96 THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 



usually undergo a series of revolutions in opinion in 

 the course of a few months, and it is curious to see 

 how faithfully they will adhere to its use in some 

 form. Commencing with brandy indiscriminately, 

 they soon conclude that it must be of the " best 

 quality," and used " moderately," but this is not to 

 be endured long. Whisky, old Monongahela 

 "YVhisky, w r ill next be tried, and most probably be 

 discovered to be the stimulus for the climate ; but 

 this soon wears out, and then gin, and perhaps rum, 

 down to porter, ale and claret will all follow in their 

 turn, each receiving its medium of praise as being 

 just the thing for the particular constitution ; yet 

 one and all of them are alike pernicious, with the 

 exception, perhaps, of claret, moderately used, 

 w T hich may do no harm if it is good ; but the others, 

 in proportion as they contain the stimulating prin- 

 ciple, are injurious, how T ever carefully taken, to 

 nineteen-twentieths of those who reside upon the 

 Isthmus, by promoting the diseases of the climate, 

 laying all other considerations aside. Nor is it the 

 use of alcoholic drinks on the Isthmus alone that is 

 found injurious ; but those who, previous to going 

 there, have been intemperate — whose constitutions 

 have become in the slightest degree impaired — are 

 almost sure to break down at once. I have seen 

 this effect in so many instances, that I have no hesi- 

 tation in setting it down as an almost invariable 

 rule, and therefore would advise any such unfortu- 

 nate individual to keep off of the Isthmus if he values 

 his life as of the least possible consequence. 



