288 To the River Plate and Back 



basket, while the hollow carapace serves as a receptacle. 

 The carapace is lined with silk. I bought several 

 as souvenirs. In a shop on the Avenida de Mayo I 

 found a few spec'mens of Paraguayan lace, which are 

 rather pretty. The lace is made by the Indians. While 

 the designs are artistic, the fabric does not appear to 

 be very durable. The lace is made of thread spun in 

 Europe. 



On the evening of October 24th I repaired according 

 to invitation to the Jockey Club , where I had the honor 

 of being the guest at a banquet given by the University 

 of La Plata, at which the Rector of the University of 

 Buenos Aires, the Deans of the Faculties, and the 

 leading professors of both institutions were present, as 

 well as the Ministry of the Province of Buenos Aires. 

 The banquet was given in the Empire-Room of the Club, 

 said to be the most beautiful room of its kind in the 

 city, and I very much doubt whether in any club in any 

 part of the world there is a more beautiful banqueting 

 chamber than this. It is circular in form, of large 

 dimensions. The dome surmounting it is supported on 

 tall pilasters, and is decorated with beautiful allegorical 

 designs executed by French artists. The banquet- 

 table extends around the entire room in the form of a 

 hollow circle, the central space being reserved for 

 floral displays. Dr. Joaquin V. Gonzales, the Rector 

 of the University of La Plata, presided. Being seated 

 at his right hand, I found at my right hand Dr. Euf emio 

 Uballes, the Rector of the University of Buenos Aires. 

 Sixty gentlemen were present. It certainly was a very 

 distinguished honor which in the kindness of their 

 hearts these learned and eminent men accorded to me, 

 and I accepted it as a tribute of good-will to the 

 Founder of the Institute, whom I had the honor of 



