OF THE PAMPAS. 



5 



been since the first year of its creation. The whole 

 country bears the noble stamp of an Omnipotent 

 Creator, and it is impossible for any one to ride 

 through it, without feelings which it is very pleasing 

 to entertain ; for although in all countries " the 

 heavens declare the glory of God, and the firma- 

 ment sheweth his handy work,"" yet the surface 

 of populous countries affords generally the insipid 

 produce of man's labour ; it is an easy error to con- 

 sider that he who has tilled the ground, and has 

 sown the seed, is the author of his crop, and, 

 therefore, those who are accustomed to see the con- 

 fused produce, which in populous and cultivated 

 countries is the effect of leaving ground to itself, 

 are at first surprised in the Pampas, to observe the 

 regularity and beauty of the vegetable world when 

 left to the wise arrangements of Nature. 



The vast region of grass in the Pampas for four 

 hundred and fifty miles is without a weed, and the 

 region of wood is equally extraordinary. The trees 

 are not crowded, but in their growth such beautiful 

 order is observed, that one may gallop between 

 them in every direction. The young trees are rising 

 up, others are flourishing in full vigour, and it is for 



