342 CHARLES WILKES. 







for the locality. The streets are at right angles, 

 and all sufficiently broad. Those which run with 

 the declivity of the ground, northwest and south- 

 east, have water flowing through their middle. 

 They have not, however, a very clean appearance ; 

 but this is certainly not to be imputed to the want 

 of the facility of being made so. The uses to which 

 these streams are put, and the numerous buzzards 

 that frequent them, give the stranger any other 

 idea than that of cleanliness. The buzzards are 

 protected by law, and may be seen fighting for their 

 food in the gutters, regardless of passers ; or sitting 

 on the tops of the houses, thirty or forty in a row, 

 watching for more food. 



" Great attention has been paid to laying out the 

 Alameda, which is on the north side of the city. 

 Its centre is ornamented with a number of foun- 

 tains ; its walks are well shaded on each side with 

 trees, and the running water adds to its freshness : 

 all unite to form a delightful promenade. In the 

 cool of the evening it is much frequented, and its 

 stone seats are occupied by numbers of citizens. 

 This is the best place to get a view of the inhabit- 

 ants ; and, notwithstanding their internal commo- 

 tions, they appear fully to enjoy their cigaritas, 

 which they are constantly smoking. The peculiar 

 dress of the ladies is here seen to the best advan- 



