The Washington union., 1857-04-25

CANAL ACROSS THE IsTHMUs OF sUEz

the isthmus OF Suez, This great Egyptian canal is
destined to be- without any turmoil break of
1inuity the main channel of communication between
Europe northern Africa, and the whole Asiatic
world II will afford most economical means of
intercourse between 3000O0,O0O OF western people,
welding the powers of modern industry science, and
art, and 600OO00O0 Of the eastern nations and tribes
to whom Nature, in profusion, and skill, in scanty
measures, have givenn Australia, for instance wool
and gold; in Arabia, stores Of aromatics; in Oceania
treasures Of spices in China, tea and porcelain and
in India, cotton and silk
Nine-tenths of mankind will thus be brought into
almost immediate contact through navigable way
connecting by steam and rail with all the great pub
lie works now in course Of construction Europe
and hereafter no doubt to be enlarged upon the bare
assurance that the waters Of the Mediterranean are
soon TO mingle with those Of the Red sea.
In iIindostan England is at this very time, hew-
ing her way through ranges Of mountains to lay down
the rails from the to those immense plains
which, in anticipated triumph, she bleaching at
no very distant period with the cotton bos In this
she has twofold object: one looking to the Grip
ping of our own industry in that line the latter to
the supply of her own deficiencies, and therefore,
the assertion Of her own independence.
In addition to this, find, by statements from the
Colonial Office that the governors Of British India
are on the point of completing the extensive Jumna
canal, which actually doubles the navigation Of the
Ganges, and carries 10 the very base Of the Hma
layan slopes.
Australia, which, in ten years, has tripled her pop
49, II ~, han, Eve lad hare
merce with Europe looks along the Indian ocean,
through the Gulf Of Suez, for route shorter than
the $4,000 miles which separate her from its islands
and its continent She entered into contracts in the
course Of the year 1856, for the transportation,
through Egypt, Of her correspondence, passengers,
and gold and now she is patiently awaiting for the
opening of this canal, which will afford new and
nnencumbered passage to her heavier trade
consequences Of equally momento,ls character are
about to grow out of the great system Of public
works now in progress over the surface Of Europe.
Austria is throwing forward the railroad lines OF
Lombardy to the shores of Venice; and the German
network from the Weser, the Elbe, and the Danube,
to the port of Trieste, opening, by that course for
the German empire and the Csapne provinces, free
access across the waters Of the Adratic TO the treas
llres of the East.
The bare idea Of this Suez canal diverting vessels
from the Cape of Good Hope, and crowding them
upon the waters Of the Mediterranean startes Italy
from the condition of commercial nferiority to which
shc was reduced four centuries ago, The old PENN
sula, that so long swayed the destnies of the
camille world is again awake to hopes Of commercial
prosperity. Invoking the recollection Of her farof
expeditions, and relying upon the resources which
modern arts and appliances have created she again
Dreams if not Of dominion at least Of competition
the seas in the renewed splendors of her medieval
trade
The nnassuming municipal council which has
ceeded the I" Deci' and now represents, in Venice
"the bridegroom Of the SCI" which lie welded as
real sovereign, has just appointed committee Of
inquiry whose duty il is made to trace back the ira
iitions Of the Levant trade through Egypt, and to
suggest new means Of reviving its activity. The
Scientific Institute Of Venice have also proposed
golden medal for the most satisfactory exposition Of
the probable influences Of the canal on trade and on
the best system Of communication 10 reinstate Ven
ice as the commercial centre Of Italy in connexion
with the India route We shall look for the result
with no slight degree Of interest the Both Of May
next being the period appointed for the making of
the report and the awarding Of the przemcdal.
In another quarter, Sardinia "iha tosome bee,'
ancient geographer has styled her, with spirit
and enterprise far beyond her territorial limits opens
her Alps and her Apennines at once to Switzerland
Savoy, and Piedmont inclined plane OF thrift
and prosperity leading TO the port Of Genoa. She
has gone even further and lately made ample appro-
priations to improve that port, connected with so
many and stirring recollections Of war, navigation
and trade and to enlarge it, according to the text of
the law to supply adequate room for the vessels
which the Egyptian maritime canal win send 10 the
birthplace Of those seakings, The Columbus and the
Doria.
Even the Papa States, in the like foresight find
their ports inadequate. committee has there, also,
been raised to select beyond the Tiber and towards
rhe East bay calculated to accommodate vessels Of
heavy tonnage, and to be converted by the ap-
piiances of science and art, into large shipping
port. This is intended to connect with the railroad
which is to go from Calais via Paris Florence and
Rome, TO Naplesa new opening for more direct
communication from London to the Indian seas.
Spain, too, in the midst Of civil revolutions, and
their consequent agtatons, is shaking off the torpor
of her sleep The procrastinating doctrine of
she now seems to repudiate in sober earnest.