Apkil 11, 1859.] PIM ON THE ISTHMUS OF SUEZ. 195 



evidently did not consider the route I have just alluded to as the 

 best, for he has carried his line from Cairo due east over the Desert, 

 straight to Suez. Although several cuttings had to be made, no 

 great difficulty was experienced except from the total absence of 

 water, until reaching Gebel Awebel ; but after passing that elevated 

 ridge the obstacles met with in the descent to Suez became most 

 serious, the curves which have been made are astonishing, requiring 

 extreme caution to travel over safely, and instead of 90 or 100 

 miles, the line has in consequence attained a length of 130 miles. 

 Much danger is incurred and unnecessary loss of time occasioned, 

 there is daily expectation of a fearful accident, and last, though not 

 least, owing to the lack of water, the train mileage for water traffic 

 will always be five-elevenths of the train mileage for all other 

 traffic, which will add immensely to the expense of working the 

 line. 



Dreadful disasters have taken place in consequence of the want of 

 water, hundreds of Fellahs unable to obtain it have been seized 

 with a panic, and missing their way to the Ouadee Toumilat in 

 search of it, have perished miserably in the Desert. The line from 

 Cairo to Suez was completed on the 7th of December, 1858. It is 

 difficult to make an estimate of the cost, but it cannot be put down 

 at less than 10,000Z. per mile. 



The time occupied on the journey from Cairo to Suez is from 

 6 to 8 or 9 hours, but the great expenses of working and the risk 

 render it probable that the line will only be used as a temporary 

 means of conveyance. We will now consider the means by which 

 so desirable an end as shortening the road to India may be accom- 

 plished. 



A passenger leaving Southampton by the " Overland Eoute," on 

 the 4th of the month, arrives at Alexandria on the 17th. He leaves 

 Suez on the 19th, and arrives at Aden on the 25th ; thus, including 

 the 2 days crossing the Isthmus, he is 21 days on the road from 

 Southampton to Aden. Now it is most desirable that the passage 

 of the Eed Sea should be shortened, and I propose to do it by con- 

 tinuing the railway along the banks of the Nile as far as Assouan, 

 and thence across the country to Berenice ; the total line from 

 Alexandria to Berenice would be 690 miles. At present the journey 

 by railway is 260 miles, and the question is simply whether the 

 remaining 430 can be better performed by steamboat or by rail. 



Every one who has travelled on the Eed Sea knows full well the 

 suffering occasioned by the intense heat. The inconvenience of the 

 Port of Suez is also well known, the steamers being obliged to lie 

 at least 3 miles off the landing-place. Suez itself is simply a large 



