Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1850-05-06
From the Polynesfan ~
Panama and Voyage to SaHfranCisc0.

From the Polyn esfan. ~
Panama and Voyage to SaHfrancisco.
Panama is but skeleton of its former
greatness. Its walls and gates, once guard
ed by we'll drilled soldiers, are now entirely
deserted and even the heavy cannon which
lie scattered over the battlements serve now
only to crafty the curiosity Of the traveller,
who reads on them the date of 1920, and
recalls the stirring scenes by which Castail-
liam pride planted herself on these shores.
In its glory, Panama numbered 10000
Inhabitants, and possessed wealth hardly
rivalled by any city on the western shore of
America. Now her population does not ex-
ceed $500, including the subul BIS; and the
Eight hundred priests which once ministered d
in her churches have dwindled down to
thirty. -s-@
The Grenadians are of small stature, and ,
so far as | observed, weak, effeminate,
and induIent trace, having no desire for the
advancement Of their country's prosperity.
In almost every house there is store, where
a general assortment of trinkets is kept.
These stores are usually attended by te-
males. The larger stores, however, are
tended by males, some Of whom appear to
be well educated, business men, but this re-
mark can only apply to those who partake
largely of Spanish blood.
During my stay in Panama, I visited a
school in the suburbs, which was the Only
one could learn of. In this, nothing ex-
cept reading and writing was taught, and
only few were allowed to learn even these
elementary branches. Even before passing
through Grenada, had noticed the superb
or penmanship of some OF the South Ameri-
cans, and | had here occasion to notice it
quite frequently. And it was curiosity to
me to examine the books kept by some of
the Grenadiaa clerks, which. showed taste
rejecting great credit on them.
Among the places Of interest about Pana-
ma, was the burial ground for foreigners.
Some thirty years ago several Enslishmen
died here, and were buried about hall mile
from the city. A beautiful large mulberry
tree marks the spot. Beneath it, enclosed
by a neat stone wall, are their graves. Just
back of this is the ground where the Amer
leans are buried. The cholera was now in
the city, and that disease with the Panama
fever was thinning out the ranks of the gold
hunters. But this grave yard is one of the
most beautiful spots | ever saw a fit rest
ing place for the traveller who dies far from
bis home and friends A number of fune-
rails occurred during my stay in the city,
and few of the persons who died had been
sick more than a day or two.
| witnessed the burial of Spanish in
rant 1t was novel scene, and SO bereit
If that gloomy sombre show which charac-
erizes our burials, that | could not help
Ealing it beautiful sight. The corpse
was drawn by two young men dressed in
white, preceded by the priest 1t was not
enclosed in coffin, but was laid ON board
spread with white cloth, and was neatly
dressed in the richest white satin, with
Yreaths of flowers about its head and neck,
md boquets strewed over the body; and be-
lind it was carried table covered with
every variety of flowers, which were to be
placed in the grave with the corpse.
A number Of voices were singing in a
,laintive air while the priests chaunted the
service. In this way the procession passed
through the principal streets Of the city. 1t
was rather an unusual sight, having more
han ordinary show, as it was a child OF,
,ne of the wealthest citizens
After stay of nearly week in Pana-
ma, left in the first vessel for San Francis
20. A number of vessels were lying in the
BAY, waiting to proceed to San Francisco.
The harbor of Panama is very~ good, or
rather could easily be made so, by building
A pier out in deep water. The tides rises
and falls here 90 feet, which causes the an
,horage to be some distance from the town.
Several small and beautiful islands,
Known as the PerIas Islands, lie in the har-
DOR opposite the town, and serve as per-
'ect shelter for vessels in the heaviest gales,
although there is more frequently scarcity
han an abundance of wind here. The
pearl oysters formerly abounded in the bay,
among these islands, and afforded an ex-
ensive and lucrative commerce. The mode
If obtaining them was by diving, and many
IF the natives were employed in it. But
lives were lost, as the sharks were,
and still are abundant here. The divers,
armed with heavy knives, and many tales
are told by the natives Of encounters with
sharks in the water. Very few Of these
pearls are now obtained here. .: |
On one Of these islands, about ten miles
from the city, is the watering place for
ships, where the purest water Is obtained In
any quantity. Panama is supplied by wa.
ter brought from three to five miles, as
there is no fresh water obtained in the city.
1t is brought in stone jars on the shoulders
Of servants, and frkins on the backs OF
mules, and gives constant employment to
large portion Of the population.
OF the voyage between Panama and San
| will only say that, if travel