164 BOGOTA'. 



however, giving precedence to foreigners. 

 The Vice-President accordingly took the 

 head of the table. General Urdineta the foot; 

 the Senor Gual, Minister of Foreign Affairs, 

 the right of the Vice-President, and the 

 elder Arrublas, the left. I found myself next 

 to Doctor Castillo, the Minister of Finance, 

 who is a very agreeable, well-informed man. 

 The custom of placing the chief person at 

 the head of the table is no small tax on 

 him, for he has to help every thing that 

 is placed before him, which a large party 

 renders no sinecure. 



The first course consisted of soups, fish, 

 roast and stewed meats, poultry, &c. ; like- 

 wise numerous made-dishes, interspersed 

 with vegetables, olives, melons, &c., until 

 not an inch remained to put another dish 

 on; the table actually groaning under the 

 weight of eatables. This is the principal 

 course, and takes up a considerable time 



