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Show 50 THE IIEALTHINESS oF PANAMA, is far greater than that of Chagres. With due care, avoidi11g all excesses, and the night air, a person can preserve his h ~alth; still, the heavy rains and continual damp atmospherP., render it neces~a ry to take every precaution; for, thongh healthy, 'vhen compared with Chagre~, it is by 110 means a safe rlace for unacclimated ~trangers from th~ north. And now, having taken the traveler for CalifE>rnia across the Isthmus, let me conclude ty giving a word of advice. If he ha3 a passage engaged through to San Francisco, the Isthmus route is decidedly the quickest, and, all things considered, the least weary. But-and I speak now more particularly to those ·wha have but a limited amount of funds-just sufficient to carry them through to San Francisco without any stoppage- let these travelers beware how they' try the Isthmus, if they h~ve only engaged pa~sage as far as Chagres; after their toilsome journey to Panama, (if they escape delay and fe~er at Chagress,) they may have to wait weeks for a passage to San Francisco; and 'vhen the long wished for opportunity oecurs, they will find themselves unable to take it, as their expenses ia Panama, will have exhausted their means. Tht!ls situated, in a strange, unhealthy country, money less and friendless, their spirits depressed by their situation, it requires no prophet to predict a heartrendi'ng termination to, th€ir golden schemes. The distance from New Orleans to Chagres is 1,500 miles, from Chagres to Panama, 50; Panama to San Francisco, on the area of a great circle, 3,450. The V\' hole distance will oecupy about thirty days. , 51 Th'e charges by steam will be as follows: From New Orleans to Cbagres, in Saloon, $ 80 00. Across the Isthmus, 20 00. From Panama to San Francisco, in Saloon, 250 .00. '' " iu Cabin, 200 00. " " Second Cabin, 100 00. The following excellent advice from one who seems well acquainted with the route, we take from the New York Herald, of Dec. 23d. It is clear and concise, an(l must prove of incalculable benefit to the emigrant: PRACTICAL DIRECTIONS TO PERSONS ABOUT TO CROSS THE IsTHMus oF PANA~!A.-" 1. Ascertain from the Consul of New Grenada, in this city, whether a pas~ port be necessary. About three years ago the Grenadian government issued a circular to all its agents abroad, stating that snch a document was indispensable to a foreign- · er wishing to ~and in the Republic. 2. Upon your arrival at Chagres, take your baggage at once to the custom house, where you will experience but little delay. Then hurry out of the village, which is pestile11tial. llire your canoe, which for expedition ought to be of small size. This is called a "piragua," is about 25 feP-t long, and navigated by a steersman and two rowers. The cost of t>oat-hire and men to Cruces ought not to exceecl $12, unless, indeed, an increased traffic may have had the effect of raising the priGes. 3. Before leaving the vessel in which you arrive at Chagres, get the Stewart to provide you with a basket of provisions, sufficient for two or three days-such as cold fow 1 s or other poultry, hard boiled eggs, fre~ h meat, bread, a little tea, sugar, salt, &c. Milk may be procured at the huts on the river. 1,ake with you an" Etna," or machine for boiling water, a tin cup, a knife and fork -in fact, bear in mind that you are to be wholly dependant upon your o~n resources. |
