INDIAN ALCALDES. 
2 S3 
pared witli the excessive heat of the plains of Oumana, we 
might call it tlie temperature of spring. Water exposed 
to currents of air in vessels of porous clay, cools at Caripe, 
during the night, as low as 13°. 
Experience has proved that the temperate climate and 
rarefied air of this spot are singularly favourable to the cul- 
tivation of the coffee-tree, which is well known to flourish 
on heights. The prefect of the capuchins, an active and 
enlightened man, has introduced into the province this new 
branch of agricultural industry. Indigo was formerly planted 
at Caripe, but the small quantity of fecula yielded, by this 
plant, which requires great heat, caused the culture to be 
abandoned. We found in the connco of the community many 
c ulinary plants, maize, sugar cane, and five thousand' coffee"- 
trees, which promised a fine harvest. The friars were in hopes 
of tripling the number in a few years. We cannot help re- 
marking the uniform efforts for the cultivation of the soil 
which arc manifested in the policy of the monastic hierarchy. 
Wherever convents have not yet acquired wealth in the New 
Continent, as formerly in Gaul, in Syria, and in the north of 
Europe, they exercise a happy influence on the clearing of the 
ground and the introduction of exotic vegetation. At Caripe, 
the eonuco of the community presents the appearance of an 
extensive and beautiful garden. The natives are obliged to 
work in it every morning from six to ten, and the alcaldes 
and alguazils of Indian race overlook their labours. These 
men are looked upon as great state functionaries, and they 
alone have the right of carrying a cane. The selection of 
them depends on the superior of the convent. The pedantic 
and silent gravity of the Indian alcaldes, their cold and mys- 
terious air, their love of appearing in form at church and in 
the assemblies of the people, force a smile from Europeans. 
We were not yet accustomed to these shades of the Indian 
character, which we found the same at the Orinoco, in 
Mexico, and in Peru, among people totally different in their 
manners and their language. The alcaldes came daiiy to the 
convent, less to treat with the monks on the affairs of the 
Mission, than under the pretence of inquiring after the 
health of the newly-arrived travellers. As we gave them 
brandy, their visits became more frequent than the monks 
desired. 
