116 



BOGOTA'. 



possessor had the means, he generally plead- 

 ed poverty, and made his house appear 

 worse than his neighbour's, in order to avoid 

 being obliged to lend money to government 

 for the exigences of the state : certainly not 

 very patriotic, but not to be wondered at, 

 when we consider that should any change 

 happen in the government, he would lose his 

 all, and his family would be left to starve, 

 as has happened to many a public-spirited 

 individual. The houses of General Urdineta, 

 Senor Restrepo, Minister of the Interior, 

 and Los Senores Arrublas, are fitted up in 

 a handsome, though not entirely European 

 style, and are always well lighted by globe 

 lamps and candelabras, obtained from Eng- 

 land. Here, too, you are sure to meet the 

 best society, and general and agreeable con- 

 versation. 



General Urdineta and his lady are en- 

 titled to the appellation of fashionables ; 



