14 



NARRATIVE OF A 



by a row of trees on each side, and provided with stone 

 benches. In the afternoon of a holyday this walk presents 

 a picturesque and interesting scene, being crowded by peo- 

 ple of all classes, some in volantas, others on foot, and al- 

 most all neatly, if not elegantly, dressed. A still more 

 agreeable promenade may be found in the Botanic Gar- 

 den. It is open to the public at all hours, and, from the 

 variety of trees and plants from all countries which it con- 

 tains, is well worth the attention of a botanist. There are 

 rows of the Palma Real there, of singular beauty. The 

 trunks are without branches, and perfectly smooth and 

 straight, so that the trees have the appearance of so many 

 stately columns.* The garden is kept in excellent order, 

 by Mr. Auber, the Director, who is exceedingly polite to 

 visitors, especially to strangers. 



In the course of my perambulations I wandered one day 

 to the market-place, which is a square, surrounded by por- 

 ticos. In the centre are the country people, with temporary 

 sheds of canvass, to screen them from the sun, while before 

 them, on mats spread upon the ground, are heaps of plan- 

 tains, bananas, pine-apples, and nearly all the tropical 

 fruits, as well as many of the productions of more tempe- 

 rate climates. There also are venders of fowls, parrots, 

 and guinea-hens. While contemplating this scene, my at- 

 tention was attracted by a long-bearded friar of one of the 

 mendicant orders, equipped with sandals and a knotted 

 girdle, and carrying a wallet thrown over his shoulder. 

 He went from shed to shed, receiving from the pious chari- 

 ty of the country-people some little gift — here a plantain, 

 there an ear of corn — until he filled both ends of his wal- 



* This is one of the many varieties of the Palm tree found in tropical 

 climates. It grows to a great height, and besides being remarkable for 

 its beauty, is extremely useful in the construction of the rude dwellings 

 of the Indians in America. It is called in English the Cabbage tree, 

 from a substance it produces very similar to that vegetable, and both 

 wholesome and agreeable to the taste. This substance, or fruit, may be 

 eat raw or dressed ; but the removal of it destroys the tiee. 



