MONPOX. 



105 



ants possess all the trade of the river up to 

 Honda. They take in return European com- 

 modities and articles of luxury. I dined 

 several times with Sehor Valilla, a merchant, 

 who showed us much attention, and desired 

 us to consider his house as our own during 

 our stay. The party usually consisted of 

 himself, his wife, and son, Mr. Bray and 

 myself. 



The first course at dinner was vermicelli 

 or bread soup, then followed a large silver 

 dish containing boiled beef, with fowls, sau- 

 sages, a variety of vegetables, cabbages, 

 greens, calivansas (a kind of peas) or any 

 others in season; then hashes, stews, &c. 

 At this time slices of melons, and saucers of 

 olives were placed on the table. Afterwards 

 a kind of beef a-la-mode, and lastly fish. 

 Wine, chiefly a light claret, or inferior Ca- 

 talonian, is taken at pleasure, and some- 

 times old Spanish brandy with water. After 



