, 1878-10-31

were fl led up with all sorts of old rub
hiSh such as old iron. broken bottles, bones,
Sc. Pcrched on the roofs of the houses,
and in the trees back of the town, were
large ilorkS of turkey bu2zardS. These
are large black birds. and live on the otla
that is thrown into the streets. We took
the cars in the principal street Our train
consisted of passenger and freight and
baggage ears. The road is very good
one and the ride over it was one of the
most pleasant have ever had over any
road The natives and their hutS are one
of the most striking features Of the route,
1t seems as though they took life lazy,
They neither plough or plant aud it seems
as though every thing they have grew
spontaneously. They don't worry about
clothes and some Of them don't wear any.
Most of them have only a single garment.
At every station where the train stopped,
they would flock around the cars with
baskets of fruit on their head, such ms
oranges, lemons, banannaC, CocoanutS,
&c. We passed large tracts of bananas
and cOc0annts growing. We passed Il
number Of fine drOves Of cattle feeding
by the side of the railroad, along the
whole route. did dnot see road of any
kind or vehicle on the whole side of Il
miles. There were a great variety Of
flowers in profuSiom. OF the brightest hurS
ana of all sizes and coiors. The railroad
is very crooked, following along by the
banks of the ChagreS river more than
half the distance. This river is very rapid;
we crossed it on splendid iron bridge.
The rest of the way the road winds around
in the valleys between lofty mountains.
The grade OF the Soad for the last 10 or
10 miles, AS we approach the Pacific. Is
very steep. On our arrival at Panama
we diSeMbnrked from the train under the
surveillance of guard of native soldiers
We were compelled to go Immediately on
board a small steamer which lay at the
wharf, and aS soon as we were all aboard
she cast of her lines and dropped ont into
the bay few hundred yards and waited
till the freight and baggage from the train
could be put into lighters, and rs soon As
this was accomplished, our steamer took
them in tow and proc led to the outer bay
about three miles distant. to the steamer
Colima. on which we took pa sage for San
Francisco at O'Clock p. NJ. The Colima
GOT under way and steamed out into the
Pacific.
Tuesday. Dec. Goth. We are sailing on
the Pacific. which, true to its namr, is
peaceful. We passed two large islands to-
day. The weather.is exceedingly warm.
We have an awning stretched over the
deck Of the ship, otherwise it would be so
hot we could not remain oil deck.
Wednesday, Dec. 27. The ocean still
peaceful ; can hardly perceive any motion
to the ship; have had no sails set to-
day; passed more large islands; have
been very near the coast all day. About
6 p. NJ, anchored at Point Aurenus aud
took in some coffee lett about s p. NJ.
This is a part Of COSTA Rica.
Thursday, Dec. 2Sth. Went OH deck
about 8 A. NJ, and remained till after sun
rise. About P. NJ. a large bird called II
BOBBY. came aud lit on the rail forward,
close to where l was sitting. Saw the
North Star about 2 A. NJ, above the hori-
zen. Have not seen it before in days.
There nas been no land in sight all day
The wind fair but light ; all sails set. The
sunset was beautiful sight.
Friday, Dec. 30. On deck very early
this morning and saw the sun rise. Have
passed thousands of sea turtles to-day :;
sometimes could count more than 100 in
sight nc once. They are very large and
swim oil top of the water. | should think
some Of them would weigh or 400 lbs.
each. At $50 p. NJ, came to anchor in
the port of San Jose, Gualtamala, where
we are to land aud take passengers, also
1000 bags of coffee.
Saturday, Dec. 30. On deck at 4 A. NJ.
gazing at the stars AS usual. Saw the sun
rise this A. VI. from behind lofty noun
tains. There are volcanoes in sight from
the ship said to be $4,000 feet high and
the nearest Of them 50 miles from us
Smoke is issuing from the top OF one OF
them. One of the Others, when active,
throws ont water and the other mud. They
are beautiful to look at, hut do not think
it would be p'easent to live near them.
About 2:3O p NJ. the ship weighed anchor
and proceeded to sea again.
Sunday. Dec. 3lst. Saw whale this
A. ~, the first have seen. 1t was about
halt mile from the ship. Another large
bird flew nhOn,1l the shin and was pnupht