New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-03-20
We have already announced the grant by the

We have already announced the grant By the
Turkish Government Of the right to Construct a
railroad designed 10 connect the Mediterranean Sea
with the waters Of the Persian Gull THIS grant
il made to an English Company, hesded by Colonel
Cbesney, Who for the last ten years, has been en-
Gagged at the expense of the English East Inaia
Company In e1plorstiops Of the Euphrares with q
view to shorter route to India. The steam nayi-
CATION Of the Upper Euphrates having proved i'm
practicable, the idea of railroad for the whoe
route has been substituted. Tne road is to leave
whence it will pass nearly due east by Aleppo 10 the
Eupbrates, the valley of which it is to follow to
Bassorah and the Persian Gulf The portion OF
The road already granted, exteods only short dis
lance below the ruins Of Babylon, but as this Por-
ton would DO Of little value without the remain.
der, snd as not only the Turkish Government, but
what more to the purpose, the English East India
Company, have taken the enterprise under their pat
ron,ge, the comp elton may be regarded as highly
probable. The engineers have already lefs England
~ take steps for commencing the work.
So far a. the level of the country is concerned no
very serious obstacles need be anticipated. Dur
ipg the $50 miies Of its course through the fiat,
alluyal plans Of Baby lonia and the ancient Chal.
dea, the Euphrates does not average greater fall
than three inches in the mile The consequence
il that the low lands on either side are frequently
flooded durDg the periodical rises OF he rlver the
waters Of WHICH at such seasons a. II the case OF
the lower Mississippi, pass out BY side channels
And oyerfo and convert into lakes vas. eXtsnts Of
low grounds parallel 10 iss course, though often at
considerable distances from IT. In order 70 control
and keep ID check this suPersbubdance OF water,
and TO distribute il advan ageousiy for ths purpose
Of irrigation essential in that climate, dikes and
canals were anc,eatiy established, and were IN
fsct essential 10 render the teen u fertility
of this region available, and " make IL the
seat as it once was, OF numerous anu
wearby community. Al the eariiest dawn OF re-
corded h. story The vast extent OF ntt country on
both sides of the Euphrates was penetrated ~
complicated system of canals and water courses
which spread through It like net work. A
population not less teemng than that OF China no"
Is Vas supported by d soil not less productive than
tba. On the banks of the Egyptian Nile, and
certified like the banks Of the Nile BY the periodical
| oyerAows Of the river Fragrant groves OF palm
trees and pleasant gardens stood hks hisnds
rislpg FROM sea Of wsvIpg grain. Besides the
great Babylon numerous cites and towns snddod
| the plNn-tbe roads between which were crowded
with coOntls-s Passengers.
how changed 'be aspect OF that region now
| Long lines OF mounds sthl mark tho courses OF
tbose main arieres which formerly diiiused life and
We. elatiou slorg their banks; but their channels
are bereft Of moisture ana cboked with dnfrd
,AId while the sDsl of. shoots arr totally ensced
The remains Of that ancient civilization, once the
| PRIDE AID woLder of the word.
| -wneB EsypG With AssJria s,se's
| In veath and -NwJ-
| ar, Only 10 De recognized in tho ~ neroas mO0dsr