184 



BANDA ORIENTAL. 



Nov. 1833. 



taste displayed by the women in their dresses ; and the equa- 

 lity amongst all ranks. At the Rio Colorado some men who 

 kept the humblest shops, used to dine with General Rosas. 

 A son of a major at Bahia Blanca gained his livelihood by 

 making paper cigars, and he wished to accompany me, as 

 guide or servant, to Buenos Ayres, but his father objected 

 on the score of the danger alone. Many officers in the army 

 can neither read nor write, yet all meet in society as equals. 

 In Entre Rids, the Sala consisted of only six representatives. 

 One of them kept a common shop, and evidently was not 

 degraded by the office. All this is what would be expected 

 in a new country ; nevertheless, the absence of gentlemen 

 by profession appears to an Englishman something strange. 



When speaking of these countries, the manner in which 

 they have been brought up by their unnatural parent^ Spain, 

 should always be borne in mind. On the whole, perhaps, 

 more credit is due for what has been done, than blame for 

 that which may be deficient. It is impossible to doubt but 

 that the extreme liberalism of these countries, must ulti- 

 mately lead to good results. The very general toleration of 

 foreign religions, the regard paid to the means of education, 

 the freedom of the press, the facilities offered to aU foreigners, 

 and especially, as I am bound to add, to every one professing 

 tlie humblest pretensions to science, should be recollected 

 with gratitude, by those who have visited Spanish South 

 America.* 



* I cannot conclude without adding my testimony to the spirit and ac- 

 curacy of " Head's Rough Notes." I do not think the picture is at all more 

 exaggerated than every good one must be — that is, by taking the strong 

 examples, and neglecting those of lesser interest. 



