The Nevada Democrat., 1862-02-27
Great Nataomal VVUrlts.


Notwithstanding the threatening aspect
OF European affairs, and the occupation of
France in military Preparations, the Empe-
ror ls prosecuting steadily and vigorously
three OF the greatest enterprises of modern
times--any of which, successfully complet-
ed, will constitute an enduring monument
of his statesmanship. These three under.
takings are: the Submarine Telegraph be.
tween Europe aud Africa, the cutting
through Of the Alps, aud the opening 'ofthe
Isthmus of Suez.
The first of these undertakings hhs lust
been completed. On the "a of September
last, and after unsuccessful attempts. In
which the cable twice broke, q submarine
telegraph has been established between the
port of Toulon, France, aud that of AIgiers
in Africa, and at present telegraphic CON-
munications are permanently established
between the two continents. Independent
ly Of it's practical results, the establishment
of this telegraph solves some difficulties
which the experiments already made had
not yet settled. The question of the proper
weight of the metallic cable is one. The
French were puzzled at flrst as we were
ourselves in our transatlantic experiment,
In manufacturing cable suited 10 the va.
rious exigencies of the expanse which they
had to cross. But they have succeeded in
falling upon plan which has been crown
ed with complete success. They measure
the strength and elasticity of the cable by
the density of the water and the nature OF
the submarine soil through which IL has to
run, making it light and flexible in deep
wafer, streng in shallow water, and still
stronger for shore service. BY this means
avoid the danger presented by the weight
of the cattle in great depths, and by its rub
bing in shallow waters and upon rocky sur
faces.
The second great work of France, the
cutting through the Alps. is now going on
with every prospect of success. Mt. Gents
is the place selected for this work. It will
be traVersed by tunnel seven miles and
half in length, with a canal In the middle,
TO let the water leaking from the rock run
out. Two thousand five hundred laborers
are now employed in digging holes, by
means of recently invented machine, NOV
ed by compressed atmosphere. 1t is expec-
ted that this tunnel will be finished in about
six years, Its principal objects will be to
cement more firmly the ties which now ex.
ist between France and Italy, to bring
Tnrin nearer to Paris, and by making the
relations of the two countries and cities cas-
ier and more frequent, to better secure
their natural concurrence in all the politi-
cal and social events which the times keep
10 store. This tunnel will abridge the dis
tance which now separates Paris from Turin
by one half and once completed 1t will take
only seventeen hours to go from one city
to the other.
The third great undertaking to which
France is now applying her energy and
power, the cutting through Of the Isthmus
of Suez, is according to the late informa-
ton, pushed on vigorously, and promises to
realize the expectations of the most San
gune friends of this great work. Six thou.
sand latOrers are now engaged in the Oper-
alton. They are said to have discovered
on their way from the Red Sea, an Egyp-
tian atty, buried under bed Of sand, and q
number Of embalmed crocodiles and mum.
mics, with their attending collection ofin.
scriptiOns and papyrus. THIS work will
have, then, a double result; that of bring
ing the comparatively barbarous continent
Of Asia in direct communication with Eu-
ropean civilization, and supplying science
with new elements of researches, and per-
baps the thinking world with new conclu.
siOns.