The Nevada journal., 1852-07-17
WEDNESDAY. JULY II. 1852.
INCIDENTS OF PASSAGE.
NO. III.

NO. III.
rs the steamer Oregon, on which we
we're to take passage, did not leave for
two days after our arrival at Panama
we had full opportunity to examine all
objects of interest connected with the
city. The time wS peculiarly auspI-
cious, as on Corpus Christi Day the ser
vices Of the Catholic mass were perform
ed in the cathedral, the black military
were in motion and the peculiar DEM
onstrations of such a people as the Pan
amenos in honor of the day, wele In
full operation.
Panama is situated on pcninsular
laved on three sides by the sea, which
flows in to its very walls. Properly de-
Tended it would be place of considera-
BILE strength; but it's military defense
is merely in form, and more essential to
preserve the submission OF the people.
than for operation against attacking
powers. The city itselfiS far superior
in the character of its buildings and
ruins to any other on the Spanish coast
Of America, as far south as Lima. The
number of colleges and cathedrals in
ruins is truly astonishing. The luxuri-
ant vegetation of the tropics gains
foothold within the very walls of DESERT
ed mansions the roofs of which lay at
it's roots, in crumbling fragments. The
present race inhabiting the city are far
inferior in skill and energy to those who
planned and built Panama. The streets
ure all paved the buildings are two
and three stories high, and within the
walls are seen none of the miserable ma
tive cane huts that make up Gorgona
and Cruces. Under the rcnovating
touch of American business, many of
the old adobes are being smoothed up
and whitewashed, and if the lsthmus
route retains its travel q few years long
er, Panama will be entirely rejuvenpted.
To this end the bcsotted, ignorant popu-
iation will never contribute-they will
be put aside as obstacles in the path o.
progress.
On the saints day we have mentioned
we visited the cathedral where high
mass was being said, and listened awhile
TO the chanting of the priests, and the
music of rafting organ accompany
ment. The impression upon the ma
tives seeme to be sufficiently solemn
and appropriate, and no other form OF
religion, perhaps, would make them so
docile and obedient to their temporal
and spiritual masters. Catholicism speaks
TO their senses when their intellects are
uninformed. New Granada, under n
virtual despotsm, apes the title of repub-
lie, and vaunting placards adorn the
streets, "No hay esclaros en- Nueva Grd-
NADIA" But the people have as little
appreciation of the holy goddess Of
Liberty as South Sea Islanders.
At every street corner on this Saints
day were fixed statues and pictures of
Christ and the Virgin, with other saints
of both sexes, some of which with alter
ed name, we thought we recognized as
the occupants Of print shop windows in
New York, figuring as Julia or Sarah
etc. But they were undoubtedly sym
bolical, and not intended as likenesses.
At sunset procession emerged from
the cathedral, at the head Of which
walked the padre elevating the host |;
then followed little girls as angels with
wings, priests, a noisy band, black mili-
tary, citizens and ladies. On every
hand, down in the dust, knelt the crowd
with uncovered heads and downcast
eyes. Notwithstanding tho gold was 50
evidently all tinsel, the scarlet faded
the show mean and paltry, not deeper
in humility could the Italian bow when
the Gorgeous procession of the Holy
Father meets his awed gaze. The ''iiv-
ing presence How powerful the
thought where undoubted The shades
Of difference in mortal splendor disap-
pear in the overpowering idea of AL
mighty presence!