ELDORADO 283 



L. Trvon, M. D., in i84<). is l)oth inlercslin^- and in- 

 structive. 



"Panama, the terminus of the varied and difficuh 

 routes across the Isthmus, is situated on the shores of 

 an extensive and l)eautiful 1)ay. It contains aliout 

 e\0U tliousand inhabitants, most of whom are negiroes. 

 liein.^- one of the old Spanish towns, upon the decline 

 of the Spanish power, the place fell into decay. The 

 houses are jjenerall}- of stone or brick, two and three 

 stories in heig-ht, whitewashed or covered with a coat 

 of plaster, and are invariably surrounded by a balcony 

 ]>rotected from the sim and rain by the roofs of the 

 houses extending^ over them. The town is rej^ularly 

 arrano^ed. the straig^ht and narrow streets intersecting 

 each other at right angles. A wall was built by the 

 Spaniards around the portion of the town nearest the 

 bay. but at least one-half the population reside bevond 

 its limits, and it is in a dilapidated state. A venerable, 

 decayed, but still imposing cathedral ; a grand plaza or 

 open common — a general characteristic of Spanish- 

 built towns — several churches, partly in ruins: the 

 crumbling walls of the College of Jesuits, which cover 

 a large extent, and of two monasteries, of which the 

 walls and bells alone remain ; and the frowning wall? 

 and towers of the battery, fronting the bay. are the 

 principal features of the town of Panama. Since the 

 commencement of the emigration to California a num- 

 ber of Americans have established hotels and eating- 

 houses in the town and good accommodations arc 

 therefore to be obtained by travelers. 



"From Panama steamships convey passengers tr 

 San Francisco. Starting from the front of the citv 

 the beautiful bav. with its scnu'-circular shores, and 



