CHAPTER XV. 



Former Views concerning a Railroad across the Isthmus — Reasons for 

 a change of Opinion — Organization of the Panama Railroad Com- 

 pany — First Steps taken for the Prosecution of the Work — Its 

 Magnitude — Manzanilla Island — The Harbor — Prospective Town 

 — Prospects of Business— Changes already Effected — The Future 

 — Sketches of the Isthmus. 



It has formerly been contended that a railroad 

 would never answer the necessities of commerce, 

 but merely contribute to the more ready and com- 

 fortable transit of passengers. While the last con- 

 sideration may be deemed of sufficient importance 

 to warrant the undertaking, we regard it as of by 

 far the least consequence of the two. 



"Within three years, a very remarkable change 

 has taken place, having a direct bearing upon this 

 question. The Pacific, which hitherto had seldom 

 been traversed, except by an occasional whale-ship, 

 or merchantman, has now become the great high- 

 way for numerous steamships, while the number of 

 sailing vessels have accumulated more rapidly than 

 was ever known before in any part of the world, and, 

 therefore, it becomes a question whether or not the 



