TRANSACTIONS OF THE SECTIONS. 105 
The line of the Euphrates, however, had, as it still continues to have, another 
advantage for England. The direct line from London passes by Vienna, Constanti- 
nople, and Asia Minor, to Aleppo, from whence, by the desert of Arabia, it reaches 
Bassorah. 
Messengers in Europe, and Tartars in Arabia, used to accomplish this journey in 
from twenty-five to thirty-six days; and fast-sailing schooners carried the despatches 
along the Persian Gulf to Bombay in about twelve days more. 
The route by the Red Sea had been used in the same manner, but being less 
speedy by a great deal, the regular transit was continued through Arabia up to the 
peace of 1815; and it was considered of such importance, that, on examining 
in the archives of Bombay the result of the intercourse by this route in 1836, I 
found that instead of trusting to the Secretaries, the communications on this sub- 
ject were from the pen of Lord Wellesley himself. 
My acquaintance with Mesopotamia commenced in this way : 
Purposing to assist in the defence of Turkey against the Russians in 1829, I pro- 
ceeded to Constantinople in that year; but arrived, as it proved, almost at the close 
of the war, and I consequently undertook a journey into Asia with the object of 
examining the proposed lines of communication with India. Public anxiety on this 
subject led to a series of queries being drawn up by Mr. Peacock of the India House, 
which fell into my hands, and decided me to attempt the examination of these 
routes ; for I was one of those who began to see, in part at least, what might be done 
by steam. 
In a lecture at which I was present in 1802, Mr. Walker, in noticing the embryo 
power of steam, made this remarkable prophetic observation :—‘‘ The day,’’ said he, 
*« will arrive, when, instead of changing horses, we shall only require to light a 
coal.”” Already this grand idea has been realized almost to the letter, and I may 
live to see it equally carried out, by means of a railroad and electric telegraph be- 
tween England and India. 
But to return from this digression. Provided with Mr. Peacock’s queries, I 
examined the route by Cosseir and the Nile, as well as that across the isthmus of 
Suez, and a detailed report was made to Government through the Right Hon. Sir 
Robert Gordon, allowing twenty-two days between Bombay and Alexandria. 
This, I believe, was the first proposal, at least the first founded on examination, 
for opening a steam communication by way of the Red Sea. It is not therefore 
surprising, steam by sea being then in its very infancy, that the Earl of Clare, in 
commenting on my paper, should have said, in allusion to the time allowed, ‘The 
misfortune is that Capt. Chesney endeavours to make out a case.’’ I need scarcely 
add, that the energy and activity of Waghorn has performed in fifteen, and even 
twelve days, that transit for which I had allowed twenty-two. 
In proceeding from Egypt towards the Euphrates, which was my next object, 
difficulties and impediments occurred in consequence of my having been carried off 
by the Arabs for some time, and over a considerable tract of country. I must not, 
however, occupy your time by describing a journey which I still remember with the 
deepest interest. 
On regaining my freedom, I continued my journey across the great desert, and 
succeeded in reaching the Euphrates. 
The line taken from Damascus was that by Palmyra; the country was not sandy, 
but part of it had a hard pebbly surface, while the rest was undulating, and covered 
with sheep grass, not unlike the Dorsetshire downs. A slight illness so far dis- 
armed the suspicions of the Arabs, as to offer an excuse for my going by the river; 
and having taken leave of my camels, I caused a raft to be constructed of hurdles 
supported on thirty-three inflated sheep-skins, on which, accompanied by three 
Arabs, I was fairly launched on the great river Euphrates. 
The compass gave me the bearings, and the depth of the river was ascertained by 
means of a-pole going down from the bottom of the raft, by which means I avoided 
the suspicions that would have been raised by the ordinary method of sounding. 
The raft was kept mid-stream during the day, and was secured to a bank by night, 

_ and thus made its way to Felujah opposite Baghdad, not however without some 
difficulties and even dangers, such as being fired at by the Arabs from the banks, 
and being three times robbed of my money under the name of a tax. The condition 
