The Sun.
London, England, 1859-04-14 00:00:00

ROYAL GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

At the last meeting--ov---.—f this society, a very rare
French Atlas of Egypt, published by the Depot de
alandGuaerai•jeaginramlBoof7,
Cparpetsae
innted se
itbyynM,sr.apSptaeprahteusnsofonr,
paying out electric telegraph cables were exhibited.
The papers read were-1. On a new Projection of
the Sphere, by Sir J. F. W. Herschel, communi-
cated by Sir R. I. Murchison. The author ob-
serves that his projection offers several peculiar
advantages for geographical purposes when the
whole, or at least the whole accessible part of the
globe has to be mapped down on one sheet ; Ist, it
gets rid of the extravagant distension in high lati-
tudes, at least on one side of the Equator, which
the Mercator projection necessitates; 2d, like that
and the stereographic projection, it exhibits all
small portions of the sphere in their true forms,
without distortion of figure; 3d, it exhibits large
portions (as whole continents) under very much less
variation of scale where great amplitudes are con-
cerned than the stereographic, and for the whole of
one hemisphere than the Mercator, while for the
other, as far as the
,e ; u
degreethesso4rfttahhc,ei:t&teakes in latitude,.ie it is in
. 2. Brief
soff
no
' la owl ea y
accessibleoffen
s one
Remarkse
upon the Isthmus of Suez,
with special Reference
to the proposed Canal, &c., by Commander Bed-
form Pim, R.N., F.R.G.S. The author commenced
by laying down the latitude and longitude a the
Isthmus, stating the distance from Suez on the. Red
Sea to Pelusiuin on the Mediterranean to, be 74
miles. The coast line in the latter presents a bar-
ren appearance, consisting of sandy 'unlocks and.
swamps, with no harbour for ships of any
draught, saving Alexandria. Tile water in the
vicinity is shallow, the bottom shelving gradually,
depth of 25 feet extends fe
especially towards the Bay of Pelusium, where the
three miles from the a.F.io Jr astance of more than.
dire. The current has an
easterly set, its veloc;/Ey
being much influenced by
the wind. " The t.;:des, have an inconsiderable rise
and fall,
wind, the and are more or less dependent on the
nia"..imum height recorded being but two
feet eight ir,ches,
of thei Ray The prevailing winds, exposure
of Pelusium, the lowness of the coast,
th
and .e absence of landmarks increase the dangers
of D %.tvic,ation. The Red. Sea Coast is aria and sandy
,ut not flat, though in the vicinity of Suez the land
is low ; the roadstead being encumbered with shoals
and sandbanks, the harbour is accessible only to
small native coasters. The cwerents in the Red Sea
attain a velocity of from 15 to 20 miles in the 24
hours, and the tides have a greater rise and fall
than in the Mediterranean. The prevailing winds
from March to November are northerly, and the
remaining three months southerly. The rocks,
shoals, and coral banks render navigation unsafe,
and especially so for sailing vessels, the loss of
which was estimated to average one in ten per
annum. The author here noticed the physical
features, referring to the Nile, and the quantity
of alluvium carried by it into the Mediter-
ranean, which meeting with an easterly current,
carrying it towards the Bay of Pelusium, would
have the effect of choking up any harbour or
channel which came in its way, and then pro-
ceeded to describe the geological formation and an-
cient system of canalisation, and remarked that the
natural causes, geographical features, and antece-
dents of the country are antagonistic to the realisa-
tion of the canal project. The author then passed
in review the attempts thathad been made to carry
out this undertaking, commencing with Napoleon
1., and concluding with M. Ferdinand de Lesseps,
and considers all of these plans to have been based
on the results of the levelling of the French in 1799
who gave a much higher level to the Mediterranean
than to the Red Sea, which has since been proved
to be inaccurate, In dealing with this part of the
subject the author noticed the personal investiga-
tions of the eminent French and Austrian engineers
in conjunction with Mr. Stephenson, in 1846, and
the labours of the International Commission, and
then proceeded to give additional reasons for consi-
dering the cutting of a canal impracticable, viz.,
engineering and natural objects, labour, absence of
harbours, financial outlay, &c., estimating the latter
at over 14 millions sterling. The author concluded
with a proposal for shortening the route to India by
continuing the railway along the banks of the Nile
from Cairo to Assouan and thence across the coun-
try to Berenice, thus effecting, according to his
estimation, a saving of two days as regards time,
and avoiding many delays, inconveniences, and dif-
ficulties. The paper gave rise to a warm discussion,
in which Gen. Monteith, Messrs. G. Rennie, Sidney,
Lange, and R. Stephenson, M.P., took part, and
the meeting was adjourned to the 9th May.

TILE VOTE OF THANKS TO THE
INDIAN ARMY.

The following are the terms of the resolutions to
be moved in the Houses of Parliament this evening,
respectively by Earl Derby and Lord Stallley

" That the thanks of this house be given to the Right
Hon. Charles John Viscount Canning, G.C.8., her Ma-
jesty's Viceroy and Governor-General of India; the Right
Hon. Lord John Elphinstone, G.C.8., Governor of the
Presidency of Bombay; Sir John Laird Mair Lawrence,
Bart., G.C.B.,late lieutenant-governor of the Punjaub;
Sir Robert orth Collie Hamilton, Bart., agent to the
Governor-General in Central India ; Henry Bartle Edward
Frero, Esq., commissioner of Scinde ; Robert Montgomery,
Esq., late chief commissioner in Oude—for the ability
with which they have severally employed the resources at
their disposal for the re-establishment of leace in her Ma-
jesty's Indian dominions.
" That the thanks of this house be given to General the
Right Hon. Lord Clyde, G.C.8., Commander-in-Chief in
India; Lieutenant. General Sir James Outram, Bart.,
G.C.B. ; Major-General Sir Hugh Rose, G.C.B. ;
Major-General Henry Gee Roberts ; Major-General
George Cornish Whitlock ; Major-General Sir Archdale
Wilson, Bart., K.C.B. ; Major-General Sir James Hope
Grant, K.C.B. ; Major-General Sir William Rose Mans-
field, K.C.B. ; Major-General Sir Thomas Harte Franks,
K.C.B. ; Major-General Sir Edward Lugard, K.C.B. ;
Major-General Sir John Michel, K:C.B. ; Brigadier-
General Robert Walpole, C. 8.; Brigadier-General Sir
Robert Napier K.C.B.—for the eminent skill, courage, and
perseverance displayed by them during the military opera-
tions by which the late insurrection in India has been
effectually suppressed.
" That the thanks of this house be given to the other
gallant officers of her Majesty's army and navy, and also of
her Majesty's Indian forces, for the intrepidity, zeal, and
endurance evinced by them in the arduous operations of the

late Indian campaign.
" That this house doth highly approve and acknowledge
the valour, self-devotion, and brilliant services of the non-
commissioned officers and private soldiers, both European
and native, who have taken part in the suppression of the
recent disturbances in India ; and that the same be signified
to them by the commanders of their several corps, who are
desired to thank them for their gallant behaviour."