THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VIII, Issue 697, 7 April 1852, Page 4

THE ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

[From the Daily Kews.J In our columns every morning, as well as in those of the Times, will be seen one of those startling results ci the wonderful celerity of communication which . the last age would not have credited, although the present enjoys and profits by such without stirring one single muscle of astonishment. Of old, when a sudden fall, or a marked rise, took place in the value of public securities in the markets of Vienna, Naples, Madrid, or Hamburg, couriers were instantly despatched at full speed, those who were able to throw away the couple of hundred pounds which they cost, being thereby enabled through their correspondents to overreach the more ignorant public, and either sell and buy, or bet, with the certainty of winning. Now the “ occupation ”of the commercial courier is gone. For a few dollars any one can convey intelligence by electric telegranh from one end of Europe to the other,— from Madrid, or Trieste, or Warsaw, to London, and simultaneous difference of value in the same species of property is no longer possible in the different markets of Europe. Last night, for example, we received the closing prices of the Vienna Exchange of the preceding day, of those of Paris and Antwerp of the same day ; and we shall continue to take advantage of every improvement, and of every fraction of increased celerity, to put the British public in possesion of intelligence affecting money or commerce in markets abroad.

It is astounding to think what rapid communication might be established by means • f the electric wire, which, instead of being the humble and tardy follower of railways, might with immense advantage to them be made their avant courier. How many countries and governments, if they once experienced the advantages of conveying orders and receiving intelligence on the wings of lightning, would be prompted to follow up the iines of wire by those of transport. Amongst those countries who have dene much to open and to accelerate communication, Austria stands foremost. Having so often had to censure its despotic spirit, we are glad to do that government justice when it affords us the opportunity. And, certainly, however its minister may seek to retrograde in politics, his mode of effecting this is not the old one of isolation. For all people and opinions can fly through Austria on the wings of steam. Last year the post to and from the east of Europe was obliged to go round by Berlin and Breslau, following the circumference of a circle, instead of running along the diameter. Now it runs straight by Dresden and Prague to Vienna, and as soon as a certain extent of rail is completed between Paderborn and Ilamm, the line from Cologne to Vienna will be almost direct. From Vienna, every effort that the most free and enlightened government could make for extending and completing railroad communication southward and eastward, is making. And the road over the Simmering, that awkward Alp, which completely bars the road between Vienna and Trieste will, when completed, and traversed by engines, be one of the greatest wonders of the mechanical world. The line through the pass, or rather over the mountain, is very nearly completed, and several of the powerful engines have already made -their trials of ascepi with perfect success. There is now a delay of four hours for passengers, and infinitely more for merchandize in traversing this mountain, all of which will be reduced and obviated.

The lines through Hungary are also progressing. Nor would it be difficult to extend the electric wire through the principalities to Varna, and from thence to Odessa on one side, and Constantinople on the other. Steamers ply constantly and rapidly between Varna and the cities, so that one end of electric wire at Varna, and the other at Ostend, would put us within a few hours’ communication with the east. A railroad along the Lower Danube, without following its sinuosities would be as feasible as the laying down of wires and wire-posts, if Russia would but allow it. The principalities could with ease meet the expense, and repay themselves for the outlay. But Russia, that looks even upon the Hungarian railways with no pleasure, and which will not hear of any such ingress to her dominions farther than Cracow and Warsaw, would exert her insidious, and, for the present, her paramount, influence with Austria, to prevent even the contemplation of euch a scheme.

One of our contemporaries laid before the public some time since a magnificent scheme of a railroad across Roumelia and Asia Minor to Bombay. We suppose, however, that this wan a mere poetical contre-projct to the Egyptian railroad, or

a scheme like that of the road across the Rocky Mountains to join the Columbia to the Hudson. Nothing, we fear, can be done in Turkey, save bit by bit. The chief point to aim tit there, after establishing quick communication between the great European capital at.d the Black Sea, would be the establishing of facile communication between Trebizond, lirzeimi , and 1 ehet an. That would tell mote lor commerce, and transit of ideas, intelligence, and merchandise, than any line. Our news from north-western India would even take that direction, as well as the manufactures from Western Europe. Heie again we should have Russia as an antagonist, since all her efforts are turned to communications by the Caspian. But as she will communicate but with Russia and not with Europe, we have every reason to oppose and all the means to beat her. - Whilst awaiting and doubting the realization of such salutary schemes, all we van do is to make the most of the channels altcady open, and furnish our readers each day with the money-prices of the ] receding or penultimate day in the great countries of Eastern Europe.