362 ' 
EXTENSION OF SUGAR CULTIVATION IN INDIA. 
that the propiietors would not he unwillins to sell 
their property. There is a doiiht whether the land, 
as well as the water, and the right of fishery, be- 
longs to the zemindar, or to the state, the right 
is about to be tiied. 
Lord William proposed that this miiuite with its 
accompanying documents, might be submitted to 
the Hoii’ble Court, with his request that the 
plan may be laid before Messis. Telford, and 
John and George Ilennie, for their opinion upon 
• ts practicability, and for such suggestions, and 
directio ns, as they are so well enabled to give for 
its execution. He pioiiosed these gentlemen, lie- 
cause they had been lingineers in the woiks to 
which he himself was a party, and they would 
therefore better undei stand his meaning. 
He further proposed if the Court should feel 
doubtful of the piaclicability,or being satisfied upon 
that head, should be unwilling to undertake it, that 
they would peimit iudividuals including their ser- 
vants to embaik their money in the wotk. 
11 would be fair, he thought, that one half of the 
expense of the new proposed cut, should be borne 
by the Company, in return for the improved navi- 
gation and the greater increase of Tolls that would 
accrue theiefrom* The proprietors of the Salt Water 
Lake would of course continue to pay the same jum- 
lua to Goveinmeut as heitofoie. 
SUGAR CULTIVATION. 
On this subject the Conservative of Madras 
observes. 
The present time is certainly favourable f«r the 
extension of Sugar cultivation in India, as it ap- 
pears clear beyond controversy that a falling oflT 
will take place in that article in the West Indies 
at the expiialion of the apprenticeship act. 1 he 
West India Islands even under the present system 
aie inadequately supplied with labour, and amongst 
propiietors there is much apprehension that the 
apprentices will notwoikat all when no longer 
compelled to do so: one thing is certain that if the 
West India Negro is no great political economisr, 
he is at all events a practical philosopher, and his 
present idea of absolute freedom and consequent 
happiness is that of setting under the shade all 
daylong. He is as yet insensible to the moral 
stimulus of beltei ing his condition, and it is to he 
feared when left to himself he will only labour to 
the extent of procuring subsistence, which maybe 
about a month in each year.-Nciwithsianding (his 
apprehension we are far from being of the opinion 
of some enthusiasts in Bengal who prognosticate 
the downfall of the West Indies from the passing 
of the late Act: sorry indeed should we be to see 
the ruin of these “ gems set in the silver sea ; 
their standing or falling is a question of vital im- 
poriance to England: and sorry should we be to 
see the fair Island of the Mauritius sinking again 
in a comine rcial point of view into the insignifi- 
cance from which it has within these last few year s 
emerged. 
As regards the latter Island there is little to be 
apiireheiided, as its supeiioriiy <»f soil over India, 
and the success of the expeiiincnt made two years 
ago of importing labourers from this countiy give 
advantages to its industrious and deserving colonists. 
*— vVe have reason to suppose that before long Na- 
tives from this country will be imported in consi- 
derable numbers to our West India Islands upon 
the same teims as those who have been sent to the 
Mauriiins. Should their importation be attended 
with equal success, we do not think the West India 
Pi oprietors, have much to apprehend from any 
extension of the culture of Sugar Cane which may 
take place in this country — the superiority of soil 
in the West Indies will compensate for the higher 
price which must he paid for the labour of those 
who are employed [in the cultivation of the Cane 
and the manufacture of its piodncts. 
EXPENSES OF THE OVEllLAND ROUTE. 
The following on the above subject is import- 
ant information to those who may he inclined to 
pioceed home in this way, a statement of the ex- 
penses attending it is of inieiest. 
The economy of this mode of travelling has 
long been no secret. The whole amount paid by 
Major Davies for himself and Mrs. Davies be- 
tween London and Bombay, enjoying by the way 
a nip up the Rliine and through Italy, was only 
£126 each ; and yet it would seem tliat they 
mi"lii have pei formed (he jouiney for considera- 
bly less, bad they arrived in the Red Sea earlier 
iif the season and been freed from the extra 
charges they were obliged to pay for a passage to 
this poit. It will he observed, too, that they di- 
verged a little from the direct route, by proceed- 
ing to Brussels, which must have increased their ex 
penses. — For two or three bachelor.-, therefore, 
travelling in company, and who are willing to pm 
up with little inconveniences, £100 each, tlieie is 
reason to believe, will be sufficient for the journey. 
TO THE EDITOR OF THE COURIER. 
StB,— It having been suggested to me that any 
Inioimation regarding the expenses incurred and 
time occupied, in a journey from England to 
Bombay by way of Egypt, would be iiueiesiing to 
qibeis, contemplating the same, I beg leave to 
tend yon a longh sketch of what it cost me toge- 
ther with Mrs. Davies —The season ought to he 
considered; for Sleameis weie not going in the 
Red Sea. 
We left England on the I9ih May.^ and ariived 
ill Bombay,! 20th Seplemlier 1836. The routes 
from Malta are various, and all interesting, but as 
Steamers aienow constantly going from Hlalia to 
Naples, that would be tlioiiglii the best by most 
people; but of course every one will decide for 
himself, as he gets on, what route to pursue. My 
object is merely to state, in a rough sketcli, wliat 
it cost me, and I may add, that with the exception 
of the heat in the Red Sea at the season we came, 
we accomplished the journey without the least difii- 
culty, and weie most highly pleased with the 
many inteiestiiig sights and scenery we thus had 
an opporiniitiy of seeing- 
C. Davis, Major, Bombay Army- 
