CUSTOMS OF THE NATIVES. Ill 



the plain of Bogotd. General Urdineta was 

 amongst the first to set the example. Be- 

 sides this ride, there are several others, but 

 all embracing the same view. The scene is 

 rather monotonous, as there are no trees or 

 foliage in the plain to relieve the eye, which 

 wanders over a large extent, and is only 

 bounded in its gaze by the bordering moun- 

 tains. The most pleasing view is on turning 

 homewards, when the city of Bogotd is seen, 

 and appears singular from its peculiar site 

 and mode of building. In these rides but few 

 natives are met, as they are generally too 

 poor to keep horses ; and seldom, except on 

 feast days, or Sundays, do you meet pedes- 

 trians, as neither Colombian men nor women 

 are fond of taking much exercise. We ge- 

 nerally returned from our equestrian excur- 

 sion by half-past six, and then choosing a 

 companion, set off to visit some native fami- 

 ly, when the scene was nearly as described 

 in Caraccas,— room badly lighted, and the 



