Jan.] 



CITY AND BAY OF PANAMA. 



241 



even at the moment their unsightly ruins may hide the mangled re- 

 mains of our humanity. In the most fearful storm at sea, with the 

 frailest bark, and on a lee iron-bound shore, hope will hover, and ex- 

 ertion in a degree divert the mind, however despairing ; but when the 

 earthquake sends forth its premonitions, hope departs. The only 

 guardian which remains is quiet, humble resignation ; and in what 

 beautiful relief she appears amid the appalling extravagance of fear 

 and despair ! 



" Last Sunday I took a walk with Kirkland to spend an hour at a 

 little villa about half a mile from the gates of the city. We were en- 

 countered by a sudden shower, and seeking refuge, were ushered into 

 a cock-pit : all was life and bustle. A padre, who assisted at mass, 

 arrayed in his sacerdotal garb, with a fowl under his arm, manifested 

 the deepest interest. I never witnessed any thing of the kind before, 

 and assuredly did not rejoice at the necessity by which I was thus 

 enlightened. 



" The villa of which I spoke is not only beautifully but romantically 

 situated. It is offered to me very low, and I think of purchasing it, 

 and despatch the vessel home, in order to avail of the immense ad- 

 vantages which at present offer in this unknown and interesting region. 

 The site of the villa or cottage is beautiful, being on the brow of a 

 gently sloping hill, which abruptly terminates at the base of a moun- 

 tain. The house is built with care, and replete with convenience. 

 The grounds are terraced to their termination, forming a series of 

 aqueducts or reservoirs, which serve to irrigate a soil unsurpassed in 

 fertility. On the left an arm of the bay penetrates — but I think gulf 

 the most appropriate term — for this arm of which I speak is in itself 

 a bay of imposing magnitude, and of more than imposing magnificence ; 

 for when surveying it, I was transported home. 



" I was gazing on our own magnificent bay — -ay, there they lay, 

 Staten Island in protective majesty, Governor's Island in picturesque 

 prominency, with Ellis's and Bedlow's imbedded at due distance, only 

 reposing in more quiet beauty. The similitude is fully equal to that 

 which you may have noticed on entering the harbour of' Charleston. 

 The Astley and Cooper rivers and the fort on the little sandy island, 

 together with the appearance of the quay, are perfectly typical of New- 

 York ; much more so, however, does this arm of the bay resemble it. 

 I need not tell you with what interest I looked, while the fireside 

 (although I was near the equator), by the talisman of imagination, 

 greeted my vision, surrounded by objects never so dear to affection, and 

 certainly never before so highly appreciated. If I purchase this place, 

 I fear my correspondence will be strongly tinctured with the senti- 

 mental, if not become mawkish. 



" There is much more that has struck me in a desultory way which 

 I would fain communicate ; but, fortunately for you, neither time nor 

 room admit. 



" The population of Panama is variously estimated. Embracing the 

 suburbs, which are populous, it is stated to be from 10 to 30,000; I 

 think the truth will be found to lie between. The churches are large 

 and handsomely ornamented. The cathedral can comfortably accom- 



Q 



