same formations continue under the bed of the
sea is a probability that has been noticed
in a report to the Geological Society on "the
Chalk Ridges which extend parallel to the
Cliffs on each side of the Channel tending
towards the North Sea," by Captain J. B.
Martin, in 1839. Careful geological investigation
has been made with a view to discover
whether the chalk formations obtaining on each
coast continue unbroken for the whole distance
dividing them; and there appears no
reasonable cause to doubt that this is the
case.

Impressed by these facts, Mr. William Low,
an engineer who for many years had been
confident of the feasibility of connecting the
English and French railway systems, by
means of a sub-channel tunnel, set himself
earnestly to examine for himself the geological
formations of the two shores. After most
careful examination, Mr. Low became satisfied
that the deductions of the geologists were
correct. His examination of the borings for
several artesian wells on both sides of the
Channel, strengthened his opinion as to the
regularity of the strata. It became his firm
conviction that along a certain line, about half
a mile west of the South Foreland, and four
miles west of Calais, the tunnel could be made
entirely through the lower, or grey, chalk:
which, owing to its comparative freedom from
water, and other qualities, would be a most
desirable stratum in which to work. With the
result of these investigations, and with plans
of the tunnels he projected, Mr. Low, in
1867, betook himself to the Emperor of the
French: who, giving the English projector a
most cordial reception, desired him further to
organise his plans, and to come again when he
might be prepared to submit definite proposals.

In 1856, M. Thomé de Gamond, a French
engineer of repute, who had for many years
been advocating the construction of a tunnel
between England and France, obtained, by
order of the emperor, an investigation of his
plans at the hands of a scientific commission.
This body, satisfied with the substantial
accuracy of M. de Gamond's geological
conclusions, recommended that his investigations
should be practically tested by sinking pits on
the two coasts, and driving a few short headings
under the sea at the expense of the two
governments. Owing possibly to the backwardness
of the Great British Circumlocution
Office, this recommendation does not appear
to have had any practical result. In 1857,
M. de Gamond published the upshot of his
researches, and the report of the commission;
and at the Paris Exposition of 1867, he
publicly exhibited his plans. It was very
natural that Mr. Low, after his interview
with the emperor, should put himself in
communication with M. Thomé de Gamond. This
gentleman unreservedly placed his experience
at Mr. Low's disposal, and, after a tune, the
results of their joint labours were laid before
Mr. James Brunlees. He, after careful examination,
consented to co-operate with the two engineers in
the prosecution of the work.  A committee of French
and English gentlemen of influence and position was,
by desire of the emperor, formed to further the project;
and it is by the executive committee of this
body, under the chairmanship of Lord Richard
Grosvenor, that the matter is now practically
brought before the public.

But the opinions of Messrs. Low and Brunlees,
and of M. Thomé de Gamond, received
further confirmation.

Mr. John Hawkshaw, whose name is well
known to the public at large and to the
engineering world, was induced to test the
question, and to ascertain by elaborate
independent investigation the possibility of a
sub-channel tunnel. With characteristic care
and caution he took nothing for granted, but
went himself over the whole ground already
traversed by Mr. Low and by M. de Gamond.
His geological researches led him to the same
conclusions, and his expression of opinion in
favour of the grey chalk was very decided.
Not even satisfied with the theoretical results
of these investigations, carefully though
they were made, Mr. Hawkshaw held it
necessary to make borings on each coast, at the
precise points at which the ends of the tunnel
would be situated. Thus Mr. Hawkshaw and
the French commission came to the same
decision. Now; the well at Calais, from which
a considerable part of the geological inferences
had been drawn, was at some distance from
the spot where it was proposed to begin the
tunnel on the French side, and possibly the
strata might, in the precise place indicated,
not run as anticipated.

This did not, however, turn out to be the
case. The actual borings conclusively proved
the correctness of the views entertained.

The boring on the English coast was
commenced at St. Margaret's Bay, near the
South Foreland, in the beginning of 1866, and
was satisfactorily completed in 1867.  It was
carried completely through the chalk and
into the green sand, which was reached at a
depth of five hundred and forty feet below
high water. The boring on the French coast,
three miles westward of Calais, was carried to
a depth of five hundred and twenty feet below
high water. It was intended to pass through
the chalk, as on the English side, but accident
frustrated this design.

Simultaneously with these borings, the bottom
of the Channel was carefully examined by
means of a steamer provided with all suitable
apparatus. The main useful results established
by these experiments appear to be, that
on the English coast the depth of chalk is four
hundred and seventy feet below high water of
which two hundred and ninety-five feet are of
the grey formation, in which it is proposed to
work; that on the French coast, the depth of
chalk is seven hundred and fifty feet four
hundred and eighty being grey; and that
there appears to be no room to doubt the
regularity of the strata between the two shores
along the line proposed.