The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-08-02
Mr.. BENEFITS LETTERS FROM EUROPE.

| MN. DENNEITN LEI IIhN FhVM ~ hVI Is
The Steamship Washington Meanness Of the
British Post Office Department-The Cheap
| Newspaper Press Of Europe-The English
| Elections.
SOUTHAMPTON, July 10, 1871.
| left London the day before yesterday, and
came down to Southampton in three hours, prin-
cipally for the purpose of seeing the new steamer
| Washington and of ascertaining the truth of the
numerous rumors circulated about her In Lon
| don. The country is most beautiful at this sea-
son of the year, and the ride very pleasant
| Southampton is prettily situated town, and
is beginning to be on the qui rire since the arri-
| val of the American steamer.
| Yesterday went on board the Washington
/ saw Captain Hewitt and the American Consul.
| During her first voyage, several untoward cir
cumstances retarded herspeed, and the efficiency
| of her powers; but from what / have seen and
learned, / have no doubt Of the ultimate success
of the American steam navigation over both
| French and English, come from what quarter 1t
may. In few years all foreign steamers will
| be outstripped, and in few more, they will be
positively driven from the Atlantic. This is my
faith. The Washington is most beautiful model
| of ship, and her internal arrangements are on
the plan of the packet service, which is general
ly allowed to be far superior to any other system
| prevailing in foreign vessels. | allude to the
| cabins, kitchens, berths, and other accommoda-
tons. In her machinery some slight mistakes
| have been made, owing to the hurry of getting
her a1oat; but Ihave every confidence that those
that are to follow, will avoid these errors Her
hot wells were too small for her powers-she
has now got new and larger hot wells. Other
| improvements have been made, and il is now be-
| lieved that her voyage to New York-on which
| she starts this day-will realise the expectations
| of her friends
Great efforts are making in London and else
where to discourage American steam navigation
| across the Atlantic. Even the government is
concerned in this mean purpose-the British Post
| Office Department has, | understand, levied
higher rate ofpostage on letters received in Eng
land on American steamers than upon the Bril-
fish steamers from Boston to Liverpool-that is
to say, they allow nothing for American steamers
This is most impudent attempt to levy dis
eliminating tax, in favor of their own vessels,
and trust that Congress, at the first week of the
session, will take care to set matters to rights.
Only think of one-third or one half more postage
being charged on letters reaching the shores of
England by the American steamers than upon
those of English vessels
| am very much pleased with Southampton as
a port for the American steamers. II is nearly
| equi-distant from London and Paris, and inei-
gence from both these points reaches this place
of departure quicker than from Liverpool All
the advantage which the latter has, is in the cot
ton market and the manufacturing districts.
A very curious controversy has broken out in
London among the newspapers, relative to the
cheap press, growing out Of a singular announce
ment made by the Morning Chronicle, that 1t in
tended, in few weeks, to reduce the price of its
sheet to its patrons. have already stated that
thei Daily Nctrs, not under the regime of Dickens
who wac unfit for his post but by other and bet
ter management, has commenced as great re-
volution in the press Of London, as that which
the Herald did in that of New York twelve
years ago, or the Presse did in Paris about
the same period. II is even II greater revolution;
for am persuaded that, In the present position
of English politics, the movement in the London
press involves most important political and So
cial changes in the future action of parties. The
adhesion of the Morning Chronicle to the cheap
system Of journalism, is another proof of the ex-
tension of the power, influence and action of the
middle and lower ranks of the people. The Daily
Ne,cs is merely leading the way TO a vast and un-
told revolution in the condition of England
The cheap press of Paris is at this day in the
midst OF a vast revolution, which is only retard-
ed by the talent, skill and spirit of Louis Phi
lippe alone. When he dies, then look out for the
first effort Of the great Of the French to OBJ
tain that liberty which they have never yet en-
joyed. For the United States, | need not emu
merate the great and valuable results which
have followed the establishment and growth Of
the cheap newspapers. Before that era, the
cally politicians and office-seekers of both par
ties were all powerful, and could control the
press as they listed. Now, there is power es-
tabished by the great body of the people, far be-
yond their reach. In London and Paris, the cheap
and independent newspaper press has greater
and longer battle to fight-they have an old and
terrible arstocracy in England, and modern
despotism in France but the victory will be
certain, in due process Of time
The elections are very rapidly approaching all
over the three kingdoms. These elections differ
in character from any that have hitherto taken
place IN century. All parties are broken up
the old factions of wing and tory hardly exist.
Every element Of political life is in state OF
confusion, and have no doubt House of Com
mons will be returned, which will bring forth,
no one can tell what. One thing is certain-the
great monopoly Of power, heretofore retained
by the aristocracy and their supporters, is grad
ualIy slipping away, and will in time, find a
Judgment among the great body Of the people,
Among the journalists of London in all parties,
there is jealously and dislike towards the aris-
tocracy, which will show itself in the broadcast
way one of these days. The social position Of
| the London journalists is not acknowledged at