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fluence exerted on industry and national pros- 

 perity *. 



When we study attentively the 'history of the 

 commerce of nations, we observe that the di- 

 rection of the communications with India has 

 not been changed solely according to the pro- 

 gress of geographical knowledge, or the im- 

 provement of the art of navigation, but that 

 the change of the seat of civilization in the 

 world has also powerfully contributed to this 

 effect. From the time of the Phenicians to that 

 of the British empire, the activity of commerce 

 has been carried progressively from east to west ; 

 from the eastern coast of the Mediterranean to 

 the western extremity of Europe. If this change 

 continues moving towards the west, which 

 every thing leads us to presume, the question 

 on the preference given to the way to India by 

 the southern extremity of Africa, will no longer 

 be such as it now is. The canal of Nicaragua 

 affords additional advantages to ships going 

 from the mouth of the Mississipi, beyond what 

 it promises to those which take in their lading 

 on the banks of the Thames. In comparing the 



* It is with respect to this benevolent influence that the 

 works, far too expensive, of the canal of Languedoc must 

 be appreciated, which cost 33 millions of franks, and pro- 

 duces annually, on a bare revenue of 1| millions, only 

 800,000 franks, scarcely 2| per cent, on the capital. Such is 

 also the net produce of the Canal du Centre. 



