Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1850-07-11

which was stretched piece Of hide 1t was |
rude instrument surely, but the drunken fell
low who was beatingit with his hands APP
peared to be Of much importance in the motley
group. Some dozen or more black, greasy
looking wenches, more than three sheets in the
wind, with an equal number of men, and a few
white spectators made up the company, and
the dancing appeared to consist Of no particu
lar figure, but of series of contortions, bows,
scrapes and wrigglcs, with the most unearthly
noises and demoniacal grimaces, intended,
probably to be in time with the music, but
tending only so far as it affected my mind, to
sink the wretched creatures still lower in the
scale of degradation than they had previously
appeared The orgies were frequently stilled
long enough for drink all around, when they
would commence again, losing nothing in vul-
garty or righteousness by the interval of still
ness. / came away disguised with fandangoes
in general. and this one in particular, and as
soon as the unearthly drum would permit, my
mind was in dreamland, endeavoring to recog-
nize some familiar object but dreams which
vegetate on the hard ground, on bare floors of
rough poles, and on the soft side of deck
plank are not prolific in scenes of pleasure and
peaceful images of ones distant home. will
take present leave of the native population of
the isthmus by saying that their element ap-
pears to be laziness and to attempt to hurry
or drive them would only betray ones folly
They were once slaves, or are the descendants
of slaves, and therefore the wonder at their
degradation ceases. Inhabiting one of the
most fertile soils that ever slept beneath the
vault of heaven, they make no attempt to culti-
vate it, and are satisfied to subsist on the filth
lest food. and to live in manner that would
disgrace herd of New England swine. l
have never seen a more beautiful country than
borders the Chagres river after leaving its
mouth fifteen miles behind. The soil-dark,
rich loam-from four to six and even eight
feet deep, is capable of producing any kind Of
valuable crops, and nothing can be more favor
able to agricultural pursuits than the climate
of the country. Twas told by those who were
could be perfected in year that sugar cane,
coffee, and all kinds of grapes would flourish
| in perfection. while the low lands are admira-
bly, suited to the cultivation of the rice crops
| The climate, | am sure, would be beautifully
healthy, were the dense forests once cleared
away, and the hand of Anglo Saxon energy
and enterprise once stretched over the land
Some views of the country, even with all its
wildness, are decidedly beautiful, and made
deep impression upon my mind. Heaven has
poured out its bounties with an unsparlng
hand, while man has only labored to curse the
soil, and cover up as much as possible the
beauties which naturally overspread the coun-
try. could but indulge the hope, while my
eye rested upon the landscape, that ere long
the strong arm Of industry will reach this be-
nighted land, and that its rich hill-sides and
fertile valleys may yet become the happy abodes
of busy life This wilderness and solitary
place, which
Never listened to the sound of a knell
/ Or smiled when Sabbath appeared
shall yet rejoice and be glad, and bud and
blossom as the rose; here doubt not the I'M
meaning mummeries of the g Mother of Har
lots " will be displaced by the Intelligent wor
ship of the God of love, and the bountiful bles-
sings of the Most High shall not be seen alone
in wild soitudes, but in waving fields, in
bleating herds and in golden harvests, and
shall be acknowledged by thousands of obedi-
ent and happy people rejoicing in the fullness
of the divine blessing and expressing that Joy
by proper regard for all the sacred obliga-
tons of christian life. J. r.. G.