JOURNEY TO GUATEMALA. 



109 



a hill of no great elevation ; but the quantity of stones and 

 lava emitted by it since its first eruption, have already 

 formed a respectable mountain. The peculiarity of this 

 volcano is, that the eruptions are almost continual ; so that 

 if not exhausted by constant performance, it will become 

 in time one of the most remarkable in the country. During 

 one of its fiercest eruptions, a stream of lava so copious 

 was emitted, that it reached within a hundred yards of 

 the village of Isalco, situated about three miles from the 

 base of the volcano, laying waste a large tract of cultivated 

 land, and dooming a fertile soil to perpetual sterility. 



Passing through the village of Isalco just mentioned, 

 which has a thriving appearance, and can boast of a 

 church and some good houses, we came, after a short ride, 

 to a very pretty Indian village, situated in the midst of a 

 grove of cocoa-nut trees. The huts, which were built of 

 cane and palm leaves, were scattered round without any 

 order, and the inhabitants, from their dress, language, and 

 habits, seemed to exist in the same primitive state as when 

 the country was discovered. 



As we approached the town of Sonsonate, a view of the 

 Pacific Ocean, which I beheld for the first time, awakened 

 within me emotions of surprise and pleasure that I will 

 not pretend to describe. It was distinctly visible towards 

 the south-west, and distant about fifteen miles. I had 

 now fairly traversed this part of the continent from sea to 

 sea, and I gazed upon the blue expanse of the Pacific as if 

 its waters exhibited something different from those of other 

 seas. How little did I think, two months before, that I 

 should so soon, or ever, have beheld this queen of oceans ! 



It was early in the day when we arrived at Sonsonate, 

 where, in virtue of an introduction from an English gen- 

 tleman with whom I had become acquainted at St. Salva- 

 dor, I was kindly received by one of the most respectable 

 merchants of the place. 



This is the largest town in the State of St. Salvador, 

 next to the capital of said State. It is situated about eight 



