THE ISTHMUS OF PANAMA. 129 



Eagle, which seemed confined to rather narrow lim- 

 its, and altogether away from home. Many ancient 

 looking pieces of statuary were situated along the 

 walks, and some of very perfect execution. 



For hours we walked through the shady avenues 

 of this beautiful place, and although far exceeding 

 anything I had ever before seen, yet there were on 

 every hand evidences that it is now much short of 

 its former perfection and grandeur. In many places 

 the ruins of old buildings, the use of which I could 

 not divine, and fountains which had become simply 

 frog pools, told plainly of neglect, and that nothing 

 save the fertility of the soil and favorable climate 

 preserved it from going to waste. The present 

 Bishop takes little or no interest in it, although it is 

 nominally under his charge. 



Of the Cathedral supposed to contain the re- 

 mains of the discoverer of the New World — theTa- 

 con Theatre, and other notable places, the public are 

 already familiar. The Pasio de Tacon is the favor- 

 ite resort of the citizens, and I am informed that 

 another public garden, far superior to the one I have 

 described, is situated but a short distance from the 

 city. 



