CHAP. IX. A STORY ABOUT A BLACK HAT, 173 



agony. It was his hat, and lie was on the point of exploding 

 with snppressed rage at seeing his Sunday head-gear used as a 

 black-board for ^ that wretched gringo.' He glared and scowled 

 and seemed ready to spring forward and assassinate all three of 

 us. Mr. Hamilton was quite unconscious that he was raising a 

 storm, but the President noticed my glance, and, turning his 

 head, immediately perceived the state of affairs. His smile then 

 caused our Minister to look, and to drop the hat instantly. 

 With grim humour (which I fear made the Colonel go over to 

 the Revolutionary party), the President requested Mr. Hamilton 

 to continue, as he was much interested ; and then by a few 

 light touches, which fortunately went in the direction of the 

 nap, the ascent was completed. 



His Excellency General Ygnacio de Veintemilla came into 

 power by a combination of stratagem and force, and went out 

 fighting. It is difficult to procure information upon the modern 

 liistory of this country ; and, in default of a more authoritative 

 source, I make the following extract from the Catecismo de Geo- 

 grafia de la Repuhlica del Ecuador, by Juan Leon Mera, Quito, 

 1875, pp. 180-184. 



"During the Presidency of Garcia Moreno," he says, "the nation 

 entered upon a new life ; order and economy were introduced into the 

 national finances, part of the floating debt was redeemed ; Brethren of the 

 Christian Schools, Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and Jesuit Fathers were 

 brought in to direct public instruction ; and some important public works 

 were begun, particularly the high road between Quito and Guayaquil. At 

 the end of 1863, in the interior, a Liberal Revolution was suppressed. . . 

 In 1864 another Revolution was discovered, and there were revolutionary 

 movements in Manal)i. . . In 1865 the Revolutionists of Guayaquil seized 

 the steamer Guayas. The President made, personally, the necessary 

 arrangements, and went after the enemy. Those ringleaders who fell into 

 the hands of the conqueror were put to death. . . Peace being re- 

 established, Jeronimo Carrion succeeded Moreno as President " ; he resigned 

 in 1867 and Javier Espinosa was elected, but (in 1868) "the effervescence 

 of parties continued ; people talked openly of a Liberal Revolution, the 

 Conservative party saw their danger and hastened to make one by re- 



