The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-07-18
The Agassiz Scientific Exploring Elk.
petition. ~. :.

o4plOrlnS eXpe(lltlOu CONTINUES, unCler uate OF
Callao, Peru, the HEaA1p special report of the
progress Of the work. His present communi-
cation, which appears in our columns to-day,
is one Of the most interesting of the series. It
recalls to memory what the South American
countries were in the days of their material
greatness under the royal rule Of Spain, and
presents them as they are under the regime Of
the democracy. The change is indeed remark
able; but, although its consequences show,
here and there, marks Of the violence with
which it was accomplished, the evidence is all
in favor of the democratic system of progressive
advance. Nature alone remains unaltered,
with charity, her first and most saving attri-
butte, brilliant as at the beginning, as will be
seen from the description which is given of
the extent and interior management Of one
Of the great hospitals Of Peru. The
new light which Is shed on the cause Of
science-in zoology and topography particu-
larly--is of great value in the matter Of public
instruction, even although it is refracted to
some extent by being passed through the lens
of the Darwinian theory Of animal life. Our
correspondent returned to Panama from his
tour in and around the Galapagos Islands.
The Department OF Docks-General
McClollan's Plans OF Improvement.
The Commissioners of the Sinking Fund held
a meeting yesterday at the Office Of General
Mcclellan, by whom the plans were submitted
for inspection which he proposes for the I'M
provement Of the dock and bulkhead system
of the river front Of the city. Commissioner
Green was not prepared to commit himself to
these plans, and they were laid over to the
next meeting of the Board. The consideration
of motion by Mayor Hall for the issue Of
one million five hundred thousand dollars of
Dock bonds. upon which to raise fund for
the beginning of these water front improve
ments in accordance with General McClellan's
plans was also postponed to the next meeting
of the Commissioners.
But here we have at least movement which
looks like business in reference to these i'm
portant improvements proposed by General
Mcclellan. We have heretofore given some
thing Of the details of the Generals plans for
complete overhauling and reconstruction Of
the bulkheads, piers, &C., Of the water front
on both sides OF the CITY, To carry these
plans into execution an immense sum Of money
will be needed; but when completed, OF but
partially completed. our merchants and citi-
zens generally will, we are sure. be satisfied
that no public appropriations fof any public
improvement will compare as good invest
ment with the moneys invested In this great
work undertaken by General Mcclellan. He
says that if the department will furnish him
the sum proposed by Mayor Hall Zone million
five hundred thousand dollars) for begin
ming, he will show before the LIST Of next JAN
uary that the money has been we'll spent, and
we have no doubt that the General, il given
the opportunity, will mako good his promise.
We hope therefore, that at the next meeting
of the Sinking Fund Commissioners the mo-
ton Of Mayor Hall will be adopted; for, surely,
the commerce Of the city has been waiting
long enough for beginning in these much
needed improvements.