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maintenance, and occupation; and we find, under the dis­pensations of an Allwise Providence, that at suitable sea­sons resources are unveiled which have been long pro­vided hut concealed until the fit occasion presents itself. Amongst the numerous administrations of the same wise and merciful design, it is not unreasonable to believe that the completion of navigable channels across the Isthmuses of Suez and Darien are enterprizes amongst the events de­signed to minister to the growing wants and improvement of the human race.

In the preceding pages an endeavour has been made to shew the superiority of a direct communication between the two seas (which would provide for the speedy passage of large ships at all seasons) over a communication partly through the medium of the Nile, which would be interrupted in the dry season, and prove tedious at all times; and it now remains to say a few words on the comparative value of Railways:—

Railways, under present circumstances, would expedite the transmission of passengers by the steam ships across the Desert, and might be useful in the transmission of light and valuable goods between the Nile and the Red Sea; but it must be greatly doubted if a sufficient traffic could thereby arise to pay the construction and maintenance of eighty ^

miles of railway between Cairo and Suez. On the other hand, were it contemplated to construct a railway between the Bay of Tineh and Suez, the cost, including the improve­ment of the harbours at either terminus, would nearly equal the expense of the proposed canal ; but the means of keeping the terminal harbours deep and clean would be forgone from want of means of scourage; and to the expense of the rail-