[ee ee 8 
side of the road, which descends through a deep cafionyand halted 
on the peaks of the cliffs. Their motionless forms projected against 
the clear blue sky above,*formed studies for an artist. In the caii- 
on we were joined by the priest, a fat old white man.. We were 
escorted first to the padre’s, of course; for here, as every where, 
these men are the most intelligent, and the best to do in.the world, — 
and when the good people wish to put their best foot foremost, the. 
padre’s winessibeds, and couches have to suffer. The entrance to 
' the portal was lined with -the women of the village, all dressed 
alike, and ranged in treble files; they loeked fat and stupid. 
e were shown into his reverence’s parlor, tapestried with cur- 
tains stamped with ‘the likenesses of all the faeea the 
United States up to this time. The cushions were of spotless 
damask, and the couch covered with a white Navajoe_ blanket 
worked in richly colored flowers. a : 
The air was redolent with the perfume of grapes and melons, and 
every crack of door-and windows glistening with the bright-eyes 
and arms’of the women of the capilla. The old priest was busily 
talking in the corner, and little did he know the game of sighs and 
signs,carried on between the young fellows and the fair inmates of 
is house. 
he wome ésee ed “to me to drop their usual subdued look an 
timid wave of the eye-lash for good hearty twinkles and signs 0 
naffected and cordial welcome—signs supplying the place of con- 
versation, as neither party could speak the language of the other. 
3 This little exchange of the artillery of eyes was amusing enough, 
but I was very glad to see the padre move towards the table, and 
bee the pure white napkins from the grapes, melons, and wine. 
Ve were as thirsty, a heat and dust could make us,and we relished 
the wine highly, whatever its quality. The sponte cake was irre- 
is impos to arrive at the precise population of the town, 
3 dred, and the quantity of 
round under tillage for their support about five hundred acres. 
miles, __ more brought us to the pretty village of 
overhung by wale craggy precipice, upon the summit of which 
are the ruins of a Roman Catholic church, presenting in the land- 
scape sketch the appearance of the pictures we see of the castles 
on the Rhine. _ ‘ ai = ~. ase 
of}. 
We had our gayest array ef ung men out to-day,and © 
t 
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4 
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ow 
