged
rocks, with great irregularities of depth. At one
spot, for instance, about eight-miles from the shore,
the soundings sink almost abruptly to 800 fathoms.
At another a depth was found of 90 fathoms ; the
ship was swung round, and upon the line being
let down a second time it gave a sounding of 190
fathoms. Oa this section, therefore, the heaviest
cable must come into use.
The above will serve to show that the difficulties
to be contended with are by no means inconsider-
able ; but the Government seem to have wisely de-
termined upon grudging neither labour nor expense
in the endeavour to guard against failure. Every
precaution that could be dictated or devised by the
combined skill and experience of the engineers has
been adopted, both in respect to the construction of
the cables and to the selection of the ratite, and all
concerned in the work seem to look forward with
full assurance to the prospect of its being brought
to a successful issue. Viewing the matter even
merely in the light of a final experiment, it is one
of extreme intenst, since, if it should result in
failure, it will reduce the cause of submarine tele-
graphy to a state of well nigh utter hopelessness—
at least, according to the present state of knowledge
of the subject.
Between Alexandria and Malta there will be two
intermediate stations, one at Bengazi and another
at Tripoli.

No official notice has yet been issued here of the
approaching alteration of the Custom-house tariffs,
but the matter is beginning to cause inquiry, and,
to some extent, an unsettled feeling among the
merchants of Alexandria. On the part of the
Egyptian Government, it is to be feared that the
alteration will for some time to come cause a con-
siderable loss of revenue. The value of produce
shipped from this country has always greatly ex-
ceeded that of the imports from abroad, even
though in the latter be comprised machinery and
stores of all descriptions, annually imported by
Government to a large amount, and which are con-

sequently altogether unproductive of revenue. On
the other hand, however, there can be no doubt that
the country at large and the Government itself must
ultimately derive great benefit from the change.
It is not unlikely that, among other articles, we may
see a large increase in the production of cotton,
which for some years past has continued almost sta-
tionary. The great part, if not the whole, of the
gain arising from the reduction of duties may be
expected to go to the grower. A remission of 4 per
cent. ad valorem will naturally tell with the greatest
weight upon articles of high intrinsic value ; and

among our several articles of agricultural produce,

cotton, owing to the expense of culture, holds in
that respect a foremost rank. We may therefore

look forward to supplying England and i7ranee, our

principal customers for the _staple, if not more
cheaply, at least more abundantly. One condition,
however, is very essential, viz., that the Egyptian
Government be content to bide its time for sharing

in the benefits that must ultimately accrue to all

parties concerned, and that it be not so shortsighted
as to yield to the temptation of neutralising the
effects of the reduction of duties by laying fresh
taxes upon the land.

The gt;yptian frigate the Saighet el Bahr Igo

! arrived here from Liverpool with the crew of the
Shur Djehad, whose wretched state lately excited
so much alarm in England. They have reached
Alexandria in an indescribable state of filth, misery,
and sickness. An additional number of 32 men
have died during the course of the voyage from
England, and out of 13 Europeans who embarked
on board the vessel, only two have reached Egypt
in a tolerable state of health. Out of that number,
among others, Captain Lawson, the Engligh com-
mander of the steamer, died at Malta. Said Pasha,
having been made acquainted with the facts of the
case, has ordered an inquiry, the result of which
has, however, not yet transpired. The mortality is
stated to have been caused by the malady commonly
called "gaol fever," brought on by bad food, insuffi-
cient clothing, and the absence of the most ordinary
sanitary precautions for ventilation and cleanliness.
Said Pasha left to-day for a three days' cruise,
which may extend itself as far as Candia, but
the object of which is well understood to be
that of escaping, according to his usual practice,
the wearisome ceremonial receptions required
by custom at the time of the Bairam holidays,
which commence to-morrow, and whch mark the
release of the Mahomedan population from the fast
of Ramadan.