289 
from the Nile to the Red Sea. 
Adjunct Works. 
Canal of Cairo , expence of re-establishing, 
Canals of Farounah and Chebyn-el-Koum, ditto, 
Works on the bed and mouths of the Nile, 
Canal of Alexandria , expence of re-establishing, 
Francs. 
4.500.000 
900.000 
532.000 
6.800.000 
Total sum required to complete the navigation from Suez to Alexan- 
dria, ...... 30,000,000 
Equal in English money to L. 1,200,000 
It is to be observed, that the operations on the canals of Cairo, 
Farounah, and Alexandria, though tending greatly to improve 
the internal navigation of the country, are not necessary to en- 
able vessels to pass from sea to sea. The eastern branch of the 
Nile admits vessels drawing 7 feet water (French measure) at 
present ; and without any other outlay than that of L. 691,000, 
such vessels could pass into the Arabian Gulf. 
With a little cleansing and deepening, which would be easily 
effected, the port of Suez might be rendered capable of accom- 
modating a large number of such vessels as could navigate the 
canal, and even ships of greater burden. There are 8 or 9 feet 
(French) of water at low tide, within 200 or 300 yards of the 
quays, and the bottom consists of a light oozy sand, which 
would readily yield to the action of a current from the tide re- 
servoir. The road is three-fourths of a league from the town, 
and affords good anchor age Jn 6 fathoms, and shelter from all 
winds, except the south-east, which rarely blows. The greatest 
disadvantage of the town is the want of good fresh water ; an 
evil, however, which could be remedied to a considerable ex- 
tent, by carefully collecting and storing the water afforded by 
the rains, and the springs in the vicinity. 
Much has been said of the danger of navigating the Hed 
Sea. It does indeed abound in coral reefs and sand-banks, 
which must be formidable to such ignorant sailors as the Arabs, 
and might render it necessary for more expert mariners to carry 
little sail occasionally, and to exercise caution. But the winds 
do not blow in such invariable monsoons as has been supposed ; 
and the very fact that the ancient Jews, Tyrians, and Egyp- 
tians were able to carry on an extensive trade in this sea, is a 
