THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 285 



the canal by way of Alexandria, and unexpected 

 facilities for establishing a port in the Gulf of Pe- 

 lusium. 



"The direct canal from Suez to the Gulf of Pelu- 

 sium is, therefore, the sole solution of the problem 

 for joining the Red Sea to the Mediterranean; the 

 execution of the work is easy and the success assured. 

 The results will be of immense importance for the 

 trade of the world. We are unanimous in our con- 

 viction upon this point, and we will develop our 

 reasons for it in a detailed report, reinforced by 

 tydrographical charts of the Bays of Suez and Pelu- 

 sium, outlines showing the relief of the soil, and 

 borings indicating the nature of the soil through 

 which the canal will pass. This is a long and minute 

 work which will occupy several months ; but in the 

 meanwhile we beg to acquaint your Highness with 

 our conclusions, which are as follows : 



" 1st. The route by Alexandria is inadmissible, 

 both from the technical and economical point of view. 



" 2nd. The direct route offers every facility for the 

 execution of the canal itself, with a branch to the 

 Nile, and presents no more than the ordinary diffi- 

 culties for the creation of two ports. 



" 3rd. The port of Suez will open on to a safe and 

 large roadstead, accessible in all weathers, and with a 

 depth of about thirty feet of water within a mile of 

 the shore. 



" 4th. The port of Pelusium, which according to the 



