445 



without the aid of physicians. In the province 

 of Cumana, where the communications with 

 Europe are less frequent, there had not been, 

 in my time, one instance of the small-pox dur- 

 ing fifteen years ; while at Caraccas that cruel 

 malady was constantly dreaded, because it 

 always showed itself sporadically on several 

 points at a time. I say sporadically, for in 

 Equinoctial America, where the changes of the 

 atmosphere, and the phenomena of organic life, 

 seem subject to a remarkable periodicalness, 

 the small-pox, before the benevolent introduc- 

 tion of the vaccine disease, exerted it's ravages 

 only, if we may place confidence in general 

 belief, every fifteen or twenty years. Since my 

 return to Europe, the population of Caraccas 

 has continued to augment. It amounted to 

 50,000 souls ; when, at the great earthquake of 

 the 26th of March, 1812, twelve thousand in- 

 habitants perished beneath the ruins of their 

 houses. The political events, which have suc- 

 ceeded this catastrophe, have reduced the num- 

 ber of inhabitants to less than 20,000 ; but 

 these losses will soon be repaired, if the fertile 

 and commercial country, of which Caraccas is 

 the centre, should have the happiness of enjoy- 

 ing repose, and a wise administration, for a 

 few years. 



The town is seated at the entrance of the 

 plain of Chacao, which extends three leagues 



