242 Captain l'ringle's Route to India, SfC. 



and charcoal, might very probably be obtained in sufficient 

 quantity, and at a moderate charge. There are also pits 

 of petroleum on the coast between Kosseir and Suez at Gabel 

 Ezand ; and, as the petroleum is said to be in great abun- 

 dance, it would, very probably, when burnt with wood, pro- 

 duce a strong combustion. The length of the red Sea is 

 about 1200 miles. Mocha or Aden would be the best parts 

 to depart from for India. The distance from these to 

 Bombay is about 2000 miles ; but the islands of Socotra, 

 which are about one-third of the way, might be made a depot 

 for fuel. 



But, in the Indian seas, it would probably still be necessary 

 to attend to the S. W. monsoon, which, in June and July, 

 blows very strong, and carries with it a heavy sea. In Au- 

 gust and September, however, a steam-vessel might make 

 good way, as the wind is then comparatively light, and the 

 water smooth. During the N. E. monsoon, which is preva- 

 lent from October to May, and which is said to blow with 

 considerable violence from December to March, it would 

 probably be better for steam-vessels not to attempt the 

 passage. 



One plan proposed was to cross the desert from Suez to 

 Thineh, on the coast of the Mediterranean ; but, in this way, 

 the Nile and Egypt would be entirely missed. If, on the 

 other hand, the Nile were taken, is is quite favourable for 

 steam-boats ; only that, from the number of the sand-banks, 

 and their so frequently shifting, the boats must be construct- 

 ed so as to draw little water. 



There appears, then, to be no difficulty of establishing the 

 above route, if the land passage, or that through Egypt, re- 

 main open to us, and of this there can be no doubt, so long as 

 Mahomet Ali governs Egypt. Should his successor, however, 

 refuse permission, or should Egypt return to its state of for- 

 mer anarchy, it might be a question how far it would be pro- 

 per for us to take possession of the country, for the Turks 

 hold it only by force of arms, and are a quite distinct race 

 from its native population. The natives arc principally Arabs, 

 and are a fine athletic people, capable of rendering the coun- 

 try a very productive colony, valuable even independently of 



