94 BOGOTA'. 



state of his native land, its resources, and 

 the means by which it may be improved, 

 and rendered prosperous. 



From thence I went to Senor Castillos, 

 the Minister of Finance ; he is an elderly 

 man, and has suffered materially, both in 

 body and property, by the revolution. He 

 has read much, and still dedicates much time 

 to reading, notwithstanding his arduous and 

 engrossing duties. He is possessed of ex- 

 tensive knowledge, and an easy flow of lan- 

 guage. His house, of an evening, is the gene- 

 ral rendezvous of the best informed people, 

 and I have there passed many agreeable 

 evenings, observing the progress of know- 

 ledge in this new state, and picturing in my 

 ''mind's eye" the pitch of greatness to 

 which it may be eventually elevated. 



My next visit was to Seiior Restrepo, Mi- 

 nister of the Home Department, a good_ 



