Middletown transcript., 1875-01-23
~ tas Xdd2Aoss6 1sansenrk.
ilssylsnd 3D. 6wls sliP oanaas

The last ibsue of the TRknsCRfpx.
contain 4 letter from Nj. Samuel
Towusend. covering nearly column q
the paper, which was intended, evi-
IDENTIFY. rs reply to my modest sug-
gestion that the feasibility Of construct
ing Ship Canal across this Peninsula.
is a question which belongs. -legiti-
mately. to men who had made engineer
ing science . study. to Determine. II
was manifestly intended, and expected
to be overwhelming in its effect y and
its author doubtless shook bis broad
sides With laughter, as with complais-
ant delight, hs contemplated its con-
elusive logic. v; sse
Let rs examine this matter little.
The ground upon which Mr.. Townsend
bases has claim to competent knowledge
to discuss such question, is that he
has seen some hslf-dosen canals. II
have seen. Z says Mr.. Townsend, the
Chesapeake and Delaware Canal; the,
Delaware and Raritan Canal; the Erie
Causl; the Ohio and Cleveland Canal
the Illinois Canal. 60. and the con-
clusion, be assumes, 6ovs naturally and
inevitably. that, therefore, be is abun-
dantly qualified to judge Of this matter;
and hence. hs boldly and fearlessly
throws bis opinion into the face Of the
whole profession Of engineers. a'f 70
Suppose, when Michel Angelo sug-
gessed the plsn Of st. Peters, be had
been inquired Of ss to his preparation
for %, colossal an enterprise, and bad
answered. ..why sirs, ! have seen ever
20 many churches in my time, and.
therefore. / an competent sfchitsct. /"
what would hays been the sGscsi Csr-
taiply biz claips to consideration as an
architect for such . reason. would hsvs
been, 20 more ridicplous, than Ne .opine
Nj. Towpsend's 10 Be 10 the matter Of
this canal, because be has seen others.
!, By star gasing, Mr.. Townsend be-
comes an astropomer; By riding on the |
beach, At Cape May. and cssting Z |
knowing glance upon the Atlantic, be
. q once ! navigatSr; j; looking into q
veil. Be ID 20 assume the airs ofsa keol-
,gist, aud spout Of eoceae pliocese and
be ike; !, few drives By the burial
Iround Of St. AIMS, and places for
nonuments more gigantic and durable
han the Pyrsmid of Ohsops;; dance
Trough his vertile brain BY looking
lpop ! steam, ting. be i fitted to con-
trdct The Great Eastern. and BY .'rid-
pg on rail. be i fully furnished
;ivil Engineer. a.. a9~ 1
But Mr. Townsend does condescsnd1
. back bis opinions 81 bringing .tor-
'ard The experience OF John Randall. !
rho Aourished more than fifty years
90, who ID praised BY Mr.. T. 10 one
isnd. ii, another. pronounced
too visionary" Has Mr.. Toxpsend
yer thought Of The changes which have
cen wrought. and the progress made
, fifty years I aaia Ia6 Z ss ss7ss
Why ffty ysass agp, sxhp dreamed
crossing tbe Atlantic i less than
0 days, and in steam vessels :? Of the
q q railroads. = Nc ~ them
ow |? and sof-bus why enlarge the
it Sf'sgYeat entsFpfisess accomplished |
ut which we're not cobcsived Of ilftyI,
BARS sgoi And q compare JShn
andail, of lfty years ago, to Esei-s !,
asrs Of our day, iis like comparing the
tile cEssy craft that 6rst. Of all was
ropelled BY steam. on the Hudson
yer to The ,wonderous Great Eastern. r
Dover .pDa., Jan lsti. '75.aI oh I,