The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-11-26
PACIFIC coRREspoSDENcE.
Trip 10 the Pacific Ispin~aH - Jam"ic,
Negroes X. X. across Panama - Jegefa
ton, &c.
TANAMA, ANU DEfUNU.
EDIroR UNION & JOURNAL:

Negroes *. X. across Panama - IeDcfd-
ton, &c.
PANAMA. AND BEYOND. 1869.
EDIroR UNION & JOURNAL:
With several old friends and classmates, all
bound for III Dorado, found myself in New
York, cmbarking on board the Pacific Mail
Steamer, Rising Star. The scene on the deck,
on the morning Of embarkatiOn, bsggars de-
scriptiOn. A dense crowd surging TO and fro,
rs the baggage was dashed through, and the
perfect Babel Of voices rendering the confusion
more complete; while here and there could be
seen some poor wrctchol woman weeping, heart
broken at the separation Of her only earthly
tie-grieving at the loss of her sole support who
sought TO gain better livelihood in the land
Of gold. Although leaye-;akings are sad in
the extreme, yet we could not rcprcss q smile at
two very corpulent Dutchmen who, pipe in
hand. were vainly striving to kiss each other a
fond farewell We passed an hour amid these
serio-eomic scenes, with varying emotions, when
the bell rang, the last adieus were said, and the
gang-plank was hoisted. A few turns Of the
wheel and we were out in the stream, when the
deasening report Of onr howitzer announced
that we were fairly started on our ocean-yoyage.
The Rising Star is a ship OF about 400 tons
burthen, aud Is considered one OF the fastest on
comfortable and stylish. Her main saloon is
over 100 feet long and about 40 feet wide, and
fitted up IN magnificent style. Her promenade
deck Is superbly laid out and judiclously ar
nuged for the health and enjoyment of her
passengers Her table is equal to that OF any
of our irst-class hotels; fresh poultry, fresh
meats, pastries, and all kinds Of luxries being
cing served up in abundance ut every meal.
The first day out was very pleasant, and not
a sign Of sea-sickpess among the passengers, but
|, toward the close Of the second day we expert
cnced n severe blow of Cape Hattcras which
sent most Of cur passengers to their bcrths.
was one Of the fortunate ones, however, and did
not suffer the slightest inconvenience from the
motion Of the ship, with the exception Of the
difficulty Of keeping my feet. On the nth day
out the weather became quite warm, and in the
afternoon We passed one Of the Bahama Islands,
(Hatlin's) which rcscmbled, as seen from our
vessel, the Jersey hills as seen from New York
bay.
Later in the evening we exchanged signols by
sky-ruckets with the Il. NJ. =. Henry Chaunccy.
bound for New York. The sight Of these two
superb floating palaces as they nesred each
other, approaching almost to hailing distance
ON a smooth and boundlcss sea. cannot be easily
forgotten by those who behold IL. Their inn
msnse silocns and gorgeous promenade decks,
brilliantly illuminated by innumenble lamps,
eoutrasted splendidly with the settled pitohy
darkness Of the night, beneath moonless sky,
and an immcasurable e1panse Of motionless
water. The scene, TO thosc unaequaintcd with
such occurrences. was nagni6ecntly grand and
entirely beyond my power Of describing.
The next morning the sun rose bright and
clear, nd about a. m, We sighted the coast
of Cuba. Towards dinner time we had ap-
preached quite near the shore. The whole face
OF thi. island, rs far as telescope view could
reach, presented q most transcendent PAN
oau,a Of Natnrc's choicest endowmcnts {;
hills AMI valleys being alike covered with daz-
zlin: fruits and flowers and other spontaneous
productions. Late in the afternoon We passed
the south eastern extremity Of the island (Capc
Mayse) and as the santing beams Of the setting
sun changed its brilliant venture into q gold
en- purple, and each feature became morc in
distinct rs the coast recelei, q feeling Of lone
illness came over me that could not shake oil
for hours. On the 9TH day We were sailing
through the caribbean SEQ, and though the
weather seemed intensely hot yet the thcrmom-
eter indicated only 30 degrees in the shade
while the day previous 20 my departure nom
Maine the Thermometer In the shade indicated
100 degrees. On the 9Th day nj $50 .. m. we
arrived at AsPinwall. This is q small settle
ment Of about 800 houses and huts. The ma
iority q them being "ho,eis"CO. The land.
ON which the town Is built, was made chiefly
by the British government, the material being
brought from the neighhoring hills. Outside
Of this, Il Is perfect swamp orer-grown with
luxuriant tropical vegetation. The inhabitants
are mostly Jamaica negroes though there a Few
whites and some coolies or Indians, and Tor
filthy appearance, cunning. deceit and general
"cuSciness'' Ito borrow profanc cxpress'cn),
I think they win take the lead in the uncivilir-
ei world. Their dress Is very primitive par
ticalariy that Of the younger portion OF the Ms
tive population. remember SEEING one belle
in party costume sueprbly sttired in n red fsath-
er back Of each ear. As we had several hours
TO While away before starting for Panama, my
friends and took possession Of one OF the rail-
way carriages and fortihed ourselves against
any inrpsds Of the hucksters and peidiers, who
swarm around one on the street in such mum
bsrs rs To make Il very troublesome. But our
precautions were unsuccessful for they bcsieged
Us from the outside In such numbers that We