44 THE ISTHMUS OF TANAMA. 



lers from every quarter of the globe — it is no longer 

 the half-ruined and deserted city that it was a few 

 years ago, but re-kindled life and enterprise are al- 

 ready marking its onward progress to a better and 

 more permanent state of prosperity in the future. 

 The view seaward from the ramparts is most beauti- 

 ful. The usually calm and placid surface of the bay, 

 studded with islands clothed in the richest verdure of 

 the tropics, and bearing upon its bosom every species 

 of sailing craft, from a native bungo to the largest 

 class of merchant ships, and majestic steamers, it pre- 

 sents to the eye a scene unlike any other in the known 

 world, and scarcely less enchanting. 



Unlike any other place on the Isthmus, Panama 

 is considered healthy, as it may well be supposed, 

 from the fact that its atmosphere is mostly from 

 the sea, and consequently devoid of the noxious ex- 

 halations of the back country, in a great measure. 

 Overflowing as it is with travellers, and a transient 

 population, and with imperfect municipal regula- 

 tions, the first impressions of the place are often any- 

 thing but agreeable, and particularly so from its ex- 

 treme filth, the streets being made the common re- 

 ceptacle of garbage and offal of every description, 

 which is allowed to decay or to be removed by swine 

 and buzzards, that are left, unmolested, with the duty 

 of scavengers. One of the greatest detriments to the 

 place is the deficiency of a supply of good water. 

 The inhabitants are now supplied principally from a 

 river three miles distant, the water being brought to 

 the city on mules. 



