Influence of the French Revolution on Spanish America--Miranda vainly attempts to rouse Venezuela--Revolution at Caracas--Simon Bolivar--Struggle for independence--Atrocities of both parties--Bolivar proclaims extermination to the Royalists--Spanish successes--The British Legion--Devastation of the country--The Columbian Republic--Guatemala. XIV. ABOLITION OF SLAVERY 289-313 Agitation against slavery by the Quakers--Abolition of the African slave-trade--Effects of this on the plantations--Condition of the slave--Registration--Rising in Barbados--The Protestant missionaries arrive--Opposition of the planters--Ordinance against preaching and teaching slaves passed in Jamaica--The anti-slavery party in England--Amelioration of the condition of the slave--Insurrection in Demerara--Prosecution and conviction of the Rev. John Smith--Emancipation in the British colonies--Its effect on colonies of other nationalities--Insurrection at St. Croix--Total abolition of slavery in the West Indies. XV. RESULTS OF EMANCIPATION 314-345 Ruin of the planters--Difficulty of procuring labour--Abolition of the differential duties--Immigration--Barbados an exception when ruin fell on the other colonies--Labour laws in French, Danish, and Dutch colonies--Another insurrection in St. Croix--Race prejudice causes riots in Demerara--Insurrection at Jamaica--Confederation riot at Barbados. XVI. THE ISTHMUS TRANSIT SCHEMES 346-364 Nelson's expedition to the San Juan--Miranda's project--Importance of a canal--Central America--Effects of the discovery of gold in California--The Panama railway--Canal projects--Darien again--The _Times_ and the Nicaragua project--Ship railway--Lesseps and the Panama Canal--Difficulties of the work--Its downfall--Character of Lesseps--The Nicaragua Canal. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGE 1.--Reception of Spaniards by Arawaks. From Gottfried's "Reisen" _Frontispiece_ 2.--Reception of Spaniards by Caribs. From Gottfried's "Reisen" 5 3.--A corner of Paradise. The Victoria Regia 8 4.--_En route_ to the goldfields of Guiana. Passing the rapids of the Essequebo 10 5.--Worrying the natives with dogs. From Gottfried's "Reisen" 13 6.--A modern alluvial gold washing 16 7.--Suicides. From Gottfried's "Reisen" 17 8.--A Guiana river. The Tumatamari falls 26 9.--Inhabitants of the Spanish Main. From Colijn's "Reisen" 28