360 TlMEHKI. 



General Guzman Blanco, the late President of Vene- 

 zuela ; but his enemies, a few days ago, pulled it down, 

 and the spot is being prepared for the figure of the 

 country's future ruler, whoever he may be.* 



To attempt to describe scenery for the intending 

 tourist is, I think, a mistake. It will be sufficient in a 

 few words to say, that one may travel a long way to find 

 the view from Calvario surpassed. One gets lost in 

 contemplation of such a sight, the city being not unlike 

 many in Spain, and with its quaint churches and flat 

 red-roofed dwelling-houses lying in a hollow. The 

 mountain landscape surrounding the city is in itself per- 

 fect; and the scene is one of those the effect of 

 which one feels rather than wishes to describe. 



There is a fine plaza called Bolivar, after the libera- 

 tor and regenerator of the country, SlMON BOLIVAR ; 

 and in the centre of this plaza is a monument, in ever 

 grateful memory of this great hero. On special even- 

 ings, the plaza is crowded with the elite of Caracas 

 society, and a good band plays. The surroundings, 

 faces, language, all are Spanish ; and one quite forgets 

 for the time that he is not in some Spanish city, and 

 that he is but a few miles away from his home in Trini- 

 dad or British Guiana. 



If the question were asked, " For what is Caracas 

 famous?'' I should unhesitatingly say, "For its pure 

 air." The average temperature is 71 , the highest re- 

 corded in midsummer is 82 Q , and it descends in winter 

 to 52 . The best time for making a visit to the coun- 

 try is from December to April. 



The museums of Caracas ought not to be left 



* Senor Raol Paol has been recently elected President. 



