The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-05-07
classes. Ths 6rst ear vas compara.iyelv small

glasses. The first car was comparatively snail
one, on which was erected cross, with ladders,
spears, etc., and standing near it, weeping, was the
full length figure Of Mary Magdalene. Before the
car was long line ofboys, we'll dressed in black,
chanting
the civil officers Of the province, and military officers
bearing the national standard. 1hen came another
car Of immense size, loaded down with lighted can
delabras mirrors, and vases of flowers. On this
car representation Of the sepulchre, fashioned
according to the most authentic account Of Jewish
hktory full-length figure Of Christ could be
was borne through the streets by about forty stout
men, the people from the balconies showered
flowers and sprinkled perfumed waters upon it.
Following the car Of the sepulchre were per-
of ell shades and colors, with trailed arms and
dressed in as many hues as there are hues to
the rainbow. Some Of them wore shoes, somo
boots, some black hats, and some white, and alto
gether would have eciipsed any giment which the
fertile mind of Shakespeare ever embodied. But
they marched with slow and solemn pace, to
so mournful music, and, although their uniform was
unique, it excited anything but ridicue even among
the Americans. who were spectators Of the scene.
We do think, however, that there is but little
cuse for parading men in Panama in such uncouth
habiliments A third ca. bore full length figure
Of John the Beloved, robed in green and purple vel
vet. The last car, borne by dozen men, repre-
sented the figure of the Virgin Mary, and was pre-
ceded by about fifty. Spanish ladies, elegantly
Then came multitude, each person having
lighted torch in his hand and their faces oil bear
ing evidence Of the solemn feelings which possessed
them.
The procession mare he'd through the principal
streets, and at half past eleven, halted in the Plaza,
where, after the chanting of prayers, and some
other ceremonies which we did no. exactly under
stand separated and went quietly to their homes.
MAJOR HoBBIE-PsyAMA RAILROAD.
This gentleman, who has been spending few
weeks on the lstnmus, departed in the last mai
packet for Calf His business whilst here
to prepare scheme of postal communication be
tween the United States and the South Pacific
ports, and to re-adjust the mail service between
Ihogres and Panama. lie came out, a. We learn,
with instructions from the Postmaster General o.
the United States. for these purposes
The government Of this country, we understand,
declines taking any part or action in the mail
engagements with distant countries, not having any
steamships or other adequate means of conveyance
Gifts own. From Panama, where the grea, Ame-
rican mail lines from Oregon to California, and
from the Atlantic states, unite, to the South Pacific
ports above referred to, the only stated conveyance
y that maintained by the British government in the
Panama and Valparaiso steamship line With the
authorities controlling that line learn that Mr..
lt0bbie has devised his arrangements; that they
ere simple and ehectuai, and can be put in inmedi
ate operation, soon sanctioned by the head of
the department, to whora he has made full report
a present, ard heretofore letter from the nited
states to the Pacific ports cannot be sent through,
unless there be an agent Of the writer n Panama
to pay the postage. lie must take the letter out of
the mail here aud place it in the mail for Valpa-
iaiso, otherwise it will remain in the office here
until it is at last lost destroyed with the other
dead letters. Major Hobbies arrangements, we
understand, remove the necessity for private
agent, and the fatal distractions where L. not
provided and enables the letter to go through to its
destination as directly il will pass between any
two towns in different States within the unon.
Within the territory of New Granada the trans
portation of the mail, whether from foreign coun-
try, or originating NJ home, is the supreme prero
ulaflN az ha MT nnIl re hat
from the United States, in transit across the 18th
mus, New Granada exercises this sovereign prero-
gatiSe, under certain siipulatioas entered into in
1914 with the American government. That ar
rangement il happily advantageous to the United
states III a pecunary point Of view: nevertheless,
New Grenada insists upon carrying it out, and
fuses TO surrender 1t, unless the United states will
enter into another arrangement that will cost ii
several hundred per cent more than the present.
lmpulsive and energetic Brother Jonathan has
snarted with impatence under the delays that have
characterized the movement OF the mails in New
Granada, and willing to relieve Don IIidalgo
OF q task thai u not, according to his complaint,
put "Ieal' into his pocket. But he win not
take the work OF his hands, and pay him a bonus
besides, that will OF itself be some four times
greater than what he now pays for the whole job.
Mr.. llobbe has, however, reported to his chief Mt
Washington great improvement in the arrange
ment OF the niied States agents who accompany
the mail. We believe il will give much greater
efficiency 10 the service, and at the time, re-
quire = less expenditure.
Ne may look to the orders that the Pos:mas-
ter General Of the nited States will issue, under
these reports of hi, First Assistant put fully in oe
ration by the ls Of July, when the cheap post
age bill, recently enacted by Congress, will go into
operation.
But we look upon all present arrang or mo-
dhcatons over The lsthmus a. temporary. The giant
of the age has already planted his foot at Navy
Bay, and the time il not far distant when the other
viii be at Punama. The mails and passengers and
cargoes OF ships will be handed from ocean
10 the other in a few hvNrs-thanlts 50 the lofty
enterprise Of the nitei states capitalists, sni the
liberal and enlightened concessions Of the hew Ora
/ nadian government. President stephens il here on
the spot, with his accomplished engineer. Colonel
Totem; 30 i, the gallant Col. Baker, who heads
large body OF vigorous North American lahorers.
The winding thagres already presents TO the ira
weller. from time TO time, the graded railway
stretching an reetilinear from oac bend to
another, and the actually rolling oycr some Of
the sections OF the road, The work is going for
ward, not IN unsubstantial spcculations in news
papers, or counting rooms, or steamboat stock, bat
IN the yefitsblc labor that will give u in the course
Of few months, an actual realization, by or
one OF the greatest enterprises of this remarkable