THE 



CORAL LANDS OF THE PACIFIC, 



CHAPTER I. 



FROM THE GOLDEN GATE TO FIJI. 



THE completion of the Trans-Continental Railroad of America 

 opened a new era for the islands of the Southern Sea. The 

 great through route to Japan, China, New Zealand, and Aus- 

 tralia, via San Francisco, is now an accomplished and very 

 successful fact. 



The steamers of the Pacific Mail Company have brought the 

 Sandwich Islands within thirty days of London, and, although 

 the service to Fiji is for the present suspended, there can be no 

 question that the growing importance of our recently acquired 

 territory to say nothing of the surrounding groups will 



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