SUNDAY. 99 



the hilarity of the scene, as I met at inter- 

 vals groups of peasants, accompanying with 

 their voices some one who was thrumming 

 on his guitar the notes of a national air, 

 expressive of the delights of the mountain 

 nymph, sweet liberty." These parties, which 

 generally extended directly across the road, 

 had suddenly to make way for the numerous 

 horsemen, coming along at a most furious 

 pacing rate, to excel in which is a great 

 desideratum amongst all classes. A good 

 pacing horse will fetch from three hundred 

 to five hundred dollars, whereas as good an 

 animal, that does not pace, is not sold for 

 more than sixty or a hundred. 



At the end of the Alameda, a crowded 

 cottage attracted my eye ; with some diffi- 

 culty I effected my entrance, and found it 

 was a place for refreshment, and that many 

 of the citizens were there making a substan- 

 tial meal, instead of dining at home, as is 



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