SOUTH AMERICA* 



same style, producing a general effect of which I can 

 convey no idea. 



A part of the square is taken up with some tempo- 

 rary works preparatory to the coronation or acclamapao^ 

 which we understood was to take place in a few days; 

 the ceremony it is said, has been thus long delayed 

 principally on account of the expense. Rows of co- 

 lumns formed of boards covered with canvass, paint- 

 ed to resemble marble, an obelisk, triumphal arches 

 of tlie same, and a Grecian temple supported on 

 pillars of the like durable materials, were the most 

 conspicuous among the preparations for the important 

 event. These fine things were already going to de- 

 cay, although it is probably not more than a few 

 weeks since they were set up: I saw a part of a 

 splendid entablature literally in rags. 



Two American gentlemen who had been at this place 

 srome time, in the most friendly manner offered to be- 

 come our guides. They first conducted us to a kind 

 of boarding house, where together with some other 

 foreigners they had procured lodgings; for there is no 

 respectable inn or coffee house in the city. I can 

 scarcely imagine how they contrive to dispense with 

 what in our cities appear so necessary. After repos- 

 ing ourselves here for a short time we proceeded to 

 examine the city. Our walk was extremely unpleas- 

 ant, through narrow and dirty streets without side 

 walks. The houses in general have a mean appear- 

 ance, with projecting galleries on the second story, 

 which approach so near, that two persons might al- 

 most shake hands across the street; probably the an- 

 cient Moorish taste. On account of the great number 

 of old fashioned chaises^ principally drawn by mules^j 

 VOL. I. 16 



