Travels in the United States, etc.,: during 1849 and 1850./ By the Lady Emmeline Stuart Wortley.

CASTLE OF SAN LORENZO.
appropriated and dispatched by the natives, rendered indolent by
their climate, and apt to depend almost entirely upon the abundant
yield of tropical productions for their livelihood. The crumbling
walls of this once stately stronghold seem now to be the favorite
promenade, the chosen "Alameda" for the agile wild goat, and
that scavenger-general (in these parts of the world), the unprepossessing buzzard.
Notwithstanding the state of neglect in which it is now, it is
easy to imagine that this fortress was formerly (as it is said to
have been) one of the strongest erected by the Spaniards along
the whole of their coast; for it still bears striking witness to this
fact, despite of its ruined entrenchments and its rusty guns, its
dilapidated watch-towers, its tottering walls, its crumbling battlements, decayed magazines, and damaged powder.
At some distance from the works stands a detached battery, on
the height which commands the town and river of Chagres, but it
is destitute of communication with the castle. Some superannuated-looking and miserably appointed soldiers are to be seen loitering about the neglected works. Once more, what a charnge would
take place if this were transferred to the hands of the Americanswhat a flourishing city would shortly be seen here; and how
would this decayed castle regain all its pristine power and
more!
Speaking cosmno]olitanically and philanthropically, I feel one
ought to wish the Americans to take to themselves, not only this,
but many other portions of this vast continent: but as an English
woman, I suppose I should not give utterance to the wishl. Yet,
if all illiberal prejudice and antagonizing influences and unfortunate jealousies could be annihilated, and the United States and
England would fairly go hand-in-hand in the work of regeneration
-or rather creation-what might not such a co-operation effectwhat would, or could withstand them?
But England is too calculating; beginning now-not to decline,
I do not think or believe that-but to lose some portion of that
vigorous and restless energy, which must advance-and to be more
anxious about retaining than gaining; and her object is, perhaps,
yet more to check and interdict others from snatching at coveted
prizes, than to seize them herself. But if this policy should become
habitually hers, it will ultimately prove vain-the Americans will
eventually triumph; and if they are wise and liberal themselves,
and allowvv the forms of government under their general sway to be
adapted to the nature and habits of the different people, they will
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