tion. It was still raining, and we had the pleasure of knowing that we should not get any breakfast for two or three hours.

We had another severe day on the river -hot sun, heavy rain, and hard work; aud in the afternoon we arrived at Gorgona, a small village, where a great many passengers leave the river and take the road to Panama.

Cruces is about seven miles farther up the river, and from there the road to Panama is said to be much better, especially in wet weather, when the Gorgona road is almost impassable.

The village of Gorgona consisted of a number of native shanties, built in the usual style, of thin canes, between any two of which you might put your finger, and fastened together, in basket fashion, with the long woody tendrils with which the woods abound. The roof is of palm leaves, slanting up to a great height, so as to shed the heavy rains. Some of these houses have only three sides, others have only two, while some have none at all, being open all round; and in all of them might be seen one or more natives swinging in a hammock, calmly and patiently waiting for time to roll on, or, it may be, deriving intense enjoyment from the mere conscious

ness of existence.

There was a large canvass house, on which was painted "Gorgona Hotel." It was kept by an American, the most unwholesome-looking individual I had yet seen; he was the very personification of fever. We had here a very luxurious dinner, having plantains and eggs in addition to the usual fare of ham and beans. The upper story of the hotel was a large loft, so low in the roof that one could not stand straight up in it. In this there were sixty or seventy beds, so close together that there was just room to pass between them; and as those at one end became tenanted, the passages leading to them were filled up with more beds, in such a manner that, when all were put up, not an inch of the floor could be seen.

After our fatigues on the river, and the miserable way in which we had passed the night before, such sleeping accommodation as this appeared very inviting; and immediately after dinner I appropriated one of the beds, and slept even on till daylight. We met here several men who were returning from Panama, on their way home again. They had been waiting there for some months for a steamer, by which they had tickets for San Francisco, and which

was coming round the Horn. She was long overdue, however, and having lost patience, they were going home, in the vain hope of getting damages out of the owner of the steamer. If they had been very anxious to go to California, they might have sold their tickets, and taken the opportunity of a sailing-vessel from Panama; but from the way in which they spoke of their grievances, it was evident that they were home-sick, and glad of any excuse to turn tail and go back again.

We had frequently, on our way up the river, seen different parties of our fellowpassengers. At Gorgona we mustered strong; and we found that, notwithstanding the disadvantage we had been under of having an overloaded boat, we had made as good time as any of them.

A great many here took the road to Panama, but we determined to go on by the river to Cruces, for the sake of the better road from that place. All our difficulties hitherto were nothing to what we encountered in these last few miles. It was one continued rapid all the way, and in many places some of us were obliged to get out and tow the boat while the rest used the poles.

We were all heartily disgusted with the river, and were satisfied, when we arrived at Cruces, that we had got over the worst of the Isthmus; for however bad the road might be, it could not be harder traveling than we had already experienced.

Cruces was just such a village as Gorgona, with a similar canvass hotel, kept by equally cadaverous-looking Americans.

In establishing their hotels at different points on the Chagres river, the Americans encountered great opposition from the natives, who wished to reap all the benefit of the travel themselves; but they were too many centuries behind the age to have any chance in fair competition; and so they resorted to personal threats and violence, till the persuasive eloquence of Colt's revolvers, and the overwhelming numbers of American travelers, convinced them that they were wrong, and that they had better submit to their fate.

One branch of business which the natives had all to themselves was mule-driving, and carrying baggage over the road from Cruces to Panama, and at this they had no competition to fear from any one. luggage was either packed on mules, or carried on men's backs, being lashed into a sort of wicker-work contrivance, somewhat similar to those used by French porters,

The

and so adjusted with straps that the weight bore directly down on the shoulders. It was astonishing to see what loads these men could carry over such a road; and it really seemed inconsistent with their indolent character, that they should perform, so actively, such prodigious feats of labor. Two hundred and fifty pounds weight was an average load for a man to walk off with, doing the twenty-five miles to Panama in a day and a half, and some men carried as much as three hundred pounds. They were well made, and muscular though not large men, and were apparently more of the Negro than the Indian.

Tee journey to Panama was generally performed on mules, but frequently on foot; and as the rest of the party intended to walk, I determined also to forego the luxury of a mule; so, having engaged men to carry our baggage, we set out about two o'clock in the afternoon.

The weather was fine, and for a short distance out of Cruces the road was easy enough, and we were beginning to think we should have a pleasant journey; but we were very soon undeceived, for it commenced to rain in the usual style, and the road became most dreadful. It was a continual climb over the rocky beds of precipitous gullies, the gully itself perhaps ten or twelve feet deep, and the dense wood on each side meeting overhead, so that no fresh air relieved one in toiling along. We could generally see rocks sticking up out of the water, on which to put our feet, but we were occasionally, for a considerable distance, up to the knees in water and mud.

The steep banks on each side of us were so close together, that in many places two packed mules could not pass each other; Sometimes, indeed, even a single mule got jammed by the trunk projecting on either side of him. It was a most fatiguing walk. When it did not rain, the heat was suffocating; and when it rained, it poured.

sisted of a rough table three feet long, and three cots. The ground was all wet and sloppy, and the rain kept dropping through the canvass overhead. There were only two plates, and two knives and forks in the establishment, so we had to pitch into the salt pork and beans two at a time, while the rest of the crowd stood round and looked at us; for the cots were the only seats in the place, and they were so rickety that not more than two men could sit on them at a time.

More travelers continued to arrive; and as the prospect of a night in such a place was so exceedingly dismal, I persuaded our party to return about half a mile to a native hut which we had passed on the road, to take our chance of what accommodation we could get there. We soon arranged with the woman, who seemed to be the only inhabitant of the house, to allow us to sleep in it; and as we were all thoroughly soaked, every sort of water-proof coat having proved equally useless after the few days' severe trial we had given them, we looked out anxiously for any of the natives coming along with our trunks.

In the meantime I borrowed a towel from the old woman of the shanty; and as it was now fair, I went into the bush, and got one of our two sailors, who had stuck by us, to rub me down as hard as he could. This entirely removed all pain and stiffness; and though I had to put on my wet clothes again, I felt completely refreshed.

Not long afterwards a native made his appearance, carrying the trunk of one of the party, who very generously supplied us all from it with dry clothes, when we betook ourselves to our couches. They were not luxurious, being a number of dried hides laid on the floor, as hard as so many sheets of iron, and full of bumps and hollows; but they were dry, which was all we cared about, for we thought of the poor devils sleeping in the mud in the half-way house.

We

The next morning, as we proceeded on our journey, the road gradually improved as the country became more open. were much refreshed by a light breeze off the sea, which we found a very agreeable change from the damp and suffocating heat of the forest; and about mid-day, after a pleasant forenoon's walk, we strolled into the city of Panama. [Continued.]

OVER six hundred millions of dollars have

been shipped from the port of San Francisco, within eight years!

BEAUTY.

BY W. H. D.

At the natal dawn of creation's morn,
I 'rose in the pride of my charms,
And an infant world in its orbit hurled,
Received the embrace of my arms:
To the God of Day I gave the pure ray,
Oft seen on the face of the storm,
Where the rain-drops diffuse, their primal
hues,

In the rainbow's expanded form.

The silvery light of the Queen of Night,
Is reflected from my bright eye,

As I watched with care a being so fair
On her lonely course through the sky:
Through unbounded space, with a matchless

When at life's sad close mortal forms repose,
In death's stern and icy embrace,
In sorrow I grieve, as I'm forced to leave,
What I once delighted to grace.

Let virtue control the immortal soul,
And my holiest triumph I claim,
Though worlds pass away this shall not decay,
Through eternity ever the same:

All praise I resign to a God Divine,

And to Him let gratitude flow;

His mind is the source whence I take my

course,

Through the universe ever to glow.

THE RAIN DROP.

"What if the little rain should say,

So small a drop as I,

Can ne'er refresh the thirsty plains;

I'll tarry in the sky?"

How many there are who excuse themselves from doing little deeds of charity and kindness, because they cannot do great ones: not content to add one small drop to the many millions which go to make up the large and life-giving shower; they withhold the mite of their means from the suffering child of humanity: when, to whom, one generous crumb of bread, or word of kindness, would be as reviving as a drop of rain upon the withering and perishing flower. What a pity that the one great duty and purpose of life, compre hended in the golden rule given by Him "who spoke as never man spake", that "as ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so unto them" should be, alas! so often forgotten?

Man's truest happiness consists in little acts of diffusive benevolence: Let us then learn lessons from the smallest rain-drops, which are called forth from the vapory cloud by the electric touch of the lightning; and as tears of pity-drop from thence without stopping to consider for a moment whither they may fall-on the delicate petals of a cherished flower, or upon some noxious or poisonous plant; whether on the highly cultivated fields, or the broad briny bosom of the ocean; so let the electric spark of sympathy touch our hearts, and call forth daily acts of love and kindness to the needy of mankind; that by

"She certainly is a splendid woman, Bently," said Milford, "and I think there are few that are better bred, and as she has a good voice, let us ask her to play and sing us some of her sweet airs ;" and moving towards the piano, they solicited a song from Kate. All were charmed with her sweet voice.

66

Why," said Bently, "Jenny Lind is thrown in the shade by this charming little paragon. She is the most lovely creature I ever saw."

"You are profuse in your admiration of a married woman, Bently," replied Milford, for it was no common interest that he felt. It was evident Bently was smitten by the unfortunate Kate.

"Profuse, did you say, Milford? It is more than that. In one short hour she has created a sensation in my heart that it never felt before. I only hope my feelings are reciprocated-she should not long remain a neglected wife. I know all about this marriage; Adaline Gray told me all the particulars, and that Charles had told her."

"You surprise me Bently; was Adaline so mean as to divulge what Charles had told her in confidence?" asked Milford.

66

Yes," replied Bently, "and I shall thank her for the intelligence, as it gives me hope of possessing that lovely being myself."

"For God's sake hold, Bently! Your conversation distresses me exceedingly," replied Milford with evident concern; "I think your feelings towards Kate exceedingly unfortunate, and I fear may lead to something serious; if you have the feelings of a man, Bently, do not add anything more to the bitter cup Kate has already drank so deeply of."

Their conversation was interrupted by the appearance of Mrs. Milford "It is getting late dear, we had better go home." "Well I am ready, get your things." Mrs. Milford being ready to leave, kissed Kate affectionately and invited her to call often, as their husbands were particular friends. Soon the drawing room was empty, and Kate retired to rest, fatigued and weary. She arose after a refreshing sleep; the dawn of day was brightening in the east; hastily dressing, she descended the stairs, opened the garden gate, and was

ing up, she saw Bently riding close to the fence. Handing her a letter, he told her he would call in the afternoon for an answer, and turning, rode hastily away. Kate looked at the letter; there was no post mark on it; "What does it mean?" and breaking the seal while she seated herself on a bench in the arbor, she read the following:

"MY DEAR KATE:-Excuse me for addressing you thus familiarly; but I cannot endure the thought of your name as Mc Clure. Dear one, you have inspired me with emotions that I was a stranger to before I saw you last night. May I hope that you regard me with feelings similar to my own for you? My heart, my fortune, is all your own, dear one. I know all about your marriage with McClure; it is not binding; apply to the Legislature for a divorce; I am a member of that body and you shall be free, to bless and make me the happiest of men; beloved Kate, it is in your power to crush or bless me, will you be mine? Ardently yours,

M. O. BENTLY." Kate was indignant at his presumption; she felt insulted, and returning to her room she penned the following:

"MR. BENTLY. Sir:-I am hurt at the liberty you have taken in addressing me; your knowledge of my marriage does not affect my obligation to my husband; whatever may be our position toward each other, it can not matter to those, who, like you, have only a partial acquaintance with

us.

As for reciprocating your feelings, as expressed in your note, I find nothing of the kind in my bosom, and I hope this note will be a sufficient rebuff to prevent any further correspondence of this nature; and as I shall send this note to you immediately, you will oblige me if you will defer calling this afternoon. KATE MCCLURE."

Bently had just finished his dinner when the note was handed to him. After reading it, Bently, more in love than ever, determined to call on Adaline and learn all she knew about Kate; determined to pros ecute his suit at all hazards. With this determination, he sought the house of Mr. Gray. He was soon shown up to Adaline's room.

"How do you do, Mr. Bently? I declare I was dying to see you. Did you have a pleasant time at the Col's?” "Yes, magnificent." "Were there many there?" "Yes."