THE REPUBLIC OF SAX DOMINGO 261 



descriptions of its splendor in ancient days. In its vaults 

 are buried many of the notable characters of early Ameri- 

 can history, including the family of Columbus, and, if the 

 natives are to be believed, the remains of the immortal ex- 

 plorer himself, which, according to them, were not taken 

 to Havana. Another old landmark of the city is the castle 

 of Columbus, situated upon the easl bank of the Ozama 

 River, and built by Diego Columbus, the admiral's son. It 

 is a s<lid Btone structure surrounded by a wall originally 

 intended to protect it from the attacks of the aborigines. 

 It is now in ruin and decay. 



Long years of adversity and revolution have impover- 

 ished the city. No improvements take place, and communi- 

 cation with the other towns of the island is difficult. Be- 

 sides being the seat of government, it is also the seat of the 

 Konian Catholic archbishopric. 



The place has a good reputation for healthfulness, not- 

 withstanding its filth. The temperature shows a daily 

 variation from (54 in the morning to 85 at midday. 



Santiago de los Caballeros, situated on the Yaqui River, 

 in the northern plain, surrounded by lulls and mountains, 

 is probably the most important city of the republic. This 

 also is one of the most ancient places in the N-w World. 

 It was subjected to attacks from the early French buca- 

 neers, burned by fires, shaken by earthquakes, and almost 

 destroyed by the later revolutions. The city is built around 

 a large plaza, or square, in which the market is held; the 

 streets are straight and rectangular, and the houses in the 

 main part of the town are constructed of stone. It is about 

 one hundred and sixty miles northwest of the capital, with 

 which it has no commercial intercourse, its Beaporl being 

 the town of Puerta Plata, on the north coast. It Lies in the 

 heart of the finest agricultural region of the island. Its 

 climate is salubrious. The population of eighl thousand 

 is largely composed of whites, many of whom are intelli- 

 gent and well educated. The place controls the tobacco- 

 trade^ which is largely in the hands of the Germans. 



