Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1875-07-07
A GREAT PROJECT.

tarlS Correspondence OF the LoOuOn LINES
\ railway between Algeria and Senegal, via
Timbuctoo, appears startling project, yet such
was the scheme suggested on Thursday night
in lecture at the Sale des Conferences by NJ.
Paul Soleet, who maintained that valuable
merchandise from America, dcstioed for South
ern aud Eastern Europe, would adopt that
route, aud thus restore TO the Mediterranean
the importance necessary to the influence Of
the L4tin races NJ Solciet started on an ex-
pedition from Algiers in December, 1872, his
intention being to reach ST.. Louis, Senegal,
via 1lmbuctoo, but owing to the opposition of
an nsurgent chief, he Was unable to penetrate
further than Calah (about 1000 kilometres
from Agers. The latter portion Of the route
had never before been trod by Europeans He
declares 1t mistake to imagine the Sahara a
long, continuous tract Of sand He found aloug
great part OF the Way fertile soil, producing
both an African and European fora, iDclud-
ing cereals, which are grown IN gardens, but
have to contend with dry climate At Que
point, however, he aud his four companions
had to disUount to make track for their aui-
mails, aud at another the plain was covered by
stones OF different colors one tiut succeeding
another.
lie believes the dunes are not formed by the
action OF the wind but arc rocks decomposed
by atmospheric agencies. This is shown by
their variety OF height and form, and by toe
uudoubted durability for at least several cen.
turles OF at least one of these dunes. He was
struck 10 traversing these sandy regions with
the sharp outline of distant objects, and with
the colorS OF certain stars, which had the same
tnts to the baked eye as they present through
telescope.
lie speaks sanguiDely Of the intelligence of
the BerDers and their capability of being civl
llZcd. The Mus>ulmau clergy he describes as
possessing great power. They are the sole judges
oi questions OF morality, and cXcommuulcation
Is the sevcrest punishment Known, while the
most heinous offence is marriage with foreign
women, a prejudice he attributes to a Jewish
tribe converted to Mohammedism, which he
thinks probably settled there before the Chris
tlan era
Tic found no dangerous animal in the Saba
ra, the ostrich aud the gaz..lc being the largest
OF the fauna. HIS expedition was ill-timca on
account OF an lnsurrec'lon aLaIust the Emp,rc
OF Morocco having brOkeu our, but he proposes
10 make second attempt 10 reach Senegal, and
he suggests that French coDsus or resident
should be stationed along the route as foci Of
commerce and civilization, for the inhabitants
are scdcutary and have adopted division of la
Dor, aud though slavery exists, this must be
regarded a. AN Initial step IN advancement.
1t may be added that an Italian expedition,
got up by private individuals, has arrived al
luhS Tor the purpose OF ascertaning the fcaSi.
blIity OF turning the waters Of The Mcdircr.
rancan into the Iuuisian Sahara, project
advocated by NJ dc Lcsseps before the French
Academy OF Sciences last autumn The nues-
ton at Issue is whether the lakes or schruts
We're connected u classical times by canal
with the Gulf of Gabcs, from which they
are DOW separated by an isthmus twenty one
Kilometres broad. The explorers will take
the levels of these lakes and ascertain whether a
canal Is practicable 1t would be great advan-
lagc to Nigeria by opening up the province of
Constantine to trade.
The Bcy of Tunis has shown great courtesy
to The Explorers, and placed an escort at their
service. 1t may be remembered that an cx
pedIton assisted by the French government is
about to cross Africa obhquely from Cougo to
Nuba.