The Sun.
London, England, 1856-01-16 00:00:00

THE ISTHMUS OF SUEZ.

ALEXANDRIA, JAN. 4.—The international commission
for cutting a canal through the Isthmus of Suez has
just terminated its investigation on the Egyptian soil
and given in the conclusion of its report to the Viceroy.
The commission left Suez on the 21st of December,
after having studied the roadstead. It crossed the
Isthmus from south to north, examining on its way the
soundings and levels which have been executed during
the last three months, and which will enable the course
of the projected maritime canal to be traced out.
The commission encamped on the 28th of December
on the shore of Pelusium, where it embarked on the 31eb
on board the Egyptian steam-frigate Le Nil. This
vessel had been cruising for a month in the bay, accom-
panied by a tender with coals on board.
On its first arrival at Alexandria the commission had
left instructions with M. Larousee, the naval epgineer,
who, with remarkable activity, had completed a survey
of 44 kilometres of the coast. Seconded by M. Dar-
[laud, engineer of the Viceroy, and by M. Cianciolo, an
Italian engineer, he was enabled to present a detailed
plan of that portion of the bay the study of which had
been intrusted to him.
The following are the very favourable, and it may be
said unexpected, results of the observations made :
Opposite the ruins of Pelusium the soundings gave
8 metres at the distance already known of 7,500 metres
from the shore ; but, taking a westerly direction, that
depth of 8 metres gradually nears the coast, and is to be
found at a distance of only 2,351 metres, in a continu-
ous line, running parallel with the coast for 20 kilometres.
This was an immense advantage ; the European engi-
neers could not fail to take advantage of it to fix the
point for the mouth of the future canal into the Mediter-
ranean. On approaching the coast on this line of 20
kilometres, extending between the mouth of Omfareg
and that of Gamileb, the soundings gave, with an ex-
cellent bottom, a depth of 5 metres at 750 metres, 6
metres at 1,600 metres, and 7 metres at 2,301 metres.
The depths of 9, 10, and 12 metres, and more, were suc-
cessively obtained at distances of 3,000 and 6,000
metres.

It results from these important facts acquired to hy-
drog,rahies that the jetties of the canal in the Bay of
Pelusium, the water of which, moreover, is pefectly lim-
pid, need not be half so long as was at, first supposed.
The same will be the case in the Suez roadstead, which
was just as little known as that of Pe'ilium.
The International Commission, in its report to the
Viceroy, pronounces itself in favour of the direct line,
which it regards as the only solution of the problem of
the junction of the Red Sea with the Mediterranean. It
unanimously declared that the execution was easy and
the success certain.

" REPORT TO HIS HIGHNESS MOHAMED SAID PASHA,
• VICEROY OF EGYPT.

" His Highness called us to Egypt to study the ques-
tion of cutting a canal through the Isthmus of Seez.
Providing us with the means of judging upon the spot
the merit of the different solutions proposed, he invited
us to submit to him the one most easy, most sure, most
advantageous to the commerce of Europe.
"Our investigations, favoured by desirable weather,
facilitated and abridged by the ample means placed at
our disposal, are terminated.
We have found innumerable, or rather insuperable,
obstacles to directing the canal on Alexandria, and un-
expected facilities for establishing a port in the Gulf of
Pelusium. _ _ _

"A. direct canal from Suez towards the Golf of Pelu-
slum is therefore the only solution of the problem of the
junction of the Red Sea and the Mediterranean. The
execution thereof is easy, the success certain, the results
immense for the commerce of the world.

" Our opinion in this respect is unanimous ; we pur-
pose giving our reasons in a detailed pamphlet, accom-
panied by hydrographical plans of the bays of Suez and
Pelusium, with a map of the conformation of the ground
through which the canal will run.
"The compilation of this pamphlet will take some
time. We shall set about it at once, in Europe, so as
to he able to present it to his Highness a few mouths
hence.
" For the moment we give the following conclusions:—
"1. The line on Alexandria is not admissible in a tech-
nical and economical point of view.
"2. The direct line offers every facility for 'the execu-
tion of the maritime canal, properly called, with a branch
to the Nile, and the usual difficulties for the creation of

the two ports.
"3. That of Suez will open upon a large and sure
roadstead, accessible at all times, with eight metres of
water at 1,600 metres from the shore.
" 4. That to be formed is the Gulf of Pelusium, which
the first plan placed at the end of die Gulf, will be placed
18 kilometres more to the west, where there are eight
metres of water at 2,300 metres from the shore, with
good anchorage.
" 5. The expense of the canal of the two seas and of
the works connected with it will not exceedi the sum of
200,000,000 f., as put down to the estimates of the en-
gineers of the Viceroy.
"The members of the International Commission for
cutting a canal through the Isthmus of Suez,
" F. CONRAD, President.
" A. RENAUD.
" NEGRELL
"J. M'LEAN.
" LIRIISSON, Secretary."

"Alexandria, Jan. 2.

LA IT INTELLIGENCE.—Jan. 15.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.

PENNELL AND ANOTHER T. DAWSON AND ANOTHER-ACT

OF BANKRUPTCY.

This was an action by the assignees of a bankrupt
named Grant, brought for the purpose of testing the
validity of a mortgage which the bankrupt had executed
to Messrs. Dawson, and it was sought to invalidate the
deed, on the ground that it was executed to defeat and
delay creditors, and therefore amounted to an act of
bankruptcy. At the trial before the Chief Justice, dur-
ing the last sittings iu London, the verdict was entered
far the plaintiff.
Mr. Bovill now moved for a rule for a new trial, and
submitted that, so far from the deed having been exe-
cuted to defeat or delay creditors, it had for its object to
enable Mr. Grant to obtain a supply of papers, so that
he might carry on his business and pay his creditors,
and therefore that the verdict was against the evidence.
He also submitted that the matter had so been left to
the jury that it was impossible for them to find any
other way than for the plaintiff, and that this amounted
to misdirection.
Rule granted.

MAIL TO AUSTRALIA.--LIVERPOOL, Jan. 15.—The
new and magnificent iron clipper ship Royal Charter,
Captain Boyce, fitted with auxiliary screw power, and
owned by the Australian Mail Steamship Company,
sails from this port on Thursday, when the postbox
closes, in this town at 12 p.m., and with late fee at 12.30
p.m. Her passenger list is almost filled, as also is her
cargo space. It is expected that she will make the run
under 60 days. The British and North American mail
steamer Canada will sail from this port to-morrow for
Boston with the usual mails and passengers. The post-
office closes at 10 a.m.
JOINT•STOCK COMPANIES.—It is rumoured that the
new act now in preparation by Government for the in-
corporation and regulation of joint-stock companies con-
tains a clause which will increase, by defining, the re-
sponsibilities of directors. It is said to declare that every
director shall be held to be acquainted with all the acts
of the board, and also that every director shall be re-
sponsible for the truth of the statements which t hey
put forth. If they say that a railway has made a profit,
or that a bank has assets to meet its engagements, they
are to be held responsible to all parties interested for tke
truth of what they thus publish.
ETON COLLEGE.—This day (Wednesday) the " lower
boys" return to Eton, after the Christmas vacation. The
fifth form and upper division return on Thursday ; and
on Friday and Saturday the sixth form return, when
the whole school will have assembled.
CAMBRIDGE UNIVERSITY.—The names of the Right
Hon. Spencer H. Walpole (8.A., 1828) ; the Marquis
of Granby (ALA., 1835) ; and Lord John Manners
(M.A., 1839), all members of Trinity College, are men-
tioned as those likely to become candidates for the vacant
seat.
CRYSTAL PALACE.—~SHILLING DAY, Jan. 15.—Ad-
missions on payment, 742 ; ditto by season tickets, 264 ;
total, 1,006.
PORTUGUESE' BONIIIOLDERS.—A 'meeting of Portu-
guese bondholders has been convened for the 18th inst.
tb take into consideration the provisional agreement
lately entered into for the arrangement of the debt.