[203] In 1842 several influential persons in Central America wrote to the Prince, then a prisoner in the fortress of Ham, suggesting that he should endeavour to obtain his liberation from the French Government, under an engagement to proceed forthwith to Central America. In 1845 this overture was more formally repeated in a despatch from M. Castellon, then Minister of the Central American States in Paris; and a few months later, Señor del Montenegro announced to the Prince that the Government of Nicaragua had conferred on his highness full powers to conduct and execute the undertaking. The refusal of the French Government to liberate the Prince put an end to the scheme at that time; but after his escape and arrival in London he was not indisposed to renew the negotiation, and he then wrote the pamphlet referred to. [204] Min. Proc. Inst. C. E., vol. vi. p. 428. [205] ‘Edinburgh Review,’ April, 1882. [206] Vide ‘Central America,’ by John Baily, R.M., London, 1850. [207] Min. Proc. Inst. C. E., vol. xv. p. 379. [208] ‘Edinburgh Review,’ April, 1882. [209] The time of passage through the Suez Canal is now about 16 hours. [210] In July, 1886, 1296 vessels passed through the St. Mary’s Canal lock. [211] The cost of transport of a ton of traffic by an Atlantic freight steamer has been reduced to one penny for some forty miles. [212] ‘Engineering and Mining Journal’ (New York), Map 4, 1889. CHAPTER XXIII. THE MANCHESTER SHIP CANAL. “Rivers diverted from their native course, And bound with chains of artificial force, From large cascades in pleasing tumult rolled, Or rose through figured stone or breathing gold.” —_Prior._ Whether we regard the magnitude of the enterprise, the importance of the district it is intended to serve, the difficulties and opposition that have had to be surmounted, or the many and varied influences that it is likely to exercise upon the future of transport in the United Kingdom, the Manchester Ship Canal is undoubtedly one of the most remarkable undertakings of modern times.