HENRY C. TAYLOR. 163 
The world moving, like all large bodies, slowly toward 
conviction, did become at last convinced that nature had 
not pierced the barrier for our use and comfort, and this 
conviction once forced upon it, plans for an artificial 
channel began soon to be suggested. The idea had been 
touched upon by Balboa, Cortez and Saavedra, but the 
first record we have of a practical suggestion is that of 
the Spaniard Gomara, who urged the idea upon Philip 
II. in 1551,— but the son was not the father; nor were 
such leaders as Cortez to be found, even had the spirit 
of Charles V. still animated the actions of the Spanish 
throne. 
From this time forward, the Spanish government 
seemed disposed rather to smother than to encourage 
any efforts to connect theoceans. As the old-time Span- 
ish vigor departed, the feeling grew that if any good 
route were found, it would only be snatched from them 
by some of those daring Drakes and Grenvilles, who, 
roaming the seas at the head of brave and reckless com- 
panies, sought every opportunity to insult Spain and 
plunder its colonies. 
A long period now passed, during which no interest 
was evinced in the canal question. The mystery with 
which the Spanish government had wished to cover it 
was complete. If the desire for knowledge came later, 
the failing vigor of that nation stood in the way of any 
successful investigation. 
It was left for Humboldt to reawaken an interest 
among the nations, and to indicate localities where 
favorable results would be most likely to be met with 
by the explorer and surveyor. In his opinion, the 
valley of the Atrato and the isthmus of Darien were 
points where examinations should first be made. Later 
we shall see how thoroughly these localities have been 
surveyed, and with how little success. 
In 1825 Nicaragua invited the co-operation of the 
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