MENDOZA. 



71 



more independent than at Mendoza, for he might 

 sleep all day, and eat ices in the evening, until his 

 hour-glass was out. Provisions are cheap, and the 

 people who bring them quiet and civil ; the climate 

 is exhausting, and the whole population indolent- — 

 Mais que Voulez-vous ? " how can the people of 

 Mendoza be otherwise ? Their situation dooms 

 them to inactivity; — they are bounded by the 

 Andes and by the Pampas, and, with such formid- 

 able and relentless barriers around them, what have 

 they to do with the history, or the improvements, 

 or the notions of the rest of the world ? Their 

 wants are few, and nature readily supplies them,— . 

 the day is long, and therefore as soon as they have 

 had their breakfasts, and have made a few arrange- 

 ments for their supper, it is so very hot that they 

 go to sleep, and what else could they do better ? 



