WANDERINGS IN SOUTH AMERICA 97 



colvora, (Spanish, polvora) ; ammunition, bala; 

 a cow, baca ; and a dog, perro. 



This argues strongly against the existence of 

 dogs in Guiana before it was discovered by the 

 Spaniards, and probably may be of use to thee, in 

 thy next canine dispute. 



In a political point of view tliis country pre- 

 sents a large field for speculation. A few years 

 ago there was but little inducement for any Eng- 

 lishman to explore the interior of these rich and 

 fine colonies, as the British Government did not 

 consider them worth holding at the peace of 

 Amiens. Since that period their mother-country 

 has been blotted out from the list of nations, and 

 Ajnerica has unfolded a new sheet of politics. On 

 one side, the crown of Braganza, attacked by an 

 ambitious chieftain, has fled from the palace of 

 its ancestors, and now seems fixed on the banks of 

 the Janeiro. Cayenne has yielded to its arms. 

 La Plata has raised the standard of independence, 

 and thinks itself sufficiently strong to obtain a 

 government of its own. On the other side, the 

 Caraccas are in open revolt, and should Santa Fe 

 join them in good earnest, they may form a pow- 

 erful association. 



Thus, on each side of the ci-devant Dutch Gui- 

 ana, most unexpected and astonishing changes 

 have taken place. Will they raise or lower it in 

 the scale of estimation at the Court of St. James ? 

 Will they be of benefit to these grand and ex- 

 tensive colonies? Colonies enjoying perpetual 

 summer. Colonies of the richest soil. Colonies 

 containing within themselves everything neces- 

 sary for their support. Colonies, in fine, so varied 



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