Page:Notes of a journey across the Isthmus of Krà.pdf/35

 Pulo Penang, April 8th, 1883.

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In Charge of the Kra Expedition, &c., &c., &c.,

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As I have, at your request, accompanied the Krà Expedition throughout, and you wish for my private opinion on this subject, I have pleasure in giving the same, as frankly and unreservedly as you ask it.

Here then is my unbiassed conviction which I have formed from my experience and knowledge of the country, extending over a period of twenty-eight years, and from what I have seen during the late Expedition, I may safely state that from Singapore to the parallel of Bangkok Bar there is not any portion of the Malay Peninsula practicable for the excavation of a ship canal that would answer any profitable purpose.

I may say, that such a scheme is impossible, for it is well known that there is only one road and very few jungle tracks across the Peninsula.

The road I speak of extends from Singora to Quedah, and is very serpentine and undulating amongst the hills in the interior, where it reaches an elevation of 1,100 to 1,300 feet. It is scarcely worth the name of a road, but it is the best across the Peninsula. The jungle tracks are very narrow, and, whilst running in various directions, are exceedingly tortuous and undulating, sometimes in valleys, and by the slopes of hills, and in some parts over their tops, at elevations from 50 to 800 feet.

It is also well known that the whole of the Malay Peninsula is formed of mountain ranges running parallel to each other with detached mountains and hills of high altitude, forming a complete and intricate barrier on both seaboards. I have seen and noticed the profile of the Malay Peninsula from elevated positions in the Gulf of Siam and Bay of Bengal, and nothing but an unbroken line of high land was discernable. No signs of a valley or opening in any direction.

The jungle track from Krà to Chumpon is the best, and is of lower elevation than any of the others, but at the some time