The Sun.
London, England, 1857-05-08 00:00:00

M. DE LESSEPS AND THE SUEZ SHIP CANAL

Oa Wednesday a special meeting of the directors of the
Manchester Commercial Association was held for the pur-
pose of hearing the statements of M. Ferdinand de Les-
seps, as to the project for a ship canal across the Isthmus
of Suez, and to elicit an opinion from that influential body
as to the advantages of the undertaking to the commercial
interests of England. M. J. A. Turner, M.P., the Presi-
dent, occupied the chair.
M. DE LESSEPS was introduced by Mr. C. L. Henny,
the secretary of the company, and Mr. D. A. Lange, of
London, but explained ,that his want of fluency in the
English language would compel him to make his statements
through Mr. Lange.
That gentleman accordingly gave a brief sketch of the
enterprise, especially as to the commercial and financial
aspect. He referred to the tendency of recent improve-
ments in ship-bui'ding, to diminish the draughts of vessels,
while their tonnage in proportion was increased. In sup-
port of his remarks, he adduced the testimony of several
eminent engineers, especially Mr. Laird, of Birkenhead,
the most extensive shipbuilder in Great Britain. On this
high authority, Mr. Lange informed the meeting that
screw vessels of 2,500 tons were now constructed capable of
superior speed to those of former models, and drawing only
18 feet of water. It was considered that this draught
would be sufficient to fulfil, in the majority of cases, all
present requirements as to the merchant service in any
part of the world. Facts took the same direction as re-
garded ships of war. Formerly an 80-gun ship of 3,000
tons used to draw 27 feet of water ; whereas a 50-gun fri-
gate of 3,400 tons was now being constructed not to ex-
ceed 24 feet draught. The depth intended to be given to
the canal, viz., 26 feet, would therefore always be suffi-
cient, and there would be no necessity for subsequently
increasing it. With regard to the saving of distance in
the case of vessels trading with the East, the distence by
the Cape of Ceylon was 14,000 miles, while by the Suez
route it was only 7,000. The calculations of the returns
of the canal had been based chiefly on the steam traffic,
including vessels fitted with auxiliary screws. As the
proportion of vessels employing steam was yearly
increasing, a margin was left for future improvement
on this score, in the finances of the undertaking. The
Board of Trade returns showed that in one year
the total tonnage of sailing vessels registered
amounted to 4,00u,000 tons, that of steamers being
300,000 tons ; whereas in the came year the total tonnage
of sailing vessels constructed was 130,000, and that of
steamers 64,000, showing an important advance in favour
of steam-vessels. As to the comparative security of the
Red Sea for navigation, every day tended to prove that
former unfavourable notions arose from ignorance or pre-
judice. The Peninsular and Oriental Steam Company had
on the commencement, under these misapprehensions, paid
large sums for insurances, but this was found on experi-
ence to be superfluous, and the amount formerly set apart
for such contingencies was now distributed among the
shareholders.
Several questions were then put to M. de Lesseps, as to
certain conditions of the concession, and the rate of toll to
be levied by the company.
The PRESIDENT then informed M. de Lesseps that the
board considered themselves sufficiently made acquainted
with the scheme, all the explanations being most clear and
straightforward ; and they would now deliberate in private.
The resolution, which was received by M. de Lesseps in
the course of the same day, is given below, with the letter
enclosing it.
Moved by Mr. MURRAY GLADSTONE, seconded by tr.

J. VENDER, and resolved unanimously :—" That this as-
sociation being desirous of encouraging every movement
having for its object the promotion of commerce through-
out the -world, has heard with ,nuch interest the state-
ments with which the board bas been favoured by M. de
Lesseps, relative to a ship canal to connect the Mediter-
ranean and Ited.Seas ; and, provided that effectual means
be taken to secure the neutrality of such canal, as well
as a moderate rate of charge, such as shall give every pos-
sible encouragement to the transit of merchant vessels,
will view with much satisfaction the realisation of so im-
portant an undertakine,.."
The letter was as follows :
" Manchester Commercial Association, May G.
"Sir,—On behalf the directors of this association I
have the honour to convey to you the expression of their
best thanks for the very interesting information so oblig-
ingly afforded them by you this morning relative to your
project for the construction of a ship canal across the
isthmus of Suez, and I beg further to transmit the an-
nexed copy of a resolution unanimously passed by this
board with reference thereto.—l- have the honour to b;
sir, your most obedient servant,
" HUGH FLEMING, Sec.

" To M. F. do Losseps, &c."

INVENTORS' MUSEUM AT SOUTH
KENSINOTON.

In our number for Jau. 21, we announced the estab•
lishruent of an Inventor's Museum and Library at Ken-
sington. On Saturday last' we visited tha building to
observe what progress had been made, and were pleased
to find that the Museum is fast approaching compleion
and that a considerable number of excellent models have
been received for exhibition. The library will not, we
suspect, be extended beyond the official publications of
the Commissioners of patents—indexes, specifications, &c.
The works of reference accumulated for the patent library
will, of course, be retained at the chief library, Southamp-
ton•buildings, as it would he impossible for men of busi-
ness to journey to Kensington whenever they had to
make a search, or consult a volume. The Museum will
however, be extended to any nece,sary magnitude, as
it will not be required to answer the same purpose of
frequent and immediate reference as the library. We
are gratified to observe that Mr. Woodcroft is very
wisely endeavouring to bring together in this
Museum models classified and arranged in such
manner as to tell the historical tale of the gradual
improvement of each branch of practical art and
manufacture. When this is once accomplished it
will be comparatively easy to keep up the system,
and thus to preserve in the country a simple and en-
during record of its industrial progress. Too much
praise cannot be given to Mr. Woodcroft for his efforts
in this direction, and we trust that manufacturers and
inventors will heart;ly co-operate with him in effecting
his object. We shall defer publishing an account of the
models exhibited at Kensington until the Museum is
opon to the public; we may, honever, state that the
centrsl object is tile actual steam engine trestored by J.
Ponn and Co.) which Symington applied first to 'she
populsion of a vessel. Of this engine, which ha,:, been
searched after and found by Mr. Woodcroft, we shall
give an historical and descriptive account 4.11 an early
number.—Mechanics' Magazine.

ACTION, THE WATCHWORD of SCCOEsS --" Action—
action"—was the motto of D4.irnoses.enes, and see where
it led him. His name is imr nortki' as immortal in h:s-
tory a 4 the classic nation of his birth. What a shining
example of industry and perseverance—what a noble
model of a self-made man. Young man, the wide wol 11
i 3 before yon to be quered, not as Alexander con•
quered it, by 2, sangu:r etry conflict, but a world of know-
ledge is to be acquire'',, a reputation to be gained. You
must not depend upo n your natural abilities to carry you
through the struggle, though they be brilliant; nor must
you be discouraged if at first you fail in intellectual
efforts. It is by hard, determined, and inflexible appli-
cation that the latent powers of mind are developed. Be
undaunted in your ef i'ort.3, and unrelenting in your pur-
suit of knowlecge. Work—work—work ! and mince..
must crown your enileavoura.—Hunt's New York filer-
clwrrs Magazine.