The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-04-19

Many people have forgotten that, after
all. Munchausen dug an isthmian cnnal.
II tho old boys will turn back to the
Daron's book OF travels they Will find
the followin yeracious account:
AFTER many adventures. we arrived at
the isthnus OF Darlen. Sensible OF what
general benefit 1t would be to mankind
Immediately formed plan OF cutting a
canal across tho isthmus from sea to sea.
For this purpose drove my chariot
with the greatest impctuosity repeatedly
q from shore to shore III the same track
tearing up the rocks and earth. and there
by forming a tocra Bile bed for the water.
Then million OF people from the realms
4 al North and South America and from
4 Europe. with Infinite labor, cleared away
the earth. etc. that l had plowcd up with
s my chariot. ] then again drove my char
\ lot. making the canal wider and decper.l
and made my mem repeat their labors
Y as before. The canal being a quarter Of
q! n milo broad and 300 yards In depth.
thought It sufficient. and Immediately let
IN the waters OF the sea. did Imagine
K that from tho rotary motion OF the
4 earth on Its axis from west to east Athe
( sea would be higher on tho eastern than
on tho western coast. and that on the
uniting OF the two sens there would Do
a strong current from the east, and 1t
happened just as I expected. Tho sea
s camo in with tremendous magnifcenco
and enlarged the bounds OF the canal. SO
us to make IL passage OF some miles
broad from ocean to ocean. Several sail
OF trading vessels and men OF war sailed
through this new channel TO the South
seas China. etc. and saluted me with
+ all their cannon as they passed
Il II looked through my telescope at the
moon and perceived the philosophers
there In great commoton. They could
Il plainly discern the alteration q on the
surface OF the globe. and thought them
selves somehow Interested in the enter
prise OF their fellow lnortals In n neigh
4 boring planet. They seemed to think It
admirable that such little beings as We
men should attempt so magnificent per-
formancc as would be observable even in 4
a separate world.
Thus having welded the Atlantic ocean
to the South sea. | returned to England.
Seized with n fury OF canal cutting,
! took 1t In my head to form an immed-$
late communication between the Mediter-&
ranean and the Red seat proceeded to.
the isthmus OF Sue. at the head OF a
million OF Russian pioneers. and there
united my forces with million OF Turks
armed with shovels and pIckaxes.
They did not come to cut each others's
Threats but for their mutual interest to
facilitate commerce and civilization. and
pour all the wealth of India by a new
channel into Europe
~ My brave fellows said I, Consider
the immense labor Of the Chinese TO build
their celebrated wall: think of what SUI
perlor benefit to mankind is our present
undertaking.: persevere and fortune will
second your e1ideavors Remember 1t Is (,
Munchausen who leads you on. and bo
assured of success
Having made n track with my chariot
from sea to sea. ordered my Turks and
Russians to begin. and In few hours
we had the pleasure OF seeing fleet OF
British East 1ndiamen In full sail through
the canal. Tho officers of this fleet were (
very polite, and paid me every applause
and Generalization my exploits could
merit