Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1819-07-16

the following letter, written by Mr.. Gil
bert f. Rogers, son of Dr. David Rogers.
Jr. of this city, which we are persuaded
will be interesting 10 most OF our readers.
~ Y. Conn. Adu.
B"cnoS hyres, April 20k, 1919.
The Town of Buenos Avres, as YOU read
IN history, was settled about 200 wears
ago, and has 100, 900 inhabitants. II is
situated on The banks of The river La PIs
Ia, 40 miles from the sea shore, on "A spot
considerably elevated above The adjacent
country, by which il possesses yerv
commanding prospect. On the opposite
side OF The river, which is here 80 miles
broad, stands Monte Video belonging TO
the Portuguese. Buenos Ayres is baud
somely laid out in squares, the streets
crossing at right angles; bnt they are
generally narrow and filthy. The houses.
which are bnilt of brick, and aftrru ards
whitewashed, are only one story high,
with HAT roofs; the greater part of them
are large and convenient, and some of
them have magnificent appearances
This town might well be STYLED town of
Forts, as every house can mount a cam
non on lis top, and in every other respect
they are calculated 10 repel the attacks of
all enemy.
The houses have only one doorin front.
which opns into large square court
yard, out OF which you euter The differ.
eni apartments, the floors of which are
paved with brick, and are often elegantly
furnished. On each side of The door there
is grated window, similar 10 orr .iaiI
windows. being tie only aperture for aa
hitting light and air in the front. You
will be surprised, when inform you. that
there is bnt one chimney in The whole
tOwn. The fact is, the inlIabitants have
very little use for fire except in cooking,
winch IS done IN corner Of the court
yard by means of small oven. The
climate is remarkably fine, with pure
air, which renders the situation very heal
thy. Sickness indeed is rare here, and all
classes are strangers to those distressing
ant fatal complaints, consumpiioDs, drop.
sizes, &c. &c. 10 which the rest of the
world are subject. They uniformly live
10 great age. The Sailors affirm that
tie old women never die, but are finally
blown off by the POmpar0s, a terrible
wind which prevails here at certain sea.
sons, aud frequently does, great damage
TO the shipping.
II being the latter part Of their summer
when arrived here, had the pleasure Of
witnessing their rich harvest Of Iuxuries
so natural TO this country, The soil Of
which is so fertile that il produces in
great abundance with little or no Iabour.
Peaches grow wild in large groves, and
are The finest | ever beheld they excel
mol ouly in beauty but in taste and flavor.
Tier Strawberries also are the largest
ever saw. Oranges, lemons, figs, mel.
ons, mango, aud a variety Of other exqui-
siIe fruits grow here in great perfection.
These with abundance OF vegetables are
exposed by cart loads in the market place,
which is one of the most interesting oh
lecis III Buenos Ayrcs. II forms an OBJ
long square occupy ing about two acres
with row of handsome buildings, ex-
tending through The centre, in tie middle
Of which, there is an arcbvav 10 facilitate
the communication with all parts Of the
town. The lower part consists OF dry
goods stores, aud the top, which is entirely
iiai, is snrroupded Ivy railing With can
non mounted on IT.
There are great many churches in
Suenos Ayres, some of whIchare very old,
aud ~ deCaycd state, resembling hug
piles "t bricks with ten or twelve bells