CONTENTS. vii 
CHAPTER IX. 
State of Political Affairs in Nicaragua — The Different Parties — Inter- 
ference of Foreign Interests — ■ The Canal Project and the Accessory Transit 
Company — Outbreak of the Civil War of 1851 — The Author hastens to 
Leon — Insecurity of the Road — The Aristocracy of Science and Virtue — 
Arrival at Leon — The Leonese Government protests against the Contract 
with the Transit Company — General Munoz, his Character, his Party 
Position, and his Death — Character, Political Career, and Death of Fruto 
Chamorro — The Author returns to Granada, and thence to the United 
States Page 141 
CHAPTER X. 
A Visit to Honduras — Belize — An Excursion on the River — Sites and 
Scenery — Information in Reference to the Remnants of the Belgian 
Colony of St. Thomas — The Boom — Ruins in British Honduras — 
Manati Lagoon — Negro Settlement — Types of the Black Race under 
favourable Circumstances — Manati Cave — Subterranean Rivers — Geo- 
logical Remarks .. .. .. .. .. .. .. 160 
CHAPTER XI. 
Visit to Honduras, continued — Omoa — Pleasant Navigation of the Gulf of 
Honduras — Carib Villages of the British Territory — The Zapodilla Keys 
— Cerro de Guyamel — Omoa — The Malinche, or the Guacamayo — 
Wild Scenery in the Neighbourhood — Climatic Influences of Northerly 
Winds — Oak Trees by the side of Cocoa Palms — Northern Birds of Pas- 
sage — Excursion to the Northern Terminus of the Honduras Inter-Oceanic 
Railway — Carib Village of Tulian — Severity of Caribean Criminal Jus- 
tice — Port Cortez and Alvarado Lagoon — Prospects of this Locality — 
The Honduras Inter-Oceanic Railway .. .. .. .. 177 
CHAPTER XII. 
General Remarks on Central America — Geographical Position and Political 
Importance — Natural Advantages and Future Prospects — How the 
Interests of England and those of the United States, in reference to the 
Central American Question, could be harmonized — European Immigra- 
tion — Prejudices against the Climate refuted — Native Labourers fully 
available, and how to be treated .. .. .. .. ... 192 
