The completion of the Panama Canal, which is promised by 1914, will make the access to the west coast of South America much more convenient. Without doubt there will be established at that time a direct line of steamers from New York to Valparaiso, which will touch at a number of intermediate ports between Panama and that city. At the present time it is necessary to take a steamer from New York, or New Orleans, to Colon, a journey of six or seven days, cross the isthmus by train, and then embark on another steamer from Panama to Valparaiso. Two lines of steamers, the Pacific Steam Navigation Company (recently absorbed by the Royal Mail Steam Packet Company) and the Compañia Sud Americana de Vapores, render this service, but sometimes it is necessary to transship at Callao, Peru. There is also a Peruvian line of fast steamers to Callao. The quickest service between Panama and Valparaiso is twelve days, and, if one takes the slower coast steamers, the time is longer by several days. The trip is, however, a very interesting one and full of scenic beauty, as well as novelty. It gives the traveller an opportunity to get a glimpse of Jamaica, and to see the great work of Uncle Sam on the isthmus, which is undoubtedly the most stupendous undertaking ever attempted by man. Furthermore, it would be difficult to find smoother seas over which to sail. From Guayaquil, Ecuador, the traveller is enabled to visit Quito, the capital of this equatorial republic, which is situated at an elevation of about 10,000 feet, and almost on the equatorial line. One can visit Lima, capital of Peru, and one of the most interesting cities in South America, and can also visit La Paz, capital of Bolivia, and the highest capital in the world. By taking the transcontinental line across South America to Buenos Aires, and returning to New York by the east coast route, one is enabled to visit the leading republics of South America, and thus gain an adequate idea of the entire continent. There is a very good line of steamers from Buenos Aires to New York, stopping at Montevideo, Uruguay, Santos, Rio de Janeiro and Bahia, Brazil, and Barbados Island; or, if time is not urgent, the traveller can return via Europe at only a slightly increased cost. The cost of such a trip from New York back to New York, including all necessary expenses at sea, except gratuities, is about five hundred dollars. This does not cover any of the expenses on land. The trip around the southern end of the continent through the Straits of Magellan is most interesting, and the scenery is magnificent. The cost, however, is more, and the time involved is ten days greater.