The distance from the former to the latter place is 170 geographical
miles. This might, under prompt and proper regulations, be performed
in two days. The first portion of the distance is from Alexandria to
Cairo, about 100 miles by water, and the second is from Cairo to Suez
across the desert, about 70 miles. What the expense of transporting
mails, passengers, &c. over this distance would be, it is difficult to
state, but let it be taken as an approximation at 5000_l._ per annum.