The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1848-09-04

lings, which shows clearly the monsrous msrule nd
impoicy o. the people of this country, holding them
merely that they may furnish lucrative and almost
sinecure places the younger and illegitImae
children OF the aristocracy The same gentleman has
exports the United states of America greater
that to the whole of the British colonies without
curing from her the expenditure of farthing. What
proof can be palmer Than the above that it would DO
to the interest of England to mako them independent;
the more when, at the time reciprocity
OF interest exists nor Is there any hope IL ever will
exist whilst every thing sacrificed at the shrine Of
class interests The ped of the colonial
secretary for the time being invariably is that they
are sure market for our manufactures source of
employment for our shipping, and nursery for our
seamen The fsllacy of the two former presumed ad-
vantages have been already shown and to the latter
the American marine always commands our best sea-
men, because in it they best paid and best treated
Inc rising OF the slaves In the Island OF ST Croix
has been viewed here with interest and the hope
is expressed in certain quarters that the will
extend to Cuba, and probably to the States. paper
which Is generally the exponent of the West India in
terest has viewed the intelligence giving some hopes
of its being the advent to prosperous state of
thingsnot by raising the condition of the colonies by
an improved cultivation or more vigorous manage
ment but by lowering of the condition and prosperity
of their rivals through the of successful nsur
reconary movement ending in the abolition of slavery
and the establishment OF another sable republic in
Cuba However desirable the abolition of slavery may
be, does not argue we'll for its accomplishment that
motives of interest should dictate the wish. 1t is,
however in unison with the whole composition Of this
interest which is characterised being constituted
of set of lazy bankrupt, non resident propretors
who, having squandered their property in extrava-
gance look to the government TO impose protecting
duties to enable them to live in idleness and comfort
at the expense Of the public.
The latest news from Ireland Is pacific; the only
subject worthy OF note being the fact of Mr. Martin,
of the Feion being found guilty, and the arrest at
conveyed to Dublin md there imprisoned. They had
100 in their possession, which was seized. 1t
appears they srrived at Belfast on Saturday, from
Androssan in Scotland The American sympa thisers
have been unfortunate, for it appears they have
sooner arrived than they have fallen into the hands of
1haA arA hoa
with them There cannot be less than dozen in
prison, and two Frenchmen.
The potato disease appears to have entirely destroyed
the in Ireland and great fears entertained for
the safety Of the corn harvest, and the appre-
tensions may be attached to those of England Lord
Palmerston's explanations to the affairs OF Italy
satisfactory change 1t is at present political
chaos The chartists have again made silly attempt
at demonstration, which the police have prevented
and arrested thirty-fve Of their leaders, who
armed at taverns, ready for some mysterious deeds
only known to themselves.
Various large towns have been the scenes of similar
attempts, which in every suppressed but at
Ashton, near Manchester. life was lost.
The world will learn with regret the death of George
Stephenson, Esq the celebrated railway engineer, at
the advanced age of 81 His loss both public and
private character, will be deeply deplored him
were united those talents and virtues which make
prominent position satisfaction to its possessor and
an honor to the age. Born in obscurity, near New
castle-on-Tyre, he commenced In early boyhooa the
humble drudgery of pit boy in colliery and in this
occupation gradually advanced himself to the
responsible duty of taking charge of subordinate part
in the drainage and ventilation of the mine Atten-
tion compiled with various useful suggestions for the
more efficient working of this department secured for
him the favorable notice Of his employers, who did not
fail to foster what they considered the indications Of
latent genius Those subtle fluids water and gas the
twin dangers of the mine difficult to restrain and
guide had up to this, time held supremacy in their
strongholds in many instances restricting whilst in
more they stayed the operations Of man barrier
formidable to both private aud national interests only
required the exercite of mind like George Stephen
sons to mitigate, if not to remove the evil, and it
was in this pursuit and that of his daily avocatons
young as he was and unaded by any of those appan-
which abound in the wide diffusion of science
through popular literature that he studied the nature
of the elements that surrounded him. the more effect
paily to subdue them. Tardy sometimes the
footsteps Of fame in tracing and rewardng the obscure
march Of humble genius the mining district, OF which
his phere of action was the centre soon gave proof
OF its due appreciation by the everncreasing claims
made on his services Subsequently the duties impose
on him as mining engineer to Lord Ravenworths ex-
nts his Lordshp's railways and to apply TO them
improved locomotive power At this early period OF
of the steam engines progress, as applied to mining
purposes 1t was marked by rude ness OF construction
and an ineffciency of action, which he did much to
remedy. II only about the year 1920, that his
talent began to be known beyond his own locality,
WREN his aid was sought to the construc.
ton of the Stockton and Darpgto railway for the
transit Of the mineral produce of the upper valley
the west the seaboard His abors here about
being brought close when the act obtained for
the construction of the Liverpool and Manchester
experience essentially necessary to the proper develop
ment Of their project and the disbursement of large
outlay sent deputstion of their body to view Mr.
Stephensons works, and If possible to secure his SER
vices. The mission of the deputation having proved
satisfactory, the works commenced and prose
ued with vigor and 1t was towards their completion
that the question arose, as to the kind of trsctive
power that should be adopted in working its traffic.
when it ultimately decided that new powers should
be sought from Parliament to notion the use of loco
motive power 1t was in the battle of prejudice and
ignorance against science, that Mr. Stephenson first
appeared before committee of the Legislature to state
bis opinions-some founded experience and others
convctien-as to the capability Of an extensive
passenger nd mercantile traffic being accompshed by
his lower, without its old appliances and at high
lccites The ridicule and contumely with which his
statements received, naturally caused him per-
plexity which was heightened from his being In a
position foreign to his past appearances Of graphing
with real, and not the imaginary ones, It was the OBJ
jet and interest of the opposing barrsters to suggest
Of this railway, which has BEEN In certain sure,
the model Of succeeding will remain as such,
monument Of his skill and industry. On the com
pletion of this line new in the transit Of the
country commenced and numerous important rail
ways planned and executed by the same success
full en- gneer till his abors lightened and eventu-
ally superseded by his son and successor who Is now
carrying out variety Of gigantic works worthy the
name OF his father In the improvement Of the loco
motive engine to him must be awarded the chief merit
During the last years of his life, Mr. Stephe
has been developing the mineral resources of Leces
tsrshre in extensive coafeld, Of which he became
the proprietor well giving occasional service to
the various claims the practical advance Of science
forced his attention There probably some who
still remember, about the beginning Of the present
desoaion among the colliery districts Of the North
by the fatal explosions of carbureted hydrogen gas in
the mines The claims of humanity upon SCIENCE at
this time, strongly enlisted to call forth the
mental energies of many men OF talent to remedy the
evil, which at last accomplished by Sir Humphrey
Daveys discovery of the safety lamp The applause OF
the world, which had often been won by the dis
eoveries Of this great man again being bestowed
when public attention was directed to the fact that
the mind of George Stephenson had run parallel to-
and realised ALL the features Of the discovery in
the production of almost similar lamp. commit
Of AtntnA m ouninn
of the discovery and the priority Of its claimants
showed. on tie part of Sir Humphrey Davey, the
patient progress of inductve research in the accom-
pshment OF his object and the part of MIR. Stephe
son, utter ignorance of his rivals proceedings
Such few of the works and events Of his life At
this point may the reader not pause and, for in
slant reflect the unreasonable benefits that
the abors Of this great man likely to affect for
the whole human race. II may be asked, not the
eaousies and aperites Of neighboripg nato being
subdued by the greater facility of intercourse which
they have established Are not the blessings OF com