it is to be presumed, as an anchor of safety in the event of an accident happening to the machinery, and also to assist in the descent. It remains folded like an umbrella when the machine is ascending, and opens when it is descending. It is fixed in such a way that the engineer shall have the power, by means of cords which connect it with the car, of inclining it in any direction, so as to steer the machine towards the point selected for landing, precisely as a hawk uses its wings when it pounces on the fugitive it seeks to make its prey. There is a horizontal screw fixed to the machine, which is intended to communicate the motion of translation, or in other words, to give the engineer power to direct the course of the aerial ship.
It is never safe to prophesy what may be accomplished by engineers when their minds are directed to the discovery of a method of effecting a particular purpose. A new engine, capable of communicating continuous and rapid motion to the shaft, may be invented which will not require a large supply of fuel to keep it in action. But this engine must be much, very much, lighter than the existing steam-engine; and even supposing this engine to be invented, there will then arise the question which, after all, settles the working of all inventions—its cost. However, M. Nadar and his friends appear convinced that the successful working of the Aeronef is beyond a doubt, and that all that is required is money sufficient for its construction.
THE RUSSIAN STATIONS ON THE SEA OF JAPAN.
An autocratic government may plant stations on a desolate coast without being under any necessity of producing financial reasons to justify such a step. If the project seems to the central power as of sufficient political importance, the question “will it pay?” is of very secondary moment. Thus, remote harbours and barren territories often bEcome known to us long before they can be of any real service to mankind.
It may be remembered that when, in 1859, the last treaty with the feeble court of Pekin was obtained by England and France, Russia also put in her claim. The plenipotentiary of that Power succeeded in gaining the concession of the whole extent of Mantchouria, and also some points on the island of Saghalien. Indeed so long since as 1854 Russia had occupied certain positions on the northern portion of the Sea of Japan. There are now eight ports and stations of the Russian power on that sea; and there is, besides, the very important consular and semi-naval port at Hakodadi in the island of Yesso; but this is held by Russia in conjunction with the other commercial powers. These eight stations or ports are: Nikolaïefsk, which is seventy miles north Of the Amoor; Castries Bay, some forty miles to the south of that river; Passiat Bay; Emperor Bay; Olga Bay (Anglicè, Port Seymour); and Vladovistock; then on the Isle of Saghalien are Douaï and Koussonaï.[1] Of all these the first, viz., Nikolaïefsk, is the only place which has any pretension to the name of a commercial town, and the only one which stands on old Russian territory. It is, however, so far north that the harbour is closed with ice during six months of the twelve.
Whether these stations be intended to subserve commercial or political purposes, the harbour of Vladovistock is the most important. Its position is about 132° east longitude, and 43° north latitude; the harbour is thus far enough south to be open throughout the year. The entrance to the port is only half-a-mile in breadth, and is guarded on each side by huge masses of volcanic rocks. The harbour widens on the inside to three-quarters of a mile in breadth, and is three miles long; it is sheltered from all winds by hills averaging 300 feet in height. The commercial value of the port must be estimated chiefly by the possibility which it offers of a communication with the Amoor. The small river Sinfui flows into the harbour; from that stream a canal might be formed to join the lake Hankaï on the north, which lake is already joined to the Amoor by the rivers Sin-gatchi and Oussouri.
During the greater part of the year the aspect of the country around Vladovistock is cheerless enough. The only signs of population are the nine wooden huts of the little garrison and an earth-built thatched house, which is the residence of the young governor and his lieutenant. This port was visited in November, 186l, by a French gentleman, M. Lindau; and he describes how politely he was welcomed by these exiled officials, who during four months had not heard any news from Europe. The “saloon” of the governor was a long, low room, the sides of which were whitewashed. It was heated with an enormous stove, and all the crevices of the windows were carefully patched over. The furniture was scanty and rough. On a sofa, which bore marks of long usage, the visitor was installed as on the seat of honour. On a set of swing bookshelves was a small library containing meteorological and other scientific works, flanked by a few French romances. Other portions of the whitened walls were ornamented with portraits of the Imperial family, and with photographs of the governor’s friends in Western Russia, from whom he had so long been separated. This young officer’s features gave evidence of much intelligence, but an air of dulness seemed spread over them, which was probably induced by the isolation of his position. He was delighted with the present of some French and English journals given to him by his visitor, whom he could scarcely thank sufficiently for them. The younger officer was of a more sprightly turn. He spoke of the hunting they often enjoyed, as there are plenty of partridges, wild ducks, pheasants, and snipes, besides hares, foxes, and ermines. Sometimes a little nobler sport presents itself, when they can bring to bay a bear or a tiger. The latter animal we always associate with our ideas of a tropical country, and it appears the tiger found in Mantchouria is of the same species as that which infests the jungles of Bengal. This fact has been verified by the Russian naturalist, Maximovitch, who has explored these regions with considerable industry.
- ↑ These two places have no shelter for vessels, but are merely military stations: at Douai coal has been found.
