284 



Bogota'. 



The navy consists of nineteen ships of 

 war, namely, six corvettes, seven brigs, and 

 six goletas (schooners) ; these are manned 

 principally by foreigners. Some money out 

 of the funds produced by suppressed con- 

 vents, is destined for naval education. The 

 navy expenditure amounts to one million 

 sterling, — a large sum certainly; but it re- 

 quires much to form a navy which will here- 

 after cost less to support. 



On the evening of the 10th of Decem- 

 ber, I observed workmen making prepara- 

 tions for the enclosing of the Grand Plaza 

 for the bull-fights, &c. of the coming feasts, 

 which are held by an order of the Legis- 

 lature, from the 24th to the 30th of De- 

 cember, to commemorate their victories 

 over the Spaniards, and to rejoice at their 

 liberty and the independence of their coun- 

 try. 



