STEAM NAVIGATION. 429

“ These points are in the direct line between the great ports of Liverpool and New York, and from them passengers will have a choice either of con- tinued steam navigation, or of proceeding by the mails, &c., on the shortest lines, to their ultimate des- tination.

“ The information obtained by the directors, as well from America as in Europe, tends uniformly to confirm the practicability of the undertaking. An eminent engine—maker has even offered to construct the engines, and ask no payment until the voyage shall have been successfully performed.

’ “ As the space of ocean to be crossed will be reduced to the smallest possible distance, the vessels less bur- dened with fuel than if they departed from any other point, immediately clear of the coast, and able to use sails whenever the Wind suits, there can be no com- petition With them either in speed or safety. There is no doubt of the saving of time. The ordinary passage will be at least one-third less than ‘a£""p1-é- sent, and in unfavourable winds, the difi'erence Will be still greater.

“ The effect of this acceleration to the intercourse be- tween the two continents, cannot easilybe conjectured; but it is evident that it will greatly extend the num- ber of passengers. These now amount to about 7009 in the year, at Liverpool alone; and should an in- crease of one-third of that number only fall into the line of the steam navigation, the income at similar rates of passage, deducting the victualling, will be about L.60,000 per annum. This would be nearly