108 Travels and Adventures 



percha, sacks of coffee, and rolls of tobacco are heaped 

 up in the midst of stores of merchandise from Europe, 

 potatoes and Indian corn, raw sugar and bananas, 

 oranges, peaches, and figs, all jumbled together topsy- 

 turvy. The people are no less remarkable for their 

 diversity of colour, character, and nationality. Here a 

 sharp German trader may be seen bartering with a 

 Red Indian over a cent in the price of a pound of 

 coffee, or some elegant Colombian lady jostles with 

 the rough Indians of the hills in the excitement to 

 secure some delicious fruit or extra fine capon. 

 Sisters of Mercy, Roman Catholic priests, a large 

 percentage of Germans, a few Frenchmen and Italians, 

 together with the educated Colombians, negroes, and 

 half-breeds, are all intent upon making the best 

 bargain. The principal trade of the town in the 

 importation of manufactured goods is in the hands 

 of German traders, of which there are many important 

 houses, as well as a few rich Colombians. The 

 educated society of Colombia has always been noted 

 for its capacity and intelligence, and Bucaramanga, 

 besides possessing several good schools and a college, 

 has given to the country from time to time many 

 celebrated men, both in literary, political, and scientific 

 pursuits, while the State of Santander undoubtedly has 

 a population of the most industrious class of people to 

 be found in Colombia. 



