32 LA GUAYRA. 



from his sentences to the Royal Audiencia 

 of Caraccas. 



The greater part of the merchants of 

 La Guayra are only the agents of those of 

 Caraccas, of which the former is but the 

 wharf ; for scarcely are the goods landed, 

 when they are transported to Caraccas on 

 the backs of mules. The two towns are 

 situated at about five leagues from each 

 other : to go from La Guayra to Caraccas, 

 the mountain of the Venta, above four thou- 

 sand feet above the level of the sea, is 

 ascended on mules ; travellers rest on the 

 plain at its summit, where there is a bad 

 inn, but where it is always cool. I found 

 Fahrenheit's thermometer at T above the 

 freezing point there on the 28th of January. 

 There is a very agreeable sensation expe- 

 rienced on this delightful summit after 

 leaving the burning atmosphere of La 

 Guayra." 



