a recent article on the growing fac lities for travel, we predicted thata trip round the world would soon be thought Jess of, than a journey to Paris was in the olden time. What with Cunard steamers, Pacific railways, and P. M. steamers, P. & O. steamers, Suez Canals, and Mont Cenis tunnels, the voyage may now be performed in such comfort and safety that, to any one with a taste for travelling, the question is narrowed to one of ways and means. The danger and discomfort which used attend sea voyages, have been in a great degree overcome; and yearly, almost monthly, new improvements and facilities for travel are being added. For example, even since the article towhich we have referred, was written, two impure tant measures have been resolved on— the cutting of a Darien canal, and the creation of steam communication between California and Australia, The former projecthasbeenlong under discussion, and variousscbemeshavebeen started, fonts accomplishment. Themain difficulty, to quote a recent writer, is, of course "the natural feature to which the isthmus itself owes its existence—the cordillera which unites the Andes with the Rocky mountains, and preserves the continuity of the dorsal ridge of the entire American continent. As water refuses to run upo hill, a ship canal, to cross 2 mountain chain, must be either cut through itat ocean level, or made to ascend one side and descend the other by an artificial staircase composed of locks; and, here again, the habits of water interfere. Locks imply sufficient supply of water to fill them, ud that water must come from some higher level still." Another necessity, is a harbour at each end of the canal. A ship cannot sail right into the month of canal as she can into the estuary of a navigable river and, therefore, safe and commodious harbours are essential. Almost every possible point of the isthmus has, from time to time, been surveyed, with a view to ascertain themest feasible tract for the purpose so much desiderated. Those of our readers who take interest in the details, are already familiar with the result; so we will pass over former schemes, to the one which is now occupying public attention, and which appears to commend itself for almost certain adoption. This line crosses the eastern portion of the isthe mus, from Caledonia Bay on the north, to the Gulf of San Miguel on the south coast. Both these inlets possess shelter and deep water, so that one primary desideratum, that of a commoious harbour at either end, is attained. The next consideration is the practi-ability of the canal route, and this seems also to be admitted. A short lateral valley running up from the Atlantic side reduces the summit level to 180 feet; and on the other side are the head waters of the Sacubti, a tributary of the Savana, a river which is navigable for @ considerable distance from its mouth, avd which flows into the Gulf of San Miguel. "The work to be done" to quote a writer in the Fall Mall Gazette, to whom we are indebted for these particulars, "would const of a canal of about twelve miles from Caledonia Harbour to the Sucabti River, taking advantage of the valley and break in the chain above mentioned. For the next twelve miles, the Sucubti River may be canalized, and then fifteen and a half miles of canal would be required to effect a junction with the Savana. This is the sum total of the actual canal work necessary. The collateral works would be trifling, consisting merely of the removal of a few small shoals and rocks, the erection of one or two lighthouses, and possibly, the dredging of a mile or so of the Savana River." The cost of the work is estimated at £7,000,000, if locks be adopted; or about £10,000,000 if a canal without locks be resolved on.
Tarning now to the second point which we mentioned at the outsot—a line of steamers between California, Aus: tralia and New Zealand,—it appears, by article which we reprint from the Melbourne Argus, that two Companies arein the field. The Californian, Oregon and Mexican Steam-ship Company wish to extend their operations from Hono-lola southwards, to Sydney and Auckland; and proposals have been received from an English Company to establish aline of steamers from Milford Haven to Portland, ard another, in correspondence, from San Francisco to Syduey—conveying passengers the entire distance in 40 days for £60 first class, and £30 second class, including all charges, We do not pretend to draw a distinction between the two offers; our purpose is merely to. signalixe the project;—which, in one shape or other, seems almost certain to be carried out—as another instance how rapidly the facilities for travel are increasing, Thenext thing of which westall hear, will bea project for steam communication between China and Australia, thus completing the circle and placing both Countries in communication with America and with each other. Inn few years, men in search of change will be uble to go home through the Coloniesand the Isthmus of Darien, as readily as they now do vid India through the Isthmus of Suez.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.