CIENEGA. 67 



dily set before us ; after which Col. Rieux 

 was visited by all the principal people in 

 the vicinity. Among these, a negro colonel 

 of cavalry attracted my notice as a remark- 

 ably active intelligent man. About eleven 

 o'clock we retired to rest in our hammocks, 

 which were suspended across the room very 

 slackly, as is the custom of the country. The 

 usual way of consigning yourself to repose 

 is to lie in a diagonal position, which is 

 easily shifted, and is found, after a little 

 use, to be the coolest and most agreeable 

 in this sultry, enervating climate. 



At seven in the morning we breakfasted 

 with the family of our host, who, although 

 an old man, has several young children, 

 — a circumstance by no means uncommon 

 an^ongst the clergy of this country, although 

 the candour with which this hospitable 

 priest acknowledges his offspring may per- 

 haps be less general. Our repast consisted 



F 2 



