I find we cannot, without great inconvenience and undergoing many hardships, visit the shores of the Pacific from hence. As I am most Pacifically inclined, I shall follow the advice of several of my acquaintances here and take a trip across the Isthmus of Panama, which is said to be much easier. This is a good time for going there, as the rainy season has not yet commenced.

I shall, however, proceed there as soon as possible, as before very long the beginning of the unfavourable season may be anticipated, and this will considerably, and to my great regret, curtail my visit to matchless Mexico; for if we do not go from Vera Cruz by the next British steamer, we should be detained here so long that the bad weather would probably be set in by the time we got to Chagres, and, as there is no steamer direct to Chagres, we have to go round by the Havana, from whence I shall go probably in one of the American steamers to the Isthmus.

Here the carnival is now going on, and we have been escorted by Mr. P––, to see the cathedral in all its pomp: it was astonishingly magnificent. The quantity of gold and silver and gorgeous jewels, and ornaments of different kinds was prodigious, and the brilliancy of the whole scene was almost too dazzling.