300 



A VOYAGE TO 



stop at a spacious mansion^ where there resided a gen- 

 tleman whom he knew^ named La Rocca. This gen- 

 tleman's establishment forms a prominent exception 

 to what I have just been describing; his grounds are 

 surrounded by a brick wall; his buildings^ gardens, 

 &c. all upon a more extensive scale. We entered 

 through a lofty gate- way, into a spacious court. The 

 servant informed us, that his master with several other 

 gentlemen, w^as on the terrace, at the top of the house, 

 and at our request conducted us up. I was glad of 

 the occasion, as I was told that there was a. very fine 

 view from this place. We were treated by La Rocca, 

 with great attention, and we found him a man of libe- 

 ral and enlightened mind. He is a native of old Spain, 

 but has been naturalized, and has taken an active part 

 in the revolution. He pointed out to us a beautiful 

 grove of olives, which he had planted after the Spa- 

 nish system, which forbade the cultivation of this in- 

 valuable plant, had been abolished. The other gen- 

 tlemen who w ere with him, were his neighbors, na- 

 tives of the country, and were sensible and well in- 

 formed. I learned from them, that our arrival had ex- 

 cited great interest throughout the city, and that many 

 conjectures as to our object were afloat. They seem- 

 ed all to agree, that nothing of an unfriendly nature 

 could be expected from our government, and seemed 

 to be very much hurt at the unfavorable impressions 

 which had been made in the United States, as to the 

 state of things in this country, by publications in the 

 newspapers. They said, that they had no right to 

 expect any friendship, or sympathy from us, if their 

 institutions were really so vile as had been represent- 

 ed. They said, it was natural to expect^ that as their 



