104 THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 



ments of every kind, and even the houses, or mate- 

 rials for building them, which were necessary for 

 the already large population of California? It is 

 well known that they were, for the most part, ship- 

 ped from the different American ports along the 

 Atlantic Ocean ; that those cities and villages have 

 been transported hence by long and perilous voy- 

 ages around Cape Horn. Attempt for a moment to 

 estimate the cost, in time and money, thus incurred, 

 and it will be found that the mind is incapable of 

 grasping the stupendous fact. 



Another important feature, which will be incal- 

 culable in its advantages to the growing interests of 

 California — arising from the easy and agreeable 

 means of transit across the Isthmus— will be, thjit 

 of the flocking thitherward of the families of those 

 who are already there as pioneers, paving the way 

 to fortune, and of such as shall go in the future ; 

 thus revolutionizing the social habits of that coun- 

 try, and establishing a more permanent and happy 

 state of society. Hitherto this has been one of the 

 greatest detriments to emigration there, and the 

 separation from the happy influences of home has 

 been one of the worst in its effects on the habits and 

 characters of that people. In carrying out the al- 

 ready contemplated plan of establishing a line of 

 steamships from Panama to Australia and China, a 

 new impetus will be given to that trade, which may 

 be extended to any extent, and do much towards 

 enlightening the inhabitants of the " Celestial Em- 

 pire" in regard to the real progress of the rest of 



