THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 121 



which, but a short time since, was the haunt of wild 

 beasts and reptiles, which were seldom ever start- 

 led from their hiding-places by the approach of man; 

 and the future traveller who visits the Isthmus, has 

 yet to mark far greater and more perfect improve- 

 ments, than any we have here depicted. 



Already the long piers and shipping in the har- 

 bor, the warehouses and dwellings, with the puffing 

 locomotives arriving and departing with passengers 

 and merchandise, presents an animated and business" 

 like aspect. 



In order to embrace many details of matters and 

 things on the Isthmus and other places, which will 

 be found of more or less interest, especially to those 

 who visit this country, the following chapters will 

 be devoted to a series of communications which 

 were addressed to my friend, D. D. Wait, Esq., of 

 Batavia, Genesee County, New York, and originally 

 published by him. In perusing them, I beg the 

 reader will remember that they were impressions of 

 the time, often hastily conceived, and sketched under 

 circumstances unfavorable to great exactness, or ele- 

 gance of diction. 



