31

way would have to be added the expense of unloading and reloading the cargoes of each shipment; so that it is mani­fest that a railway direct between the two seas could stand no competition with the proposed canal, which, besides its value as a commercial channel, would facilitate the steam navigation with India in the highest degree, by permitting the steamers to make a continuous voyage; and by per­mitting supplies of coals being sent direct to Suez and Aden, &c., the detention of steamers at Suez and Alex­andria would he avoided, four or five days would be gained in the transmission of passengers and mails, and the ex­penditure in the price of coals would be much reduced.

The inquiry which has thus been attempted on a sub­ject of such vast importance, has remained in manuscript since January, 1842, partly in hopes of obtaining some new and more detailed information of the condition of the Isthmus, and partly from the subject not possessing at the time much interest with the public.

Since the above period, though little new or useful matter has been obtained, the public have lately mani­fested a considerable desire of entering upon the merits of the question, and the author has therefore been induced to hazard his opinions through the press with a view of promoting attention to the execution of a work, which combines, probably, more important results (in proportion to the extent and cost of the undertaking) than any other which natural circumstances offer to the science and skill of the engineer, or to the enterprise of the capitalist.