hibition, which
accorded unbounded gratification to the grandsons of Futteh Ali Shah,
seems to have been looked upon by the khan rather with contempt, as a
marvellous piece of absurdity. "Would any one believe that such a sight as
this could possibly be witnessed any where in the world? but, having
personally seen it, I cannot altogether pass it over." But the then
unfinished Thames Tunnel, which he had the advantage of visiting in
company with Mr Brunel, appears to have impressed his mind more than any
other public work which he had seen; and his remarks upon it show, that he
was at pains to make himself accurately acquainted with the nature and
extent of the undertaking, the details of which he gives with great
exactness. "But," he concludes, "it is impossible to convey in words an
adequate idea of the labour that must have been spent upon this work, the
like of which was never before attempted in any country. The emperors of
Hindustan, who were monarchs of so many extensive provinces, and possessed
such unlimited power and countless treasures, desired a bridge to be
thrown across the Jumna to connect Delhi with the city of Shahdarah--yet
an architect could not be found in all India who could carry this design
into execution. Yet here a few merchants formed a company, and have
executed a work infinitely transcending that of the most elaborate bridge
ever built. In the first instance, as I was given to understand, they
applied to Government for leave to construct a bridge at the same spot,
but as it was objected that this would impede the navigation of the river,
they formed the design, at the suggestion of the talented engineer above
mentioned, of actually making their way across the river underground, and
commenced this great work in spite of the general opinion of the
improbability of success."[7]

[7] The Parsees, in their account of the Tunnel, mention a fact
now not generally remembered, that the attempt was far from a new
one:--"In 1802, a Cornish miner having been selected for the
purpose, operations were commenced 330 feet from the Thames, on
the Rotherhithe side. Two or three different engineers were
engaged, and the affair was nearly abandoned, till in 1809 it was
quite given up."

"Some days after this," continues the khan, "I paid a visit to the Tower,
which is the fortress of London, placed close to the Thames on its left
bank. Within the ramparts is another fort of white ston