618 REPORT— 1883. 
and though a considerable reduction is to be made in pilotage and other transit 
dues, this is to take place only on an increase of the dividends to 21 and 23 per 
cent., which cannot be in the near future, seeing that the increased charges laid on 
the capital account (for interest on borrowed capital and the provision of a sinking 
fund), will materially affect them. 
The second scheme advyerted to is the one known as the ‘ Palestine Channel,’ 
by which it is proposed to join the Mediterranean and Red Seas by means of the 
Jordan Valley connected with these respective seas by short canals. The canal 
commencing at the head of the Gulf of Akabah (the northern and shorter horn of the 
Red Sea) would be cut through a district partly marsh partly mountain, of 42 miles 
long, to the southern extremity of the Jordan Valley, and thence the remarkable 
depression, 1,300 feet, in which lies the Dead Sea, would provide it with a natural, 
conyenient, and inexpensive bed of nearly 100 miles in length, and with a width of 
between 3 and 10 miles. Through this valley, from the Lake of Tiberias to the 
Dead Sea now flows the river Jordan, and towards its northern end another valley 
branches out in a north-westerly direction, and provides a suitable situation for a 
canal as far as the plain of Esdraelon, across which a cutting may be continued 
(taking advantage of the little River Kishon) 25 miles long, into the Bay of Acre 
and the Mediterranean Sea. This bay, as well as that of Akabah, are of good 
depth, require few engineering aids to render them navigable, and are naturally 
well protected. In all, as far as can be ascertained by the imperfect surveys 
already made, the canal must be 200 miles long, 65 of these requiring to be 
cut; and Tiberias and some 300 square miles of land must be submerged at a cost 
for compensation estimated at 1,000,0007. In touching on the political aspect of 
the question the author declared himself in favour of a Universal Protectorate. 
Until the proper surveys are completed no estimate can be made as to cost, but the 
author was strongly of opinion that the scheme presented no insuperable difficulties, 
and would eventually prove one of the greatest triumphs gained in the cause of 
commerce. 
6. The English-speaking Populations of the World. By Hype CiarKe. 
Mr. Clarke proceeded to consider the weight of the elements contributing to 
the influence of the English language and the populations which speak it in rela~ 
tion to the late censuses. The census of 1880 for the United States had given a 
figure of 50,000,000; that of these islands in 1881 85,000,000. Including other 
gi of the empire he made a total of 100,000,000 of English-speaking people. 
e observed that the phrase English-speaking had latterly superseded that of 
Anglo-Saxon, the object being to get rid of possible jealousies of race, and to place 
the basis of unity on language, as the expression of common culture and 
common institutions. He illustrated the gradual growth of the English-speaking 
populations in the North American regions of Canada, the United States, and West 
Indies at the respective censuses. The total had risen from 6,000,000 in 1800 to 
56,000,000 in 1880. The consequence was not only a great expansion in this 
region, but a displacement of the relative proportions between North America and 
these islands. In 1800 North America stood 6,000,000 against 16,000,000 here ; 
in 1850 the proportions were about equal, but since then the preponderance of 
America has been increasing, and now the figures are 56,000,000 against our 
35,000,000. This must be the forerunner of a greater movement as the literary 
status of America advances. The effect of literature and journalism in promoting 
the common|sympathy which has of late manifested itself throughout the popula- 
tions was referred to, as well as the establishment of a more cordial feeling. A 
comparison was instituted with other languages, as Chinese, 250. millions; English, 
100; Russian, 85; German, 60; Spanish, 46; French, 43 ; Japanese, 35. Refer- 
ence was made to the measures which are in contemplation or in progress for pro- 
moting a closer intercourse among the 180,000,000 speakers of the Germanic 
languages. In accounting for the influences affecting the promotion of a better 
feeling in North America, the proceedings of the St. George’s Societies of the 
