CHAPTER XXXIII.
_The Baron goes to Petersburgh, and converses with the Empress-- Persuades the Russians and Turks to cease cutting one another's throats, and in concert cut a canal across the Isthmus of Suez--The Baron discovers the Alexandrine Library, and meets with Hermes Trismegistus--Besieges Seringapatam, and challenges Tippoo Sahib to single combat--They fight--The Baron receives some wounds to his face, but at last vanquishes the tyrant--The Baron returns to Europe, and raises the hull of the "Royal George."_ Seized with a fury of canal-cutting, I took it in my head to form an immediate communication between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea, and therefore set out for Petersburgh.
The sanguinary ambition of the Empress would not listen to my proposals, until I took a private opportunity, taking a cup of coffee with her Majesty, to tell her that I would absolutely sacrifice myself for the general good of mankind, and if she would accede to my proposals, would, on the completion of the canal, _ipso facto_, give her my hand in marriage! "My dear, dear Baron," said she, "I accede to everything you please, and agree to make peace with the Porte on the conditions you mention.

And," added she, rising with all the majesty of the Czarina, Empress of half the world, "be it known to all subjects, that We ordain these conditions, for such is our royal will and pleasure." I now proceeded to the Isthmus of Suez, at the head of a million of Russian pioneers, and there united my forces with a million of Turks, armed with shovels and pickaxes.

They did not come to cut each other's throats, but for their mutual interest, to facilitate commerce and civilisation, and pour all the wealth of India by a new channel into Europe.

"My brave fellows," said I, "consider the immense labour of the Chinese to build their celebrated wall; think of what superior benefit to mankind is our present undertaking; persevere, and fortune will second your endeavours.

Remember it is Munchausen who leads you on, and be convinced of success." Saying these words, I drove my chariot with all my might in my former track, that vestige mentioned by the Baron de Tott, and when I was advanced considerably, I felt my chariot sinking under me.