THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 115 



they viewed the magnificent scenes, they might 

 soon after sink to their middle in mud ; nor, that 

 the " gently-flowing river" would, perhaps, within 

 twelve hours, become a powerful current, bearing 

 huge trees swiftly clown upon its surface, against 

 which it would be almost impossible to make any 

 progress. 



It is very easy to reconcile these conflicting state- 

 ments with an honest purpose, by supposing the 

 parties to have traveled over the line either during 

 a rainy or a dry season, and to have ascended or 

 descended the river, according to the nature of their 

 account. To descend the San Juan during the dry 

 season, or ascend its current when swollen, and while 

 the rains are still falling, is to experience two condi- 

 tions as widely different as are the various news- 

 paper accounts by travellers. 



A very serious objection to this route is that of 

 its harbors. That of San Juan del Sur, on the Pa- 

 cific, is objectionable in almost every respect, while 

 those of the Panama route are remarkably good. 

 ISTavy Bay is four and a half miles deep, and the 

 island of Manzanilla is situated directly at its mouth, 

 and upon its east side, affording shelter to shipping, 

 and room, with sufficient depth of water, for the 

 largest class steamships to lie directly alongside its 

 piers. As a commercial port for the lading of ships, 

 and discharging cargoes and passengers, it is, un- 

 doubtedly, the best on the coast of Central America ; 

 and these are considerations of the greatest import- 

 ance in connection with a railroad or ship canal. 



