The Sun.
London, England, 1844-10-10 00:00:00

THE POST-OFFICE PACKETS.

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We gave, last week, an extract from the Economist,
on the comparative merits of Boulogne and Calais, as
the points of embarkation for the mails to and from
England and France. We are induced to return to
the subject, from the inconvenience experienced by all
in this town, last Wednesday, when the mail from
England did not arrive till between six and seven.
Why so late ? Because the wind blew fresh from the
north, and it could not be landed at Calais till long
after the proper time. Had the packet sailed for this
port it could have entered it, as other steamers did, at
one o'clock ; but, because Calais is in favour with
high officials, commerce is to be inconvenienced and
matters of the highest importance set at nought. The
letters that arrived from England that night could
not, by any possibility, be anwered till the next day,
however urgent the necessity, for many, indeed the
greater part, were not delivered till the office was
closed. Of this we have had many complaints, and
do think that both Governments should begin to think
that the general welfare of two commercial countries
is of far more importance than the supporting of a
town which is hastening fast to decay. If the mail
boats were ordered to run from Folkstone to Bou-
logne immense advantages would be the result. Let
us trace them :

1. The letters would leave London at eight r.st ,
reach Folkstone at eleven, when the packets could
be ready to start and arrive at Boulogne from one to
two o'clock, thirteen hours before their present time
of arrival.

2. By efficient sorters they could be prepared in
half an hour for the malle poste, which could arrive
in Paris by four P.m., and be delivered from twelve
to fourteen hours sooner than at present.
3. Let the railway from Paris to Amiens be once
opened, and then the letters will arrive in Paris by
twelve o'clock—and sooner still, even now, if a lighter
coach were substituted for the present lumbering
mails, and no passengers taken.
These are public advantages that every mind can
appreciate; we know many difficulties would be
started as to the Post-office being opened during the
night to receive the mail and sort the letters ; but
such objections should not be allowed to weigh one
instant against the public interest ; if extra pay were
given, thousands would be glad of the office, and the
little extra pay this would require should not be re-
garded one moment, when .the large revenue derived
from the postage of letters is considered ; let them
also remember that France is becoming a commercial
country, and that a wise Government will remove
every obstacle that can impede so desirable a result.
Let us then hope that those having the influence will
turn their attention to the accomplishment of what is
desired by so many, and will be useful to all.—
Boulogne Gazette.

FALKIRK OCTOBER TRYST.—The third and last of
these great markets commenced yesterday, when the
sheep sales took place. We anticipated that from the
dull fairs and markets in the south, wo would feel the
effects here, and particularly as Broughton fair was a
failure, it was justly feared that purchasers would be
shy. Still, as the rearers from the north have on this
occasion to bring forward their stock as a dernier ressort,
the quantity all around the Stenhouse-muir, on Satur-
day and Sunday, presented, perhaps, the maximum num-
ber that we ever remember to have seen at a similar
Tryst, and Monday presented the ground crowded with
not fewer than from 60,000 to 70,000 head. A few top lots
had been purchased on Saturday, as is usually the case,
including 700 mixed wedders and ewes bought by Mr.
Hunter, Ayrshire, and 400 white-faced wedders and
black-faced ewes. We have scarcely time at the hour
when we quitted the market to classify the various lots
that left the field up to that time, and only add that there
may be a fall since the Tryst in September of from Is. 6d.
to 2s. on the head of all stock.—Edinburgh Advertiser of
Tuesday.
THE PROVISION CONTRACT.—We are happy to per-
ceive that the highly respectable firm of John Russell, of
this city, has obtained the greatest portion of the con-
tract, which must be productive of great] local benefit.
It is almo-t needless to add that the entire provision con-
tract will be made up in Ireland. There was no con-
tract last year. The present prices are such as will
have a favourable influence on -the fair of Ballinasloe.—
Limerick Chronicle.