Polynesian., 1853-01-15

less than two and halt months, in the rain
and sickly season, walking over the roa
lonce when it was said to be in worse cor
Idltion than ever before, and it was certain
!y the worst road that ever travelled fo
SO considerable distance, and attende
with very great fatigue. As perspired CO
Piously ! drank freely from the numerou
rivuiets of pure water, fed by the rains, an
flowing down the ravines Of the mountains
but tasted of no wine or strong drink, an,
felt no necessity for SO doing, and my healtl
remained unimpaired. Temperance in eat
ing and drinking and exercise | consider
most essential to the preservation of healti
upon the Isthmus, and may add in all trop
ical as well as temperate and frigid climes
Although DEPRESSING little, l will here ado
the testimony of my friend, Lieut.. A. H
Foot, U. S. Navy, of New Haven, Conn.,,
who has recently returned from cruise ol
one and halt, or two years on the deadly
coast of Africa. The crew of the brig under
his command, numbered something over one
hundred men who voluntarily abstained from
all intoxicating drinks, and he not only had
good order and discipline, but little sickness,
and lost not single man during his cruise
upon this fatal coast.
cannot avoid aItributing something of
this extraordinary result to the habits of his
crew following the good example Of their ex-
cellent commander, and similar course
would, doubt not, prove the most effectual
preventative of sickness upon the Isthmus.
The idea that drinking wines or strong
drink, is essential to the preservation of
health during the passage from the Pacific
to the Atlantic SIDE, and the reverse, and
particularly during the transit over the 18TH
mus, believe to be injurious and even per-
ncious, and temperance men should be
cautious about sanctioning it by their exam
pie. believe it will be found that greater
proportion of those who have entirely alb :
stained from strong drink, have been ex-
empted from sickness than Of those who have
pursued a different course. l would use
brandy as | would any other medicine, that
is, when prescribed in sickness by a physi-
clan.
l may say in this connection, that ice
would be great luxury on the Pacific
steamers, and the expense would be compar-
atively light.
| may alse add upon the subject Of health,
keep as free as possible from the mental ex-
citement which the peculiar circumstances of
the traveller over the Isthmus is SO well
adapted to produce. AS to arms, there is,
doubtless, some danger of robbery and vo-
lence, but reports are usually exaggerated.
passed over alone, unarmed and unharmed,
but frequently seeing and sometimes in com
pany with other travellers. | should be un-
willing to pass over alone, If it was suspected
that had any considerable amount Of money
Or vauables in my possession. Robberies
Of some of the Illinois and United States pas
sengers were reported, but not sufficiently
Some losses were undoubt-
edly sustained by picking and cutting of
pockets on the steamers, and by the way.
do not present my experience in this re-
spect as guide for others. For single trav-
slers whose time is of importance, the 18TH
nus route is to be preferred, but for families,
he route by Cape Horn is preferable in my
as the expense is less, and the
exposure less, both in respect to sickness,
aud undesirable moral influences. Protani-
y and other evils abound to a lamentabe
extent all along this route. When people
ire properly approached, they usually ac-
that it is useless and bad habit,
,ut they do not seem to appreciate its enOr-
nifty as sin against Holy God. Three
lines have / doubled Cape Horn, with
amiy of my own Twice have l crossed
he Isthmus, with no family of my own,
,ut in company with others, and the above
opinion is offered as the result of my own OBJ
ervation and experience. The difficulties
If the overland, route will be diminished, /
When the railroad shall be completed through
o Panama, which | understand may be
ooked for in about one year.
In relation to baggage, the traveller via
Panama should take the, least possible
mount He can ordinarily do much better
o send by Cape Horn. But some baggage
8 necessary, and particularly where families
this route. and great inconveni-
nee is often experienced by loss of baggage,
md to some families il is serious pecuniary
oss, which their circumstances render it
lard to bear. As the propretors of these
steamers receive vast patronage from the
public, every reasonable measure should be
aiken TO secure their patrons against such
and injuries as those referred
o; and the general favorable disposition of
,wners and agents SO far as | have learned
t, leads me to suppose that they will spare
10 exeriions to rectify, as far as possible,
uch evils as are brought to their notice.
This is public evil, for it affects injuri-
,usly considerable numbers of the commu-
lity, and the prosperity Of a community is
,ound up in the well being Of its members.
But can any thing be done to remedy it.
oerhaps not whilst the postal contract re-
mains precisely as it is. Owners and agents
eem disposed to extend all of the indulgence
" delay which they deem themselvesaatho-
lied to do, without violation Of their con.
ract for carrying the mail. What then can
,e done to remedy the evil alluded to'
eply that the Pacific mail was established
or the benefit of American citizens on the
'acifc coast, and the evils above named are
l.. .., ;rAaa ..l r1.A;1r &C Tho Sarno