The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1869-11-03
For THE CENTRAL PRESBYTERIAN.
LESSEPS' NEW SEA.

Having had natural taste for the study
of Physical Geography, somewhat cultivated
by the teachings of that excellent man and
scholar, Prof. J. L. Campbell, of Lexing-
ton, we rarely pass over articles in the pub
lie journals bearing on this subject without
some consideration. With such tastes we
feel very much indebted to Mr.. Lesseps for
proposing to make new sea in North Afri-
ca, as it gives us room for indulging favorite
speculations. A writer in the Central,
September 29th, laughs at the idea of filling
up that immense basin by means of canal
from the Red Sea; and computes 100 Gen.
turies as the time for accomplishing it by
means of canal 100 feet wide, and 25 feet
deep. He consequently thinks the poor
savages will have need of much patience if
they are in expectation of benefit from M.
Lesseps' benevolent project. If the canal
would remain 100 feet wide and 25 feet deep
this writer might laugh, but he should re
member that running stream is continually
widening and deepening its channel If the
canal is possible, we believe the present fea-
lures of North Africa would soon be greatly
changed, and that within one or two cenru-
ries. AS to how long time it would take
to make sea of 100000 square miles,
and so feet deep, we will not dispute; we
only ask such change in the climate of
Northern Africa as is possible within two
centuries, and then we will inquire into the
proposed benevolence of the work.
1t would be we'll to look for a few moments
to the great purpose the Sahara subserves in
the economy of nature. Those who have
crossed it, tell us that in the Great Desert
may be found limestone and other rocks,
which indicate only the want of moisture to
make it fruitful. In want of falling show
ers and irrigating streams it becomes barren
and sterile, but still God has not made it in
vain. The prevailing winds in that section
of the earth are from the north. They leave
the Mediterranean Sea, have part of their
moisture wrung from them as they pass the
chilling summit of the Atlas Range of noun
tains, and then hurry southwark with their
capacity for moisture continually increasing
by the heat from the burning sands.
Heated, rari6ed, they meet counter cur
rents from the south and rise to the upper
regions of the atmosphere, whirling about,
they return to whence they came. How
much does Southern Europe owe her genial
climate to the heat of these returning
winds? We cannot fully estimate the
amount, but the desert seems the great air.
furnace of Europe. Providence seems to
have designatedit as such when he establish
ed the economy of nature, and when men
undertake to alter His designs by pouring
upon it the waters of the sea they will put
out fire that warns and cheers millions
with a view to beneftting a few degraded
savages. If instead of being warm and dry
from the desert, the winds returned upon
Europe heavily charged with moisture with
which her soil would be continually deluged,
what would be the change in temperature,
products, &C.? All Europe would soon be
but little better than Northern Russia now
is. If these winds returned from a moist
and damp soil, not to say sea, they would
be in the condition we have supposed, aud
these changes would take place. We think
then, it would be well enough for M. Les
seps to look to the effect upon la belle France,
before he commences his work.
Providence ordained the Negro as the
fire. maker for the Caucasian, and fanatics
did not benefit the world when they said the
decree should not stand We hope no one
will be fanatic enough to alter the decree by
which the Negro's country warns that Of
the white men. G. T. l..