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8 the river the scenery were nought to him - all his soul was absorbed in the Indian Rubber Goods. The calling of almost every man may be discerned in his travelling habits. The merchant is always looking over his bills - the offic seeker is in the barbers room talking politics - the exquisite is on the prominade talking and flirting with ladies - and the stupid - souless man is smoking on the forward deck or sleeping in the cabin. How few catch the passing beauties as they fly - and feed a thirsting taste! It was twelve o'clock M ere we were ready to start up the river. Our company and luggage had been distributed into four boats my lot fell to the one carrying our Directors family. It had been provided with a shelter consisting of hoops stretched across and thatched with palm leaves - for the protection of Mrs Newcomb. We placed a bed beneath the shelter and embarked our party consisting of Dr N - wife - daughter - boy Tommy - Servant woman and myself. My spirits were light as we shoved from the steamboat - and commenced a trip - which promised both novelty and pleasure. The Chagres River as I have said before constituted - a considerable portion of the thoroughfare across the Isthmus. The transportation is carried on by boats called bungies - and the distance sailed is 46 miles. It is by the boatmen that the towns on the river are principally inhabited - no cultivation of the soil - or other employments - being seen on this portion of the Isthmus. A bungie is a large canoe. It is formed from a single log - from a tree resembling mahogany - and is of uncouth appearance - rough and imwieldy. There are many sizes of them - that in which we embarked was some 20 ft long - by 3 troude. To impel them along two natives stand in the box - on a short board platform - with setting poles - while a third steers. They keep near the banks - in order to have bottom - to use their poles. Thus pacing their short platform the boatmen toil the livelong day without remark - complaint - or cessation. As a people they are patient - kind and inviolably honest. They do not like to be urged - and in fact cannot be driven. They drink but little spirits, yet never refuse it - if the passinger offers it. Our boatmen had nine with them. They smoke much. The offer of cigars and tobacco is very acceptable.