The Suez Canal was opened, as promised, on the 18th
inst., that is to say, a Russian steamer drawing 171 feet, and the Empress Eugenie's yacht PAigle, drawing 13 feet, and about forty smaller steamers, went through. There were great festivities, and prayers were offered by both Mussulman and Catholic priests, and the Empress's almoner blessed the Khedive, and M. Lesseps made a speech in which he regretted that France should be so opposed to the abolition of the capitulations, a speech which portends some request to the Viceroy, whose hobby is the removal of these capitulations. No difficulty seems to be anticipated in keeping the canal clear of sand, but it has still to be deepened, the side channels to enable vessels to pass each other have still to be cut, and there is talk of doubling the width of the main channel. A good deal more money will have to be spent, but all calculations as to the shareholders' chances seem to us premature. At the rates now fixed, 10f. per ton and 10f. per passenger, the share- holders will get very little, but nobody knows yet what amount of tax shippers will consent to pay for the new accommodation.
