The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1860-02-22

q
negligence preparing ourselves NAL the best Of
the means Of defence In The way Of forts md heavy guns
which he general government has placed at DISPOSAL,
p In the highest degree reprehensble not tn say crni-
nal The author concludes by expressing hope that tho
~ CT will attract the attention only Of those Ma an
thory, but every citizen Of New York who values hs
own safety and his counys honor; and ~ solely with
ths ect he says that he has written this work. A. he
Is sasfed that II may be made TO subssrve important
purpose in placing this metropolis in condition Of
paratve immunity from attack.
IRA, OR TIE USrxPLoRxD REaIoss OF CENrsAL
AMERICA. ~
We have received the advance sheets Of an interesting
and valuable contribution to geographical gene
raj knowledge Of this continent under .he sboye title
It has been translated from the French Of Mr. Arthur
NoreIet, by Mrs. g. Squcr wife OF tho wet Known
author and traveller, 10 whom more than II any other
Central America has been indebted for its J
ton to the active world and for Ii. proper
Of It's character and Tho travels Of ~ Moro
let extended region hitherto unexpored uanoly
the vast area embraced between Guatemais Yucatan,
Tabasco and Chspas, and embracing cons aerable part
Of each Of those States. Embsrkng the slaas Car
men, in the lagoon Of Terminos that gentleman
the great river Usumasnta point where no European
had reached BEFORE and where no encountered the
conquered Laeaudon Indians within whose territories
lenque and Copan Thence he went 70 Palenque, aud
afterwards struck directly eastward through unracked
forest hundred leagues, 10 the mysterious
ecribed Of liza. After stay here mouths
directed his steps southwark, through vast solitude
over broad rivers and high mountains reversing the pro
vince of Vera Paz the ancient Land Of War to Guat-ns
total Journey in great part perfor med foot, OF
than 500 miles. Altogether, the explorations Of H.
Eoreet may be regarded, in their extent and value
that have been carried out By individual
enterprise this continent during the present century
ded to his scientific knowledge and zeal, Msreet has
flowing style and keen appreciation Of the
beautiful which we'll conveyed in the Translation
which throw charm his book not inferior that
which such for the Incidens of Trave Of
Stephens. Az we have said, NJ Morelet commenced his
expedition the town Of Carmen sometimes called La
guna on the Lagoon Of Termnos OF which be has gwen
us pleasing description
THE CARMEN.
In architectural point OF view the city Of Carmen
striking feature. As be found
there building materials obtained from the ncghbor
ing forests The roofs generally matched ihongh
they occasionally tiled with fiat stones taken from the
ballast OF shps banks OF the lagoon .ne
houses hudded closely together these rustic roofs do
ca centre retired portions Of the CITY, they har
monte with the banana trees which shade them, and
with the primitive gardens which ISOLATE every hsoaon
The streets bordered with the white and red flowers
the periwinke and terminating IN the surrounding forests
resemble the Of some imperial park; ant the H.
regular paths that them and lose themselves
clumps OF verdure either hand make strange appeal
to the imagination or the stranger, who Ia constantly
tempted explore the mysterious 70 ch taey
appear to lead As one walks along contempatively he
Is suddenly startled by the WHINING light OF the aus
bird; but his eyes scarcely fall on it when se-miny
emit ruddy spark II disappears among Tire branches
like some brilliant beetle, rather like the sphinx which
IL resembles in it, flight When tho approaches it's
zenith, and nature Is sunk in silence and repose the
igua1a may DO surprised, extended some branch ~
q tree, where he reposes 10 state apparently be-
tween nleeping and waking but his vigilance aban
dons him. AT the least sound no lifts hts head his
dilstes his becomes elevated he listens without
moving but the changes in his color be.ray his
ners, his back Of sky blue deepens 10 purple
reflects the shades OF the foliage which surrounds him,
and in the midst OF which he does not fail
The streets, Ne have said end only in the forest which
impenetrabe thickct Of thorny trees ike
plants. with velvcty pods, which depend from the
branches, and when mature drop their seed on the
ground 10 spring up again in new luxurisnce One must
tread here with for these the pods Of the nria
horps which off the slightest contaDl peae at,og
the skp and producing the most painful Irritation
Here nature produces nothing 'ns':-
nicant The fluids Of the forms Of vegetation are
exclusively confined 10 supporting and per pctany
the species but tho rich zap which WHITES plant
dowed with specific virtues capable of connecting ny
relationships these organized bodies wt - YSt ot
creation. How many unknown princpIss ssA ~ those
varieties Of resins, aromatic gums Ocaginous
and milky juices only awaiting discovery IN order
advance the arts and the industrial Sciences add
medical resources. How many say, waiting for
fortutous circumstance reveal their nencacant
and useful properties.
THE lagoon TERMINUS.
The lagoon Of Icrmiuos is about fifteen leagues long by
from eight broaa and in is tranquility
OF its waters resembles an inland iaSo than de-
tendency OF the Its yellow tint doubt due
the soluble soil aud he drainage from the marshes which
surround it, Nothing - more complicated than the
photography Ut s ttlc Of the GLOBE where the
capricious waters psrcos sowly from lagoon lagoon
and seem To Of each other in their
During The dry season, notwithstanding the
plcaon Of waters one may travel by land without dan
ger, provided he is reasonably familiar with the country
but when the rains act every channel everaows and
the ground gradually disappears under tangled network
Of creeks and agoons through which passage impoi
BILE excep, in Canoes and then only with tho aid Of
tsed guides. At this season. one may travel from the
Ueumssina to the Tabasoo, and from thence to Chie-
peQue, uninerruptedly by water. The principal river
the sea through q plumber of channels, the larges.
Of which, called Flo Pazada, flows into the
Celebrated throughe.t The GuH although IL existence Is
almost unknown in Europe In the Of Tho local nav
gators nothing can compare with Its basin toe
which traverse it. and tho cutting and transportation q
the dyewoods it, Shores comprise according their
notions, the extent, wealth and movement Of the whole
commercial world Besides the swordsh and the different
species OF sharks which in IT, may also be secn
when the wsters are STILL the vsrscioos fish, often Of
by fishermen, and they rarely succeed In capturing IT,
According 70 ths account, II awaits it, prey quietly under
The shadow Of aquatic plants, and after seizng smoers
between the lobes 81 its fms between folds
mantle mania. On the inner continental shores Of
the lagoon, the dominion Of nature coxnnsaccs
Dangerous animals infest the woods reptiles ainc them
selves around the trunks Of the trees the atmosphere
alive with insects and man himself longer
creation but bewldcrcd wayfarer who journeys
with furtive steps, amidst thousand dangers.
THK RIVER usuSAsIyTA
We had raversed the region Of asoons, and fairly
entered the river It's banks abrupt ana conr,sed
Of soil bali sand, half clay Where tho we're
fat they covered with and long grass while
here and there they magnacenty shaded by forest
Between these walls Of verdure might seen the
blue perspective Of the lagcons, terminating in a dim bel.
Of distant forests As We advanced Vegetation assumed
a more and moro interesting appearance AS one ad-
vasces towards tho interior, great willows with trailing
branches gigantic bsmooos, beautiful sprdcee seges
resembling the papyrn, aquatic palm trees with their
slender stems the cecropa with its immense
eDite In orDsmentipE both banks OF the Besides
these Of verdure spanged with punches violet
flowers, prodsious white tree trunks, slender
and delicate the rigging Of ship continually prasont
themselves the eye. observed among other beautiful
trees, the agusso PALM with its graceful branches bend
ing Tn water It's fruit acidulous and of the shape
and size CT Ii much sought for by cniiirsn
and is not without it's appeal to the traveller. great