The Sun.
London, England, 1844-04-11 00:00:00

BRITISH SETTLEMENT ON
BORNEO.

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the establishment of a settlement on Borneo would be
an act of the greatest wisdom on the part of the
British Government. A steamer might be kept
moving backwards and forwards between Singapore
and the Borneo settlement, which would afford
security to the numerous native traders who, at cer-
tain seasons, cover the China and Java seas on their
way to or from Singapore. Besides the above, there
are many other reasons, which render it exceedingly
desirable that we should have a settlement on
Borneo. One of these reasons is, the opportunity
that would be afforded for suppressing the slave-
trade, which, with all its attendant evils, flourishes so
rankly in Borneo, and a very powerful one it ought
to be with a Government which has put itself so pro •
minently forward as the assertor of the freedom of
the human race, which has lavished so much treasure
in putting an end to slavery in its own dominions,
and which is every now and then on the point of em-
broiling itself with other Powers, because they will
not lend themselves so heartily as every Government
calling itself Christian ought, to put down the traffic
in slaves by strong means. A large and most inte-
resting field for missionary labour would•be opened
up, by the establishment of an English settle;
ment ; and this should not be without its weight,
although hitherto with Protestant Powers this
has has never been an avowed object, either for
colonisation or conquest. A settlement on Borneo
would, besides, be important as a resting-place for
vessels on their way to from China, and as
coal is to be had there, that circumstance in itself
ought to be of the utmost weight. But it is also well
ascertained that the soil and productions of this coun-
try are of so rich and varied a nature that, in a com-
mercial view alone, its occupation would be •of the
highest importance; the inhabitants of Borneo would
consume an immense quantity of British goods were
they to be brought within their reach and offered to
them at reasonable prices. The cheapness of English
manufactured goods, compared with tho rate at which
natives can produce similar articles, invariably leads to
the preference of the former. In Province Wellesley
where the natives have ascertained that they can pur-
chase three sarongs of English manufacture for the cost
at which they themselves could produce one, nothing is to
be found but the former, and there is no doubt that the
same result would take place in Borneo. By found-
ing a settlement in Borneo, it thus appears that the i
cause of.humanity and justice would be served n the
highest degree, a people capable of better things
would be rescued from the most debasing and bruti-
fying superstitions and propensities, and raised in the
scale of humanity and civilisation, and, what may be
of as much importance in these utilitarian times, the
commerce of Englatid would be extended to a very
great amount. Whether the British Government
take the matter in hand, or not, we hope Mr. Brooke
will be enabled to persevere, and that success will
ultimately crown his noble and philanthropic endea-
vours, and should he be enabled to achieve this single-
handed and alone, the greater will be the glory he
will merit.—Singapore Free Press.

METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS.—TUebtIay morn-
ing the new street 'leading froro the north-east angle of
Leicester-square to St. Martin's-lane, was thrown open
to the public as a thoroughfare, but for foot passengers
only for the present.
Under the belief that Sir Frederick Pollock will

accept the ofEc.e of Chief Baron, and that Sir William
Follett will be the Attorney-General, the names of three
Queen's Counsel have been mentioned as claimants for
the post of Solicitor-General—Mr. Kelly, Mr. Godson,
and Mr. Thesiger.
LONDON AND BEt la lITON RAILWAY.--Holiday
tickets having been issued on Easter Monday, entitling
the holders to return gratuitously, upwards of 7,500
passengers travelled between Brighton and London.
The first down train contained 35 carriages, and was
propelled by four engines. It arrived in Brighton at 29
minutes after 12 o'clock, instead of the usual time, 11

o'clock.
A REVERSE OF FORTUNE.—We read in the Nor-
man Times :—" An unhappy man, who had not the
means of paying even two sous for his bed, in a wretched
quarter of the opulent city of Rouen, was detected in
the act of begging, a few days ago, for what would
enable him to repose his exhausted frame on a wretched
pallet of straw. He was conducted before. the, authori-
ties, and with difficulty they extracted from him answers
to the usual inquiries. The officer whose duty it was to
interrogate the poor man soon discovered that he was
' the very Person who had been advertised at the police-
office as the heir to a large fortune."
In consequence of the statement made in the House
of Lords on the 4th of March, by the Marquis of Nor-
manby, respecting the suspension of the funds bequeathed
by the late Rev. Wm. Tew, to Ballysax school, in the
county Kildare, by the Board of Charitable Donations
and Bequests in Dublin, by reason of that school having
adopted the system of education prescribed by the Na-
tional Board of Education in Ireland, the Right Hon.
Lady Kiniaird, sister to his Grace the Duke of Leinster,
has given to the Rector of Ballysax parish a donation of
251., in aid of the funds of the school.
FIRE AND SMOKE.—A wet silk handkerchief, tied
without folding over the face, is, it is said, security
against suffocation from smoke; it permits free breath-.
ing, and at the same time excludes the smoke from • the
lungs.
The railroad between Brunswick and flanover is
to be opened on the Ist of JU4IO