1 APRIL 1871, Page 3

Sir J. Elphinstone has been lecturing on a plan for

cutting through Adam's Bridge. He has an impression that if a sum of £100,000 were spent in piercing that inconvenient ocean wall, the route from Europe to China would be 750 miles shorter; we should get a magnificent harbour sixteen miles square, with quiet water, and should save four days' expenses on each voyage. We have rather a respect for his opinion on such a point ; but supposing him right, which he very likely is, what need of a State grant ? Why won't a toll do ?