SOUTH AMERICA. 



the opinion of the whole community is entitled to con- 

 siderable respect. 



There were several passengers on board, besides 

 ourselves, inhabitants of Buenos Ayres. As we ex- 

 pected not to remain out more than one night, we made 

 up our minds to be reconciled to our miserable accom- 

 modations. We wrapped ourselves in our great 

 coats, for the evening was extremely cool, and slept 

 as well as we could. Next morning we came in sight 

 of the southern shore, at the distance of some miles; 

 it appeared to be a mere line along the surface of the 

 water, and some solitary trees at a distance, looked 

 as if they grew in this element. Towards the middle 

 of the day, we suffered considerably from the heat, 

 being without any shelter. In the mean while, in 

 order to make the best of my situation, I resolved to 

 strike up an acquaintance with mes compagnons de 

 voyage^ which was not difficult to be done. Finding 

 that I spoke their language, they soon became commu- 

 nicative, but, with the exception of one amongst them, 

 who appeared to be a merchant's clerk, returning 

 from Monte Video, where he had been on some bu- 

 siness, their information was limited; they seemed to 

 listen to the clerk, a sprightly fellow, with some at- 

 tention, and when appealed to now and then, they 

 confirmed what he said. It was important to know 

 the sentiments of these people, as the presumption is, 

 that these were not so much individual and peculiar, 

 as common to the class, or portion of society to which 

 they belonged. Politics, and national events, appear- 

 ed to be the favorite topics; they were highly elated 

 with the mission from the United States, from which, 

 they presaged some great good to their country. They 



