[XXVII-53] Antigua, or Old Guat., presents its majestic ruins, much the same as they were left by the earthquakes of 1773. Many of the buildings appear like fortresses. Among the best preserved are the old government palace and the university. The place was much damaged by an earthquake in 1874. Thompson in his Cent. Am. has a description of the ruins as they were in 1825, 245-9; others have described them at later dates. Stephens' Trav., i. 266-71, 278-80; ii. 204; Reichardt, Cent. Am., 53-5; Macgregor's Prog. of Am., i. 791-2; Valois, Mexique, 376-8, 390; Squier's Cent. Am., 456, 504-10; Batres' Sketch, 27-9, 40. Quezaltenango is 8,130 feet above the sea. It is every day growing in importance and wealth. Living is cheap there; the climate is cool and healthy. Most of the streets are narrow, but they are well paved and have flagstone sidewalks. The houses are of good appearance, some of them of two stories. Among the public buildings are the penitentiary, on the plan of that in Philadelphia, the Indian cabildo of two stories, the hospital, national institute, and other educational establishments, some fine churches, etc. Boddam Whetham's Across Cent. Am., 66-7; Conkling's Guide, 334, 337, 343. The city of Flores, head town of the department of Peten, is worthy of mention for its picturesque position on one of the islands of Lake Itzal, and its charming view from a distance. The place is hot, however, and uncleanly.
[XXVII-54] Occupying the Isthmus which connects North and South America, between lat. N. 6° 45´ and 9° 40´, and within long. W. 77° and 83°. The area is of about 31,921 square miles. In its general form it is an arc curving from east to west, with the convex side toward the north. In the widest part from sea, to sea it is about 120 miles, in the narrowest from the gulf of San Blas to the mouth of the Bayano River about 30, and along the line of the railway 47½ miles. Am. Cyclop., xiii. 31.
[XXVII-55] In addition to these are Taboguilla, Urabá, Naos, Perico, Culebra, San José, Tórtola, Tortolita, Iguana, Washington, Napoleon, Stanley, and many smaller ones. Tavares, Gulf and Isthmus of Darien, March 31, 1761, MS., 52-65; Imray's Sail. Directions, 6-12; Humboldt, Tableau, 710.
[XXVII-56] The largest being the Tuira, 160 miles long, navigable about 102 for barges, empties into the gulf of San Miguel; the Chagres, navigable for bungos about 30 miles, runs into the Caribbean Sea; the Chepo flows into the bay of Panamá.
[XXVII-57] The principal town of Coclé is Penonomé; of Chiriquí, David; and of Veragua, Santiago. The rest bear the same names as their respective departments.
[XXVII-58] The governor and prefectos report yearly to the chief of the Isthmus the state of their respective departments. Pan., Mem. Soc. Jeneral, 1877, etc.
[XXVII-59] Just prior to the influx of the foreign element, upon the discovery of the gold placers in California, the town had a gloomy and ruinous aspect. There was nothing to be seen all around but ruin and poverty; whole blocks and streets of old, dilapidated buildings, propped-up houses with people living in them, and luxuriant vegetation in the plazas, walls, etc. With the coming of foreigners a great change took place within the short space of three or four years. Nearly all the old dwellings underwent repairs, and new ones were built. In lieu of the old sad appearance and silence, all was now bustle and movement. Maldonado, Asuntos Polít. Pan., MS., 7.
[XXVII-60] The cathedral has nothing to recommend it except its two fine towers. It is in a ruinous condition, and though repaired a few years ago and reduced to a single nave, further repairs are loudly called for. This building as well as the cabildo face the main plaza.
[XXVII-61] Efforts have been made in late years by the state government for the construction of an aqueduct; but without success. Pan., Gaceta, May 16, 1874; Apr. 9, 30, 1876; Pan. Star and Herald, May 19, 1874; Feb. 14, Apr. 13, 1876.
[XXVII-62] The following are among the authorities giving more or less detailed descriptions of the city of Panamá: Cash's Sketch, 54-61, 29-71; Bidwell's Pan., 1-9, 75-7, 119-35, 341-8; Beechy's Voy., i. 11-17, 23-4; Scarlett's South Am., ii. 189-211, 221-9, 254-69; Seemann's Narr., 84-8, 275-95, 289-94; Wilson's Trav. in Cal., 9-10, 17-19; Wortley's Trav., 320-2; Scherzer, Narr., ii. 424-5; Pim's Gate, 209-20.