Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-12-30

va ehC li'ci, dh 6OOu wafer iiitct VIII
be found a great convenience, as the river
water is SO muddy that it is apt to derange
the bowels, unless filtered in some way be-
fore drinking it. In view ofthe great and
sudden influx Of passengers to Chagres at
the present time, it is impossible to say how
they will all be accommodated with canoes,
and what the river journey will cost. In
former times the supply of canoes was quite
limited aud the charge depended on the ce-
lerity with which the journey was performs
ed. A doubloon t$16) was the lowest
charge for single passenger, and from that
up to two, three, and even four doubloons.
CRUCES. .fr
He may now congratulate himself on
having achieved the most toilsome part Of
his journey, and but twenty-one miles Of
land route intervenes between him and the
glorious Pacific Ocean. Cruces is small
village, situated on plain, Immediately on
the banks OF the river, which here are high
and sandy. Gorgona, the other landing
place, is few miles below Cruces, and is
likewise small village, very similar to
Cruces. From these two points, both about
L
roads to that city, which unite about nine
miles from it.
JOURNEY ACROSS THE 1STHMUS.
The usual method for performing it, is ON
horse or on mule-back, with another mule
to carry the baggage and a muleteer who
acts as guide. The road is mere bride
path, and as the rains on the Isthmus are
very heavy, and there is more or less of
them all the year round, the mud-holes and
swampy places to be crossed are very nu-
merous. The only safe plan for the stran-
ger to pursue, is to carry his provisions
with him. Ham, biscuit, sausages, preserv-
ed meats, and such kinds of portable pro-
visions, are the best to carry. After toll
some journey of some eight or ten hours,
the savannah OF Panama is at last reached,
and the sight of the broad and glittering
Pacific ocean, and the white towers of the
Cathedral of Panama, which are seen at
the distance of about four miles from the
city, give the now weary traveller assur-
ance that his journey will shortly end and
another hours toll brings him to the suburbs
ofthe famed
CIII OF PANAMA.
The city of Panama is situated on the
shores of the bay of that name. 1t for
merly contained from 5000 to 1000 in
habitants, and was quiet, still city, where,
during the day, nought but the sound ofthe
convent and church bells disturbed the
horses of the citizens in their grazines in
the public squares, which were all over
grown with grass. The trade carried on
consisted in importing dry goods from ia
maica, for the supply of the Isthmenians,
the neighboring produce of Veragus, the
pearl islands, the town of Chariqui, David,
and their vicinites, and the various little
inland towns. Goods also were sent down
to the ports of Payta, in Peru, and Guaya-
quill, in the Ecuador. The returns made
for these goods, consisted in the produce of
the Isthmus, such as gold dust, hides, India
rubber, pearl oyster shells, from which the
mother of pearl of commerce is made,)
sarsaparilla, sc. Agriculture is at low
point on the Isthmus, as not enough sugar
was raised to supply the city of Panama,
and they depended for their supplies of
wheat, -four, salt, sugar and groceries, ON
Peru or Jamaica, on the Atlantic side.-
The climate is warm, say from 80 to sc deg.
all the year round-the rainy season long
and severe. The nights in Panama, how
ever, are much cooler than usual in tropi-
cal climates.
ITS MARKET AND ACCOMMODA-
TIONS.
On account of the extreme heat, fish that
are caught in the morning are soft by the
afternoon. Beef, goats flesh and pork
must also be eaten Immediately after Kill
ling, or else they will spoil. Fowls and
chickens are dear vegetables, such as
yams, ukars, and the various fruits of the
tropics are scarce and dear. Tea and coffee,
as well as chocolate, are expensive; and
wines and liquors, on account of the ex-
pense of transportation across the Isthmus,
are likewise dear and of inferior quality
1t is only within few years that public
hotel has been established; previous to
that, travellers had to depend on the hos
pitality of those to whom they carried let
tiers of introduction.
THE HEALTHINESS OF PANAMA.
is far greater than that of Chagres. With
due care, avoiding all excesses and the
night air, person can preserve bis health
still, the heavy rains, and continual damp
atmosphere render it necessary to take
every precaution; for though healthy,
when compared with Chagres, it is by no
means, a safe place for unacclimated stran-
gers from the North.
CHARITY.
BY MRS. LuELLA J. CASE.
Speak kindly, oh speak soothingIy,