The New York Herald Newspaper, April 7, 1875, Page 4

—_— CENTRAL AMERICA ooo A Herald Correspondent’s Sketches of a Flying Trip. Every Day Life in San Salvador, Costa Rica and Nicaragua. —+_— COFFEE, COCOA AND COCHINEAL. —— Fighting Fusileers, an Lron Horse and a Nov- elty for the Centennial, SAN SALVADOR, March 24, 1875, When, some twenty years ago, trade was opened by regular steam communication between the Central American ports and the isthmus of Panama as the highway oetween the two oceans tt was thought, and with reason, that prosperity haa dawned upon @ quarter of the western bemis- phere for which nature had done everything, and man absolutely notning. It was confidently hoped, moreover, thar with the infusion of the proper elements of enterprise the thin crust which concealed the untold wealth of Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Saivadar and Guatemala would soon be broken to the advantage not only of the people themselves but to the world at large, These bright antictpations have not been realized, from causes too familiar to need repetition, and yet It would seem as if nature herself, in deflance of the lethargy which surrounds ber, were determined to shower her gilts broadcast and even compel a recognition of the bounteous gavors which sne extends here with no niggardiy hand. The Statistics show a gradual increase in the exports | ef coffee, cochineal, cocoa, indigo, sugar and dye Woods, but the snail like pace with which enterprise has made its way 1s conducive to the Dellef that nad the old spirit of jealousy, indiffer- ence and antegonism been totally eradicated the four States mentioned would have been to-day the tropical gardens of the Continent, But I think the experience of the past has not been without its Wholesome lessons, and although the existing state of affairs, so far as developing the Tesources of these countries 18 concerned, is far from what it ought to be, a Detter sentiment prevails to-day than ever before, and those tn au‘hority are beginning to open their eyes to the fact that that which benefits others re- Gounds to their own advantage and to the people over whom they rule. Tois hopeful outlook is par- ticularly noticeable in Guatemala and San Salva- aor, between which a spirited and commendable rivalry is now progressing, and if the other petty Tepublics would but fvllow their example in thrift, hberality and harmonious co-operation perhaps the sanguine auticipations once entertained of their future welfare might soon be iulfilied, PUNTA ARENAS. All the coffee produced in Costa Rica comes to this wolu) looking spot tor stipment. It is the first port on the way up the coast, and though Nerribly down at the heels, so far as Its municipal arrangements are concerned, is nevertheless an objective point for the steamers on the down trip to Panama. Salling craft seem to be at a discount | | conceive how a people NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, APRIL 7, I875—QUADRUPLE SHEET, y and apt to dagzie tke mournful eyes of those av- customed to gaze officially into empty coffers. Appetites were sharpened, pockets were enlarged and patriotic men, whilom seedy and forlorn, 00Ww suddenly grew fat and spicy looking. Part of the track was laid; artisans and laborers flooked to Port Limon in swarms. The sound of the hammer and the busy din incident to preliminary opera- vions would have made any Costa Rican proud of his nativity. A DISCOVERY. Other adjacent repubiics looked on with envy and awaited their doom with anything bat Chris- tian resignation. The time had come and Costa Rica was to rale the roost, Bur, alack-a-day, the noblest enterprises 0/ self-sacrificing public oMcers have often by unforeseen events been nipped in the bud, Just think of it; one fue morning @ peep into the national cash box disclosed the appalling fact that it contained nothing but atr, and damp and unwholesome air at that; nota vesiige of the five millions, not even a@ stray ounce to save it from depletion, The sound of the hammer ceased, the cheerful din that rung so merrily before wi hushed, mechanics shouldered their traps and left and guietness reigned along the line, True, $1,500,000 had already been expended on the good work, Even ugiy Rumor herself admitted this, and no thanks to her, but the minds of many med- dlesome people, who are always to be found pry- ing into she concerns of others, displayed but little delicacy in discussing the disposition of the | remaining $3,500,000, Such persons had the temerity to assert that the money had been sur- reptitiously made away with and that the railroad scheme was only an excuse for WHOLESALE OFFICIAL PLUNDER. But {t is well that the mantle of charity has ex- tensive folds, else one might not believe that the balance of the loan bad been spent, say in station- ery and sundries. At all events the train has not commenced running yet, but there is reason to | believe teat after a few more loans have been secured matters will be set to rigtts. Now, woat Costa Rica wants 1s good government, less solder | ing, @ little probity anda new broom, Nature has been unsparing in her gifts, and it is saidin Holy Writ that there is more joy in Heaven over tne conversion of one sinner than——; but the steamer is leaving for San Juan del Sur, one of the outlets of Nicaragua on the Pacific, IMPORTANCE OF INTEROCEANIO COM MUNICATION, Yet the fact shoulda not be lost sight of by the wort hy rolers of this cheerful Republic that & canal cannot be constructed inaday, I had the pleasure last year of accompanying the party | sent out by the Interoceanic Canal Commissioners to determine the relative merits of the Nicaragua and Darien routes, and [then stated that there was but one opinion as to the feasibility of the project by way of the former line. The unlimited supply of water fur pished by the Lage of Nicaragua, and the absence of any engineering difficulties in the way, surveyed by Commander Lull, at once suggested the entire practicability of the route, But even this encouraging outlook scarcely forms any excuse jor the apparent lethargy displayed on every hand, ‘the monomonia which prevails in government circles on the subject of a canal seems to have driven away all other ideas of internal improvement, and, Micawver-like, the yegislators of Nicaragua are waiting for some- thing toturn up. There are parts in that country unsurpassed for beauty and fertility tn al! Ceniral America,“#nd the historic cities of Granada, Leon | and Managua will well repay avisit. But it would | appear, irom all accounts, that the military ardor so characteristic of Costa Rica is not wanting here. One might suppose that the visit DRAINING A LAKE. An “American Roman” and His Work of Draining Lake Fuacino. Forty Thousand Acres of Land Gained from the Waters. HOME ND LABOR FOR 20.000 PEOPLE. A Sketch of the Labors Just Completed. PRINCE TORLONIA AND GENERAL GARIBALDI, Roms, March 21, 1875. If Prince Torlonia owned the Roman Campagna he would have drained, irrigased and repopulated this stretch of dreary waste long ago, say the Italians. The Prince is enormously wealthy. He has just speat, in ten years, 35,000,000 francs in draining Lake Fucino, py which he gained for him- self some 40,000 acres of land, however, as an ample return, and now he has promised General Garibaldi that he will assist him in his work of creating the new port of Rome by draining Lake Trajan (the ancient port of Trajan) himself at his own expense. And, indeed, the Prince has already commenced operations, He is indeed a very wiso and far-seeing Prince this, He owns nearly gil the iand about the mouth of the Tiber, has & palace neart Port Trajan, and, im case that the Garibaldian plans are carried out as they now stand, he will be @ gainer by millions upon millions of francs, by reason of the mere increase of value that will be given to his Vast estates. Not from pure philanthropic mo- and career of the filibuster Waiker bad occasioned enough fighting for at least | @ century to come, and it is hard to overburdened with | im this querter, for you can see hungry looking parks and brigs on every band, high out of water, ‘Waiting in patient expectation foraioad. Fauling in this, tor the steamers do nearly all the carrying, ‘hey ganeraliy shattle up the eoast for wood, and thus laden proceed around tie Horn to thetr | Various destivations. A stranger wouid be taken | somewhat avack by the spectacle which on land- log presents itself to nis wandering gaze. There is Bothing but coffee to be seen in Whatever way You turn; the atmosphere 1s reaolent with coifee, | the men handling it look like coffee bags ted in tne middie, the carts drawn by oxen miles from the | Mtericr are laden with it, storehouses are cram | Med with it; the people dream of coffee: 1t is the | talk from dawn to sunset; coffee ta the staple and | the sustenance of Costa a. Itis bard to make | your way in Punta Arenas, for the stumbling Diock .8 coffee, There they stand the live lung Gay, the oxen knee deep in dust, with formidavie looking horns, footsore and wearied, baving travelled many @ league to bring the precious commodity to the port, THE CARRETEROS. These OxoM are superd animals, and Iam told their barefooted owners take the utmost care of s them. [he vilianons roads in Costa Rica, and indeed tn aj! tne republics here, render their ser- Vices indispensable, and as an ilnstration of the Kindness with which the carreieros treat the mobile beast T was told that if perchance @ moddlesome child was kicked by one of them, the first point to be ascertained would be the damage done to the hoof of the anim: This is probably an exaggeration, but between the owner and the brute the jatter looks the better fed of the two. The boulevards of Punta Alenas are not partica- larly attractive, and a short walk through the characteristic Costa Rica town about mid-day, When tbe thick layers of dust ere in a playful mood, is apt to produce the impress on that you Bave been junching on chaik, FIGHTING FC Of warriors th re is no lack, Brebine, with scowling faces and guns, itebing | ws it Were to run their bayonets lato something; andnow % i think of it, I feel convinced that | the hoies in many of the coffee bags on the wharf might easily be accounted as there is n0 koowing woat m: 'y men won't do to keep their hand in. These are the young gentiemen who Participate in the revolutions which appear to be indigenous to the soll, and it behooves you when Passing them to jook about as amiadle and inno- Cent as We all try to do under the lens of the pho- tographer, lest a sudden thought might strike a sentry, Woen your iate Is sealed for eternity. 1 have frequently heard of the acts of bravery of these graduating generals as performed op harm- lesa waylarers, and I therefore resolved to have no personai dealings with the leroic airy of this Repanile. MORE COFPER. But,jturning from the sword to the plough, I may Mention that a good average crop 0} comve iy ex pected this season, as many as 112,000 sacks having been exp rted since the beginning o/ last month. Of this number the largest qaautity was shipped to England, mostly in exchange for various kinds of mercaandise sent out, the United States being Bext in order. The commodity t Being éxjported as rapidly as possibie, the steamer Honduras alone, on ner return trip, carrying nearly 29.000 sacks, Incinding some 6900 from o'ner adjacent ports, to Panama, nee to be eonveyed over the rat destinations. T about 250,000 pad and shipped to variou’ nual yield of Costa Rica ts ck#, which are coming to Panta Arenas og faet as the oxen can drag them over the ragged aud wretched road. A DEMORALIZING ION HORSE. But With atl tiie apparent ahandance—and the Crop is Dot One-third in extent what well directed indus:ry and enterprise ought to make it—Costa Ricw is not flourishing. Lapprebend that the pro- posed introduction of the iron horse, which cener- ally acts as a civilizer in most parts of tne world, has had a demorakzing effect upon the gooa people of this speculative Repuviic, Some yours ago tne progressive element of the country, in view of its growing [mportance, desired a railroad that should run from Port Limon, on the Atinnete, toa prominent on the Pacific, traversing fertile jands, the harbinger of peace and plenty on every hand and the irresistivle pioneer of commer- cial trinmph an To this end, praise worthy in (he ext a Loan @f, 1 believe, $5,000,000 was secured in goo! oid Engiand—siwvays liberal with her cash for /orelgn Failroad schemes—and the line having been sur- eyed and Jaid out, work was commenced wi'n ail the energy and animation of a miner who bas struck a iradt. Rive million ja qgood round sum | Such hostile preparations, though, ladeed, | have | ported trom this piace, and there is every | With the intention of proceeain taxation are still to be made the victiais of am- bition and jealousy. The republics of Nicaragua | and Costa Rica are not on the best of terins just pow, the former bearing the attitude of the young mab at the fair who extended @ generat invitation to siep on the tail of bis coat. Waat vecw ihe | cefunct railroad and tue prospective canal; the two Swates kee. in | A CHRONIC STATE OF PERMENTATION, | Leaving Saa Juan uel Sur We come to tne port | of Coriuto, also in Nicaragua, where you are | | | again reminded of your lowly lotin veing # civil- 1aa, for bere the military present w solid front at he Coruer house. Burl Was uot to be tempted Into jooking otaer than with meekuess, aud adbering Wo wy Original resoluuonu | stepped ashore ligauy With aguile, It Was, nevertaciess, hard so resist a steailuy glance at tue barracks a8 1 passed, but judge of my borror when 1 caught the fash of three pair of dark eyes peering at me turoggh a | sit ina board fence im front of the guard house. This coud only be, I thought, a protection Qyainst the intrusion of the Dumerous groveling domestic animals tn the neighborhood. My sur- mise Was Wrong, upd on being informed thatit Was no more Dor less tuau @ barricade in View of an approaching revolution, I stood aghast at KnoWa of Vicious mules, With no regard for the pomp of war, whose bing legs would have made Mrewood of tis rural breastwork in no time. [ Was much struck with the attitude of the little officer in command, who, like the dandy in “Dimitri Roadioe,” ‘ried to give himself airs as i he were Dot & DUien emg, DUt his own statue erected by abscription. From a house on tue oppo- ei perceived, With some emotion, a Very tall soidier piaywg & very smadildram. He dis- | played much muscular ability for about filteen minutes, but the sound gradually died away until at length it resemwed the patiering of gente iuin on @ summer tent, His eyes bunked in the sunlight, and Morpbeus svou claimed the Warrior a8 his own, Corinto, I eboulu say, is the principal port Of Nicaragua. From (he suterior come (he Various Kinds Of mer- chandize | have already enunferated, and it was gratity ing tO ascertain that busimess was exce ingly brisk and Lhat the prospects Were not at all discouraging. ‘Ihe houses and huts of Corinto are as airy a5 the houses and huts of other piaces slong the Coast, and, So lar as the prevailing fash. | tons are concern it would unjast to make @uy invidious distinction. SuMfce It to say that the quaDULy Of Wearing apparel worn by each in- dividual would turn the scales very littie to his advantage. TEMPRRANCE MEN, Alloy! I may mention nere taat Nicaragua will be weil represented at the Centennial Extubition, not only in respect (O tue products os the couurry, but also iM @mauuer at once hovel and atcra merchant here—Mr. Robert Gray, whose advocacy in the cause of temperan Uoavalung—Uas COuceived the ie to the visitors at tbe world six young Nicaragua dawsels in full nat tume, Who, properly Instuiled ina hut simular vo that in Which they reside at home, aud the mate- Tials jor the constriction of warch will oe sent With them to the Quaker City, will be detaiiea by their chaperon to serve out a peculiar beverage known to coe innavitents as fese, veing @ re- {resming mixture Of powdered cocoa, parched corn, sugar and Water—harmiess ingredients to be sure, bul nevertheless calculated to produce a train of tuought or ratuer a series of mentsi m- terrogatories upon the subject of the creation of man. THE GRAND OASIS. Yet must I not Wancer off im sympathy to the negiect of that whicu cannot but command the admiration of every strange I rever to tae growtn, activity, enterprise and attractions of wae Kepuduc of Sen Suivador, winen, as I na aireacy sad, 18 mow vying with Guatemala; not i idiotic outburst# o: stupid and unmeaning Wariare, but in pubilc spiiit, liberality, educational extabieiments and the vif {sand science. It is a well governed ejuaice against loreigners ts worn to a the people are becoming alive to their own :nteres's and sbrivking irom contact from carcless though betiigerent seighbors, and poverty has long #ince decamy ed, 1 14 to be Hoped never to rh. Alter toucuiug at La Unton you reach Libertad, from which place the road leads to the city of San Saivador. And here at rtad you see evideuce o| commercial caterprise in this band- some ifon pier that jute 00s Ito the sea, whereas formerly :argoes were landed through the suri, at the isk Tire and property. To the indeiatigabie industry 6: Mr. Masenaro, one of the most prowt- nent and worthy merchants on the coast, this great hoou may be justy attributed. Great quan- Tiles of coffee, sugar, tobacco ans indigo are ex- came athors, to the etty, some twelve leagues irom the Pacific, | was encountered | by MORE. SOLDIERS at the end ofthe wharf, But these were cheerful ooking Warriors, and somehow my fears on this occasion, especially as I noticed (ha barefooted young gentieman on guard was testing pect of increasing trade. When the point of ls bayonet by that agree Investigation for the successii result of which people generaily employ toothpicks atter dinner, 1 ¢ t much for the road to n Salvador Icaiimot say anything at nil, for toe dust was so binding in its effects that, seated even as 1 was, outside the diligence, scarcely anything was distinctly visible for more than hall the way. Inside this ditgence were eight Sisters of Charity on the way to the city, and i knew their discomiort must have been almost | anenduradic owmg to tue scantiaess of accom- there being scarcely room lor six per- sons. Besides, the aust whirled in saoh thiek c\ouds through the wide apertures of the ungainly Coach that breathing must bave been a matter of dimeulty, Yet they dra not murmur or complain, but instead there arose to heaven from within the low, hall audible sound of praise to the Ailmignty woieh her ime nor clrcumsrance could make she good Staters rorg tives, therefore, does Prince Torlonia co-operate with Garivaldi; ne has in view the increase of his already enormous wealtn, and it is jortunate that the General has found support in bim. Who 18 THE PRINCE? In the fatare reports about the Garipaldian schemes the name of Prince Torlonia will be brougnt up so frequentiy that it may be well to tell you something about him and his life and do- in for he is, undoubtedly, one of the most remarkable men of modern Italy, and, though nearly seventy rs of age, ia still young im spirit and as active as a man of thirty. Prince Torioni father was not a prince; be was a simple huckster—that is, ne went from house to house, selling linen and hempen cloth, and then setup @ small «# When, in 1807, Pope Pius VII. determined by a stroke of the pen to repudiate the bank notes issued under the French the Padre Gén¢rale lodged in the buck- ster’s house, anc it would seem that they were pretty intimate, for he informed Torlonia of the im- pending decree and supplied him witha quantity of the notes which within a few days would be waste paper, With these the wily tradesman pur- chased merchandise of every descriptiou—oll aud grain, stuffs and bird cages—until he had stocked vast magazines, When the DECREE THAT DOOMED THOUSANDS of families was issued Torlonia was on the fi; side of the hedge, made 4 fortune rapidly and purchased from the Princes Odescalehi, who at the time were in want o! money, tue magnificent estate of Bracciano, with the title of Doke, which he retained and transmit- ted wo nis sons, “Money makes money" 18 @ proverb that was never truer than in Torionia’s case. Everything he touched turned to gold, and dying he leit a fine fortune to each of his three sons —Carlo, Aliossandro and Marino, Ailes sandro inherited his father’s talent for making money, ont also for spending {t in right princely fasbion. His city residence, once the Bolognette Palace, In Piazza Venezia, contains splendid col- lections of seulpiure and paintings, which are des- tined as a legacy to the city of Rome. Canova ftatue of Hercules flinging Lycas into the ocean 18 kept in a room built expressiy jor its exhibirion. Pelagi, Camuccini and Leudi are the authors of the paintings on th: cellings, and there is @ goodly show of the works of modern artists. At the Villa Torlonia, ones the Villa Conte, situate outside Porta Pia, famous for its fountains, gardens, cascades, for the models of the Co- losteum anu the chief monuments of Rome, for the unrivalied beaaty of the view of Rome and the Campagna jrom the marvie terrace built for the reception of Pope Gregory, ai two grand obelisks in red granite, which Prince Allessandro nad fashioned on Lake Maggiore, taken across to Venice, thence by water to Fiumicino and ap the Tider to Rome, in order | that one shouid bear his father’s, One his mother’s lg Me ric Stalla\ aes a | Dame. Old Pope Gragoes waa oregeut at the erec- tion of the first obelisk, and on Allessandro’s mar riage with a princess of the house of Colonne created bim PRINOR OF CIVITELLA CEST. ‘The Torlonia Bank had # worldwide fame; It bore his name until two or three years ago, when, without any recompense, the Prince ceded it to Spada and Flamint, who had been bis direc- tors for years. He also obtained from the Papal government the contract for salt and tobacco—a government monopoly then as now. This, it 18 sad, brought him in an enormous income, but & creature whom he had benefited succeeded at the end ol the first fourteen years’ contract in inducing the then Minister of Finance to give it to him, which fact hurt the Prince more in his pride than in his pocket, From his earliest youth bis passion for the possession of land manl- fested itself, and when, in virtue of the original contract, the Odescalcht claimed the right to re- purchase their estate, he gave it back without @ word, but continued to purchase land whenever it was offered for sale, When, in 1852, @ company was formed for draining Lake Fucino, the Nea- politan government offering the drained land in the bed of the lake to the contractors, Torlonia took half the shares; then, impatient at the de- lays, bought out all the other shareholders, Now, considering that eighteen centuries since the Ko- man Emperors Hadrian and Claudius atvempted the feat, and only partiaily succeeded; that for thirty-taree years, between 1783 and 1816, the entire surrounding plain was innundated, the villages ruined, the inhabitants re- duced to misery; that Ferdinand IV. ordered surveys and studies, consulted all the academics in vain; that the famous Afan di Risera only suc- ceeded in partially clearing the old Ulaudian em- issary, and that in 1852 it was again rendered use- less by the fresh deposits that encumbered It, 1t must be confessed that, for a gingle individual to say “Iwill undertake the work and carry it to completion alone,” he must have been aman of stout heart and long purse. THE DRAINING OF LAKE FUCINO. But this was precisely Alessandro Torlonia’s course ol action, He summoned De Montrichos, the builder of the grand aqueduct between Du- LAKE FUCINUS Recently drained by PRINCE TORLONIA 17e4) o1Boy via Soh re ee te he The lines A. B. C.D, indicate the Subterr? anean Canal emptying Into the River Lict D. & The principal canal leading to the Emissary F.G. The o.d Roman canal leading to the Emissary “Drain rance and Marseilles, and said to him, Lake Celano; don’t trouble your head about the expense.” The engineer presented two projects— the first for enlarging and restoring the old Clandian emissary, which would secure the draining of ti lake, but not secure the lowest part of the basin from imundation during & specially rainy season. The second in- volved tne total destruction of the old emissary ana the construction of a new tunnel which should follow the line of the old, out of ampier and stronger build, thas to insure the permanent dratoage of even the bottom of the basin, whatever rains might fall. The Prince accepted the latter pian, and the works were instantly commenced, The lake which ites about fifty miles eastward of Rome, tn the Neapolitan territory, far away from ay centre of industry, is approached by bat one road, that leading from Napies to Avezzano, and the expense and diMculty of bringing engines, men and material were enormous, while the work of aemolishing the old tunnel in parts full of water ip parts falling to ruin was perilous in the extreme, Bat tn less than three years the lower portion of the old had disappeared ana was replaced by the new. At this critical moment De Montriches died of typhus fever in Napies; but bis plans were so periect, his sta so well drilied that his successors, Bermont and Brilie, foand it co paratively easy to carry tue work to completion, sul THE DIFFICULTIFS WERE NUMEROUS. At times, despite ten enormous pumps, Worked Mmeessantly by 200 hands, the rusting waters stopped the construction; at otner times tne gases and bad air threatened suffocation. The task for the most part had to be completed knee | 4 jj j sen & | deep in putrid mud, frozen waters; in profound obscurity, and in the midst of the sepuichral silence that reigns 100 metres underground. Finally, in 1800, the tunnel was com- pleted. It is 22,000 feet (6,203 metres) in length, and ita axis being at a lower level than that of the old emissary, with a cross section of over 200 feet, it allows a discnarge of 2,409 cubic feet to the second, Whereas the Claudian tunnel, with a cross section of 100 square feet, allowed but a discharge of 424 cubic feet to the cond. The complete encdess of this enterprise gives 42,000 acres of fertile soil to agricuiture. Where, eighteen years since, squalor, misery, filth and bar- barism ssddened the stranger’s eye, a population of over 20,000, well housed, weli fed, healthy and in- dustrions, bas risen up; and when ail the drains, irrigating canals and roads are completed and the farmhouses ail built, Lake Celano will be quoted as the model estate of Italy. About 35,000,000 franca have been expended In the enterprise, and it must be remembered that a fifth portion of the redeemed lands belonged to private iodividuals, who now oveneft by the completed enterprise without having con- tributed a cent, or withont beimg asked for aur Temfneration on the day when for the first time they were able to plough ama sow with the c taloty that the autamn would repay the toil of the spring time. The International Exhibition, tbe municipality of Naples and the government of King Victor have devreed gold medals to the Prince for nis patriotic and daring enterprise, and it was to thank (he King for the bonor paid to him, as the decree bears the King’s signature, that he Paid the first visit to the Quirinal since the entry of the Italians into Rome, MR. MARSH ON THE SUBJECT. Mr. Marsh In the new edition of his fascinating work, “Man and Nature,” now entitled “Tne Earth as Modified by Human Action," speaks at some length on Prince Torlonia’s enterprise, and the words of our distinguished Minister may hero fina place :— Lake Fucino, near Lagedi Ciano, in the former Weapollien territory, about tity miles eastward of Romo, lies (or rather lay) 2,200 leet above the sea, and has no visible outlet, but originally either drained by natural terranean conduits or kept within cer tain extreme limite by evaporation. In years 01 uncommon moisture it spread over the adjacent soil and destroyed the crops; in dry seasons It retreated and produced epidemic dis- ease by poisonous exhelations from the decay of Tegeranls and animal matter upon its exposed bed, Julius Cesar had proposed the construction of a tunnel to lower the bed of the lake and pro- vide @ regular discharge for its waters, but the enterprise was not xctnally un- dertaken until the reign of Claudius, when, aiter a temporary faliure, it was at least partially completed, From this imperfect con- struction tt soon got ont of repair, but was re- stored by Hadrian, and ig said to have answered ius design for some centuries. In the barbarism which followed the downfall of the Empire it again fell into decay, and though numerous at- tempts were made to replace it during the Middle Ages no tolerable success seems to have attended any of these efforts until the present generation. Mr. Marsh thus conciudes:— “Tho complete draining of the lake, including the ground occastonally flooded, recovers for ag- ricultural occupation and permanently secures from inundation about 42,000 acres of as fertile soll as any in Italy. The technical difficulties to be surmounted were moat bailing and discourag- ing in character and of gach extreme gravity that it may well be doubted whether the art of en- gineering has anywhere triumphed over more serious obstacles, This great ‘Victgry of peace’— ‘andest work of physical improve- ver cted by the means, the energy and the muniticence of a single tndividual—is of no small geographical and economical, as well as sanitary, Importance, but It bas a stll higher moral Value a# an almost unique example of the exercise of public spirit, courage und persever- ance in the acoomplisnment of a nodle and beneil- cent enterprise by @ private citizen.’” The man who completed the gigantic task of | draining Lake Fucino tnen now offers his co- operation to General Garibaldi, and, consequently, we shall frequently have to mention his name to future. fle has now set to work to drain Port Trajan; the engines have arrived and the labor- ersare on hand, But, then, we must not take for granted that Port Trajan will be made the new port of Rome, If Trajan be not made the port, then, says some one, the Prince will make the port into a grand oyster bed! An idea worthy of a Sailust. was sub- EXPLANATIONS OF THE MAP. ‘The accompanying map Will explain very clearly the work accomplished with Lake Fucino, ABO D represents the gallery through whicn the waters of the lake can pass to the river Lirl, under the land, DE 1s the principal channel leading the waters to the emissary F &, the direction of the oid Roman channel, The line running around the margin of the lake makes the limits of Prince Tor- lonia’s property. The straight blue lines indicate the new cuts to drain the newly won land; the red lines are the roads to be opened for agricul tural purposes. Tne basin of tne lake is sur- rounded bya chain of mountains, and on the | nortnwest by hills which separate it from tne plain of Alba, in whose midst lies the ancient city of Equicali. The nearest habitable towns to the lake arp Celano, Gioja aud Ajeili, with a population of about 32,000, Besides the perennial water courses indicated in the map, the slender blue threads :epresent torrents which empty themselves into the basin in times of heavy rains or dissolving snows. The River Glos | venco, divided into three branches, flows in on the east, and many springs rise in the bottom of the lake. ‘The bottom of the basin ts composed of immense Geposita of calcareous argill, covered by a con- | siderable strata of earth brought down by the | waters from the surrounding mountains entirely | denuded of their trees. This soil is exceedingly fertiie. Alluding to the assertion of various engi- neers that the emissary, fed, as it is, by @ series of minor canals, will not suMice to drain the bottom | of the basin, G. P. Marsh writes:—“Springs | rising In the bottom of the lake have ma- teriaily impeded the process of drainage, and | some engineers believe that they will render the complete discharge of the waters impossible. It appears that the earthy and rocky strata underlying the jake are extremely porous and that the ground already laid dry on the surface absorbs an abnormally | large proportion of the precipitati upon it. | These strata, therefore, constitute @ reservoir | which contributes to maintain the springs, fed | chiefly, no doubt, by underground channels from | the neighboring mountains, But it is highly prob- able that ater a certain time the process of | natural desiccation (s0 apparent in New England and Central Alrica, a8 noticed by Livingstone) | will drain this reservoir and the entire remova! of the surface water will then become practicabie.”’ | But any waters thus brought into the old bed of | the lake can be eastiy mastered; and go far we ive to consiaer the draining of Lake Fucino as one of the greatest modern feats of hydraclic engineering ever accomplished tn Italy. AMERICAN BOOK TRADE SALE. SECOND DAY'S PROCEEDINGS—HEAVY PURCHASES AND HIGH PRICES THE RULING FEATURES. New arrivals trom abroad swelied the atten- dance at the trade sales yesterduy to a consider- | able extent, and the Interest in the proceedings | was kept up during Its contiauance. On the close of the invoice of Messrs. G. P. Putnam’s Sons, Whose great specialty was Cooper's works, the contributions of Messrs. Nard and Houghton, of this city, Was taken up. Considerabie o1 a run was made on Clara Erskine Clement’s “Hand Book of Legendary ana Mythological Art,” and ‘Hand Book of Painters, Sculptors, Engravers and Their Works,” by the same author; also Macauley’s “‘iiistory of Bagiana” aod essays, Of Dickens’ works and the renvwaecd Riverside edi- tou of Cooper's vovels the lines were largely dua- Diicated. Anew l2mo volume, entitied “His Two Wives,” by Mary Ciemmer Ames, met with ap enthusiastic sale, witn duplication of lines, Prayer books and scientific works from tois firm sold beyond tue imvoiced imes and at first rate prices. The next important invoice sold was that of Messrs. Littie, Browo & Oo., of Boston. OF thts | contribution may be mentioned “Francis Bacon's | Essays,” “Bancroit’s United States History," Jonn Bartlett's “Familiar Quotations.” Edmaud Barke’s Works,” Thomas Spencer Baynes’ ja Britannica,” “Hume's [tg rancis Parkman's Works,” “Lite aud Works of Daniel and many others, all of Which sold at ‘Y prices aud in quantities over the lines, Messrs. Estes & Laariat, o1 Boston, followed next, with @ valuable invoice of choice aad standard | publications, prominent ameng them being the Works Of Lord Campvell, Sir George Stepten, Edward Foss, “Knighi’s Popuiar ang gO ol England,” “say's American Bntomoiogy,’’ ‘Mar- cus Ward’s Scrap books,” &c, me contrioution by Mesers, Claxton, Rem- laffelfinger was sold next, consisting of “Dictionary of Shakespearian Qnotatious,"’ “Home's History of England,’ Professor Kovert Ht. Labberton’s “Uutitne of History” and “Hisiort- cal Questions,” “Macaalay’s History of England,” | law, juventie, medical and reugious bOOKS, as also @ large seisction of scientific and musceilaneous works. A very heavy invuice of Lee & Shepard, of Bosvon, closed this, the second day’s, sale, The leading feature in Messrs. Lee & Shepurd’s contri- bution conststed of large lines of tne popular “Gliver Optic Series,” emoraciug the “Yacut Club,’ ‘Di Club,” “Young American Abroad,” Boy,” “Siarry Fiag,’? Woodville “Army and Navy,” “Lake Shore’? | mward end U 7 “Robert Works,” “iiustrated Poets,” * nybank Stories,” “Household series of Standard Works,” “Cates & Woodward's Encyclopedia of | Dates,’” “Elijah Kellogg's Works,” and @ number of new works, some oi them not yet puoiished to the trade. The prices realized were in every caso | ighly satisfactory and the & larees | To-day’s business will be mainly devoted to the Invoices of Messrs, Scribner, Armstrong & Co., of | New Yerk, and Scribner, Wellord & Armstrong, of | England, the catalogue of which covers over 100 pages Tuis firm bas just removed and occupies he finest Dookstore im the country. Yesterday's sale Was conducted by Messrs. H. O. Fuster, liam K. Leavitt and J, K. Pratt. The leading topic of conversation among t) book trade is the eatablisument of the “Exchan| instead of trade sales, worch is to go tuto elect during tha evming ou OF. —— THE SCAFFOLD. Execution of a Murderer in Mississippi. Interesting Incidents at the Gallows. He Neither Admits Nor Denies His Guilt, (From the Brookhaven (Miss.) Citizon, March 2% Karly yesterday morning people irom the cow try began to come tn, and belore eleven o’clocky Brookhaven was thronged with crowds of peopie, so that it was frequently remarked that it was the largest assemblage that had ever been seen here before. Very early in the morning the crowd began gradually to concentrate up near the jail, where the first opportunity would be presented to getaglimpse of the man of whom so much had been heard, and who was soon to constitute the tragic spectacle of the day, As toe Sher® began to assemble his strong guard at the jail door and the HORRID BLACK COFFIN, in a dismal cart, haited in front, the anxiety and intensity of the crowd tnereased, The prisoner was then brought forth, dressed in a clean white shirt, a pair of new cottonade pants anda second- band coat of gray summer worsted and @ broads brimmed woo! hat, which, pernaps, he brought with bim to the jail. For the first time many per- sons now obtained a giimpse of the man they had heard so much of, Nothing in his appearance presented the laea of amonster, He was rather young looking, not over twenty-eight years of age, a dark copper Culor, ratner sim ace, sim make, and uotover five feet ten inches high, As he emerged irom the Jail, and with apparent hesita- tion took his seat on the disival biack coffla, hia face Was more ashy with paleness and solemniy. In the moraoing, at eight o'clock, when approached by Mr. Tibbs, the Jauer, he said he hud spent the night ouly tolerably well, and failed to partake of breakiast and requested that he snouid be allowed to sp -nd a8 Much Lime 4% possibl: wita his tavor- ne colored minister, Mr. Larner, of Madson county, Wiose voice he heard outside, Whicn priv~ Hege Was granted him, The guard opened up tha Way through the crowd, and toe cart, bearing Joe Wiison, with nis arms pinioned benmiod fim and his feet tied with mauila rope, lurner, the col- ored minister, On one side of him, and the watch- Jul jailer, Tibbs, Ou che other, began to move out into iine of procession, Lhe crowd nad not straightened into line before THE CAKT, BEARING THE PRISONER, Halved at the artist tent, near the stern Hotel, When, by previous request of the prisoner, fa picture was taken for tue venelll of several of nis Iriends aud relatives. Wilson, when sitting ior these last momoriais, appeared as much in- terested for a fait ful picvure as one with @ long le Of promise besore him, Aicter the impression Was tuken, Withous Waiting Lo present the speci- Mien to the prisoner, the guard moved on to the gelces with the prisoner, one mie from Brouke ave, near the old race track. A large crowd of people Was there ound to have beea assembled Jor Bours, to get favorable positions lor VIEWING THE EXECUTION. Some were in trees, others ou stumps, and all prominent points were preoccupied early in the morning. The scaffold was newly erected out of two new pieces of timver, pele four feet apart, @ Cross beam on top at tue heighe of fourteen feet. The trap door, or platiorm for the prisoner, was set Six or eight feet from the ground. As tne cart was driven near the platiorm the prisoner as~ suwed & deeply asny hue, aud a leeling of awiul dread cuvered his countenance. He was then luted from bis coMn to the platform of we sca& Jold in a Standing position, aud the rope around, his neck tied to the beam above, and he was in- formed that he was at linerty to make any re- marks that he desired. He requested tue colored preacher, Mr. Turuer, of the bapust churca, (a perform some reigious services. The preacher Fead # portivn OF the criptures, and gave outa hymo, and a portion of the colored men and Women sung, during which time Wiisun fervently, and In @n austible and bewalling voice, engaged in prayer, saying: — “WESUS, HAVE MERCY ON My SOUL!” His strengtu evideatly begangto fa him, an® the jailer, perceiving there was danger of nis mov'ng and whe trembling body losing its equilin- rium, came to og support and Heid nim tn a Standing position untu the ead of prayers. After the close Of the religious services he was told by Sberuf Cox that ue could say anything he had to Bay t the audience. Apparentiy recovering more | aera be spoke in 4 subdued yo.ce &3 fol. OW si— “Well, I have to say to all, white and black, great and small, that you see me stund here to~ day a chiiu strayed away from home, among strangers, and that I look to God, iet tue World go As itis; ali 18 bygones, and I look to Jesus, rae crime they charge me with, all have made up their minus about, Let them have their opin- lous, Goa knows well my sins, aud #0 do & and ail will kuow the truth at che Day ol Judge ment. 1 am satisted, let the peopie have tueig mings. I have got tne dept to pay—let me pay it; Ipay it freely. There is # day lor us all; ail havd got to die, Every chiid that lives to-day is w sentence of death, My end is at hand—my race 1 run. Ko to Jesus, away to ane world, ged my nature to grace, thank God jor it. 1 have told you all, ana knows it.” Here the prisoner paused, as if he had closed all he had to say. He was tacn asXed oy one oi tha bystanders If he was guilty o; the cuarge top be a be Was veing executed, and he seplicd hat ue MAD JUST TOLD ALL ABOUT IT. He was then tola that could not be ascers tained by his remarks whetuer he realed or con- fessed to killing Saunders, He made no reply, Then the question was put to bi direct, ‘Did you or did you not kill Sanuers ¢? “i know botuing about it.” He th wile Was preseu'—ne wanted to see her before ha went, The name of Moiie Rewbert was them calied out, and the reply was that she Was prea< | ent, When a rather good looking mulatto giri about twenty-live years of age, appeared an Stood up on the wagon in front oi him. She ap- peared a littie affected, He took her by the faud and said in these exact words:— “Mollie, you see me where {am to-day. Be § irl, Quit all your vad ways. Put ail of vem gown. Thi8is a ‘sampie’ to you. Tell your her to meet me in heaven, mother goodby. Mollie, good vy.” Shakiug hands with her she retired from tha Wagon into the crowd, Mr. Tibbs tnen picked up ‘isoner’s Libie and suid, “Jue, here is your, What do you want to do wita it?’ He took the Bibie in his band, and afver a moment's reflec- tion reached out fora pene im the hands o @ re- porter, and again calied tor Mole, wav again ap- peared betore him, He turned to the first o1 the ible, aud Wrote without trembling “Green,” Which Was the name given him by nis mother, ke toils Bibie,"’ sald he, hanuing it to Moilie, Think of me, My brother William, the next brotner to me, gave it to me. He was @& minister.” A piece of back camoric wat tnen put over his eve berore = which he shook hands with the Sherif, jailers, acher and those Who Were near him on tne uid, Ava just as the SoeriM, jailer aud preacher were stepping (own from the scaifoid Joe inquired the time of day and he was iniormed that it was two o'clock. Alter the cap was drawn over his face and all had got cown on the grouna and the Sherif was abvut to cut the spring, ne eulied Mr, Millsaps agam on the piatiorm to him and asked, Pence Dp wong todo What you said you woud o— SER ME BURTE! Reing answered in tne affirmative, he then went Of into his last prayer:—“Lora 83 You know aii things, Be witn me this ceive me. Du Thy righteous will, not mine; pray receive me." ‘The faiai spring Was thea cut, THE TRAP FELL, and the boay of Wiisou fell neavily to the length 0 the rope. One loud scream, as if irom » Woman, Was heard far away in the crowd, and all was stent as death. Lae body of Wuson, ater bowg Motioniess a jeW seconds, began a severe struggic, Wiin efforts to revease M18 tgntly-pinioved arms, then drawin: up his ody, plunged aown Mis feet and Sirugged in violeDt contortions as if to save Dimseif. Tnese spasmodic eitorts soon gave way to gradual contractivns of muscles, until life became extinct, and the spirit of Joe Wiison took lis last fight tothe unknown world. The humave manner of our excelent Sheriff, Cox, as well the bearing of Mr. Tibbs, were highiy ored- itavle to those gentiemen. The manner and mode of eXccatiou passed off without any of the Wretched mistakes which often occur on such oc- casions. The audience also, witn Dardiyan ox« ception, behaved in a vecoming manner, POLICE POSSIBILITIES, To Tuk Epiton or THE HERALD Seeing your paragraph headed “What the Police Might Prevent” in to-duy's Heraco i thing youbave calied attention not any too svon, Tne obstruc. tions on the sidewalks are a disgrace fo a small vil- lage, much more tothe Empire City. Inave seon on a wet, muddy day, ladies having (!n Bronaway) to turn into the sloppy horse road, the sidewaik being strewn over with coal, Why not do tre same as in Lonvon, compel coul merchants to ce- liver them in sacks of two cwt., ten to the ton, or U toose apply tue same rule as in the principal English cowns, deiver and clear jrom screeis by eight o'clock in the morning, Another nuisance 18 placing planks across the sioe Walks frowu waxons to stores, ‘This 1 will defy’ any one wo find allowed in any Karopean city, I trast now you have commenced you will not let the agitation rest until is have caused these Duisances 'o be abated aid spared disparaging remarks being made Of our cities by foremners, Naw Yur. 6, 1876, AMUKLOU Re, /