CHAP. IV. ENGLISH AS SHE IS WRITTEN AT AMBATO. 93 



of Dry Sherry. Jean - Antoine's account of the process was a 

 little deficient in lucidity, but as he made it quite clear that 

 Plaster of Paris largely entered into it, and that the juice of 

 the grape did not come in at all, I took good care to avoid the 

 Dry Sherry of Ambato. Paolo Oberti, the ingenious manufac- 

 turer of this beverage, had accompanied Dr. Wagner upon his 

 *^^ ascent^' of Chimborazo, and voluntarily made the declaration 

 which is given below. ^ 



Ambato contains, I imagine, about 5000 inhabitants, yet for 

 six days in the week it wears the lifeless aspect common to all 

 the towns of the interior. On Mondays troops of people pour 

 in from the surrounding villages, for the most part mounted 

 (as no person who has the least respect for himself goes on 

 foot), the cavaliers accompanied by their dames, riding the same 

 beast, astride, — perched in front of their lords, or else behind, 

 holding on to their waists ; while the despised peons trudge 

 barefooted through the dust, driving mules or asses bringing 

 rolls of matting, baskets of cackling fowls, or sacks of maize, 

 potatoes and other farm-produce, for sale at the market in the 

 great Plaza. 



intercession of the Equator with the Meridian, and you may aid to lix it. With 

 this purpose it would be well to profit of the works of Bouguer and Lacondamine, 

 and in order that I may be well understood will put in Spanish language, that 

 you may do a good translation into the english, speaking in Quito with the sage 

 Dr. Menthem (a german) the director of astronomical observatory, besides the 

 inscriptions will put in latin language, because theirs authors themselves have 

 put in that tongue." 



1 [Translation.] "On the occasion that Paul Oberti accompanied Dr. Maurice 

 Wagner to make an ascent of Chimborazo, on the occidental side, about the end 

 of 1858 or the beginning of 1859, the Doctor was attacked with intermittent fever, 

 and he likewise met with insurmountable difficulties which prevented him from 

 reaching the top of Chimborazo. He was only able to reach the line of perpetual 

 snow. 



" It is to be understood that the said ascent was made on the opposite side of 



the Arenal. They slept in the sheep-pen nearest to the mountain of Chimborazo, 



belonging to the farm of Santa Rosa. 



Pablo Oberti. 

 "Ambato, Jan. 21, 1880." 



