Page:Notes of a journey across the Isthmus of Krà.pdf/55

 profitable; that the communication may be established for a third of the capital, the interest of which is now being expended yearly on mere fuel and establishment of running steamers, and that a vast amount of time will be saved over present routes. Of the political bearing of the subject we have said nothing; but, holding in view that the line from Ceylon to Cochin China is nearly straight we are convinced that if Great Britain does not take it in hand, France must, with every chance of a profitable opposition to the P. & O. Company, in their line with Europe to Calcutta via Madras.

ALEXANDER FRASER, Captain, Bengal Engineers. J. G. FORLONG, Captain, F.R.S.E., Ex-Engineer, Tenasserim Provinces.