Tin: CITY OF PANAMA. 416 



of the Pacific roll sullenly towards tin- ramparts, ami l.n-alc in foamy spray over the reefs. At 

 dillerent distances, ami in sailed directions, then- are >< <! CM of beauteous islands and rocky islc-tn 

 adorning H Niirtac.- made placid hy distance tin- .-aim- canst- changing their color through every 

 hue iV"iu emerald to sapphire. An al>ni|.t and solitary mountain occupies the imni-diat- ; 

 ground. Its southeast ami southwest 'sides slope off into undulating hills, which, as the eye 

 .suild.-nly change "'to mountains, beneath whose Burnmits float vapory clouds. On 

 tin- land side, every variety of tropical vegetation comes in as accessory to the picture. I loved 

 to sit alone on the old walls at night, and watch the stars as they moved slowly over the dark 

 lilue vault; for the familiar gems of the firmanent were still het'ore me, and were soon, as the 

 treasures of my homestead already were, to be hidden from sight during years. How noise- 

 lessly move the wheels of time, and how slight the record of his passage, when surrounded by 

 loved ones ! When alone, without a familiar face to look upon, every flap of his pinions as he 

 creeps vibrates a heart-string that marks each passing hour ! 



What change the discovery of gold in California is destined* to effect in Panama and the 

 appearance of its bay, is yet to be developed. A few short years hence, and fleets may crowd 

 here from every part of the vast Asiatic continent, Oceanica, and the western shores of our own 

 land, laden with wealth for transport ; and the city may resound with the noises of commerce 

 and the trades far more than during its previous palmy days. In fact, it can no longer be 

 doubted that American industry and American capital will be largely employed here within 

 five years. 



For a city in whose erection so much money was expended, it is surprising how little 

 thought appears to have been given to the comforts or even the conveniences of life ; and this, 

 too, in a climate where baths and other essentials to families must be of the last consequence. 

 There are numbers of wells from which bathers could have been supplied, and it is possible that 

 the water may have been drinkable at that period ; but now all that is drunk is brought from 

 a stream outside on the backs of mules. Every animal carries two kegs holding six or seven 

 gallons each a load being valued at twenty-five cents. The only baths are small bamboo 

 sheds with roughly tiled floors, in which, for a real (12 cents), you are supplied with a 

 towel and a bit of soap, and with half a calabash have the privilege of pouring water over 

 yourself from a large jar placed within the shed. Access to an ample supply of water is pleas- 

 ant enough in its way ; yet I greatly marvel that some Yankee, on whose hands time hung 

 heavily as he awaited a departing vessel, has not manufactured shower-baths from the bamboos 

 and calabashes so abundant, and thus filled his pockets with dimes to help him towards the 

 land of his aspirations California. Their drinking-water is kept in large earthen jars, called 

 tinajas, each of which will hold from 15 to 18 gallons. These are placed in the open air of the 

 balconies ; and as they are somewhat porous, constant evaporation is kept up on the outside, 

 tending to cool the water, and somewhat remedy the want of ice. 



I have said what number of people probably dwell within and about the city. How many of 

 these are permanently occupied in trades it would be difficult to ascertain ; yet there is no 

 doubt that the influx of Americans sensibly increases the demand for domestic products ; and 

 carpenters, tailors, shoemakers, hatters, &c., have each a few representatives, who both ask and 

 exact quite a hundred per cent, more for their fabrics than the same class of articles cost in the 

 United States. One principal cause of this is the absolute indolence of negro laborers. These 

 compose a large proportion of the working class, and are unwilling to work one moment 

 after they have obtained sufficient to gratify their appetites during two or three days. On this 

 account intoxicating liquors are sold in every third or fourth house, and these shops receive 

 more than half the earnings of mechanics. A little rice, yams or yuccas, and native fruits, are 

 all the food they require. With plenty of such cheap sustenance, a bottle of country rum or 

 brandy, and a bundle of cigars, they loll about the floors or in hammocks until the supply of 

 money is gone, and hunger forces them to work again. Even then, if they can obtain loads to 

 carry on their shoulders, which ordinarily requires brief labor and brings prompt as well as 



