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

THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.
As a mere mercantile adventure the electric tele-
graph has in England proved comparatively a failure.
Its 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 corn-
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 circumstances 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 will 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 and 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-
ment we discover that there is a snore rapid aed 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 as 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 communicatiod
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 in 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 Mississippi, 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 communicating
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
itqotabiglium4 144 *a 2#0174

LITERATURE.

CORRESPONDENCE 0F THE EMPEROR
CHARLES V. AND HIS AMBASSADORS
AT THE COURTS OF ENGLAND AND
FRANCE. Itdited by W. Bradford, 211. A,
formerly Chayain to the British Embassy at
Vienna.
The student of history and the general reader are
deeply indebted to Mr. Bradford for this valuable
contribution to historical literature. The letters here
contained are translated from original documents in
the Imperial family archives at Vienna. Among
these are many important letters concerning some of
the principal events of that momentous period when
Henry VIII. reigned in England, and Wolsey was
striving for the triple crown of St. Peter, and when
Francis I. was ruling in France or pining in impri-
sonment after the eventful battle of Pavia. In order
to augment both the interest of the letters and the
value of the work, the editor has introduced a running
narrative which explains and connects the several do-
cuments, and he has also introduced some
very interesting biographical notices of the Em-
peror and 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 keen 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."

COURT CIRCULAR.
The Queen held a Privy Council on Tuesday, the
24th inst., at Balmoral. It was attended by his
Royal Highness Prince Albert, Lord John Russell,
First Lord of the Treasury; the Right Hon. Sir
Francis Baring, First Lord of the Admiralty ; and
the Right lion. Fox Maule, Secretary-at- War.
At the Privy Council, Parliament was ordered to
be further prorogued from Tuesday, the 15th Octo-
ber, until Thursday, the 14th November.
The Hon. Win. Bathurst was the Clerk of the
Council in waiting.

is Excellency Mehemed k'aeha, the Turkish Am-
bassador, left London yesterday for Berlin and
Vienna, en route to Constantinople, on leave of
absence, accompanied by Mons. Edouard Zohrab a n
family; and by Sir James Duke, M.P., who has
availed himself of his Excellency's invitation to the
Turkish capital.
Cabouli Effendi, First Secretary of Embassy, will
act as Chargé d'Affaires during the temporary ab-
sence of the Ambassador.

BALMORAL CASTLE.
M. Distin and his sons, in conjunction with Miss
M. O'Connor, had the honour of performing before her
Majesty and Prince Albert, at Balmoral Castle, last
Monday evening, Sept. 23, the following programme:
Quartette, Fantasia, on Airs from Lucia
and La Fiylia del Regiment°, Mr.
Distin and his Sons • . Donizetti.
Madrigal, " Down i❑ a flow'ry vale," Miss
M. O'Connor, and Messrs. H. W. and
T. Distin, compnEel in 1541 ... Fest'.
Terzetto a Canone, " Vanne a Culei," Sax
Horns, Messrs. 11. W. and T. Distin ... Costa.
Madrigal, "Since first I saw your face,"
Miss M. O'Connor, and Messrs. H. W.
and T. Distin, composed in 1600 ... Ford.
Solo, " All is lost" (Sonnanibula), Sax
Horn Alto, Mr. H. Distin •••
Glee. " Sleep, p.ntle lady," Miss M.
O'Connor and Messrs. Distin Bishop.
Fantasia on Themes from Le Propliete,
Sax Horns, Mt sirs. Distin Meyerbeer.
Her Majesty was so much pleased with the per-
formance that she commanded a repetition of the glee,
and requested the Messrs. Distin to perform their ar-
rangement of Rossini's " Cujus Animum," from his
Stabat Mater, for the Sax Horns, which her Majesty
recollected from a former performance of theirs at
Buckingham Palace.

ALARMING ACCIDENT AT THE
UDDL AN EISTEDDFOD.
RHUDDLAN CASTLE, HALF-PAST ONE, P.M.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 26.--The afternoon, yesterday,
was occupied chiefly in the contest on the harps for
the different prizes offered. Mr. Ellis Roberts, the
well-known Welsh harpist, eventually won the gold
medal, but the other two prizes were not awarded.
The proceedings commenced this -morning at the
usual hour, Lord Mostyn occupying the chair. The
great hall was crowded in every part. The reading
of the poems, essays, and the awarding of prizes were
continued, relieved by addresses on different subjects.
Charles Winston, Egli of London, barrister, of the
Inner Temple, read a short archtological report of an
old painted window in Llanrhaiddr Dyffrynclwd
Church, near Denbigh.
The proceedings, however, were suddenly brought
to a conclusion by a most untoward accident, which
has just happened within the great hall. Behind a
platform at the west end of the hall, elevated about a
yard and a half from the ground floor, and on which the
president was at the time sitting, are several rows of
seats elevated, still higher than the president's platform,
one above the other, and forming an ordinary gallery.
These seats being much crowded with ladies and gen.
tlernen, the harpists were contesting for one of the
prizes, when the entire audience, consisting of some
thousands, were suddenly alarmed and terrified by a
loud crash which proceeded from the neighbourhood
of the platform. There were instantaneous cries of
" The building is falling
in," and the rush to the dif-
ferent doors was positively frightful. In a few mo-
ments after the" crash the platform fell in at its
centre, one of the midway supporters having broken.
The screams of the holes who were now sliding down,
so to speak, from one side of the platform, were most
alarming, and all being jostled together into the centre
below, a scene of consternation and confusion such as
is seldom witnessed in any public assembly, was the
consequence.

The president's platform in a few moments
afterwards gave way, and carried, of course, the chair
with it, but the venerable Nobleman had already
vacated his seat the moment the alarm was given, and
fortunately was out of danger.
Great exertion was made to extricate the ladies
from their perilous position. Fortunately, few com-
paratively speaking, were found to have been injured.
Mrs. Thompson, of Liverpool, had her leg broken,
and received other severe fractures. Mrs. Dawson
and several others are injured, but in the confusion
which at this moment prevails it is impossible to as-
certain the exact particulars.

CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITYELECTION.
RETIREMENT OF MR. COWLING.
CAMBRIDGE, SEPT. 26.—Some little astonishment
was created here this morning by the announcement
of the fact, that Mr. Cowling had retired from the
contest, and thus left Mr. Wigram in undisturbed
possession of the field. It appears that at a late hour
last evening Mr. Cowling's
,committeen made a com-
munication to that of Mr. 'gratin, resigning on be-
half of Mr. Cowling all further claim to the represen-
tation, as they did not think it expedient further to
prolong a contest which they had reason to believe
would end in the return of Mr. Wigram, and which
could only tend to disturb the peace of the University.
This communication having been acknowledged on
behalf of Mr. Wigram's committee, the affair was at
an end, and this morning the committee rooms were
denuded of their placards and all the outward signs
of the procedure of an election.
An address announcing the retirement of Mr.
Cowling, directed to Mr. Wigram'a supporters, ap-
peared this afternoon. The election will now be a
mere matter of form

largete
nsvne uarnl
alterations°alnkdiniemnPwr:vreembuesnitlys in various parts of the
Tower of London. The two lofty gun-towers of the eastern
and western extremities, facing Trinity-square, are being re-
constructed on a new and patented plan, recommended by
Government. The high walls near the water-side have been
pulled down, and are to be rebuilt on a new principle, with
gun loop-holes. The interior of this ancient fortress is also
undergoing a regular repair, under the superintendence of a
military officer specially appointed fvr the purpose by his
Grace the Duke of Wellington.