THE ORIGIN OF THE SUEZ CANAL. 309 



through the Isthmus of Suez. It was a time when 

 our two countries were united in war that I called 

 your attention to a work of peace, of progress, and of 

 civilisation. I invoked the aid of your enlightened 

 influence in case some members of the aristocracy, 

 masters of the course of affairs, should be blinded by 

 inveterate prejudice and narrow sentiments of exclu- 

 siveness and rivalry to oppose the execution of a work 

 of universal interest. Since then I have had the oppor- 

 tunity of discussing with you personally this interest- 

 ing question. I told you that the resistance which I 

 had foreseen had become a fact, but that in a country 

 of free discussion like yours I considered that the 

 main point was to enlighten public opinion, still but 

 partially informed, and to clearly demonstrate the 

 feasibility of the undertaking. 



" This appeal to public opinion has been made. The 

 most experienced engineers in Europe have visited 

 the scene of operations, and have published their final 

 report ; capital has been subscribed to commence the 

 work ; the Viceroy himself has placed himself at the 

 head of an enterprise which has the unanimous and 

 hearty support of the press in Europe and America ; 

 and, finally, the adhesion of the different governments 

 has kept pace with public opinion. 



u One only difficulty has arisen, and that is the op- 

 position of your Government, which, through the in- 

 fluence of its ambassador at Constantinople, has suc- 

 ceeded in obtaining the suspension of the formality 



