The Sun.
London, England, 1850-09-27 00:00:00

41116 HoNoun said this was just the case of all cthers
fnwliehthe• power of. invrisonment ought to be cn-
i'e", told an order of connuittment for ono month
°41(1 issue with costs.

110W-STREET.—(THIS DAY.)
iPutrick 0' Henuessey and Mary 011ennessey, his
tillaghter, were placed at the bar before Mr. Henry,
~arged under the following circumstances:—
11101 as Brown, a drab man in.the employ of Messrs.
Lion
and Perkins, deposed that he was in the White
1,1°4 public-house, Drury-lane, last night, and the pri-
fritters weNeitherre there.
of them had t was drinaken king sany ice of the
neine gin with some
P3(18.0t
N. I!oners until the female, without the slightest provo-
-444m, rushed "at witiess and struck him a violent blow
04
the head. Witness pushed her away from him. In
ku,ifistant the father drew from his pocket a clasp-
fielfe,t's and, opening it, deliberately plunged it iuto his
tv aiming the blow at the eye; the cheek-bone, how -
er, arrested the blow.
„
veral witnesses corroborated the above evidence.
'he male prisoner was called upon for his defence. He
stated that the draynian had pulled his daughter about,
h
he resented it.
th:he ease was remanded to bring other witnesses on
side of the defence.
le'- Patrick Walsh, the pugilist, was charged with vio-
tztitlY assaulting several police-constables whilst in the
eeutien of their duty.
st,,The barman at -the Red Lion public-house, Princes-
b;,e", stated th.t the prisoner was drinking for some
ti", 11", ia their house and became very noisy. He car-
se4-2,11. is on to such an extent. that they were obliged to
‘4 for the police, and it required the united efforts of
' constables to remove him to the station. He had
lie vi,r4dy bruised several of the police, his blows beiug
td„ iYered with such force and precision. The prisoner's
tt,,(l vvaa fearfully cut by the blows from the truncheons
constables. He had been several times in custody,
and
xttne'charges were always assaults.
14-'4r: HENRY sentenced him to two months' imprison-

,„ WESTMINSTER BRIDGE.
itl-the following is the evidence of Sir Charles Wood,
Chancellor of the Exchequer, before the Select
Wtamittee of the House of Commons, to whom the
Ottninster Temporary-bridge Bill was referred.
show the course which the Government took
with
regard to the Bill. The statement of the Right
%ten,. Baronet was made in answer to a question from
-4.„.• Inglis :-
0:44 1846, when I became Chancellor of the Ex-
gs;.,,quer, the bridge was supposed to be in a dan-
tlrala state. At that time I employed Major Bren-
er) an engineer officer, who was also in charge of
ipguleering works under the Admiralty; be in-
th,eeted the bridge, and reported upon its state at that
dti'llset to the effect that it was not in immediate
teger, but that it was in a very unsound state. He
h "intended certain works to be undertaken which
thad been suggested by Mr. Walker, the engineer of
e
e bridge, which consisted principally in lightening
of t,ilPPer part of the structure, in supporting two
itabr piers, which were in the most dangerous
by certain shores and piles driven into the
ie.' and in placing stones round the foot of the
kis.Land other works, which were then executed.
te,' walker has, from time to time since that period,
pprele3ented the bridge to be in a state which in all
4111 in
would, before very long, require, what I
4111 in fact, call the erection of a new bridge.
",,eY matters were not then quite so flourishing
Pop'",eY have become since, and I therefore post-
doing anything as long as I could, relying
h
utid --e constant inspection which was made of the
if 201 Mr. Walker being directed to report to me
therssaY inmiediate need arose for taking any fur-
port Measures. In the autumn of last year he re-
desired,to me that the sinking was still going on, and I
Ge,'eu• Sir John Burgoyne, who is the Inspector-
kleijet,al of Fortifications, an engineer officer of great
it, 'T,'O inspect the bridge, and to report to me upon
lher 'le associated with himself Major Aldridge, lino..
hp, engineer officer of considerable skill, and they
114 ported that the bridge was in a state which might
key ,3r some time ; that they did not think there was
it, Immediate danger, but that the bridge clearly
04D,h te
in finch a state that no great length of time
sti% t to be suffered to elapse without taking me-
lea :Jur erecting a new bridge. The Commissioners
leg then to consider whether they would, as had been
teialgested at one time, use the present bridge as a
tklaPterarY bridge whilst a new bridge was in course of
e4e ruction or whether it was more expedient that
iteew bridge should be on the actual site of the es-
te bg bridge, and that a temporary bridge should
lag built alongside of it, to provide the means of cross-
-1111 " river during the time which would be em-
..yeA
ithe ein the erection of the new bridge. I believe
liti(6;et to be that the foundations of the existing
trop are so bad, that wherever the river is to be
tticilecil what really and truly amounts to a new
tlvoge Must be erected. We were told that nearly
,tekeY,:ars would elapse in -the construction of a
Ntas:.;',arY bridge, and that it might be made very
Iveuipie existing bridge, so that the approaches
tent }: :he, in point of fact, from the ends of the pre-
lore;;idge without entailing any great expense in the
‘l' elation Of those approaches. One great objection,
ilia i'rse, to removing the bridge from its present
ths, that claims for compensation for injury caused
titie° Property- on each side of the river by an &he-
t') of the existing line of street might be made
‘/rath'erY large amount indeed. As regards this side
the b: river, the -claims would not be very material,
11):Verty being partly bridge estate property ; yet
th
, Lambeth side the claims would be very large
trek'
.oridge were removed to any great distance
4!t rite present position. It appeared that there
I(l,ner;ilnds belonging to the Bridge Commis-
, independently of the bridge estates,
IJEttitth Would be quite sufficient for the purpose of
„NI piing a temporary bridge. The cost of the erec-
tkt °f any permanent structure would be far beyond
l'itelquich the funds of the Bridge Commissioners
,ktivis- %Meet, and I should doubt whether it would be
Ilteeaule to sell the property for that purpose ; I be-
ktty it Would be more advisable to keep the pro-
-4,41:,!0 that the annual income from it would be
hit,"'" for the purpose of meeting the ordinary re-
liSee.°f the bridge, and I think, therefore, that
teer,v,er we_ come to erect a permanent bridge, Par-
e must appropriate a sum for so doing. By
lave 'girl Acts relative to Westminster-bridge we
Itre• power to repair the existing bridge, but we
Neet° Power to erect a temporary bridge. The
I'l(iter,,,°t* the present Bill is to authorise the Bridge
bavq'ssioners to spend the sums of moneys which they
itidkpri hand, for the purpose of erecting a temporary
"tt'ttron—a
tAIr. Barry, I. believe, had formerly some
ob-
the 0 the present site by reason of its proximity
14 h.lelv Houses of Parliament, but I understand
I,with ()sit!'" changed his mind, and that he now concurs
K`seat si;uers in thinking that the present site is the
sqie3t se for a new bridge. A meeting of the West-
fltkeehrasbridge Commissioners was held some time
Pa 7: it was then determined that we should apply
rver-r;ilent to grant to the Commissioners the
kid s._ erecting a temporary bridge, which they,
40t do under the existing Acts of Parliament.'

emerj

x.ra
40RDINARy ATTACK.—The Courier. de Li-
i'4lo 6'vee the following cco-nt of an audacious attack
()•^4l the 18thenthepeareee
"of M. Gondinet, ex-sub-pre-
Ntd 't• Y • • -
on horseback to his
te at nem : - He was proceeding
• 'tag-Marie, when he was met by a man wearing a_
tal beard, which entirely covered his face, and
a paper, a„ va d need towards him saying, "Read
4to Per
Is, PK' h. beg of you. M. Gondinet, without hesitation,
V,41 bill korse and took the paper, and observing that it
ih'ts of exchan e without signature, told the man it
‘,4,41:-"out value, fs it was not signed. The man, who hadd
h; ltri-„ltela time laid hold of the bridle of the horse, reploie
1Trd.4;,",,,it, and you must sign it for me," and drew a p ig
k'n lit ""e from under his blouse, with which he threatened
tile' of Gondinet unless he immediately signed it, and
1,"1,14 ihsestne time presente.d an inksfa.nd and pen. While
'cN ' weaPon and the inkstand in one hand, he kept the
)s,llaetillit.the other ; but a sudden motion of t
pick
horse having
11 to drop the knife, he stooped'to e 1, up, when
Ith 011ainet spurred Lis horse and galloped' ofl;et.rtaki.nill
tl‘r,l4olll t,e Paper, which lie had signed, c.onsisting D
the following day M. Gondinet, accompaniede
tr'4)) endarmes, went to the spot, where they found
pqard, a cotton blouse, and a cap, which were recog
• ed 11. Gondinet as having been worn by his assailant.
e 'lye search is being made to discover him.
dliill:llBeierlee—s methin to swear by, for conscience,
elertgulated b;the opinion of the world.
Journal
Mate standard of morality.—Eliza Cook's
hi • ok
014 e ,isz°l'4l'ruv.—A congress of hornceopathic
phy-
• "V surgeons was held At Cheltenham on the lith_
Itt•iials?rnocietn,e learned and interesting papers on the " prov
eth,, Allacid 'ernes, &c., were read by Drs. Black, Drysdale,
k51110,`,", and a discussion followed. In the evening,
tiNsts'Y Medical men dined together at the Queen .Hotel,
10,114:tit whom were Drs. Chapman, Chepmell, Guiness,
"tt Al 411, Fearon, Dudgeon, Willis, tier, and Guillaume;
I.4,"sre• Engnll,Hering, lake, Wilson, &C.
I.,%Vteesa.or.y growth, conceal. the fruit, but they have
41t 14 4. iturtz,oo4.,nsajowuirt,hwolu.t them there had been
1114t4ilebe:811r.—This is another instance of the many
too,. " the influence of, the Montreal Gazette. Were
deprived of our
d still. In the
°V
"3'
"invaluable journal" and of the
Girteut, matters vvould come to a stan
tt ease, we are entitled to the thanks of the contractor
the
t:t4rrirtitueneieurnMunity, and to advertising. prices from
\471,,,dv " lhe Montreal Gazette is the first paper that
°,lts,7_,reads and the only paper that anybudy.need read.
Gazette.
nk344le
)1,i,-abit etf. the -Jersey papers are congratulating to
pf;4es is of that d upon the importation cf tly.
rty
twelve caltsa,n a mark of progress. The cabs
0, 6` the first time, on the pier last Saturday.
rtmr°*, st"ENARIAN. On Sunday week, John Over-
11,tekedT.iemate of the Magdalen Hospital in Gloucester,i
.4rh his 100th year. Some of the ladies of the neig 1-
4401 i1°134 t
the whom the old man had become known,
fur-
-6 Materials for a supper to the inmates of the
werk 11 celebration of the occasion, and it took place at then
dr4llBe, Gloucester on Monday evening. The old ma
t,,v &tett I?. to the scene Of the festivity in a wheel-ehair,
wlt
his h lachildurels an
seatedd he had the pleasure of seeing
f en round him at the table.
Ing44ter°(l
of. th-n,g2 'were under the direction of Curtis, the
°I was e nospital. Speeches were made, aril the ine.etn-
tall hialeeedingly joyous Overthrow is in the possessio
C 41,4 an atnities, and he is yet hale and hearty. He has
.4icle.llllllate of the hospital for forty years. --Bath

THE WRECK OF THE SUPERB.
(From the Supplement to the Jersey Sun of Tuesda.) .)
Little could ire imagine that the serious warning
so recently given as to steamboat hazards in the
ncighboni hood of these islands would be su immedi-
ately followed by a catastrophe which not only ex-
cites the deepest consternation and sympathy, but a
corresponding degree of indignation, too, at its ap-
parently gratuitous cause.
The Superb left St. Malo at her usual early hour
this morning, and arrived off the Minquiers soon after
10 o'clock. It appears that the desire on the one
hand to see the wreck of the Polka, and on the other
to afford opportunity to gratify that wish, induced
the master, Captain Priaulx, to approach the scene as
near as possible. The frightful result is but too well
known—the vessel struck on the Matrielle, her lar-
board side being driven in. The boats were imme-
diately lowered, and a rush being made, a lady pas-
senger fell a victim at once to the haste to reach
them. Mr. Priaulx, we understand, was the second
to get into the boat ; and despite the remonstrance and
entreaty of his mate, Mr. Fennell, remained there,
and escaped the fate of his companions by clinging
to a paddle. Had the captain remained on board,
and order been maintained, the passengers being per-
suaded to keep at the fore-end of the vessel, no one
had need even to have a wet foot ; but the anxiety to
reach the boats caused the swamping which resulted
in the sari loss of life which we have enumerated.
The confusion renders the list imperfect, as no one
could give an accurate account of the actual number
of passengers. The names furnished to us as ascer-
tained to be lost are—Mr. a d Mnrs. Gosset, o St.
Helier's ; Mr. Rattenbury, of Plymouth ; Mr.f
and
Mrs. Jackson and two children ; John Palmer(stoker),
Williams (boy), and Billott (cook) ; five or six others
are believed also to have been drowned.
On the signal of distress which was hoisted on the
mast being observed from the town, a boat was put
off to the Collier steamer, then rounding the point for
entering the harbour. Captain Doke immediately
put about, and bore for the scene, and by active and
praiseworthy exertions succeeded in taking on board
in safety thirty persons, whom he landed at the new
pier at seven o'clock. • The crowds assembled on the
quay were about to hail her approach with cheers,
when the announcement by one from on board that
all was not right checked the ebullition.
On the Collier being moored, Mr. Manuel, and
several other gentlemen who had witnessed the admi-
rable promptitude with which Captain Doke hastened
to the rescue, presented to him a handsome silver cup,
which was subscribed for and procured whilst his
vessel was in progress, addressing him with the well-
merited observation, that they were proud of such an
exhibition of ready devotedness on the part of himself,
his mates, and crew, to whom, we believe, suitable
testimonials will be given ; and, from our own per-
sonal observation, we say, well do they deserve it.
In concluding this melancholy detail, we must
make a remark or two on the position of the vessel.
She lays bow uppermost, almost over end, with ten
feet between her and water at low tide ; should she
slide forward, through wind or otherwise, she must
evidently go down in deep water and prove a total
loss ; but if sternforemost, there is a bank on which
she may lay for recovery if the weather should remain
calm ; at any rate she now lies out of her course
eight points of the compass.
The ship's carpenter had a most providential escape,
having been floating three hours on a grating, when
the Collier's boat picked him up. Painfully interest-
ing, indeed, are some of the attendant circumstances
of this catastrophe. The two children of Mr. Jack-
son, who had been rescued from the Polka the week
before, were on the deck, and on first seeing the rocks
artlessly inquired what rocks they were ? The reply
was the Matrielle; but the poor father, who had ex-
perienced the same preservation .with his wife and
two little ones, added, " I think they ought to be
called the Polka rocks !" Scarcely had the words
been uttered when the vessel struck, and the in-
quirers were precipitated by the shock into the water,
sinking to rise no more.

ig
In transmitting the telegraphic dispatch (which ap-
peared in yesterday's Sun) announcing the wreck of
the steamer Superb, two rather important errors were
made. In alluding to the exertions used to save the
lives of the passengers, the name of the master was
substituted for that of the mate. It was Mr. Fennell,
the chief mate, and Mr. A. B. Hamilton, a passenger,
who distinguished themselves by their bravery and
coolness, and won the admiration of all the survivors.
The second error was in giving the steamer Courier
the credit of taking the passengers off the wreck,
when it should have been the Collier, one of the
screw steamers plying between Shoreham and Jersey.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.
have read in The Sun of this day an ac-
count of the loss of the Superb steamer and of eleven

lives.
The latter calamity is attributed to the same cause
as in several recent instances—namely, to the boats
being lowered down without having the plugs in.
Before suggesting a simple and sure remedy for
such a common and yet dangerous oversight, I may
explain to your non-nautical readers that " plug-
holes" are apertures made in the bottoms of boats to
allow the escape of any water when the boats are
hoisted up, and that the "plug" is taken out for that
purpose and replaced when the boat is lowered down,
though, as we have just seen, in moments of danger
the " plug" is sometimes forgotten. My own expe-
rience furnishes many instances of boats so lowered,
though in men-of-wars' boats, even should the plug
be lost, we soon find resources not in the power of a
crowd of frightened passengers.
My suggestion, then, is that all passenger vessels
should have their boats fitted with valve plugs to
open outwards an d not inwards, a contrivance (as
every common pump,maker knows) both simple and
inexpensive, and analogous to the valves now used in
steamers.
The cost certainly would not exceed ten shillings,
and, as many lives would be saved, surely the law
might require such outlay from all owners of vessels
carrying passengers.
Being much engaged in other matters (trying t
save another ship), I must beg you to excuse haste, o
and, I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,
E. PLUNKETT.

Travellers' Club, Sept. 26.
[A simple remedy might be adopted to obviate
this too•often fatal neglect. Let a small chain be
attached to the plug and fastened to the bottom of the
boat. The plug would thus be readily found in any
-Tency, whether by day or by night.--D. Sun.]

THE IRISH EXILES.
Jour; MITCHEL. The last account of poor
Mitchel is supplied in an Australian paper, which
announces the arrival of the Neptune convict ship at
Hobart Town, and states that John Mitchel had re-
ceived his ticket of leave, and on account of his deli-
cate state of health will be allowed to reside at Both-
well, where he can enjoy the society of John Martin.
TERENCE I3ELLEW APMANUS.—This gentleman
obtained permission from the Government to reside
in Launceston.—Freeman's Journal.

ENCROACHMENTS ON ST. JAMES'S AND THE GREEN
PARKS.—MEETING OF THE VESTRY OF ST. JAMES'S.
Yesterday a numerously-attended meeting of the vestry of
St. James's took place at the vestry-house, St. James's
Churchyard, Piccadilly, for the purpose of considering,
amongst other matters, the encroachments by the Commis-
sioners of Woods and Forests on St. James's and the Green
Parks, f r the improvement of Buckingham Palace, the re-
moval of the marble arch, &c.William Geeson, Esq., the
churchwarden, occupied the chair. Mr. Nelson having
strongly condemned the proceedings of the Commissioners
of Woods and Forests in reference to the so-called park im-
provements, and having charged those functionaries with a
breach of faith to Parliament, said that he would in the
first place move as a resolution " That the vestry of St.
James's object to the encroachments in St. James's-park as
contrary to the understanding with the House of Commons
when the grant was made ;" and then he would give notice
that he would move "That a petition be presented to Par-
liament to require the Commissioners of Woods and Forests
s
to deposit" plans and give notices of any proposed alteration
in the property belonging to the Crown and the public, as
required by individuals or public companies under the stand-
ing orders of Parliament." Mr. Watkins seconded the reso-
lution. After some observations from other speakers, all of
whom, with one exception, stated their approval of Ur.
Nelson's views, that gentleman, for the sake of regularity,
withdrew his moti 11, and gave notice of the more practical
one, calling on Parliament to insist on the Commissioners of
Woods and Forests giving notice, and putting in their plans
of any alterations in accordance with the standing rules of
Parliament. This course having been assented to by the
meting, it shortly after separated.
THE ERECTION OF MODERN WAREHOUSES.—If
our country readers desire to know how we get up buildings
in London, we would recommend them to a sight which at-
tracted our notice in passing down Wood-street the other
evening, where we found a crowd of persons watching the
progress of a gang of labourers working by gas light, to
complete an ,additional large building for the Messrs. Dent,
Allcroft, and Co., the wholesale glovers. The effect of the
men busily occupied amidst so novel an illumination upon a
skeleton scaffold, which thus appeared more than usually
fragile and mysterious, was certainly curious, and from the
rapid and successful termination of their duties, may lead to
the adoption of this plan of " double ganging" to many
buildings like unto this, where the most extensive trade
operations are carried on, and where the cessation of business
but for an hour would be attended with serious inconvenience
to a widely-spread connexion.
SPIDERS A CURE FOR AGUE.—Seeing a note on
this subject reminds me that a few years since a lady in the
south of Ireland was celebrated far and near amongst her
poorer neighbours for the cure of this disorder. Her
universal remedy was a large house-spider, alive, and en-
veloped in treacle or preserve. Of course the parties were
carefully 'kept in ignorance of what the wonderful remedy
was. Whilst I am on the subject of cures, I may as well
state that in parts of the county Carlow the blood drawn
from a black cat's ear, and rubbed upon the part affected, is
esteemed a certain cure for St. Anthony's fire. —Notes and
Queries.
An interesting discovery has just been made near
Fontenay, between Soissons and Compiegne. A great num-
ber of Roman antiquities having
workmen were instructed to been found in digging, the
con !nue and soon came to the
foundations of Roman buildings covering a surfac of more
than 34,000 metres, and divided into more than 200 rooms
or cells.—Galignani.

THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

As a mere mercantile adventure the electric tele-
graph has in England proved comparatively a Nilure.
I;s practical results have disappointed expectation,
and thus the most wonderful discovery of modern
times is to us almost without utility, and serves, in-
deed, for the most part simply to excite wonder at
the marvellous feats achieved by modern science. It
is talked of; wondered at, and neglected. In a coun-
try teeming with population, and that population
bound together by the most intimate social and com-
mercial ties, the means of rapid, easy, and cheap com•
munication would seem to rank among the chief ne-
cessities of life. When, therefore, we behold offered
to such a community a mode of corresponding that in
dispatch surpasses the wildest flights and imagina-
tions of fable—which, while thus miraculously
expeditious, is also easy and safe—and find,
nevertheless, that this great seeming advan-
tage is generally neglected, we are driven
to inquire into the causes of so extraordinary a re-
sult. Turning our attention to other countries, in-
habited by nations in a similar state of civilization,
with the same habits, subject to the same wants, and
employing in all things similar appliances and means
to the furtherance of their ends, public and private,
we behold a result in this one particular wholly
different from that which our own country, presents.
If we look to our brethren on the other side of the
Atlantic, and bear in mind the circupstances peculiar
to them—those, in fact, in which their condition is
different from our own,—we shall be inclined yet
more to marvel at the dissimilarity in the conse-
quences of the discovery to two people so situated. In
the United States of America the electric telegraph
is now a common necessity, and of general use.
It is spreading over every part of the vast territory
belonging to the Republic, and as a mercan-
tile speculation it is said to have proved eminently
successful. Now, if we consider the scattered
state of the population, the small proportion it
bears to the extensive country they inhabit, and
the nature of that country, we cannot fail to
admire and applaud the sagacity and energy evinced
by the Americans in their immediate adoption, and
successful and general application, of this most won-
derful and, in their hands, most useful invention.
And if we compare their employment of it with our
own, we must acknowledge that we have reason to be
astonished, grieved, and ashamed. We may select
one instance as an illustration of the success which
has attended the discovery in the United States ; and
we make this choice because of the great difficulties

which have been encountered and overcome. The

Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois Telegraph Company, we
are told, has already one thousand miles of line in
working order, and this through a country covered,
not with human dwellings, but dense and almost
impervious forests—thus exhibiting another and a
striking instance of the mode in which the latest
discoveries of modern science are made sub-
servient to the wants of communities at the
very commencement of their existence. Half
a century since wild beasts, and still wilder
Indians, wandered over the lands now traversed in
perfect security by these frail wires, the mysterious
agents by which human thoughts and desires are
made to travel in fact as rapidly as they are con-
ceived. This transition from a wild and barbarous
condition to that of the most elaborate civilization
has not been gradual but instantaneous. Civiliza-
tion has not here at first dimly dawned, then slowly
advanced, gradually, working its way against opposing
difficulties to its ultimate perfection, but has at one
bound leaped into life, surrounded with every appli-
ance and means which the existing knowledge of man
has devised for ministering to his wants and his en-
joyment. The railroad anti the electric telegraph,
the steam-engine with all its multiplied variety of
uses—in mills, in boats, on rivers and canals, and in
ships on lakes that in fact are inland seas—
every sort of machinery, every chemical discovery,
all practical discoveries, in short, have been imme-
diately adopted, improved upon, and to the very
utmost employed in these new States, all of which
have been founded within the memory of living
men ; and in nothing has this immediate applica-
tion of noble arts been more manifest than in the
use of the electric telegraph. Let any one place
before himself the map of the United States, and
trace the distance that intervenes, for example, be-
tween the cities of New York and Cincinnati; and

then let him regard the character of the country all
along that extended line—the boundless forests, the
wide, deep, and numerous rivers ; the lofty moun-
tains that must be traversed by the wires which con-
nect the two cities we have named. Again, from
New Orleans to New York the route is just as diffi-
cult ; yet here again we see that the obstacles have
not prevented communication, and to our astonish-
meut we discover that there is a more rapid arid con-
tinued correspondence between people residing in
Louisiana, New York, and Massachusetts, than be-
tween London and Bristol. Is there not here cause
for wonder and regret? When we remember that the
discovery thus employed was made in England—that
the people of England have quite es great a need of
rapid intelligence as those have who dwell in America
—that we have greater wealth and equal intelli-
gence and energy—we are driven to ask, Why
have we not made the same use of this great in-
vention ? We may be told that the enormous
distances at which people live from each other in
the United States is the one great reason for their
general adoption of the means of communication
afforded by the telegraph. Undoubtedly, the difficulty
of travelling and of personal communication does
enhance the value of the discovery, but the distance
must greatly increase the cost, and the thinness of
the population must tend to diminish the return to
the outlay of capital. In such circumstances we
should therefore expect that the charges upon com-
munication would be proportionally great, and that in
England, where the distances are much less, and the
population much more dense, the number of commu-
nications would be very much larger in proportion to
the sum expended or the miles of line laid down, and
the sums charged upon communication much less,
than those of America. Yet the very reverse of this
takes place. The charges are very small in the
United States, and as a consequence the communica-
tions are very numerous, and thus the frequency of
the use pays for the greater expense of the lines ; and
herein we suspect lies the cause of our neglect
of this instrument of communication. The post
travels rapidly, is cheap, and the commu-
nication, therefore, between persons living at
no very great distance apart is sufficiently easy
and expeditious to make us unwilling to incur a very
heavy cost even for a more rapid means of corre-
spondence. If, however, this more rapid means
were also very cheap, the use would become a habit,
and the frequency of the employment of the tele-
graph would quickly repay its outlay. In fact, the
principle of small and frequent returns would hold
good in this instance as is so many others, and our
telegraph adventurers have hitherto partially failed
because they have made their communication far too
costly. There is, however, another point of view in
which this wonderful invention may be regarded,
and in which it will be seen to be capable of being
made subservient to still greater social improvements
than any which have yet been achieved. The con-
stantly increasing commerce with America, and our
growing relations, social as well as commercial,
with her people, render a rapid communication with
the American continent of increasing importance.
This necessity of trade and society may be made
the means of a great improvement in one part of
our country, which certainly much needs enlighten-
ment and assistance—we mean Ireland ; and her
geographical position may be turned to use not
simply to increase the rapidity of our correspondence
with America, but to her own good. From the
west coast of Ireland to America a voyage by steam
might be performed in so short a time as to be mea-
sured rather by hours than days. If packets were
to sail regularly between the nearest harbour on the
western coast and Halifax or New York, and there
were direct telegraphic communication between that
Irish harbour and London, news might be trans-
mitted from the borders of the Misiissippi, and ulti-
mately from the western coast of America, to every
part of Great Britain and Ireland in less than a week.
If, in addition to this telegraphic communication, a
railroad were carried across Ireland from east to west,
all who prefer travelling by land would take their
final departure from the Irish port, rather than in-
cur the inconvenience and annoyance of the longer
sea voyage which is necessary if the voyager start
either from an English or a Scotch port. The
fastest liners would in that case not be those which
sail between Liverpool and America, but Irish
vessels would enjoy that distinction and advantage,
and the moral benefit to Ireland resulting from such
constant contact with men of other countries would
be incalculable. In such a state of things we should
little dread the influence of the Synod of Thurles, or
look with anxiety upon the astronomical teaching of
Dr. Cullen. The electric telegraph and the railroad
would soon put to flight the whole conclave of Car-
dinals, with the Pope at their head, even if attended
with all solemnity by the whole Catholic hier-
archy of Ireland. This plan of thus commnnicating
with America has long occupied the thoughts of
statesmen and merchants, and now, we are told, en-
gages the attention of our Government ; and cer-
tainly the Executive authorities in Ireland could not
better employ their power than in ascertaining what
are the difficulties in the way of achieving this great
national work. A tenth-part of the sums that have
been squandered upon making and unmaking useless
roads, and in perfecting costly and unnecessary sur-
veys, would have enabled us long since to ascertain
the proper route for this great national railroad and
telegraphic line, and we might now be prepared to
begin the making of a road instead of surveying it.
Still, entertaining the idea is a great step in advance.
Times.

The London penny savings bank has 7,859 de-
positors, with 49,516 deposits; and the amount received since
its establishment has been 2,017/.

- -
LTTERATUR.
C.ORRESPONDENCE Op THE EMPEROR
.711-ARLES V. AND HIS AMBASSADORS
.117 e THE COURTS OF ENGLAND AND
.FRANCE. Edited by IV. Bradford, M.A.,
formerly Chaplain to the British Embassy at
Vienna.

The student of history and the general reader are
ace ply indebted to Mr. Bradford for this valuable
con,rribution to hisflorical literature. The letters here

ilontained are translated from original documents in
th e Imperial family archives at Vienna. Among
the tse are many important letters concerning some of
the principal events of that momentous period when
Ilf nry VIII. reigned in England, and Wolsey was
stri wing for the triple crown of St. Peter, and when
Fr: 'rids I. was ruling in France or pining in impri-
son.uent after the eventful battle of Pavia. In order
to augment both the interest of the letters and the
va'Lue of the work, the editor has introduced a running
narrative which explains and connects the several do-
cum eats, and he has also introduced some
very interesting biographical notices of the Em-
peror, arid of the most distinguished officers
of his army and household and other conspi-
cuous individuals of that epoch. Among these
is a very attractive memoir of Victoria Collonna, and
among the historical records that which relates to the
battle of Pavia, the imprisonment of Francis, and the
various machinations of his friends and enemies, the
visit of his sister, the beautiful Marguerite de Valois,
and various other incidents connected with that dis-
astrous war, is full of interest. The chapters which
refer to the relations between Charles and the English
Court are also not without importance. Charles hav-
ing been nearly related to Queen Katherine
of Arragon, the divorce of that Princess
and Henry's subsequent marriage naturally excited no
small interest at the Imperial court, and were the
subjects of many of the letters of the Imperial am-
bassador. The elevation of Pope Adrian VI. and the
disappointment of Wolsey are also subjects of some
of the early documents in this collection, which is thus
rendered a very attractive connecting link between
the histories of the principal European courts, at a
very important period. One very interesting feature
in this publication is the Emperor's Itinerary from
1519 to 1531. • An engraving of Titian's portrait of
Charles V. is prefixed to the volume, which also con-
tains some interesting facsimiles of the handwriting
of Charles, of the Constable Bourbon, and many
others, and portraits of the Duke of Alva and the
Marquis Pescara. The manner in which Mr. Brad

ford has performed his task entitles him —to
commendation, and will ensure for his work

general approbation as being fully as attractive as it
is interesting and important. From the memoir
of Charles we take the following very emphatic de-
scription :
" There was that in Charles which created respect at
first sight and admiration on further acquaintance; but
he required to be known intimately before any one
could love him. He was almost inaccessible to the play
of fancy. His power of self control was never-failing.
To win a secret from him was impossible. Two sure
indications of a strong mind were observable in the Em-
.

peror, one, indeed, not frequently put to the test among
princes, lie could bear to be spoken to on the subject
of his faults with the utmost freedom, and he had no
jealousy of the renown acquired by his statesmen and
warriors."