SOCIETY. 45 



West India market. In fact, a certain quan- 

 tity is now exported ; and a vessel took in a 

 lading of this description, during my stay. 



Having letters to Mr. White, the admi- 

 nistrator of tobacco, I v^aited on him, and 

 was very politely received. On learning 

 my intention to proceed to the capital, he 

 furnished me with letters of introduction 

 to the President, Vice-president, and several 

 of the ministers and principal persons in 

 Bogota. 



In the evening I visited several families 

 successively, according to the custom of the 

 place. At these houses I generally found 

 the company assembled in a room ill-lighted 

 with tallow candles, and unincumbered with 

 furniture, except sofas and mats. The la- 

 dies sit on these in general in the Turkish 

 fashion, in a costume which is more remark- 

 able for ease than for displaying to advan- 



