The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1869-09-25
A New OCea m.
THE LATEST PROJECT OF N. DE LEssEPs-A
DESERT TO BECOME A SEA.
From the London Morning Standard, July 81.

From the London Morning Standard, July 81
L'appett rient en- msaxgeamt. NJ. de
Lesseps is not content with dnerting the
commerce of the world and carrying
ships across the isthmus, he now con
templates project for remodeling a con-
tinent and creating new ocean. lie
has ascertained that the general level OF
the desert of Sahara is below that of the
water of the Red Sea, and he is repre-.
sented to be thinking OF cutting pas
sage for it into the interior If the idea
proved feasible o new Mediterranean
might be called into existence "to redress
the balance of the old" As soon as the
great Frenchman has announced the sea
of Sahara ready for the occupation Of
gentlemen about to found an empire, a
Eneas might set out on a voyage of
discovery, and new Romulus might 60
to work on the most desirable peninsula
he could find to lay the keel of future
Rome. The phalanx of strong-minded
women. who threaten to storm the hust.
ings in this country could surely supply
q modern Dido, able to devote herself to
the erection Of a new Carthage, and suf-
6cieutly familiar with the world to re-
sist the dangerous destinations of wan.
dering youths in distress. The histosy y
Of the world might be recommended de
aoro in the nsw arena providing for the
enterprise Of the nineteenth century, by
the daring engineer of the Suez canal.
A second edition of Greece and Rome
could be issued to posterity, with all the
mistakes in the original carefully revised
and corrected. "The vast republics B"
mentioned by Tennyson, "that may
grow, the federa,ions and the powers"
are no doubt destined to line the shore
of NJ. de Lesseps' new sea. The laure.
ate did not cay where they were to
spring up. exactly, but perhaps this de-
tail was not stated in the inspiration be
received upon the sub bject. There is
almost absurd in the idea of
making On inland sea, but the most re-
markable thing about it seems to be i,s
wonderful simplicity. If only those fig-
ures ascertained by N. De Lesseps are
true, what is to prevent the defeat from
becoming o vast lake of salt water? The
surveyors sent to investigate the matter
declare that the ground sloped down to
an average level of q metres below that
Of the adjacent gulf. Cut canal through
the intervening patch of high land, and
what is to prevent the water flowing in ?
II the Red Sea were itself lake the
proceeding might drain it but If it had
been no doubt the great reconstruetor Of
he earth would have mercifully held bis
hand. We my presume that b. re-
nembered the straits of Babelmandel,
and reflected that the Arabian sea would
make good the loss of salt water which
he Red sea might suffer on his account.
It is becoming evident that NJ. De Les
'eps is not man to be triaed with, and
W. sincerely hope he will not find the
British islands anyhow 10 his way, or
ne might propose to dredge to them off
he map of Europe. In the present in.
stance, however, he is bene6cent to the
human race in general, a-d the only
persons who might not quite seem to see
he beauty of his new scheme would be
hose Africans,-if there are any such,
enough to have taken up their
residence 81 inches below the level of
he Red sea. Meanwhile, after the sue
less of the Suez canal who shall venture
o treat any place proposed by the au-
:hor Of that undertaking with disrespect =?
M. De Lesseps seems to be aboiishiug
not only the isthmus of Suez but "the
If he disestablishes the
iesert of Sahara nothing will stop him
sfterward, and we shall expect TO see
him undertaking to warm the North
pole, or getting up company for sap
ply the world with inland lakes, rivers,
orests. and all physical phenomena on
he lowest terms. Mountains removed
N town or country. Agencies in all
osrts of the solar system.