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JVgion of dry land. To accomplish these ob
jects, the plan of the engineer, M. Montricher,
was to divide the canal, just outside the city, into
three branches ; carry the central branch into the
city, and one of the others each side of it ; and
this plan has been carried out, except that the
branch destined for irrigation is not yet complete.
The work must be ranked among the grandest un
dertakings of modern cities, and 1 am doubtful
whether any that has been projected in many cen
turies can compare with it in extent and results,
though in point of expense it is small, owing to
the nature of the rock, (limestone,) and the facil
ity afforded by the ease of working the soil. The
whole expense thus far has been less than two
millions sterling. Thus, three cities in the world
are abundantly supplied with water, viz : Mar
seilles, New York and Boston. But the water of
the Durance is a muddy stream rather, nor is it to
be compared to the Croton.
A curious circumstance occurred lately before
the Correctional Tribunal, Paris. Avery old man
named Palgois, half paralyzed, having been
charged with mendicity, a decently dressed, mod
est-looking young gijl stepped forward, said he
was her father, and requested that he should be
given up to her. -‘But has he any means of
existence?” said the President. “'The pro
ceeds of my labor, sir,” answered the girl. “ But
you must earn very little.” “Pardon sir, 1 am
very active, and by beginning to work early and
leaving ofi'late I can manage. Is it not so mother?”
she added, turning to her old mother, who was
also present. The President paid a high compli
ment to the girl, who only responded by a deep
blush; and she joyfully took her father by the
hand to lead him away. The public prosecutor
then rose and asked the old man if he were not
fromßaune,in the department of the Cote d’Or,
and related to some large farmers ? Having been
answered in the affirmative, be stated that the
Prefeet of Police had forwarded a letter from the
Mayor of Baune, announcing that a rich relation
of the old man had justdied and left him all his
fortune. “ You see, mademoiselle,” said the Pres
ident to the young woman, “ that heaven has
already recompensed the filial love of which you
have given so striking a proof.” — Galignani,
A SUMMARY OF FOREIGN NEWS.
The steamship Canada arrived on Friday,
bringing seven days laterintelligence. Her dates
from Paris are to the 15th of November, and from
Liverpool to the 16th.
In the Liverpool market cotton had advanced
i per lb , on middling to fine American.
Consols have also advanced in price.
The London and Liverpool provision markets
have been well supplied and prices have remained
firm.
Mr. Rives, our minister to France, has had an
interview with the President of the French Re
public.
Mr. Rives studuously avoided any reference to
the difficulty of our government with M. Poussin ;
but Louis Napoleon referred to it in terms com
plimentary to the American minister and to our
government.
The French government still continues a hos
tile attitude towards the Emperor of Morocco, and
it is probable the former will bombard Tangiers.
The French Consul at Mogadore has been very
harshly treated, and a French frigate has been
sent to bis relief.
On the 13lh ultimo, the prisoners convicted at
the Court of Versailles, for participation in the
out-breaks of the 13th of June were brought up
for judgment. Seventeen of them were con
demned for transportation, among whom was Col.
Gurnard, and seven representatives of the people.
They were condemned to five years imprisonment,
among whom was one representative. Eleven
are acquitted.
The only item of interest from Prussia is the
persecution of the clubs, a number of them hav
ing beep dispersed on vsrious pretences.
The accounts from Constantinople state that a
British fleet was at anchor in Abeakir Bay, and
intended remaining there until thev were assured
what were the intentions of the Czar.
The British minister had communicated to the
Turkish government that the English Cabinet
agreed to form an offensive alliance with the
Porte, in the event of a war with Russia.
General Aupick has made a similar communi
cation on the part of the French government.
Kossuth has published a valedictory addiess to
his countrymen. Itts written in his most enthusi
astic, poetical style, and is particularly severe on
the traitor Gorgey.
Fresh condemnations are sttll taking place in
Hungary, and it is believed that fifteen additional
ones are threatened at Arad daily.
Haynau has again threatened the Jews at
Pesth with violence unless they pay up the con
tribution demanded, which seems beyond their
power.
The Order of Jesuits has been re-installed at
Naples, and the king is determined to leave noth
ing undone to Christianise his people. The
Spanish troops in Rome are said to have received
order to return to Spain. - We learn from Spain
that the session of Cortez has been opened with
the customary speech, which has given rise to ani
mated attacks of M. Olazaga and his friends
against their implacable enemies, Narvaey and
his colleagues.
Death.—“ The sense of Death is most in Appre
hension.”—The act of dying would seem to be
pleasant; it is like the benumbing of the mental
and bodily faculties which precedes sleep. La
mentations therefore, over the dying, especially if
they be loud, are not only unavailing, but painful.
It would seem that death by the guillotine does
not extinguish life ; the body and head both feel, it
is said, for more than ten minutes after separation.
11l I■©T 1 S f j 01W RV ®
From Richard’s Weekly Gazette.
GEORGIA.
FT JAQUES JOUR.tOT.
Blessings on thee, Land of Beauty,
Sleeping in a sunny clime—
Blessings on thy hills and vallies—
I invoke them in my rhyme !
Far and wide my steps may wander,
Fairer scenes may meet my eyes,
But my soul will cherish ever,
Memoiies of thy glorious skies.
Northward, ’gainst the quiet heavens,
Thy blue mountain barriers rise,
And above thy foaming torrents
Glow the Iris’ radiant dies.
There Tallulah dashes madly
Through the sundered granite hills,
And a sense of awful beauty
All the gazer’s being fills.
And Toccoa , haunt of fairies,
And J\acoochee's valley sweet,
Where the shining Chattahoochee ,
Stars and sunshine love to greet;
And Mount Yonah soaring proudly,
Where the winds are pure and free,
Wafts a greeting on their pinions,
To his neighbor Gurrahce.
Thine the Jlfountaiti Rock of Granite,
Rising ‘mid thy fertile plains,—
Nature’s everlasting watchtower,
Looking o'er thy wide domains;
Looking norlhward to the mountains—
Southward o’er Savannah’s wide,
Wh ere, through dark lagoons and marshes,
Flows the Altamaha s tide.
Thine the lovely Forest City,
Bonaventure's wealth of shade—
Classic Athens —seat of learning,
And Augusta s mart of Trade ;
Macon’s thine, and fail Columbus ,
And Atlanta's busy street,
And the pride of Rome the western,
Where Coosa's tribute waters meet.
But thy proudest treasures, Georgia,
Are th> Sons, so brave and true, > .
And thy gentle, bright-eyed Daughters,
Who with love our souls imbue ;
Thine the valiant and the lovely—
Manhood’s strength and woman’s charms,
And thy Homes adorned by Beauty,
Guarded are by Valor’s arms.
A FRIEND OFT HE FAMILY.
SAVANNAH, SATURDAY, DEC. 15. 1849.
YzT Our paper will in future be issued on Saturdays instead
of Thursdays.
BALLOON ASCENSION.
Mr Victor Verdalle made a successful and beautiful ascen
sion on Monday afternoon. Ho did not get the balloon suffi
ciently inflated until a few minutes after 5 o’clock, when quick
as thought he flew upward hanging by his toes to a square
frame a few inches in width, when about a thousand feet from
the earth he reversed his position, in doing which some 10 or
12 of the cords by which the frame was attached to the bal
loon parted, and fur an instant he was apprehensive that those
remaining were not sufficient to sustain his weight. The bal”
loon took a course East of North and passed over the city and
descended in Back liver, near the Carolina shore. At eight
o’clock in the evening he returned to the city, and his balloon
was brought over the next day.
We are sorry to state that the receipts at the gate were not
sufficient to pay the expenses, but understand that a number of
gentlemen have formed themselves into a committee to take
up a subscription for him to give a public ascension on Monday
afternoon, Dec. 17th, at halt-past three o’clock from the Parade
Square.
AMUSEMENTS.
The concert of Mad’lle Niecieska on Monday evening was
well attended, and gave genera! satisfaction.
Signor Spinetto’s exhibition of Canary birds and Java Spar
rows, is attracting numbers both of the old and young.
Hutching’s Panorama of the sea and shores of the Medi
teranean we were sadly disappointed with, it is not equal to
Stockwell’s Mississippi.
Celebration of the 25 th day of December , by Roxbury Middle
Ground and Donaldson Divisions of the Sons of Temper
ance.
Whereas it has heretofore been the custom to celebrate
Christmas day, or the 251 h day of December by a free indul
gence in intoxicating drink, and believing that as Sons of'Tem
perance we can pay that respect which is due to the day in a
more rational manner, Be it therefore
Resolved , That the members of Roxbury, Donaldson, and
Middle Ground Divisions do celebrate the 25th day of Decem
ber by a Public Temperance Festival and Barbecue, at the 45
mile Station, C. R. Road, to which all those in favor of the
cause are invited to attend.
Resolved , That the R. S. under the direction of the W. P.
do invite Mr. Win. King, of Savannah, and such other mem
bers ot the Order a:-; they may see fit, to address the assembly
on the subject of Temperance on that occasion.
Resolved, ThaUhe R. S. tinder of the W. P.
do cause to be published a general invitation to the Sons of
Temperance, members of Temperance Societies, and those fa
vorable to the cause, to meet with us on that day.
Resolved, That G. Oliver, P. M. Stotesbury, E. Jones, Wm,
Williams, and J. F. Helenly be a committee to make all suit
able arrangements.
Resolved , That the R. S. furnish to the editors of the Tem
perance Banner, and Friend of the Family, a copy of these re
solutions for publication.
JAMES MIDDLETON, R. S.
SIGHTS IN THE GOLD REGION,
And Scenes by the Way. By Theodoke T. Johnson
New York, Baker and Scribner, 1849.
This work is written in an easy style, and reminds us of the
interesting travels of Stephens.
The following Graphic description of Panama will convey a
very correct idea of the whole work, which cun be found at
Mr. John M. Cooper’s Book Store.
“ History informs us that New Grenada was conquered and
annexed to the crown of Spain by Gonzala de Ximenes in
1536, who overthrew Bogota, the native king, a redoubtabl e
chieftain, in honor of whom the capital of that name is called.
Seven miles from the existing city of Panama are the ruins
of old Panama. Founded by tho Spaniard in the early part
of the sixteenth century, and famous as tho port from which
Pizarro sailed in 1535 on his first expedition to Peru, it was
sacked and burned by buccaniers in 1070 under a famous
chieftain named Morgan. From this calamity it never re
covered, and there is now only to be seen tho remains of crum
bling walls overgrown with trees, and a few houses of the
natives.
Returning to the present city, we are impressed with the
resources, munificence, and enterprise of its founders.
Its massive and high walls, its fortifications and defences,
numerous large churches and other public buildings, as well as
substantial private edifices, erected from a species of stone
brought from a long distance ; all attest the truth of the fore
going observations.
As long as Mexico, New Grenada, and other South Ameri
can states remained subject to the crown of Spain, the whole
of their commerce in obedience to her enactments, passed by
the way of tho Isthmus to the mother country and the world.
Thus Panama became the principal commercial port of the
Pacific, and the mart of the whole west coast of South Ameri
ca, and Mexico. But her glory departed the moment that
trade and commerce left to their natural channels attained a
comparative degree of freedom, and flowed into immediate
and direct communication with other countries.
While under this state of things one generation has passed
away, anew and longer day of prosperity is now apparently
dawning on the next. The hope and expectation of the
whole civilized world long directed to the Isthmus route as
the great highway of nations, are at length soon to be grati
fied. And with just pride and exaltation do we point to its fi
nal accomplishment by tho enterprise and energy of the peo
ple of our Great Western Republic; thus adding another
bright and enduring record to the volume of American his
tory. Though both the Isthmus of Panama and that of Da
rien had been surveyed many years ago by the English, French
and Spanish governments or capitalists, and the route by the
former Isthmus ascertained to bo entirely feasible for a rail
road, and although especially England and the English eter
nally boast that theirs is tho strongest government and wealth
iest nation on earth, yet has it remained for their more pow
erful political and commercial rival, to open new portals to her
Indian empire and China trade.
Thus by our superior enterprise, as well as by our peaceful
annexation ot Texas in the West, compared with her forcible
and bloody annexation of the Punjaub in the East, let us as
sure the world that we have not only outstripped our Anglo-
Saxon parentage in the race of civilization, but that if the
“sun never sets ” on England’s boasted possessions, neither
will it ever again rise upon her commercial or political su
premacy.
Crossing the Isthmus, both during the progress of the
American survey and after its completion, we had every op
portunity of observing the route selected for the proposed
railroad, and cannot doubt its certain and speedy construction.
The chief difficulty to contend with will be the floods of the
rainy season, and their effect upon the viaducts and embank
ments; competent engineers will, however, ovorcome this.
This great undertaking once accomplished, Panama must
not only resume her former position, but become one of the
chief commercial cities of the western hemisphere.* Her
magnificent bay, salubrious climate, and fertile surrounding
country, afford her every desired advantage. Capital, it is
true, must and will be freely employed, in the construction of
docks rendered necessary by the great rise and full of the
tides, but this improvement may, with others of similar im
portance, be accomplished with comparative ease. The
smooth stone beach on the most accessible front of the city
will afford a solid foundation for the work, while abundance of
the best material may be obtained from tho old walls and nu
merous ruins.
There is also every facility for the establishment of large
commercial houses. Fine, substantial buildings, suitable for
warehouses, many of them entirely fire-proof, and now quite
unoccupied, may be obtained at extremely low prices. Much
of this species of property, aud especially of the old ruins,
belongs to the Roman Catholic Church ; but as their property
is, notwithstanding, great, moderate prices would be gladly
accepted by them. As an instance, however, of the effect
of the American emigration upon the value of real estate, a
large and fine building is now occupied as a hotel at an annual
rent of three hundred dollars, which could have beon pur
chased a few months ago for one thousand dollars. A corres
ponding advance on property in general has, nevertheless, not
taken place.
As to the climate of Panama, and the conntry immediately
surroundingit, there can be none in the world more delightful
than it is in the dry season- The morning is always beautiful
and clear, with a fine air from the sea, the thermometer du
ring the hottest part of the day 80 to 85 degrees of Fareu
heit; relieved by a refreshing land breeze, which usually sets
in about noon, continuing till sun set, followed by nights cool
and comfortable. This continues about four months from the
beginning ot the yea]', when the rainy season approaches and
sets in very gradually, attaining its height only during a
ter four months of the year. Its intensity here ia not
considerable as on the other side of the Isthmus; and alq
it rains every day for at least four months, yet the after
are usually clear and pleasant. The atmosphere is of
sultry during this season, but to preserve the health, it i 3
necessary to keep the feet and person dry, and avoid too ° ‘
fruit at all seasons.
Tho much-talked of Panama fever is simply a con ,
form of billious fever, brought on generally bv over-fatic„ e “
too great exposure to sun or rain. Dysentery also
from imprudence in diet, as in any other tropical clim af
The yellow fever, or black vomito, never prevails, an ]
Asiatic cholera as an epidemic was unknown there until \\
present year ; which is likewise the fact with all, or nearly
the seaports on the Pacific. True, the native physicians !
nominate the Panama fever as yellow fever, but to our in u
ries on the subject, replied that they never knew a caso of {
black vomito. Sporadic cases of cholera have occurred • b
it generally avoided the Pacific coast during its epiJem c ’
prevalence in 1833. No better proof of the
the climate can be given, than the general exemption f lotTl
ness of the 5000 Americans who have already tarried there
the wet and the dry season.
In addition to the salubrious and healthy climate, the sn .
rounding country is literally a paradise, and indeed the w],,^
extent of the Isthmus affords abundant evidence of wonder,
ful natural resources. Covered with a magnificent growth -
forest trees, much of which is suitable for ship building
well as for other purposes, the soil is also exuberant for every
species of cultivation. We saw, besides, the greatest abun.
dance of every kind of fruit, Indian corn many feet high ;i
the stalk, and sugarcane growing spontaneously from year to
year, without exhausting the soil. Hemp, cotton and tobacco
mny also be grown in the greatest luxuriance, the pl anr ., r
dreading no frost, and having reference only to the wet nnl
dry seasons, while the marshes of tho Chagrcs and Ri„
Grand rivers would produce the finest rice. Gold is algo
found in great purity in parts of New Grenada, while recent
discoveries in Veragua, the adjoining province of Panama
have disclosed large deposites of excellent coal. Thesegre,t
resources in wood and coal will be found to be of incalcula
ble advantage in the construction of the railroad, and supply
of fuel to our locomotives and steamships. In short this is tl*
real El Dorado, which so many of our countrymen have un
dertaken a voyage of 17,000 miles to behold in California.
For the invaluable treaty with New Grenada, entered into
and confirmed during the administration of the late President
Polk, the American people are chiefly indebted to our late la
mented Charge des Affaires to that country, the Hon. Benia
min A. Bidlack, of Pennsylvania. Gifted with diplomatic
talents the most eminent, ho also combined a noble and gen
erous disposition with a distinguished person and pleasing ad
dress, securing a paramount influence with the government to
which he was accredited, and the highest popularity with the
people among whom he resided. These qualifications, to
gether with the well known friendly and liberal senfimenM
his government, enabled liim to secure from the govervmivA
of New Grenada that important and memorable treaty, and
this too at a period when the ministers both of England and
France were exerting their talents and influence to the ut
most, to secure a similar treaty on behalf of their respective
governments. The preceding narrative of facts, partially
gleaned while in New Grenada, was extended and confiriueJ
on our voyage house from Carthagena, by an highly respect
able American gentleman, who was very intimate with .Mr.
Bidlack, conversant with the whole history of the negotiation
of the treaty, and placed in charge of the Legation by bio
preceding his mournful decease. Thus has our country ac
quired one of the most important treaties negotiated in the
history ot the world, while she has lost one of her most pat
riotic and eminent citizens. Peaceful be his repose and ever
green his laurels.
As an evidence of tlie complete establishment of friendly
relations with the people of New Grenada, we received, in
common with most of oir countrymen, the utmost attention
and kindness from the natives and residents of the Isthmus,
and especially of Panama, as well as from Senor Don Mari*
ano Arossemena, the Intendente of that department.
In character, the educated classes are kind, generous and
open-heai ted, anxious to acquire our language, and to afford
every facility and inducement for our residence among them.
Their manners, with less of the punctilio, and none of the
hauteur of those of the Spaniards, partake of equal politeness
and greater sincerity. The character of the uneducated and
laboring class of the natives is of course inferior in these
qualities, but they are nevertheless a remarkably inoffensive
and kind-hearted people. Notwithstanding the general infe
riority of their mixed race, and the somewhat enervating ef
fects of a tropical climate, they areable to undergo great bodily
fatigue, and submit to arduous labor as catioernen, cargodore*.
muleteers, nguadores, Arc. This disposition to labor is not
freely manifested since the Americans have paid them suM*
erally, and it is unfortunately true, that they will, on all occa
sions, exact twice and even three and four times the price or
sum for articles, or labor, from strangers that they will fro®
each other. They are nevertheless devoid of legitimate en
terprise and business capacity. Though horses and mules
such .as they have, are numerous and cheap, yet they employ
no wheeled vehicles in Panama nor in the adjacent level coo 11 ’
try. Every hour in the day the aguadores maybe seeica*’
tying four jars or kegs of water fastened to a pack saddle on®
mule; these are sold at one rial each, and thus the Pans® 11 ’
nians receive their supplies of fresh water. When a decays
tree falls across the road they travel, there it remains •
years, the natives clambering over it, or preferring to go up
their necks in mud or water around it, to clearing a\vav [ t
impediment It is plain therefore that they cannot be el ‘‘.
ployed to advantage on the railroad, but laborers must be
elsewhere. Though they drink aguardiente or Cogniac “ ■
to be obtained, yet intoxication is not common among the lll,
J . ... veff
They are gifted with a full share of Spanish obstinacy, 8
provoking instance of which we endured from an old
Panama, who refused to sell a tin basin which Il!
need, at any price, and only because it shone brightly* 11
valued it as an incomparable ornament to his shop.
Having remained just a month among the New uic. j
we now prepared for our departure, filled with many I
recollections.