The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-27

Nuit Of cane and thatch. Some structures are more
polid than the rest, and upon approaching one Of
these recently covered with American shingles, 9.
lady and celebrity Of the village par ercehence, to
Dona In q hamm ock, In o spacious room,
but without any flooring was swinging, and intent
upon reading learned work, o tall and commanding
ngures lady whose gray hairs proclaim ed her % pc
about City years OF age In her lap was beautiful
child, while at her feet was tame and elegant deer,
with dogs and cats iDnumerable. Dona - - a
Scotch lady, who has resided upwards OF eighteen
years on this island, and by her education aad -
Tents has acquired complete ascendency over the
inhabitants-a perfect queen but not for arbitrary
purpoees for soon discovered that che was the DOC
torres Of the place, and did an Immense amoans OF
good; while SO great is her store Of legal knowledge
that The authorities, of whom there are too many,
are in the habit of consulting her upon almost any
difficulty that may arise: Her power Is complete,
solute Natives and foreigners acknowledge her
perception, and wee betide the unfortunate upon
whom she frowns; he had much better leave the
island.
Upon learning my desire to become acquainted
with few particulars of the place. Dona - for
upwards Of two hours kept me amused and gratifed.
The stories she related having reference to the freaks
and ignorance Of the native authorities ,convulsed
me with laughter, but would occupy too much space
20 relate. Dona - enjoys, not only the &C
quanGaDce, but the protection, of the highest au-
thorites OF Panama, and Is well known for her kind
and hospitsnle. treatment Of strangers many Of
when sick in preference to regular physician.
The following morning, after q refreshing bath,
we proceeded to the spacious depot of the wealthy
Ma. hsD Which be
the nland, nearly the whole of the able bodied
men looking TO them for support. Their dis
burseraents are immense, principally, for labor
and the coal is then put directly on board the steam
ship or else as is more generally the case stored in
Aulks or piled on shore. The labor Is severe, and
the men working twelve hours per day, are paid
81 GO per day, United States money, and found in
provisions, or 81 40 on finding themselves. When
engaged during the night double these rates are
paid. They have repeatedly struck for an advance,
and their combinations only upset by firm re-
Estance and great inconvenience; and even now,
when required TO work on holidays, they demand
81 20 and "a United States money, but these rates
have rarely been paid. The company employs An ef
fcient staff, to whom they give handsome pay,
also carpenters, blacksmiths, &C., and have extern
Five provisions stored in large buildings for the use
OF their steamships. Besides this, they have kind
Of guardship and storeshp afoat in the barbor, and
about eight hulks for coal. The whole is well ar
ranged business establishment
little detached from these buildings, is the Pa
vilion Hotel, large, clean, and elegantly furnished
house. said to be more like home than any hotel con-
nected with the Isthmus. That it is 3d. and that an
excellent table is kept, can vouch by experience.
The proprietor is extensively patronized, and was
assured was rapidly accommodating fortune, or had
already done 80, by successful speculatons and by
his business butcher. In this latter oacity he
has the contract for the supply Of the mail
But where shall stop? have not taken you yet
to the harbor, to the interior of the htes, to the
stores. have not yet introduced you to the senori
tas to the fandangoes and pokas to the church and
TO the park. You have as yet heard nothing of the
whims, dress, or peculiarities and customs Of this
primitive people-alas primitive no longer-Cali-
1ornia gold and American influence and fashion pre-
dominate; innovations have been made upon habits,
which have, perhaps. endured for two or three
turtles; ne light has advanced upon them. and the
Tobaganos are going ahead We shall see in my
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