THE PRESIDENT LINCOLN," WHOSE SISTER SHIP, THE "GRAF WALDERSEE,' VESSEL THAT EVER ENTERED BOSTON HARBOR

IS THE LARGEST

VOL. XLI.

NUMBER 3

C

ENTRAL AMERICA! How many people know where it is or what the term implies? In a vague way it is classed by those who do not know it intimately and who place it at all, as part of South America. Yet when we consider how few knew the exact location of the Philippine Islands or of Greater or Lesser Antilles until our war with Spain, or had a definite knowledge of the Isthmus of Panama until the United States undertook the building of a canal, it is hardly to be wondered at that so little is known of Central America. Not un

Mexico and South America, or, more strictly speaking, between Mexico and the Isthmus, because Panama, being no longer part of Colombia, seems to be classed simply as the Isthmus.

Following the lead of Bolivar, the George Washington of South America, the Spanish yoke was thrown off and for a few years beginning in 1823 the five countries in Central America (British Honduras was not a Spanish dependency) were united under one President. Though attempts have been made at various times to re-establish the union, there has never since then been a united Republic of Central America. So much jealousy exists between the separate nations that such a union is to-day most difficult to establish.

til I was called there a few years ago on a business trip did I have more than a dim idea of the location or know of its great industries, marvelous beauties, and wonderful possibilities for the future.

Central America is situated between

Guatemala, the most northern of these republics, about the size of New