The New York herald., 1872-11-14

which alone reward Po:ar research; and 1t Is
high time to postpone the qualification of this
scientific luxury and concentrate the prodigal
energy of exploration in more profitable
direction. While millions of dollars have
been spent on testing the antiquated
theory Of Cabot. which, at least, should be re-
served for later generation, other grandly
opening regions Of the globe have been left
comparatively unnoticed The gem-like
islands of the Pacific are scarcely known. The
great current and submarine circulation of the
ocean has been but skinned over by science.
The Antarctic Continent has remained since
Ross discovery terra incogata. Our own
Darien Isthmus through which the civilized
world seeks water passage for its ships, is yet
but half surveyed. The magnificent empire in
Northwestern North America, including
British Columbia and our own great North
western and North Pacific Territories and
States, has, till recently, been regarded as
the now fairest portions of France, Germany
and Britain were, at the period of trans
Alpine Roman expansion, by Caesar 8 legions-
as inhospitable wilds, fit only for barbarian
|
mense territory Of Central Africa, with it's un-
developed and luxurious countries, inhabited
by peoples who could be won over to civiliza-
ton and made happy, contented and pros
porous, has been left to the enterprise Of o
handful of travellers, and its teeming millions
of inhabitants abandoned to the fate of
heathenism and slavery.
Wealthy beyond compare in mineral re-
sources and in the exuberant fertility of soil,
elevated by the hand Of the Almghty-as n
lofty table-land-above the waves Of the sea,
and thus blessed with mild and lovely
climate, this new world of the southern
hemisphere-the legacy of Livingstone s
genius and devotion--commends itself to the
attention of all who advocate enlightened
governmental researches and of the pioneers Of
geographic exploration the world over. 1t is
| high time, we repeat, that, instead of fritter-
ing away the activity and sympathy Of the age
upon the ventures of Arctic expedition and in
treading the 'sglacial treadmill, the investi-
cations hereafter to be set on foot be made to
converge upon the vast domain of Central and
highland Africa The interests Of civilization
will now bo ably pioneered in Africa by Sir
Bartle Frere. He goes to Zanzibar to inyesti-
gate the slave trade and will doubtless lead a
determined and effective crusade against this
great and tremendous incubus Of Africa. In
this long-neglected region lies the richest
harvest feld for future geographic enterprise.
Great Britain and Russia i'm Central
Asia.
cable despatch from st. Petersburg, dated
| November II, informs us that Russia is about
to conclude treaties of commerce with three OF
the principal States Of Central Asia, viz,
Khokan, Bokhara and Kashgar. The same de-
spatch, quoting from the st. Petersburg Gazette,
states that 'the present relations between Rus
sia and Khiva cannot be maintained, and adds
that 'the safety of the Russian border depends
upon the relations with Khiva.' This is a
bold move on the part of Russia, and it seems
to imply that the government of st. Peters
burg is determined to occupy Khiva Khiva
has long been a source of trouble to Russia,
the Khan Of that State having peculiar habit
of stealing Russians and selling them into
slavery. 1t is now some time since we were
made aware of the fact that the Russian
government had sent forth an expedition
against Khiva, to punish the Khan and to re-
lease certain prisoners. Fearing the approach
of the Russians, the Khan sent an embassy to
the Viceroy of India, imploring aid. The aid
was refused, and the advice given by Lord
Northbrook, the present viceroy, was that the
Khan had better mend his ways and make
peace with Russia on the best terms he could
command. It is well known in certain quar-
ters that there is secret understanding be-
tween the governments of Great Britain and
Russia that neither shall interfere with the
other so long as certain line of neutral terri
tory is held inviolate Great Britain may not
encroach on this territory on its southern
border. Russia may not touch it on its north
ern border. From the answer given by Lord
Northbrook to the embassy from the Khan it
the north Of that neutral territory. The ad-
vance of the Russian troops on Khiva, although
it will bring the Empire of the Romanof more
dangerously near the confines of British India,
will thus not bring those two great Powers
into war. Sooner or later they must fight for
supremacy in Central Asia; but SO long as
these secret obligations are not violated each
will be allowed without interference from the
other to extend and consolidate its authority
on the Asiatic Continent.
The Execution in Pennsylvania Yester-
dny.
George Grant, one of the most desperate
and unrelenting criminals of the present de-
cade, yesterday suffered the last penalty of the
law at West Chester, Pa 1t is seldom that
negroes prove as untractable in the hands
of the authorities as this man Grant After
q long life of degradation and crime he
finally MANNED the destruction of his ai1nt