THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 267 



give the slightest umbrage to national jealousy of any 

 kind. It is, moreover, affirmed that he contributed in 

 no slight degree to the completion of the railroad 

 from Cairo to Suez, the consequences of which have 

 been so beneficial. M, de Lesseps proceeded to Con- 

 stantinople, and placed himself in friendly communi- 

 cation with Lord Stratford de Eedcliffe, and, through 

 the Grand Vizier, delivered to him from the Viceroy 

 of Egypt an official letter, in which the construction 

 of the canal was described as most useful. He ab- 

 stained from pressing for the ratification of the Sultan 

 the moment he perceived a shadow of opposition on 

 the part of the English Ambassador.' ' 



"PARIS, June 14, 1855. 



" M. Thouvenel was yesterday received in audience 

 by the Emperor prior to his departure for Constanti- 

 nople, where he has been appointed ambassador, and 

 the Emperor, in handing him his written instructions, 

 verbally told him to lose no time in informing the 

 Porte and the Sultan that it was his wish that the 

 ratification should be sent direct to the Viceroy, 

 and in expressing his dissatisfaction should Lord 

 Stratford de Eedcliffe' s efforts to prevent this being 

 done succeed. 



" The Emperor's private secretary has informed me 

 that I shall be able to leave for London towards the 

 end of the week, so you see that everything is pro- 

 gressing very favourably. M. Barthelemy St. Hilaire 



