foundation
in the forthcoming Report, it is a stroke of policy on the part of the
French Government, to discourage an undertaking which its own subjects
have not sufficient enterprize to accomplish, and which it would
object to see executed by other nations.

In the present state of the question, it may not be immaterial to
remark, that on a comparison lately made by an English Engineer of Mr.
Lloyd's levels, with the survey alleged to have been made by M. Morel
(the accuracy of which is necessarily impugned by M. Garella, if he
asserts that an elevation of 120 metres must be overcome), it appears
that the levels ascribed to M. Morel, very nearly agree with those of
Mr. Lloyd, and are substantially corroborated by his survey.

FOOTNOTES:

[1] The reader will remember that to discover a more direct passage to
India than the voyage round Africa, which the Portuguese were then
exploring, was the object of Columbus' voyage which led to the
discovery of America, and the present proposal is to realize the
project of that great navigator. The name of "Indies" was given to his
discoveries, under a belief that he had actually reached India, a name
still preserved in our "West Indies."--_Robertson's America_, book
ii., vol. i, pp. 70 and 124-5, (edit. of 1821). It may well excite
astonishment that more than three centuries should have been allowed
to elapse before the full accomplishment of this great man's
undertaking.

[2] The intelligent observer of passing events will not fail to see in
the "signs of the times" indications that the day is not far distant
when the important Empire of Japan will follow the example of China,
and throw open its harbours to European commerce--a consummation
devoutly to be wished--and which the present expedition to those
shores, under the command of Sir Edward Belcher, is likely to
accelerate.

A more immediate development of commercial enterprise cannot fail to
result from the opening of a Ship Canal through the Isthmus of Panama;
viz., _a direct trade_ between the West India Islands, English,
French, and Spanish, and the countries which have been named. From
this consideration, the West India proprietors and merchants, whose
property in those colonies has been of late years so much depreciated,
are deeply interested in the success of this undertaking.

[3] The opinions of writers who have visited the locality, will be
found in the Appendix. To those of Mr. Lloyd, who was sent by Boliva