42 THE WHALEMAN ; OR, 



from the islands to the Atlantic States by home* 

 ward bound ships around the Horn, which re- 

 quired for their passages from three and a half 

 to five months. But now, in consequence of 

 mail communications across the isthmus to San 

 Francisco, and from thence to the islands, let- 

 ters and other public intelligence from the last- 

 named place reach us in six weeks or two 

 months from date. 



