The Van Buren press., 1875-02-09
VAN BUREN, ARK, FEBRUARY g., 1875.


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things above. We could distinctly bear
the cocks CROW as the day broke, away
down below rs. and rs the natives at San
Jorge or Virgin Bay, struck out from
the shore, at that place, in their canoes.
we could easily discern them with onr
field. glass, although more than ten miles
distant. An early breskfast, and we
again went on and upward although at
this attitude much of the way was dead
level, or imperceptibis gradual ascent.
Ascending a mountain is a very different
thing from going up bill. where you
see from the bottom all have to encoun
ter all the way to the top Alta o'clock
we had ascended above the grazing lands
where we had frequently encountered
cows, goats and pigs--some tame, and
some comparatively wild Up to this
point, oranges, lemons, and bananas we're
plenty, and many wild plants and now-
crs that we had not met with before. The
eye began to extend its range; peak af-
ter peak and ridge afser ridge ofsdistant
mountains rose upon the vision. Far
over the lake and Rivas and Granada.
seemed to have drawn higher to us dur
ing the last few hours. We now began
to realize the birds eye view OF city,
or country same as witnessed in map
drawing, but never before realized We
were literally almost /" up in q balloon
boys" and every step now increased our
energy and excitement. The air had be-
come brisk breeze, and we added an
extra shawl to our shoulders. The transit
steamer was about putting ofr from the
end of the pier at Virgin Bay, and could
distinguish the moving figures Of hun
dreds Of California passengers bound
homeward to the states. Perhaps in that
crowd many an acquaintance, but little
do they dream that as they naturally turn
their eyes up towards these towns Of the
lake, that an American lady looks down
upon them from SO great height. We
sought place somewhat to the leeward
Of The wind, pitched our tent, enjoyed
our chocolate and hearty supper, for
the bracing air and steady walk had given
IA a rousing appetite. The stars came
forth and the neon, but not above the
top Of Snowshining mountain, but nev.
erthcless beautiful" I" fingered yet
with nature" for I had nothing else to
lingcr with, aud l did not come up so
high to be familiar with the face Of
man" Oh! what a glorious place 70
sleep! If there is poor wretch on the
face of the earth that opates have failed
to put to sleep, let him come up here
that 10 if he has clear consciencc---and
III guarantee him slumber such as only
gods can confer on humanity. Another
morning, and the sun 10 up, warm, bright
and beautiful, away up here, while away
down, down below, the shadows linger,
and the peasant sleeps How grand is
this. How large enc feels, body and soul.
How towering above groveling humani-
IT,. II mortality can fesl like this, how
must the spirit feel, all unclogegd and
free On, bird, ! envy you-and yet
your wings without my thoughts. !
would not make the exchange; fly on,
and will retain my thoughts and wait
for wings am still mortal, and my
stomach as well as soul yearns for its
provendcr, more chocolate, more chicken
and then more ercetsior.
| would wave my little flag and shout.
but nobody but my guides could see or
hear me SO We pack up and go higher.
We look over and beyond the lake; be-
yond San Carlos; beyond Castillo; we
follow the little silvery thread IN and out
of the deep foliage, on and on. We see
a blue line, long, blue and unbrokcn. IL
is the sea. and eastward. We turn. and
on beyond San Jorge, beyond Riyas, an.
other blue line. 1t is the ocean! We
halt! We see what no other woman or
man has seen. The waters Of the tive
ceans that span the world 80 near that
we feel that we could almost throw .
stone to either How little OF terra 6rma
prevents a fond embrace How much Of
transportation could be saved, how much
of peril avoided, could these sister
oceans be united A ship canal. the die.
tance that see and Japan aud China six
thousand miles nearer Europe. No won,
der that the eve OF every civilized nation
on the globe has been directed this spot.
But It is O wonder, o vast wonder, to nae,
woman, why no engineer has yet made
u favorable report, and the work long
since been accomplished. .,. ..-
The following paragraph from a late
paper, shows that the French have at
length .awakenened to a subject that
should have long since attracted the ear
nest attention Of America: t .sat 81
There has recently been laid before
the French geographical society aproject
for cutting canal across the lsthmas OF
Panama. The plan originated with =
French civil engineer, NJ. Levy, who
has been lately occupied in the survey OF
the Nicaragua canal. Fourteen routes
have been proposed through New Ora
NADIA, bat none have been actually decid.
ed on. NJ. Levy favors an inter. oceanic
canal, beginning on the Atlantic side, at
the mouth OF the San Juan river, which
takes itsrise in Lake Nicaragua. 1t is
asccrtained that the river and lake can be
used as canal at tri1ing expense. while
tho distance from tho western part OF the
lake to the Pacific is a few miles only.
Such canal. II properly constructed.
would revolutionize the commerce OF the
Pacific, and raise, At each terminus. the
paltry villages to:great commercial cities /"
But to return. Onward and upward
The sun is obscurcd. Docs it rain. or is
Il fouy We are enveloped in mist We
wind our wsy through It. We are above