THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 175 



be reduced as the navigation increased, would yield 

 annually 1,200,000. 



" i In terminating this memorandum, I think it 

 right to call your Highness' s attention to the prepara- 

 tions which are being made for opening up communica- 

 tions between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and to 

 the effects upon the world's trade, and ultimately upon 

 the future of Turkey, by the opening of these new 

 routes if the isthmus which separates the Mediter- 

 ranean and the Eed Sea were to remain much longer 

 closed to trade and navigation. 



" 'Does not this show that the time for treating that 

 question has arrived ? May we not conclude that this 

 great work, far more important for the future of the 

 world, is henceforth secure from all serious opposition, 

 and that the efforts made to realise the project will be 

 sustained by the universal sympathy and active assist- 

 ance of the enlightened men of all countries ? 



" 'F. DEI.ESSEPS.' 



"The ground at Marea, where we are encamped 

 ( Gheil in Arabic) has still some traces of antiquity. I 

 remarked the shafts of several columns and an im- 

 mense cistern, half destroyed, with ten or twelve 

 pointed arches, while all over the surrounding hills are 

 to be seen stone which has been used for building. 

 There is an abundance of good water, of which 

 Ibrahim, a character of whom it is worth while to give 

 a sketch, had brought us some from the cistern. Ibrahim 



