Page:Notes of a journey across the Isthmus of Krà.pdf/45

 calculations by which might be shown in figures the comparative advantages of the two routes. The following is the result, one which, to our minds, makes a further examination of the Isthmus of Kraw worthy of immediate consideration by our government in communication with that of Siam as likely to prove of advantage to each, and of enormous value to commerce and the travelling world in general. It would relieve the commercial world to a great extent of the enormous steam charges which keep up the prices of the goods which form the staples of trade between England. India and China, and which render travelling almost prohibited, and it would open up a new and interesting country to the geologist and botanist, and introduce a hardy and hard working population (the Chinese) into provinces which contain mineral wealth in known and unknown quantities, wealth which merely requires labour to develop to any extent, and in search of which the Chinese even now find their weary way, but who would then come in large numbers, especially as the new treaty allows them to emigrate with their families. Much and valuable information regarding the great mineral wealth of these provinces may be found in some interesting papers by Colonel TremenhereTremenheere [sic], Bengal Engineers, and Professors Helfer and Oldham.

17. The tables annexed I. II. and III. show the economy of fuel, establishment, and time, which would be arrived at by establishing easy communication across the Isthmus. A canal we consider out of the question. A railroad is not only quite practicable, but likely to cost less per mile than any other in India.