14 CARACAS. 



we must consider that it has been erected by a people 

 struggling against all the evils which beset this unfortu- 

 nate republic. 



The government-house, which stands on the side of 

 the plaza opposite the cathedral, presents nothing attrac- 

 tive. A Yenczuelian flag floating from a short staff", and 

 a few soldiers guarding the front and entrance, alone indi- 

 cate that it is the cai)itol of the republic. On the south 

 of the plaza is a university, founded in 1'721, which ranks 

 as the finest institution of learning in the country. The 

 north side of the square is lined with dwellings and pul- 

 perias^ or shops. A Venezuelian store is one of the curi- 

 osities of the country. The low, narrow room has two 

 doors, for the admission of persons and light. The stock 

 of the pxdpero embraces, in kind, if not in quantity, sufli- 

 cient to establish a country fair. A few pieces of calico 

 and cotton cloth must occupy a prominent position upon 

 his shelves. He must have groceries of CA^ery description, 

 including haras, sardines, sausages, a few rounds of cas- 

 sava^ the bread of the country we have yet to describe, 

 butter brought from Europe, some strips of dried beef, a 

 coil of native tobacco resembling tarred rope, some bot- 

 tles of Madeira and German wines, and also aguardiente^ 

 an intoxicating drink made from the fermented juice of 

 the sugar-cane. Then there are articles of hardware, 

 such as nails, knives, and machetes, a huge knife with a 

 blade nearly two feet in length, the indispensable imple- 

 ment of the Spaniard. A dozen stalks of sugar-canes, a 

 few bundles of finely-split wood for fuel, and an armful of 

 green corn, occupy the corners. These, with a thousand 

 other articles, render the collection as unique as a college 

 museum. 



There are scenes of a different nature that will interest 

 the traveller as he wanders through the city. On every 

 side will be seen traces of that tei-rible earthquake which 



