EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA. WITH a view to enable respectable persons, who are ineligible for a free passage, to proceed to the Australian colonies, at the lowest possible cost, it has been arranged to despatch a line of superior First-class Ships of large tonnage, for the especial accommodation of steerage and other passengers, at an exceedingly low rate of passage money. These vessels will be subjected to the inspection of her Majesty's emigration officers, and will be despatched on the appointed days (wind and weather permitting), for which written guarantees will be given: These splendid ships have full poops, with first-rate accommodations for cabin passengers, and their 'tween decks being lofty and well ventilated, they afford most desirable opportunities for the accommodation of intermediate and steerage passengers. They will be fitted and provisioned in all respects on a similar plan to the vessels now being despatched by her Majesty's Colonization Commissioners, and the same dietary scale will be adopted. They are officered and manned by thoroughly competent persons, and carry duly qualified and experienced surgeons. Other equally fine ships, similarly fitted, &c., will succeed, and sail on the 1st and 15th of each month from London, and the 11th and 25th from Plymouth. Load at the Jetty, London Docks. For further particulars apply to the undersigned, who are constantly despatching a succession of superior firstclass ships (regular traders) to each of the Australian colonies. MARSHALL & EDRIDGE, 34, Fenchurch Street, London. EMIGRATION TO AUSTRALIA ON AN ECONO- WARRANTED to sail from London on the 30th April, and from Plymouth the 10th May, for PORT PHILIP, SYDNEY, and ADELAIDE, the remarkably fine, fast-sailing, first-class ship "JOHN MUNN," 637 Tons Register, Coppered and Copper-fastened, lying in the London Docks. This splendid ship has a spacious poop, and upwards of 7 feet in the 'tween decks. She will be fitted up expressly for Passengers, who will be taken for 20 Guineas each, the ship finding excellent provisions, bedding, and all requisite mess utensils for the voyage. An experienced Surgeon will proceed in the ship. Early application necessary for choice of berths. For further particulars apply at the Emigration Office, 4, Barge Yard, Bucklersbury; or THOMAS WOOLLEY, 2, Cullum Street, Fenchurch Street; or J. W. GULL, 4, Brabant Court, Philpot Lane. Parties proceding by this ship will be afforded every information, gratis, by Gentlemen long resident in the Colonies. EMIGRATION TO PORT NATAL. ARRANGEMENTS having been con cluded with Her Majesty's Government for the promotion of Emigration to Natal, persons of moderate means, small farmers, tradesmen, mechanics, and labourers, if approved of by Her Majesty's Emigration Commissioners, can obtain a steerage passage, with provisions and 20 acres of land, for the sum of £10, or an intermediate passage, with the same quantity of land, for £19. Cabin passage £35. Vessels are despatched with Emigrants each month. For printed Forms of Application, and further particulars, apply to J. C. BYRNE and Co., 12, Pall Mall East, London. OUTFITS FOR ALL CLASSES. THE ADVANTAGES of EMIGRA TION being materially increased by the comforts of a SUITABLE OUTFIT, E. J. MONNERY and CO., 165, FENCHURCH STREET, CITY, having had many years' experience in that line, feel confidence in calling the attention of all classes to their Outfitting Warehouse, where a large assortment of shirts, clothing, hosiery, &c., &c., is kept ready for immediate use, at unusually low prices. Sea mattresses, bedding, cabin, and camp furniture of every description.-Lists, with prices affixed, forwarded by post. "Intending Emigrants.-Those of our readers about departing to the Canadas, Australia, New Zealand, &c., would save much money, time, and trouble, by consulting Messrs. Monnery and Co., 165, Fenchurch Street; whose long experience, as Colonial Outfitters, enables them to furnish the most suitable equipments for all climates."-The Emigrant Newspaper. WHOLESALE IRONMONGERY LONDON. E. and C. KITCHEN beg to inform Mer- Strong and well-seasoned OAK CHESTS, in great variety, HORTICULTURAL TOOLS and general IRONMONGERY. Man II. CATTLE; their Breeds, agement, and Diseases. By WILLIAM YOUATT. With beautiful Cuts of the Various Breeds, Anatomical Illustrations, &c. In 8vo, price, in cloth, 8s. III. SHEEP; their Breeds, Management, and Diseases. By WILLIAM YOUATT. Illus trated like the volume on Cattle, together with Microscopical Examinations of the various Wools; to which is appended, the Mountain Shepherd's Manual." In 8vo, price, in cloth, 88. IV. BRITISH HUSBANDRY, exhibiting the Farming Practice in various parts of the United Kingdom. By JOHN FRENCH BURKE, Esq. Illustrated with numerous Cuts. In two Volumes, 8vo, price, complete with Mr. Cuthbert Johnson's Supplement, bound in cloth, 168. V. A MISCELLANEOUS ENT'S IMPROVED WATCHES quite distinct from the others, and comprising the fol DENT'S CLOCKS.-E. J. DENT, Watch and Clock E. J. DENT, 82, Strand, 33, Cockspur Street, and 34, TO EMIGRANTS. VOLUME, entitled "HUSBANDRY, Volume III.," but lowing subjects: 1. REPORTS OF SELECT FARMS in various parts of England, sold separate, in boards, for 3s. 6d. 2. OUTLINES OF FLEMISH HUSBANDRY, by the Rev. W. L. RHAM, separately bound, 1s. 6d. 3. USEFUL AND ORNAMENTAL PLANTING, by Mr. GEORGE SINCLAIR, separately bound, 2s. 6d. 4. THE COTTAGER'S MANUAL OF HUSBANDRY, Architecture, Domestic Economy, and Gardening, by J. C. LOUDON, F.L.S., &c., separate, 18. 5. A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON THE BEST MODE OF MAKING AND REPAIRING ROADS, by CHARLES PENFOLD, Surveyor, a New Edition, enlarged, 18. The Volume in cloth boards, 8s. These six volumes bring within the reach of a very TOWNSHEND'S LONDON HOTEL. large and better information than eaned in Agriculture " more otherwise be procured, except at a prodigiously greater expense. The "Horse" in particular is now the principal manual on the subject; the Volumes on Cattle and on Sheep are quite unequalled for the information as well as the amusement they afford; and the "Husbandry comprises a mass of knowledge which could not be expected in so condensed a form. It may be interesting to the Public to know that no portion of the "Farmer's Series" was put to press without the careful revision and approbation of the late Earl Spencer, then Lord Althorpe. (late Weakley's Hotel, Devonport.) T. R. TOWNSHEND respectfully begs to direct the attention of parties embarking at this Port, for the Colonies, to the superior accommodation which his well-known Hotel affords. The charges are very moderate, and intelligent parties are in waiting to render every assistance in the conveyance of Luggage, &c., intended for shipment. The above Hotel is in the same street with the Government Dock Yard, and contiguous to the New Steam Arsenal, Mount Edgecumbe, and the River Tamar. *** No extra charge for Sitting Rooms. Omnibuses, in connexion with the above Hotel, await the arrival of every Train. EMIGRATION TO NEW SOUTH WALES. AUSTRALIAN AGRICULTURAL J. S. BROWNRIGG, Esq., Governor, Ashford, Chertsey, A. W. BLANE, Esq., Deputy-Governor, Salt-Hill, Bucks. Henry Buckle, Esq., Mark Lane. W. S. Davidson, Esq., (Herries, Farquhar, and Co.,) 16, John Hodgson, Esq., St. Helen's Place. John Loch, Esq., (Director of the Hon. East India Com- Stewart Marjoribanks, Esq., Bushy Grove, Watford, Hon. J. T. Leslie Melville, (Williams, Deacon, and Co.,) The EMIGRANTS. No one should EMIGRANTS.-No one should Henry Porcher, Esq., Park Corner, Hartford Bridge. family with a good Stock of GUTTA PERCHA SOLES and SOLUTION. From the ease with which these soles can be applied to Boots and Shoes in countries where no shoemaker can be found for miles-their power of keeping the feet perfectly dry, when wading in either fresh or sea water, and thus preserving the body from coughs, colds, and consumption, in lands where medical advice cannot be easily had-added to their great durability and cheapness, render them most essential to the comfort and security of all who purpose sailing to distant countries. In CALIFORNIA they are invaluable. Gutta Percha Trays, Bowls, Cups, Bottles, Inkstands, Dishes, Plates, Ear Trumpets, &c., are admirably suited for shipboard and emigrants, as they will not break by being even violently thrown down upon the floor. Any person taking a stock across the seas will find it afford a profitable speculation. Manufactured by the Gutta Percha Company, Patentees, Wharf Road, City Road, London; and sold by their wholesale dealers in Town and Country. CAPTAINS, VOYAGERS, and EMI GRANTS will find CORDING'S WATERPROOF GARMENTS the best they can purchase, and indispensable to persons about to push their way where exposure to the elements is the order of the day. A waterproof suit adds vastly to comfort, and is a great saving in the end. As imitations that will not stand hot and cold climates are being offered, observe (for security) the name and address, J. C. CORDING, 231, Strand, five doors west of Temple Bar, and 3, Royal Exchange, facing Cornhill. UNION BANK of AUSTRALIA, 38, Old Broad-street.-This Bank GRANTS BILLS at Thirty Days, and LETTERS of CREDIT on its branches in the Australian Colonies and New Zealand, at a charge of Two per cent. on sums above 101. Approved bills are negotiated on the Colonies, the terms for which may be learned at the offices of the Bank. London, July 20, 1848. SAMUEL JACKSON, Sec. J. H. Ravenshaw, Esq., (British Iron Company,) South G. R. Smith, Esq., (Smith, Payne, and Co.,) Lombard Thomas Tooke, Esq., (Chairman of Royal Exchange, G. S. Thornton, Esq., (Director of Sun Fire Office,) The Australian Agricultural Company, after having for Farms and vineyards, which have been long in cultivation, with excellent homesteads attached, will be offered for sale at twenty years' purchase on the estimated annual value. The uncultivated land will be sold in lots of 50 acres and upwards, at £1 per acre; each £50 paid in England entitling the purchaser to a choice, and a free passage, in one of the Company's ships, to Port Stephen. Each Lot will include a right of pasturage for stock on adjoining land at a low poll-tax. The Company are willing to lease land for 10 years, with a right of purchase at £1 per acre during that term. They are also able to offer Cattle, Horses, and fine woolled Sheep, of the purest breeds, on advantageous terms. Cuttings, Plants, and Seeds may be obtained from the Company's Gardens, Orchards, and Vineyards. Purchasers, immediately on landing at Port Stephen, will be received by the Agents of the Company-forwarded to the agricultu ral district, about 20 miles-and allowed to occupy buildings belonging to the Company at a trifling rent for a reasonable period. Further information may be obtained on application to the Secretary, GEORGE ENGSTROM, Esq., 12, King's Arms Yard, London. London: ROBERT BALDWIN, Paternoster Row. IMPORTANT TO EMIGRANTS!! Extract from the report of Dr. KNOX's Lecture on Emigration and Colonization, delivered at the Mechanic's Institution, on the 5th of January, 1849; from the Morning Advertiser. The Lecturer also advised them TO SELECT FOR BARTER the manufactures of Sheffield, Manchester, Birmingham, and London, and to be mindful to take out some GOOD SINGLE and DOUBLE BARRELLED GUNS, articles highly appreciated, and for one of which, by Manton, he had himself given as high a price as 70., GUNPOWDER was an essential to those Weapons of great value to trade in, and SADDLERY was of high value as an article for barter. FREDERIC BARNES, 3, UNION ROW, TOWER HILL, in reprinting the above Extract, for the information of Emigrants, desires to call their attention to his GUN AND PISTOL MANUFACTORY, and Warehouse for IRONMONGERY, CUTLERY, TOOLS, SADDLERY, AND BIRMINGHAM AND SHEFFIELD GOODS OF ALL KINDS, Where they may select large or small assortments for barter, or for their own use, at very reduced Prices for Cash. F. B. having Establishments at Birmingham and Sheffield, and manufacturing a great variety of the various articles in large quantities for exportation, can, with confidence, assure Einigrants, and Captains of Ships, that he is in a position to supply them with every article in the above line, at prices very much below other houses. He solicits the favour of a call from parties before purchasing, to whom he will be happy to afford every information and furnish lists, priced, of such articles as may be likely to be required. Good Single GUNS, with proved Barrels, F. B. desires to call particular attention to his FREDERIC BARNES, GUN AND PISTOL MANUFACTORY, and Warehouse for IRONMONGERY, CUTLERY, TOOLS, SADDLERY, &c., 3, UNION Row, TOWER HILL, LONDON, at the bottom of the Minories, and facing the Tower; also at 182, Livery Street, Birmingham, and 25, Carver Street, Sheffield. Printed by HENRY DICK WOODFALL, of No. 14, Great MIGRANT'S YOURNAL CONDUCTED BY SAMUEL AND JOHN SIDNEY, AUTHORS OF "A VOICE FROM AUSTRALIA," "AUSTRALIAN HAND-BOOK," GOVERNMENT FREE PASSAGES AT AN END FOR SOME WE cannot feel content to pass over entirely this week the Aus TIME TO COME. THE following circular has just emanated from her Majesty's Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners. It is addressed of course to the Government Agents for Emigration in the various districts. We give the document in its integrity, that the fact it constitutes may rest on the highest authority: "April 5th, 1849. "SIR,-I am directed by the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners to acquaint you that the number of applications for free passages which have already been passed, and those which yet remain to be considered, are so large that there is no prospect of the Commissioners being able to dispose of all the cases for at least three or four months to come. Under these circumstances, and as it is very inconvenient in every point of view further to accumulate in this Office applications from fresh candidates, who, if eventually accepted, would probably have to wait five or six months, it has been deemed advisable not to issue or receive any more application papers until the present great pressure is relieved. I am therefore to desire that you will at once abstain from issuing any more application forms until further directions, and that, after the third day from the receipt of this circular, you will not transmit to this Office the paper of any candidates. You will of course explain to applicants the reason of this temporary suspension in the accept ance of applications for free passages. The cases you may have already transmitted to this Office will, I am to add, be considered in their turn, and as soon as the arrangements of the Board will admit. With this testimony from her Majesty's Government of its own inability to carry on, under present arrangements, a sufficient emigration from these shores, we ask every sane and dispassionate person whether it is not time that some fundamental amendment of them should took place. Hundreds daily added to our population; poors' rate increasing rapidly;-one section of the kingdom requiring to be sustained to a large extent by the other-labour urgently called for in Australia-and public colonization, for some months to come at least, at an end! tralian Agricultural Company's arrangements. The Lectures, now in course of delivery, through the Midland Counties, will be a vehicle of much information to parties who have begun to feel interested in the undertaking. There is also a "Guide" in course of preparation, by the author of "The Emigrant Family:" and its specifications, we believe, are to be of the most minute character as to all the main country operations, and the parties who may safely look to them for permanent and successful employment. CONVICT LABOUR IN THE COLONIES. THE question of the application of convict labour is one of the most important now under public consideration. A letter to Earl Grey, from "An Old Colonist," which will be found below, appears to contain some suggestions worthy of attention. It proposes itself very strongly on the face of the case:-that the official arbiter of Colonial destinies, immured within piles of "reports," and perplexed by the contradictory "despatches" of Governors of every opinion, will be nearly as often wrong as right in his views and measures; whilst any clear-headed and sound-hearted man, who has lived and thought for a series of years amidst Colonial scenes themselves will just as probably be right in his opinions in the main. Without risking anything, we can venture to predict the eventual recognition of two or three of the great principles connected with the case. Amongst the First and most certain of these is the gradual, if not also early, abandonment of the anti-social principle in the discipline of criminals, whether it assume the title of "the silent system," or "the separate system," or any other. The blunder of disassociating a man to make him more social-of prompting him to be less selfish by shutting him up within himself, is too obtrusive and gross to sustain itself for any length of time. Hence it is of the highest importance that the public should be cautioned against sanctioning an immense outlay upon gaols constructed for the special convenience of this spurious principle. We do not hesitate for an instant to indicate the true line of Again, the admission of criminals to the fullest use of their policy for the exigency. Let large capitalists be encouraged to natural powers in every proper way in working out their own reemigrate, by being able to obtain land at a reasonable price;-let trieval is another event which may be predicted to be not very a bounty be given for the exportation of labourers, in the form of distant. Along with that will come the inquiry for the modea drawback, on the set price of the land;-let the drawback be so the question, How can they be employed most advantageously for the considerable that it shall of necessity act and not remain a dead state and themselves? And we readily understand how "An Old letter; let the poor themselves be encouraged to dare some hard- Colonist," viewing the immense body of effects accumulated by ship and the anxieties of a strange destination by according to penal labour on the spot, would at once solve the problem to us them, also a title on proper terms, to land;-let the British Go- by a direction of the finger, whilst all Downing Street demonvernment say explicitly to the Australian settler already esta-strators might be standing perplexed. We feel quite prepared to blished, We have, in matter of fact, no more business to furnish believe that both the interest of the nation and the necessities of you with men than we have to find you ploughs and cattle: hence- the criminal mind and position, will eventually determine that forth give up all dependence for a stock of labourers on the land felons shall be retained in National service instead of assigned fund, just as you do not look to it for any other portion of the in- to private parties, and that the Colonies will be the arena of their struments of your operations, and enter into proper mercantile labour. arrangements with the capitalists at home for supplying you with what you need. If you pay a carrying company, established in London or elsewhere, for conveying labourers to your shores, they will certainly do it. And, if you do not choose to pay them, who else ought? Do you need labourers? You do. Pay for them. The arrangement could be most easily made. It would divide the pressure of the case as it ought to be divided; and it would relieve the administration of the empire from a difficulty it ought never to have been forced to encounter, and from a task to which it now declares itself incompetent. Some fresh expedient might possibly assist it to go on with the undertaking for a year; but nothing can sustain, in permanent operation, that which wars against reason and right in every direction. We take it for granted that the parishes would willingly do their share, and concur in any fair measures for diminishing the surplusage of labour in England: but they ought not to be re Finally, as the morale of Captain Maconochie's system of penal discipline is now about to be tested at the instance of the Birmingham magistrates, in the new gaol of that borough, it is by far most reasonable and prudent that no large measures on the old and completely opposite principles should be immediately taken, in regard to the mass of the criminals of the country at large. We entertain the question as journalists, for the sake of its bearing on colonial interests specifically. New Colonies particularly require large public works: moreover, the rapid accumulation of public works infuses a spirit of gratification and enterprize into the young community. Whilst the felon class, on their part, by being transferred from their old haunts and from beneath the pressure of low prices in wages, and high prices in food, &c., to a state of life where there is little to act unfavourably on them, and much to stimulate and assist their exertions, are placed in the very best possible position for making compensation for the wrongs they have perpetrated, and for attaining a reformed character. It is always so much more easy to get committed to a wrong course than to discover a perfectly unobjectionable one; and the private assignment of convicts in the Colonies is clearly so much at odds with humanity, justice, and national economy, that we trust her Majesty's Ministers will not allow themselves to be hurried into any premature steps by either private parties or cliques within the Legislature. CONVICT LABOUR AND DISCIPLINE. TO THE RIGHT HON. EARL GREY, SECRETARY FOR THE COLONIES. MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,-I always conceive that public men have a right to sufficient and sound information, as well as to the most faithful suggestions, on the matters in which they have to administer, before they can be fairly arraigned for not disturbing the common and settled practice in things. And even when they possess that information, much allowance must be made for their position it is the business of the ruled to demand progress; that of rulers to be conservative. In the following I presume to offer your lordship the speculations of an individual mind; they result, however, from many years' observation, together with an ineradicable habit of viewing everything (as Adam Smith so wisely advises) from the position of a third party. Nothing seems more self-evident than that, until we have a true law of crime, we cannot have a true rule of punishment. Now, we shall have no such law of crime yet for many years; like every other future it is that which is to come out of present exertion. But it is necessary to observe that our law of crime does not correspond to the moral law of the Creator. Deriving our views of acts partly from a pagan morality, and not yet prepared to give up natural for religious stimuli, we assign a false quantity, if I may use such a term, to certain parts of human life. Say generally that -the act of hunger or of ignorance is held by us to be equivalent to the act of the most deliberate malevolence. Hence it must not be imagined, that there can be any final settlement by us of 1849 of the rule of punishment. All evidently that we can do is to act to the best of our judgment in a common-sense way to carry out the principles recognised by the age in the matter in hand. Meantime there is this consequence:-That by just so much as we teach the criminal what is truly right, we discredit to him the law under which he suffers. I cannot suggest a remedy for this à priori: I think it must be remedied only gradually, as we progress. I have mentioned it chiefly, to remark what a strong antagonistic feeling it arouses in the criminal mind. The man convicted under the Game Laws, for instance, feels that his punishment is quite disproportionate; he looks on the instruments of his punishment as enemies, and, by as much as he does so, you have, to say the least, no power over him in the way of moral suasion. Still it does not seem altogether hopeless to investigate the subject as one of mere social ethics. What right have we over a criminal? 1st, to compel compensation as standing bound to each other for mutual protection; 2nd, to use all reasonable and just means for the criminal's reformation, because he has existed and been reared by us. Indeed, rather the former is a right, whilst the latter is a duty. Now, it appears to me, that we do not recognise either the one or the other of these, to its fullest extent. The only sound systematic doctrine that I know of is Captain Maconochie's. The objects against private assignment: - He states that the labour of the felon belongs to the nation till he has made compensation. Captain Maconochie's views are rather more general than specific on this point. If I were to attempt to fill up his outline, it would be thus:-Let the felon pay, 1st, the individual he has injured, so far as possible; 2nd, the state for the cost of compelling him to do so. I see difficulties in working out the doctrine; but it has always been my conviction that we should first seek the right way; afterwards the expedients for following it. Captain Maconochie states further that private assignment is essentially the same kind of slavery we have so deliberately declared against in the case of the negro race. And I do personally assure your lordship most distinctly, that, if private assignment ever again takes place, one single twelvemonth's record of actual facts, on a measured superficies of twenty miles square, shall satisfy both your lordship and the British Empire that it cannot possibly be continued. Further, I shall have both Captain Maconochie and the most enlightened governors of New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land with me in asserting, that private assignment just as much demoralizes the master as the man. But the characters of the American slaveholders would prove that without reference to any authorities. Likewise against the system of solitary confinement in a gaol throughout immense portions of their sentence. His theory is this:-That by thus isolating men you compel them to live within, and depend upon themselves, which is making them still more selfish, whereas it is required to make them more social, better members of society: that great and horrible crime is nurtured by it in the precise constitutions that it has to deal with; that it makes no forward movement of the character take place, but merely effects a simple dissuetude in vice; that it of necessity turns the criminal out again in the very worst conceivable position for obtaining his future abstinence from crime. Besides these there are many important points in Captain Maconochie's system which neither space nor time will allow me to refer to. I have, therefore, both in the latter and former particulars, been able to sketch to your Lordship, in a very general way only, the truths on which I press your lordship's judgment, so far as they bear on the use to be made of Convicts. Is there any position in which convicts will have an encouraging opportunity of retrieving themselves equal to that in which they make compensation at the ratio of the prices of colonies? Are they not entitled generally to the advantage, by the disadvantages under which usually they come into their position of felons? Is it best that they should terminate their confinement where they will instantly be amidst the very temptations that first led them astray, or where they will see the encouraging spectacle of others like themselves, rapidly progressing by means of sobriety, honesty, and industry? Can convict labour be in any other way as meetly, justly, and usefully employed as in the public works of new colonies? I do not attempt to discuss the treatment of the human mind by "the silent system," &c., &c. I know that, whether financially or philosophically, or religiously, it will commend itself to an immediate disuse. Our right has been stated to be that of compelling compensation; our duty that of reforming the criminal. In gaols this latter cannot be done, except in its minor branch of negation; in new colonies it can be done positively with a singular power and facility. But private assignment is found to be a spurious form of disciplining criminals in the colonies. Has the state no power of calling into action the best minds for the fulfilment of the requisite conditions? I have been able, may it please your Lordship, to make these observations only very hurriedly. Yet I should be sorry not to have written them. They are only glances at main points. I am quite aware that I have not constructed an argument in terms. The line of principles, however, exists, and can be made evident from first to last. Nor should I have thought it desirable to address the observations themselves to your Lordship if I had not passed so many years in experience, and thought and understood how onerous must be the task of governing so many colonies without personal observation, but especially of combining into an unexceptionable judgment matters originally so diverse as those contained in the questions of Criminal Discipline and Colonization.-I have the honour to be very faithfully, my Lord, AN OLD COLONIST. THE CLIMATE OF TEXAS. Translated from Bracht's "Texas in 1848." (Concluded from page 206.) "No rose without thorns" may be said even of this charming climate. Its great warmth, though not materially relaxing bodily strength and energy, will not suffer continued mental occupations. Exposure to the rays of the sun, during the hottest hours of the day, without proper precautions to protect the head from the rays of the sun, is exceedingly dangerous. The very sudden changes of the temperature, which sometimes occur, are another serious drawback. On January 8th last (1848), the quicksilver sunk from 77 degrees to 50 degrees, within three hours, from five to eight in the afternoon. So very sudden a change is, however, a case of rare occurrence, and the greatest that I observed during three years. Here follows, in Bracht's book, a register of the thermometrical observations, three during the day, from the first of May, 1847, to April 30, 1848, accompanied by remarks on the state of the atmosphere. Of these we shall give the average, and the highest and lowest warmth of every month:Average Highest. Date. Time of Lowest. Date. warmth. day. Time of day. 731° 8330 23 noon. 58 morn. 791 87 2 71 83 95 29 721 10, 16, 85 93 3,9 77 55 78 6, 7,31 24 22 58 781 12 27 10 61 88 21 351 24 54 If we were to judge from the effects which the same heat has or would have upon our sensations in our own country (Germany), if the effects of atmospherical heat were not dependent upon the state of the air, the temperature, as shown above, would seem intolerably hot to immigrants from Europe. Yet this is in reality not the case. With the exception of most days in December and January, and a number of days in November and February, the same beneficial winds which wafted the emigrant's ship from Europe to his new home set in regularly every day, generally from southeast, but changing to east or south. To this circumstance, and to the transparency and dryness of the air, it is owing that the heat is not oppressive. For the greater part of Texas snow is unknown; yet, on the Upper Trinidad, on the Brazos and Red River, it is not unusual. On the other hand, no winter passes without some instances of frost. Yet I never saw running water frozen; and mostly, one hour after sunrise, the thin covering of ice will have disappeared from the water in ponds or in vessels. The storms in spring are sometimes accompanied by hailstones. A winter, therefore, in our acceptation of the word, does not exist in Western Texas. During the first days of January, the elder tree appears dressed in delicate fresh green, in the valleys and river bottoms. During warm days, of the same month many blossoms open, birds sing, butterflies, beetles, and even bees fly about. Vegetables and some fruits are to be found. On the prairie-hills, occasionally, single branches of the meskit-tree retain their foliage, green and fresh during the coldest time of the year. In the deeper situated river-bottoms, wild rye is seen a foot high; whilst on the hills the meskit-grass never dies, although it appears scorched and faded. In the course of February the trees, which shed their leaves in the fall, commence to dress themselves in the most charming green, and at the commencement of March all nature has resumed her summer garments. Generally the time from the middle of February to the middle of March may be considered as spring. Then early summer begins, and lasts to the end of June. During this time a crop of everything that bears fruit has been gathered. If now rain and storms ensue, the external appearance of nature and her fruitfulness remain the same; but, if rain is scarce, the meadows become brown like ripe corn-fields; many garden plants wither, and only the trees in the groves retain their vigorous dark green. This season lasts to the last half of November, and its last two months may be considered the most pleasant of the whole year. Usually before or soon after the beginning of September some violent thunderstorms, accompanied by showers, take place, most from west or north-west, rarer from north-east. Not always, yet frequently, the rain is copious enough to rouse nature from her siesta. From the end of November to the end of December, we reckon our autumn. By Christmas every vestige of foliage has disappeared from the trees.-Communicated. LETTERS FROM ABROAD. of the main sheet, when a chain broke and he fell in the sea, but was fortuOur friends cannot serve us more than by forwarding for publication nately saved. Thursday, 18th, still fair; two vessels seen in the morning; original letters from emigrants in any part of the world. FROM A LADY'S MAID. Port Philip, July 30, 1848. DEAREST FRIENDS,-No doubt by this time you all think I am dead or forgetful of my promises, but I am neither. Thank God I have arrived here safe, and in health. I am in a situation as lady's maid, and to wait at table-a most excellent situation; and, had I come out with the intention of going to service, I could be most happy; the wages are 20. a year, a very nice house, and only one gentleman and lady; but I shall not be happy unless my former views are carried out, or unless I was certain they would in time be. I should not care if it was not for six months; as it is, I am very unsettled in my mind. I arrived here on the 4th of July, but was not allowed to leave the ship for some days. I got one of the cabin passengers to enquire for Mr. — but found he did not live in town; so, after refusing several good offers, I took this place. I sent the letter, inclosed to Charles, to the postmaster of Portland Bay, but have no means of knowing if he had got it or not. I have made many inquiries for Mr. K.'s address, but as yet have not got it. I have just wrote a letter to be left for him at an inn where he sometimes puts up. I feel very uneasy till I see him; for, if Charles has got the letter, he will not know where I am, and he lives near three hundred miles away, that I fear he will never put himself to the expense of coming to see me, unless he know more of me. Again, I am bound to stay here for three months: they now want me to promise for six months, but that won't do. I think I will not fill this letter till I get some intelligence of Charles; in the meantime, I will speak of myself. I last wrote to you from Plymouth, but, unfortunately, left before I could receive your answer. On the Sunday following, we had a death on board—a child died of inflammation; many tears were shed on witnessing the first funeral. We then passed the Bay of Biscay, and by Thursday, the 6th April, was above two thousand miles from England; on that day we had another death, a married woman died of brain fever, caused by the water coming into her berth; it was reported to be typhus fever, and the girls refused to attend on her till I proposed staying with her, which I did for three nights, but could bear it no longer, as she got out of bed so continually the moment my eyes were closed, and, to tell the truth, I felt rather afraid, for she never ceased talk ing; at last she died, after lying ill twelve days. On the day of the funeral, dancing was ordered on deck, I suppose to chase fear away. On the next day, we had another birth, a little girl-the mother lying in the same berth the woman died in only a few hours before. On Sunday the 9th, weather began to get very hot; a swallow was seen flying about the rigging; it shortly after died of starvation. On Tuesday, 11th, our boxes were got out of the hold, and fine confusion we were in. Thursday all our beds were ordered on deck, all in a bustle that day; also, on Thursday, 20th, very hot weather; another female child born towards evening. A French vessel came alongside, and reported that France and England had declared war with Austria, Russia, and Prussia, which I do not yet believe. On Saturday, 22nd, we were within a few degrees of the Line. On Wednesday, 26th, another little emigrant; I nursed the mother; sat up two nights with her; she was dangerously ill with inflammation; had the baby entirely with me for a fortnight after. On Friday, 28th, very heavy rains and rough sea; two births on that day; one child died, and the mother was in great danger. On Sunday, 30th, death of another child from inflammation: the poor child was a perfect martyr; when it came to be removed after death, it was completely mortified, a most dreadful sight; the doctor had done his utmost, and kept life in it with the aid of wine. Monday, May 1st, we crossed the Line; it was a regular holiday for us all. Neptune came on board the night before, in a fiery boat; one of the sailors personated him, but it was his effigy we saw first rising from the sea; it would have frightened any one who did not know what was coming; he first inquired, in a voice of thunder, what ship ours was, and if we had any of his children on board, saying he would visit us on the next day, attended by all the music they could muster; the train paraded round the deck, and all took their seats on a platform erected for the purpose. A large sail being filled with water, the men were then led | blindfolded between two of Neptune's servants on to the platform, where they were duly shaved, then led to one dressed as Neptune's wife to receive a kiss, and, while struggling to get away from her, is tumbled backwards into the water, where he must get out as he can, half drowned, alone. A dozen were served this way; at the same time water was continually laven down from above, so that none of us had a dry thread upon us; fortunately I was told what to expect, so I dressed accordingly. In the evening there was singing and dancing till a late hour. Tuesday, 2nd, another funeral of a child; inflammation also, and another birth in the evening, a boy. Strong breezes and very rough sea, but getting cooler. Saturday, wind very strong; carried away a sail. Tuesday 9th, a calm; great confusion among the girls, searching each others' bags for lost property. Wednesday, 10th, passed close by Trinidad Island, an exceeding large rock near Rio Janeiro, leaving another large one on the left of us; a large vessel passed on the other side of the rock, but we could not go near enough to speak. About this time we saw many dolphins playing about. At this time we were in the wrong road, having been driven towards South America; the water, too, got very bad; the smell was enough to turn you sick. Friday, 12th, a calm, not the least ruffle on the water; a large shark was seen for two hours, at intervals playing about the ship; a bait was thrown out with a large piece of pork attached, but he was too wide awake: at last the doctor fired a double-barreled gun at him, but except he died afterwards of the fright it did him no harm, but he thought it wiser to keep his distance from that time. Sunday, 14th, while service was being performed on deck, a large whale was seen spouting near us. Monday, 15th, a fair wind set us off in the right direction. Beef was given out this day green and stinking, several men threw theirs overboard, and went without the next day for their pains. Tuesday, 16th, boxes got up again; half the contents nearly spoiled by mildew. A birth and a death this day. The death was that of a poor old goat which was kept for its milk, and shut up in the long boat with sheep and pigs, and half starved; in its last illness it had received great attention, and had a great quantity of gin and gruel given it; but all would not do, so it died, was anatomised, and thrown overboard. In the afternoon a fine boy was born; the captain came to see it, and had it weighed: its weight was above nine pounds. On Wednesday, 17th, nearly midnight, there was a cry of a man overboard: it was a young man who was working his way here; he went up to square the yards in the evening one came alongside and spoke with us; a more beautiful sight I never beheld, as she was steering towards us in the light of a full moon, her sails all spread and filled out; she was called the Wilson, from Hartlepool, and was bound for Aden, on the borders of the Red Sea : she had been out sixty days; she carried black diamonds; we had been out sixtythree days, and carried live lumber, as our captain called us; next day another vessel spoke with us from the same port, and bound for the same as the other. Saturday, 20th, getting very cold weather; cleared the Cape of Good Hope next day. Monday, 22nd, the wind rose with the sun, and preparations were made for a gale, which most assuredly came; the sea ran mountains high, the sails were torn by the wind, till, by degrees, they were reefed and furled, and not a bit of canvas was seen on the ship. Still we were driven at a furious rate towards America; all was confusion on deck. In the night a tremendous shock was felt, caused by the wheel breaking; the man was near losing his life, being thrown over the wheel and very much hurt. Next day still rough; swarms of birds flying about, some very pretty, called Cape pigeons, some very large, called Albatrosses; we was in a sad state between decks; the vessel has been strained so that the water comes pouring into our berths; some of us were forced to sit up all night, others in danger of being pitched out of their berths. Wednesday, more calm, the wind changed in our favour; going above nine miles an hour, the Magellan clouds seen for the first time; another vessel seen but not spoken with; we sailed 100 miles in eleven hours this day. On the 26th, we expected to arrive here in about forty-five days. I engaged this day to work for one of the ladies in the cabin, and continued working for her till we arrived here, at least about four or five hours each day. I was in the cabin with her, and always partook of her lunch before dinner, and desert after ditto. Wednesday, 31st, very rough weather; in the last twenty-four hours we had sailed 240 miles; from then till Wednesday, 7th of June, we had very rough weather; we were tossed about most unmercifully, but the wind was in the right direction. Monday, 12th, no sailing at all; I was ill on the doctor's hands for three days; not a very happy Whitsuntide for us; nothing extra allowed us to make us spend the time more comfortable, nor at Easter either. Friday, 16th June, came to another large island called St. Paul's; they say it is inhabited by cattle, placed there in case vessels driven that way might be destitute of provisions. It is a fine island, and extends a long way; the sight of land caused a strange sensation in me: it is supposed to be about half way between the Cape and Port Philip. Tuesday, 20th, another birth; a boy; very changeable; one day rough, another very mild; sometimes sailing eleven miles an hour, at others not two. Wednesday, 28th, very good sailing; another child died this day from some eruption driven inwards'; it had been ill for several days. Friday, 30th, very rough sea; we shipped some very heavy seas at this time; I could scarce believe that such a weight of water could be thrown over, unless the vessel was tossed about very much; indeed you would think, when a sea broke over, that the ship had dashed against a rock. Wednesday, 4th of July; cast anchor, and, would you believe, I shed tears at the idea of leaving the vessel, for while in it I could scarce fancy myself very far from home, and I knew the delusion must vanish when I set foot on land. To tell the truth, I bore the miseries of a sea voyage most bravely, for I never felt fear of the vessel being lost, while the seamen were in her, for some were brave men, and the captain steady. The day after we arrived, the inspectors came on board the two following days, the single girls were hired; there was a very great demand for them; had there been fifty more, they would have gone off. It was after learning that Mr. M did not reside in town that I agreed to take his place, knowing I had nowhere to go otherwise; so here I am, and was it not for the anxiety I feel concerning Charles, I should be, I think, quite happy; for the gentleman and lady is very kind, and seemed very uneasy the first few days, because they thought I was not happy; but I forced myself to be cheerful, that they might not suspect anything bad. I told them I had a friend living in the bush, but could not get his proper address, so they are very anxious too. My master proposes to advertise him, which, if all other means fail, I will adopt. I must tell you that I commenced this letter a fortnight ago, but have been waiting for intelligence. A day or two after I had began it, Mr. M called on me, and, to my grief, informed me the letter I sent him was the only one he had received on the subject, and that he did not have Charles's address, never hearing of him at all. Now there is a ship left England on the 3rd of March, which is not yet arrived. Now I expect she carries letters which ought to be here before me. I almost despair of her getting here safe. She is called the Wolf. Another emigrant ship came in a few days ago, called the Palmyra, left London 12th of April. Another is shortly expected, the Cornwall, left April 20. I hope by one of them to receive a letter from you, for, if you wait for mine, it will be long before I get one from you. I fear I cannot delay sending this letter any longer, for I know you will feel uneasy till you hear if I am living, and, should anything happen that you do not get this, you will either think me very unfeeling, or suppose me dead; but I shall try and get it sent overland, which I am told I can, by paying 2s., but I fear you will have more to pay when it reaches you, but you would rather that than run the risk of having it sent by sea; they say it will go first to Sydney by water, then to India, and overland to France, and arrive in England in about two months; I pray that it may, and I hope you will send to me in the same way as often as possible, that I may know you and your daughters are alive and well. The safest way will be to direct them to Mr. M for me, in case I should never see Charles; which would make me extremely unhappy, for, though girls get married here immediately, I may say, still there are a great many villains in this place, and many have left their wives and married again, and taken their new wives to the bush, for a time; if found out, they run away, and nothing more is heard of them. But the two last maids my lady had are both very well off; one is married to a gentleman, and keeps a carriage and three servants, and gives 201. a year to each. She calls here almost every day. The last one is gone to live in the bush with her husband, and doing very well. Now I have such a romantic fancy for the bush that nothing else will please me. Had it been possible, I might have had four husbands, for I have really been annoyed with the fellows; but I again swear I will think of no one, unless my hopes are blasted in regard to Charles. With respect to this country, I like it very much; it is now the middle of winter, and we have had some severe cold weather, my room especially. You would scarce believe I have seven blankets on the bed, and am sometimes cold withal; but the reason is, my cottage, as I must call my room, is detached, built very neatly with wood, stands just inside of the garden fence; it is about ten feet square. A lot of English newspapers are pasted inside the boards, which overlay each other to allow the rain to run off, of which sometimes we have a superabundance; the roof is lined with old canvas, and shaped like the old-fashioned attics; then I have a little bed with curtains, and covered close overhead, as a slight shield from mosquitoes, which abound here in hot weather. I did not expect such weather as I understand there will be, come Christmas. Strong men throw themselves down on the ground almost dead from the effects of the siroccos, or hot winds, which sometimes sets the country in a flame; when waves of flame will be seen consuming everything before it. I have seen numberless trees which have been burned in this way, trees as large as an English oak, the half of the trunk burned away. They say there is scarce anything green to be seen in the summer, everything is scorched up; therefore now is the pleasantest time. Most of the flowers are in bloom, and the weather so beautifully bright, even when it rains it does not look so dull; but the weather changes very suddenly, a wind may rise and cover every place with dust in five minutes, and rain equally sudden. I have sat down several times to this letter; since I last sat to write I have been crippled with rheumatism, as indeed numbers in this country is said to suffer with it, the changes in the weather are so sudden. The ship Cornwall came in the day before (that was August 10th), the Misses Bhas arrived in her. The first words Dr. H- saluted me with was 'they are come, I received a letter from them, but know not what to do, I shall send for them on Monday.' I am so in hopes they have got a letter for me, I long for to-morrow to come, when they will come on shore. But, in mercy sake, do not persuade any more to come out, for there are several persons in the three last ships not engaged, the wages are fallen very low, and provisions will soon rise very high; we have emigrants now from England, Ireland, Scotland, France, and Germany, and many more expected, so the country will soon get as poor as England, if they do not stop free emigration for a year or two; meal is almost the only cheap article we have, and that will not be so long, I fear. I dread the summer coming, for the heat is excessive, and the flies swarm to that degree that they blow the meat in your plate at dinner-time. I did not tell you that the Wolf, which left London on the 3rd of March, is not come in yet, and I fear those letters sent to announce my coming were sent by her, for Mr. M has never yet received one, and cannot yet find Charles. I cannot have patience any longer, but must send this off to you, and solemnly vow, as soon as I hear tidings of Charles, I will write again. Sunday night, 13th, disappointed again. I have called and seen the Miss B's, and find they have not even a word from you. I will, therefore, send this at once. I last week wrote again to Charles, at Portland Bay, I really cannot believe that he has not had some of the letters that has been sent. I am sorry to say, that I am still suffering with rheumatism; it takes away the use of my hands and arms, but Dr. H- -'s prescription has done me a little good, I think. Was I not with very kind persons, I should be most unhappy my lady is now lying very ill. I earnestly hope she will soon recover, for I respect her very much indeed. This part of the country is overstocked with emigrants, and the next that comes in they are going to send to Portland Bay. I expect Charles has heard of it and will select a wife from there; at all events, if I never see him, I hope I shall find an opportunity of sending the books and letters I have brought for him, but till I hear from himself, if it is six months, I will not marry, yet I have had three offers made me in the short time I have been here; but I see none at present that I should like. I expect a storm is coming on, the wind is ready to tear up the large trees, and the air is filled with dust, oh! now it comes, farewell till to-morrow. Again I sit down with the determination to make a finish of it, for I can wait no longer, knowing how anxious you will be to hear from me. We had a most severe storm yesterday, and I was near being killed by a large branch of a tree falling as I was crossing the paddock, for the wind tears the trees up by the roots very often; it has blown me down twice when I have been on high ground, it is so powerful. The cold weather is not yet gone, and it is now the middle of August: this is only our spring. I would speak of the product of the country, but have not space, but will send again immediately I hear from Charles. If I only knew his employer's name, I should soon find him, but nobody seems to know him, and Mr. has never yet received Mrs. Chisholm's letters. Your daughters will pardon me for not sending separate letters. Give my kind love to them all. Oh, how I wish I could see you all, if it was only for five JANE D minutes. FROM A LABOURER. -N. New York, March 4th, 1849. DEAR BROTHER,-Yours of the 2nd January arrived on the 26th February, and, being in the country, I did not get it till yesterday, when I came in to buy some goods. I am happy to learn from it that you recovered your health, and that all friends are well, and so are we, thank God. I could not do much these two months past, since the works ceased, owing to the frost, which was so severe, and so continual, that it entered the ground about 18 inches, and made ice on the harbour and rivers one foot in depth, so that there was no means of going far in the country unless by railroad; that being too dear, and money being scarce for want of employ, my business was constantly dull. I find it agrecable and am not distressed by walking six or eight miles per day, the most I travel. The frost is thawing now, and the weather clearing, so that plenty of work is expected before Patrick's Day. There is more prospects of work this summer than in any of the last here; the reason is this:-there are two parties here called the Whigs and Democrats, each seeking at the time of election to have a number of their own as President, similar to the two political parties of England, Whigs and Tories. The Whigs having more votes in the election, that came off a few months since, made Zac. Taylor President, who is to be inaugurated to-morrow; he, to become popular, will establish works to a great extent, for any of his party was not in office for the last ten or twelve years. I can't advise you to come or stay, but I shall tell you the truth of this place and your prospects, and then you can judge for yourself. You can no doubt get work on the railroads, at 1 dollar per day during the year round, unless about two months in the winter, when the works mostly break up, and such as continue there give from 58. to 68. per day till the season opens again. The heat of the summer is certainly severer on me than the cold of winter, though this is considered to be the coldest and longest winter seen for the last 15 years: I did not feel it much, yet some days were colder than I ever before felt; but persons here, for some years, whose blood and flesh I may say are broiled from the summer's heat, can't bear the cold, and But a man therefore prefer the excess of the one to the least of the other. inured to hardship, such as you, need not care much for one or the other when supplied, as all here are, with a pair of waterproof boots to the knees, mitts and flannels, no cold can affect you: those who perspire most in summer are considered best able to get through the heat. I know men to be sun-struck, and to die through its effects. I also know some exchange linen three times in one day, and it as wet each time as if dipped in a river; throw it on a bush till dry, and then put it on again, but this great heat may not last long; they work from 6 A.M. to 7 P.M.; you can get plenty work, and can perform it too. I expect the girls can go to a trade if they come; see Mr. Shanahan's letter about it. Sail to New York from Cork if a good ship can be got there, for you will be delayed and rogued, perhaps, in Liverpool; choose a berth convenient to but not under the middle-hatchway, being about the middle of the vessel, suffers least from the rocking and heaving, and is well ventilated. The quantity of provisions necessary for an individual for six week, without extravagance, is, flour, cwt.; meal, cwt.; sugar, one stone; tea, 1 lb. ; coffee, lb. ; ham, 15 lbs., some smoked herrings and plenty of butter; nothing is so palatable on sen as potatoes; so if you can get any bring them, and curtail the meal and flour; if 4 or 5 mess together all this perhaps would not be necessary; and if the ships allowance be fit for use (sometimes it is not) spare your own supply; for if any is left it is of as much value here as at home. From this account of what one may require, you'll guess what will be necessary for your family, and buy all in Newcastle unless flour and meal, for you'll be imposed upon in Cork as we were, though we thought we were good judges; we should throw half our meat overboard, for it was bad, and our groceries were bad too. Don't incur any expense for beds; bring those you have that are worth bringing, and buy none; make two of the three you have, so as to make them more portable. Make as many quilts as you have means for without buying. You can bring flannel free, by cutting it into certain lengths, such as is generally wanted for quilts, coats, shirts, &c. Long and short stockings of the largest size you can get, bought or home made, but double yarn, if you can, are the best, as they look for the best, whatever is the price. I'd like you'lld fetch the best, and bring a lot of worsted yarn, and let the girls be knitting while on the way; nothing like the Irish worsted can be got here, stow these in the bottom of a large box or a share in several boxes, and cover them with your own wearables, or your provision, to avoid suspicion; the luggage undergoes no great scrutiny; ours was not much searched, no more than the lid being open to raise and look under the first article they met. Bring neither clothes, shoes, nor hat, but what you wear unless shirts. Some grog is very requisite on the voyage, and bring some perfumed stuff to purify the smell. After some time, when you would get known, you could buy a shanty (a timber house) for perhaps twenty or thirty dollars, and having some beds you could board some of the hands on the railroad, which is the greatest money-making way in the country; and your wife, when expert and intelligent at washing, could get plenty to do that way. I know you and my aunts were concerned for my welfare, and, perhaps, thought the delay of my writing might result from negligence, but I tell you that persons coming here like us, friendless and unacquainted, not having a bit or a sup to get from any one, but as we bought it dearly, were not in care of writing, so much as seeking for a living. I have not seen Johanna since Sunday last, and thought it too long to delay this till I would see her. You demanded an immediate answer, so I write she is well and in place about two miles off, at 5 dollars per month, so I can't say anything about what you wanted to know from her. I have her bed where I board, and have free lodging for the use of it, while I am in town; it saves me 1s. per night, 8s.-1 dollar. N.B. House rent is higher in the city, 17. a month for a middling room: all sorts of provisions can be got here, but they are nearly as dear as at home. New York is hell upon earth for young persons, particularly women, taking a moral view of it; it is the greatest den of iniquity in existence; believe nothing else. NEW SOUTH WALES LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.-RAILWAYS.-On Thursday, June 13th, the Speaker took his seat at the usual hour, when Mr. Cowper rose to move the following resolutions: 1. That in the opinion of this Council the period has arrived when the formation of railways in the colony ought to be commenced. 2. That, to facilitate the speedy formation of a company for carrying out such a means of transit in districts where the population and internal traffic afford reasonable prospect of success, it is expedient that the government and the legislature should hold out some peculiar inducement to encourage such an undertaking. 3. That this Council is of opinion that a grant of crown land in fee simple ought to be made to any company incorporated by an act of this Council, not only of the quantity required along the line for the construction of the railway, but that by way of bonus the company should also be permitted to make selections of other portions of land, free of charge, to a reasonable extent, similar encouragement having been afforded in the British North American Colonies. 4. That, in addition, the legislature ought to guarantee, for a limited term of years, the regular payment to the shareholders of a dividend at a rate not exceeding six per cent. per annum, upon the first 100,000l. of the capital subscribed, security for the same being taken by the government on the tolls collected by the company. 5. That as a large amount of money is lying unemployed, and consequently unproductive, in the savings' bank, the Council is of opinion that a sum not exceeding 30,0001. might be advantageously invested by the government, in behalf of that institution, in shares in any such company. 6. That the foregoing resolutions be communicated to his Excellency the Governor, with a copy of the report of the select committee on railways; and that his Excellency be respectfully requested to take the same into his favourable consideration, and also to bring the subject generally under the notice of the Right Honourable the Secretary of State for the Colonies, with the view of obtaining the sanction of her Majesty's government to such portions of the recommendations of this Council as cannot be carried into effect by the colonial government.-Sydney Morning Herald. TRAVELLING IN AMERICA.-From Portland I travelled to Boston, 100 miles in eight hours, by railroad and stage. The railroad will soon be open the whole way, and thus the line of steam communication will be completed from one extreme of the United States to the other, from Maine to Georgia. Well may the Americans say, when they contemplate these prodigies of physical progress, "This is a great country,-it has unbounded energies and resources." So it has; and they have a right to say so. |