136 Route to India. 



yet imperfectly solved. The psychology of these races has 

 been but little studied in an enlightened manner, and yet 

 this is wanting, in order to complete the history of human 

 nature and the philosophy of the human mind ! How can 

 this be obtained, when so many tribes shall have become ex- 

 tinct, and their thoughts shall have perished with them ? 



Route to India. By Charles Maclaren, Esq., F.R.S.E. 

 With a Map. (Communicated by the Author.) 



There has just appeared an interesting and well-timed 

 pamphlet, in thirty pages, entitled " Inquiry into the Means 

 of Establishing a Ship Navigation between the Mediteranean 

 and the Red Seas ; with a Map. By James Vetch, Capt. R.N„ 

 F.R.S. London, 1843," in which the author has called at- 

 tention to a subject of much importance. The British Govern- 

 ment has the interests and happiness of a hundred millions 

 of Asiatics confided to its care ; and it is evident, that, fco 

 execute the trust thus devolving upon it efficiently, rapid and 

 frequent communication with India is indispensable. By 

 the application of steam-power, and the adoption of the 

 route through the Mediteranean and Red Sea, in lieu of that 

 by the Cape, a voyage of four months has been shortened 

 nearly to a voyage of one, and India has been brought, 

 morally and politically, four times nearer to England. There 

 is now nothing to prevent a naturalist, a merchant, or a states- 

 man, from paying a visit to India during the summer, spend- 

 ing six weeks in the country, and resuming his labours at home 

 within the compass of four months. The beneficial eff*ects of 

 this facility and speed of communication upon our commerce 

 with India are obvious. To the British Government, too, the 

 advantage is immense. When a country is so distant from 

 those who rule it, that eight months intervene between the 

 writing of a dispatch and the arrival of an answer, it is evident 

 that the administrative agents must act on their own discre- 

 tion in nine cases out of ten, and frequently even in such im- 

 portant matters as questions of peace and war. Hitherto the 

 J3ritish Government and the Board of Directors have not, pro- 



