Customs and sanitary inspection should be so conducted as to cause as little delay as possible.

I have visited many countries in Europe, in South America, and in Asia, but I have never known of a ship having to stay outside the harbor of the port of her destination for so long a time.
Take another case; some months since, I wished, in compliance with the request of a lady in America, to send her a chow-dog.

A mutual friend was willing to take it to her, but, upon making inquiries at the American Consulate as to the Customs regulations, he was informed that it would be impossible for him to undertake the commission, as the Customs officers at San Francisco, besides imposing a heavy duty on the dog, would keep the ship in quarantine because the dog was on board.

I could scarcely believe this, but inquiries confirmed the truth of my friend's statement.

Customs and immigration laws and sanitary regulations must, of course, be observed, but they should be enforced in such a way as not to work hardship on the people.