471 



ing from the Silla, accumulates streams of 

 vapour in the low i*egions. At other times, and 

 this aspect is still more solemn, these luminous 

 bands, enveloped in thick clouds, appear only 

 at intervals, where it is clear ; and as the clouds 

 ascend, their edges reflect a splendid light. 

 These various phenomena, so common under 

 the tropics, become still more interesting from 

 the form of the mountain, the disposition of the 

 slopes, and the height of the savannahs covered 

 with alpine grasses. During the day, the wind 

 of Petare, blowing from the east, drives the 

 smoke toward the town, and diminishes the 

 transparency of the air. 



If we had reason to be satisfied with the situ- 

 ation of our house, we had still greater cause of 

 satisfaction in the reception we met with from 

 all classes of the inhabitants. I feel it a duty 

 to cite the noble hospitality exercised toward us 

 by the chief of the government, Mr. de Guevara- 

 Vasconzelos, then captain-general of the pro- 

 vinces of Venezuela. Although I had the ad- 

 vantage, which few Spaniards have shared with 

 me, of having successively visited Caraccas, the 

 Havannah, Santa Fe de Bogota, Quito, Lima, 

 and Mexico, and of having been connected in 

 these six capitals of Spanish America with men 

 of all ranks, I shall not venture to decide on the 

 various degrees of civilization, which society 

 has attained in the different colonies. It is 



