SOUTH AMERICA, 



S7B 



they are greatly deceived who think that free govern- 

 ment is equally simple, that 



"All states can reach it, and all heads conceive;" 



its component parts are, unfortunately, numerous and 

 complicated; it is a science, and of all sciences the 

 most sublime; political rights must be secured by walls 

 of adamant from the daring assaults of the ambitious; 

 they must be protected from the fury of the mob, and the 

 mirror must be held up to the venomous demagogue, 

 ^^that he may see his own image in it, and be turned 

 into stone.'' I speak of a civilized society, with its 

 complicated wants and interests, with all the vices, 

 jealousies, and wayward passions of this iron age. lu 

 such a state of things, simplicity and freedom in the 

 system of government, are almost incompatible; the 

 governments of the despot and of the savage, can 

 alone be simple. 



During the evening I had an opportunity, for the 

 first time, of seeing and tasting the herb of Paraguay, 

 or matte, as prepared by these people. It is called 

 matte, from the name of the vessel; usually a small 

 gourd, by the poorer sort, or silver, and even copper, 

 (nearly of the same shape) round a wooden vessel, 

 for the rich. About a handful of the bruised leaves of 

 the yerba, intermingled with small twigs, for it is not 

 prepared with the cleanliness and care of the East 

 India tea, is used to three half gills of water; the 

 matte, itself, holding about a pint. As it is used, the 

 water is occasionally renewed, and in taking it, they 

 use a tube a few inches in length, with a perforated 

 bulb at the end, as a strainer. Sugar is sometimes 

 added to it. The taste is an agreeable bitter, and 

 bears some resemblance to the Chinese tea. It does 



VOL, I. W 



