[ 128 J 



1 V. Obfervations on a Juncllon of the Red Sea to the Meafcet* 

 ranean. From //^Journal de Phyfiqueybr 1798. 



JlT is needlefs to attempt to prove of how much import- 

 ance it would be to form a junction between the Red Sea 

 and the Mediterranean. Every one is fenfible that it might 

 produce invaluable advantages in regard to the civilifation of 

 Afia and Africa; the reciprocal commerce both between 

 thefe two parts of the world, and between them and the 

 whole of Europe ; and particularly in regard to France J 

 cfpecially when it fhall have joined the Mediterranean to 

 the German fea, as I propofed in 1786, when I publifhed 

 The Junction of the Rhone with the Rhine. 



It would be ufelefs alfo to examine every thing that has 

 been faid by ancient hiftorians, refpecting the great works 

 that may have been executed, or only undertaken, for that 

 purpofe, by the kings and other fovereigns or governors of 

 Ec;vpt, from Sefoflris or Pfammeticus down to Trajan or 

 Adrian, fince no traces or certain descriptions of them 

 -are remaining; and iince fo many efforts made fo often, 

 and in fuel) various ways, from time immemorial, only 

 ferve to prove the great importance that has always been 

 attached to this cnterprife, even when it could have been 

 attended only with a local or very limited utility in compa- 

 rifon of what it holds out at prefent. 



It is however certain, that an able engineer, by examining 

 the country with attention, would there difcover remains 

 fufficient to convey juft ideas refpecYing the vague and con- 

 tradictory accounts of the fituation, the direction, entrance, 

 and exit of thefe fevcral canals. But all this would be of 

 little beneiit. He would doubtlefs perceive, that if fome or a 

 part of thefe works have been effaced or deftroyed by the 

 hand of time, or abandoned on account of wars, or through 

 the policy or '.nftability of governments, none of them were 

 planned or executed in fuch a manner as to anfwer fully the 



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