Weekly national intelligencer., 1850-10-26
NATIONAL INTELLIGENCER.
FROM OUR LONDON CORRESPONDENT
LONDON, OCTOBER 3, 1850.

ss LONDON, OcToBER 3, 1850.
Transition states, even when the cnange Is pal
pably and undeaiably for the better, are always
Conditions of disorder in the physical world they
are also, unavodably, occasions OF suffering, ankle
tv. and. il may be, Of temporary deterioration to
some classes Of mankind, when they occur in the
social and political world. The transition from
buckles 10 shoestrings spoiled the trade of those
who manufactured the former article; and the
adoption of free trade in grain has no doubt occa-
stoned much disarrangement and, it may be feared,
distress among the farmers of England. But who
viii say that string is not more comfortable
adjunct to shoe than buckle; or that large
untaxed loaf is not preferred by the poor man TO
small taxed one
In the same way we may Judge OF the change
which has taken place in eur modes of locomotion
during the last half century, transition which has
superseded stage-coaches by railways and sailing
vessels by steamships. No doubt the former
caused terrible work among turnpike trusts, posting
houses, and the proprietors of mail-coachcs and
postchaises. We do not know that the latter did
much mischief 70 our mercantile marine. 1t no
doubt caused large amount Of tonnage TO change
its mode of employment; but British commerce is
of very elastic nature, and vessels thus superseded
by steam found profitable occupation in some line
or other yet uninvaded by that powerful agent.
One thing is certain: our sailing tonnage has not
diminished since the introduction Of steam vessels,
whilst the latter has increased from one vessel Of
sixty-nine tons, in 1874 to l149 vessels, with an
aggregate Of I69;664 tons, in l849. But an evil
hitherto unthought Of is now charged upon this
transition from canvass to steam. 1t is said that
very different and inferior class of persons is placed
in charge Of the lives and general safety Of the
increased number of passengers by this more rapid
and certain mode of transit. We know that this
is not the fact respects our great Atlantic line Of
steamships: no better seamen, or more competent
officers, or more polished gentlemen ever rod a
quarterback than the gallant commanders of noble
line of Cunard steamers; and willing to accord the
same high character the captains Of the Mediterranean and
other principal routes But afraid from the number
Of accidents which have lately occurred among coang
and channel Steamers that the charge Of Incompetence
heedessnes, both, is not unjust when applied
their officers. The Times newspaper has taken up the sub
ject, and thus disocurses upon it;
The seamanship required for the due management
of steam is Of very inferior description to that needed for
sailing vesse that there antecedent probability
that vessels going short voyages and requng for their
guidance comparatively little knowledge Of navigation, would
be entrusted to persons who willing to take less wages
and who in fact less trustworthy men than the com
manders Of seagoing and sailing ships And such, fear
from the many terrible accidents that have lately occurred
has bean the II is hardly exaggeation to that
every day brings account Of terrible catastrophe, in
which many lives have been lost much property destroyed
and great pain and suffering endured. Negligence gno
rance, brutality, and cowardce exhibited by those in
command and utter insecurity is the predominant feeling on
the part Of the public Furnishing the guilty PERSONS though
very necessary and udicious, is still not sufficient for the
purpose ought to have in view but If sufficient,
it certainly is not the best way Of attaining the proper end
Prevention according to the old and well known saying is
better than we ought nation to interfere and by
wellarnged regulations compel the Of this class
Of property to find trustworthy and sku commanders for
the vessels destined convey passengers from port
another, matter how near to each other"
We think that the Times only echoes in the above sent
nen the feelings Of the community at large which have
been painfully shocked by the many accidents which have
lately occurred and that the entire subject will occupy the
early attention Of Parliament We ecoect that your Con-
gess took up the consideration Of the question far back
1910, and appears to be than time for to be noticed
by the British Legislature.
Mighty projects of international intercourse are occupy
ing the attention Of commercial and moneyed We
they practicable for what be compassed by
science and capital There is doctrine Of naity app
cable to their united operation These projects indicative
of truly gratifying state of public sentiment among the
mighty of the earth and after ALL the wise and the
wealthy the mighty ones for emperors and kings
and generals and prime ministers truly insignificant when
unasssted by knowledge and destitute of money The pub
indicated, is we think, desire for peace and Of the
great projects to which aude is an extension of the
realm Of steam" The steam-engne is the pioneer Of
cal reformation occupies nearly So the position which
the printing did about four hundred years ago. The
steam-engne is already its road from the West approach
ing the frontiers Of Turkey; while at the time is
starting from the East, and projecting its from CAL
cuta Hyderabsd, and forward. These will
distant day at the satonhouse at Bussorah belt Of
standardization will bring about enlightenment both
Sides Ignorance and intolerance and long cherished nation
al antipathy will be placed between two 6res-hose Of
science and peaceful and profitable ntenton and will
yield to better state Of things. 1t is only question of
time, and that probably, short But the great plan,
already the tops is the connexion of Venna-o which
there nearly continuous road from Ostend-hrough Pesh
Consantinope, Asia Minor, Persia, Beoochistan, with
India-stl further, with China. We quite aware that
political questions may, and most likely will arise, the pro-
minent being the old rivalry between the Scavonan and
the Saxon in the East These questions will however, have
to be settled some time other, and do not any
difficulty in their settlement entered upon with proper
spirit. We already anticipate the time when either Great
Britain Russia will be announced the head Of the Board
as Chairman Manager Of the "Asia Minor, Euphraies,
Persia, and Beloochstan Railway and Steam Company"
Seriously speaking, however, have seen, in our short
career greater and unlocked for than
this take place. Colonel CHKsSEI in his account of the
Euphraes expedition, says that science might far remove
existing mpediments, and at immoderae expense either
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