4 STATES OF THE RIVER PLATE. 



commodious harbour, capable of containing several hundred 



vessels. 



The population of the city, which, from the water, 

 displays a very imposing and handsome view, is estimated 

 at 60,000 souls, comprising people of almost every 

 nationality in Europe, the United States, and Brazils, the 

 foreign element considerably outnumbering the natives, 

 and among the former, the Italian portion of it pre- 

 dominating. 



The commerce is large and increasing. 



There is a noble hospital, a cathedral and other churches ; 

 also an English Protestant church. Forts command the 

 entrance of the bay from the mainland and an island in 

 the bay ; there are several moles and jetties, a custom- 

 house, lighthouse, and other public buildings. 



The country of the Banda Oriental is undulating, with 

 spurs of hill ranges here and there. It is well wooded in 

 some parts, but the timber is of no great size. It is 

 remarkably well watered : through the heart of the 

 country flows the Rio Negro, into which innumerable 

 tributaries empty themselves, as seen on the map. This 

 river and its affluents stand in relation to the country not 

 unlike the arterial system in the human frame, a main 

 trunk with ramifications extending everywhere, vivifying 

 and fertilising. 



The face of the country, as I have said, is of undulating 

 rocks and boulders, cropping out of the higher parts ; 

 rich soil, luxuriant herbage, with broad sketches of wood- 

 land descending to and in parts following the courses of 

 the rivers and brooks. On the borders of the Eio Negro 

 and its tributaries, great quantities of sarsaparilla grow, 

 and the waters are more or less impregnated with it. 

 Certain points of these rivers are, in consequence, visited 

 by invalids. 



