from the Nile to the Red Sea. 291 
notwithstanding this vast expence, will not exceed a third of 
those of the Egyptian canal. 
The canal, according to the scale proposed by the French 
engineers, would admit sea-vessels, drawing from 12 to 15 feet 
of water, at the height of the Nile. But were the branch to Tyneh 
to answer the purpose intended, sea-vessels of moderate burden 
would be able to pass from the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, 
at all times. To Britain, Russia, Germany, and the other 
countries in the north-west of Europe, the route by the Red Sea 
would probably never supersede that by the Cape, for the India 
and China trade generally ; bdt to the French, Spaniards, 
Italians, Austrians, and Greeks, who have ports in the Medi- 
terranean, it would shorten the communication with Arabia, 
Persia, and India, from a half to two-thirds. The canal would 
thus afford them vast advantages. There is no doubt, indeed, 
that it would give a powerful impulse to the commerce of all the 
States in the south and south-east of Europe, and greatly in- 
crease the intercourse between Europe and Asia. Though 
goods might continue to be generally carried between Britain 
and India, by the present route, there is little doubt, that dis- 
patches would be always transmitted by the Canal, and that 
ships fitted up expressly for passengers would regularly ply up- 
on the shorter line of communication. Were it found practi- 
cable to employ steam-power, it is probable that the voyage from 
England to Bombay, which at present occupies four months, 
might be accomplished by the Canal in six weeks, the distance 
being about 7200 miles. 
