THE 



POPULAR SCIENCE 

 MONTHLY. 



DECEMBER, 1887, 



INYEXTIONS AT PANAMA. 



By STUAET F. WELD. 



AS the difficulties connected with the Panama enterprise, from at 

 least certain points of view, increase, its advocates dwell even 

 more than hitherto upon the way in which like difficulties were over- 

 come at Suez. Probably no more pointed or liberal recognition of 

 these has appeared than one contained in a speech of Mr. Gladstone 

 in the House of Commons, July 23, 1883. Speaking for the ministry, 

 he said : 



" We think it our duty to do justice, as far as lies i*H our power, to 

 this great canal company, and to its sagacious and energetic project- 

 ors.. I say that they have claims, upon us — claims to respect and 

 honor ; for they have conferred avast benefit upon mankind, and have 

 conferred it by enormous labors, and in the midst of great dangers, 

 under unparalleled difficulties — difficulties which were, unhappily, in 

 some respects due to the unfortunate action of this country in former 

 times." 



It is not to be inferred, however, that if such obstacles were suc- 

 cessfully overcome, a similar success is to attend the efforts at Pan- 

 ama. Should some sanguine advocate of the enterprise aver that the 

 stockholders were to be as richly rewarded as those of Suez, and 

 within as short a time, we should listen to the prediction with no 

 every-day skepticism, and should insist upon drawing our own conclu- 

 sions. Many would as readily accept the wonders of the Arabian 

 Nights as trust to estimates of this description. It will not answer 

 to carry too far a similarity, though its existence is not to be denied, 

 between the completed undertaking and the one De Lesseps has now 

 in hand. 



But if, from a financial point of view especially, the prospects of 

 the undertaking are not as bright as its advocates might desire, it is 



TOL. XXXII. — 10 



