New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1853-01-10
Route TO California.
No. I.

nr.,gond.nce u The n Y. Tribune
Fan Francisco, Monday Dec. l3 1854
Permit me TO continue my remarks upon
the voysge California, via the fsthmus Of Panama
hiatus OF some duration has occurred having its orr
gin in the masn influences. vicissitudes and Difficult
ties which still beset ali travellers by that route and
which even the completion OF the railroad cannot
obviate. Tbose influences arise first GA board tho
steamers GU, Of your port. They ara generally
crowded and over crowded by passengers. Thorough
ventilation Is almost impossible; while that which
might be sttanedto 10 generally shamefuly neglected
Their small state-rooms having two and three berths
each, together with the cabin during meals, are but
little else than yapor baths, while In use
Il matters not what Of mo year the voyage
IL made In the inter tropical region Ia Alloys Ao
Between the winter Che wet) and summer Che dryJ
seasons, the great difference Is, that In crossing the
Isthmus you are entitled 70 expect in the case
perSec, drenchng and soaking from the time you land
on the wharf at hpinwsll until housed In Panama,
in tbs other perfect roasting and sitting with dust
thorough coating Of dust mud the perquisite Of
all and this condition remain fixed and unaiters-
ble until the railroad IL completed Thus you perceive
the folly Cur people commit who wear good or new
clothing While the rainy season continues, every
thing Is damp or wet During the period Of mouth ON
the I.thus feel cafe in saying scarcely touched or
saw any thing dry. The blight and damp OF raiidew
pervsdes evory thing
Your baggage you must leave behind you, at Cruces
or Gorgons In the rainy season you come 10 soaking
wet from rain reeking possibly In perpiraron, and
sIimed over with mud. Il have seen scores Ut ladies'
even thus) No IRE 1t which 10 dry your clothes, you
nu.t either wear them wet sally out and procure
suits very eommon practice. You return 10 your
hotel no baths are there but the most mesre supply
Of water imaginable water costs generally some two
cents per gallon You give yourself sorry wipe down,
eat sersbles supper you please, and shen 60 10
bed between damp sheets with moudy pillow, mattrns
or sscking This IA the true general and might al
ssy particular character Of the hotels Of the
lsthmas Panama NOT excepted. In my last said they
beneath crit!clsm. viii except the Aspinws st
Psnsrna which opened after my letter was written.
Thst is admirably arranged and well kept house
lodgng snly and thitheT all should who value
health, comfort life Some Two and hall 70 three and
half Ssys generally spent 10 Panama awaiting tho
arrival Of he malls and baggage. Considerable por.
don Of the baggage arrives about the same time - she
sils.he bulk Of tagging behind, however until the
lsst moment and then covered with mud and wei, W
tumbled on board the ship sowed swsy below 10 DO
ruined or placed In the state-roos 20 chance the ruin
Of the owners during the first seven or eight days run
in the rainy latitudes IL sso avery common occur
renee for passengers TO be forced either 70 lie over
fortnight for the ship leave their baggage TO b for
wsrded AZ heavy expense, and not unfrsqueury ssvss
TO be recovered have been present at suction sc
where quantities Of baggage pirated from Passnss"'
has been sold at mere nominal price
The difficulties growing OUT of climate sns
are nsepsrsble and irremcdiabie Su' zoe 49,
ers might b. eosrccd to gsssef en0rs w 'o' 1870
and health Of traveleTs-foTeed 70 ia' esa u'.s
tres,es aud gbcgsl suppy Of sAaksVt W eeee