The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-03-10

An important lhCt IceuIttu IRON the recent
survey OF the Isthmus of 5uez, conducted under the
auspices OF the English, French, and Austrian en-
gneers-the disproval Of the fac, stated by the
Commis sion OF French Swans, who were sent for
the same object BY Bona parte, in 1898, OF the diff
ference OF thirty feet in the levels Of the Mediter-
ransan and Red Seas. IL liz found that no such
difference exists-that from the main tidal level at
Spez, there is not more than six inches either way.
This Is important, as upsetling the theory promul
gated by Linaut and Others that one advantage in
the formation OF ship canal would be found in the
mems Of establishing current (from this presun-
ed difert nee Of leveD sufficient 10 scour the canal
and maintain the navigation free.
Bat The result Of the recent researches 10 whIun
! alude, IS not confined 10 the demons ration of
this fact-it embraces two others Of still grea
moment The first, that appro aches 10 the canal
al either end, are next 10, il not absolutely npos-
sible OF accomplishment. The second, that IL
practicable at all, the excavations could not be
Effected for lees sum than eight 10 Ten millions
sterling, and would require six TO ten years TO ac
compllsh.
These decisions deliberately arrived Al by s1ch
mel as composed the members Of the late scenti-
nc inquiries, appear sufficient TO shelve the canal
que siion and II now re maine for reason able men
interested IN furthering the eastern communication,
10 lend their energies and influence owards the
establishuen mt Of railway communication through
EGYPT. Mr.. Robert Stephenson, a gentleman
whose opinion such subjects cannot be isre-
Rarded, states II as the result Of personal exami
nation of the entire disIict through which the line
must pass from Alexandra 10 Suez, that he has
witnessed few, any, localities in all respects so
suitable, or in which the cost Of construction would
be lees The commercial value OF such me ans
Of communication with Cairo, can hardly be over.
estimated, considering how precanous Is the or
binary one by the river, and how much that may
possibly be interfcred with, or injured BY the
works in process Of completion the blrrage It's
moral advantage as auxiliary and agent OF civili-
Zstion, must be greater still, and OF Itself form
considt ration sufficiently grave and interesting to
enlist the attention and aid OF those even unpos-
SRfn oil direct indirect Interest the
or its transit
five thus admit its imporiance-and we believe
the fact 10 be exiomatic--thc next consideration is
lie means OF accomplish ment Everybody kaows,
who is aware of the intnguss Of Eastern countries,
how jealously the local governments view the in
vesiment in permanent works, Of foreign capital !;
particularly when that capital IL represented by
the subjects Of powerful European nation like
England IL is, therefore, not likely the Pasha
would consent to permit its being done by Joint
stock enterprise composed OF foreigners The only
prospect, then, II 10 induce him 10 undertake IL
national work, and for national and commercial
PURPOSES A this moment the subject is in his
mind. but he IS irammeed with the gigantic de-
rnsnds the available labor and resources Of the
country, in the works at the baUagc. Two years
more will likely complete this, or at least test its
probable reeults sufficiently TO show whether or
not u ~ desirable 10 persevere further on H. Dur
ing Ii time the preliminary arrangements, eur
veys and mate rails, might be put ia state Of for.
wardness, so that when Ne found himself released
from the outlay and responsibility oil the present
enterprise, he would soon at be in position to
undertake the other besides, as the Nile must b.
crossed by the railway, an important and costly
portion III the work, the bridging Of the river would
be saved, by rendering the oauage subser1ent TO
such purpose.
We cannot but Ihink the Pashs's mind, by pro-
per representation Of the advantages he and his
PEOPLE would reap from railway, is susceptible Of
a favorable bias and we know no work on which
the English Conss General who is daily expected
TO return from six months leave to England could
more fit,nely or benefcially employ his mind and
leisure than IN the attempt.