338 



ftay in the colony, but I have to lament that 

 my duties at the hofpital will not allow me to 

 avail myfelf of fo flattering and agreeable an 

 accommodation. 



The government-houfe is, beyond all 

 eomparifon, the handfomeft and moft fpacious 

 edifice I have yet feen in South America. It 

 is built near to the river, with one front com- 

 manding the water — the other the town. At 

 the entrance is a handfome flight of fteps, 

 leading to a fpacious hall, which extends 

 acrofs the building, throughout its whole depth. 

 At the upper end of the hall an open double 

 ftair-cafe leads up to another large room, which 

 alfo runs acrofs the centre of the building, 

 having the windows of one end looking to the 

 town, and thofe of the other to the river. At 

 the fides of this room, and opening into it, 

 are the different apartments occupying the 

 four angles of the building. 



From this conftru&ion a free current of 

 air is preferved in the great central room, and 

 all the other apartments, by communicating 

 with it* are kept pleafantly cool. 



