On supporting science journalism
If you're enjoying this article, consider supporting our award-winning journalism by subscribing. By purchasing a subscription you are helping to ensure the future of impactful stories about the discoveries and ideas shaping our world today.
The accomplishment of this greatest engineering work ot ancient or modern times, has taught important lessons to both hemispheres. It has shown that capital and skill together are all-powerful in subjugating natural obstacles to commerce. It has taught the Western hemisphere that a similar opening must be cut somewhere in the neck of land which connects North and South America, and the lesson must be heeded. It has given to the world important inventions, which will greatly aid in the performance of any similar work hereafter ; and has more than all demonstrated the fact, that climate can be controlled by human agency, so that arid deserts may be literally made to " blossom like the rose." The whole work has been performed within ten years from its commencem.ent, an instance of rapid work, unparalleled, except in the histol',Y of the P'acific Bailroad. These works have helped to enforce the truth that the greatest rapidity in the excution of such. enterprises, consistent with thorough ness, is the most economical way to prosecute them. Butthe Suez Canal has had obstacles to overcome that the Pacific Railroad did not encounter. It struggled with diplomatic troubles till 1864, had its laborers scattered by cholera in 1865, and in 1867 found itself at the bottom of its purse, and at its wit's end to obtain a loan of 100,000,000 francs, neces-to complete the work. The indomitable courage and perseverance of Sf. Losseps, his skillful financial management, which at this juncture saved the enterprise, are they not written ? The grand celebration which inaugurated the work haa passed into history. It must not be long ere the completJ.on of a similar work shall be celebrated on this continent.
