From Malta a branch steam-boat may proceed with the mails for the
Ionian Islands, and touching at Zante to land these, proceed thence to
Athens, and thence to Constantinople with the outward mails. From
Constantinople this boat will return, by Athens and Zante, to Malta,
with the return mails for the Alexandria and Falmouth packets. The
distance from Malta to Alexandria and back is 1650 miles, and by the
course already pointed out, the distance from Malta to Constantinople
and back is not materially different. Consequently, one good steamer
would perform the work in the same time as is requisite to go to
Alexandria and return. This boat would be, each voyage, ten days at
sea; stopping two days at Constantinople: which is 20 days monthly;
240 days yearly; requiring 5000 tons of coals, 6250_l._, and 6200_l._
more for wages, provisions, insurance, tear and wear; together
12,450_l._ per annum.