OCTOBER, 1843.

Isthmus of Panama.

—In the French Chamber of Deputies, a short time since, M. Guizot, in answer to some observations throwing doubts upon the practicability of the proposed works for piercing the Isthmus of Panama, read the following letter from the Baron de Humboldt to one of the heads of the parties interested in the proposed operation:— “I learn, with regret, that you are not further advanced in your important enterprise than you were when I had last the pleasure of seeing you in Paris.

Fot the last twenty-five years, the project of a communication between the two seas, either by the Isthmus of Panama, by Lake Nicaragua, or by the Isthmus of Capica, has been proposed, and topographically debated; and yet no beginning has been made.

I should have thought that the British Embassy would have found a means of inspiring confidence in the proposal to send a scientific man (an engineer) for the purpose of examining the valley which separates the two seas, through which the canal might be dug to the western side of the Port of Chagres.

Be assured that those persons who use the authority of my name in support of the opinion that the two seas have different levels, do so only to excuse themselves from engaging in the enter-

prise.”

The Minister also read an extract from a document addressed to the Academy of Sciences, by M. Warden, a distinguished American citizen, long consul for that country in Paris:—“The cutting necessary to unite the two seas, by means of the three rivers, Vino-Tinto, Bernardino, and Farren, is but twelve and a half miles in length.

The fall will be regulated by four double locks of 45 mètres long.

The canal will be altogether 49 miles in extent, 43 mètres 50 centimètres wide at the surface, 17 mètres 50 centimètres at the bottom, and having a depth of 6 mètres 50 centimètres.

It will be navigable for vessels of from 1,000 to 1,400 tons burthen.

The rivers, in those portions of them where they have from 2½ to 4½ mètres of water, will serve for the canal, by deepening to 6½ mètres; and the water will be maintained at that height by two guard-locks.

All the materials necessary for the construction of the canal are found on the soil which it has to traverse; and the total cost has been estimated at 2,778,615 dollars, including the price of four steam-boats, and two iron bridges, 46 mètres long, and opening for the passage of ships. —Athenæum.