96 To the River Plate and Back 



with blooming plants, cither growing in pots or urns, 

 or else in beds, often surrounding a miniature fountain, 

 it is possible to catch a glimpse through the glazed 

 doors leading from the vestibule. The effect is alto- 

 gether charming. 



Our timepieces now suggested that we should adopt 

 some method of more rapid transit, if the task of seeing 

 the city was to be accomplished, and we first resorted 

 to a tram-car and went out to the end of the line. We 

 struck up an acquaintance with an elderly French 

 gentleman. He informed us that he had long been a 

 resident of Montevideo, and showed that he had pros- 

 pered, if prosperity can be deduced from a well-groomed 

 exterior, a happy air, and respectful recognition 

 accorded to him by his fellow-citizens as they boarded 

 and left the car. He was very affable and volunteered 

 interesting information as to the uses of various public 

 edifices which we passed and the names of the owners 

 of many beautiful villas which appeared as we entered 

 into the less densely populated portions of the town. 

 He professed sincere affection for his adopted country, 

 told us in glowing terms of the progress made in recent 

 years, spoke of its vast pastoral wealth, and of its 

 increasing commerce. It is not often that one meets 

 an expatriated Frenchman who views with such com- 

 placent eyes the new land in which he has settled, and 

 who does not very quickly announce himself as full of 

 longing for a return to the banks of the Seine. At last 

 he left us with a polite Bon voyage, Messieurs. 



Near the end of the electric railway we were attracted 

 by the rather imposing buildings of the Italian Hospital, 

 which testified not merely to the benevolence of the 

 Italian residents of the city, but to their devotion 

 to the traditions of the land whence they have come. 



