Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-05-05

formerly beautiful little city, but it is now IN
ruins. for Canterac pitched his tents there, and
in the retreat of the Spaniards twas almost en-.
entirely DESTROYED, though some few houses and
gardens remain: visited one Of the gardens, in
which found great variety OF pretty flowers.
The heliotrope grows In large bushes, and the
blossom is larger and darker and sweeter than
ours. The jesamine covers the high walls which
surround il; the orange trees were magnificent
-as large as our apple or pear trees, ana CO.
yered with fruit and blossoms, which perfume
the whole atmosphere. Flowers and fruit grow
luxurianty without the least care or cultivation,
and the soil requires no attention; and, perhaps
there is not country in the world for which ma
ture has done so much as for this, and yet IT is
devastated by war, and much that was lovely
and besutiful now lies in ruins; but when liber-
~ waves her sceptre triumphant over these Ter
tile yallies and plains, and a wise and regular
government is established, then 1t may, mecca
it NAV b" called paradise.
From iruXillo we went TO Cessna, which is
two DAYS sail; the Bay of Cessna is very pretty,
Sheltered from the winds by high mountalns;its
waters are smooth, clear, and blue, and it looks
like tranquil ake;-as rhe ship moved slowly
round point of rocks, the long white beach
looked, as the sun was reflected upon 1t, like
sheet Of silver, and the verdant shrubs and
trees when contrasted with it, made the view
truly beautiful The village is tw o miles from
the l;ntng, situated in a'litle valley, and as no
one Ives nearer than that, we were obliged TO
fire gun TO bring The people do,cn; and our TWEEN
ty-nile FOUNDER must have alarmed the simple
NATIVES, as imagine such sound is somewhat
novel to them; and mountains'and wales echoed
the sound, and the caverns on The rocky shore
on one side Of the Bay, received and re-echoed
it with redoubled grandeur,-the birds were
disturbed in their resting places, and came
rushing forth in armies, uttering the most pier
chg and dismal cries. In a few hours we had
the satisfaction to see many persons arrive, and
the Gobernador came to pay his respects to US;
they call him white, but i'll America he would
pass for an Indian, both from his color and
dress
The next morning we went on shore, horses
having been equipped for us TO go to town, and
on the beach we found the GobernaGor anc his
lady. the Gubcrnadore. as she is called, waiting
TO receive US; they gave US a very cordial re-
ception. and appeared delighted to see U.S.
she is pretty little creature, has bright black
eyes, ana leT lOuS raven ioSno WV "'~>''
ed and hung down over her shoulders; she IS
a little fairer than her husband, but not much;
and think Inever saw more laughable figure
than she presented a cabalto; she rode astrlde,
had on a mans hat Of immense size, trousers.
and blue frock very full, which she gathered
up around her cery gracefully on her saddle,
leaving her feet and ANGLES quite exposed! Our
cavalcade was pretty large, and we set of in
delightful spirits; part Of the way was beautl-
full; we guided our horses along the side OF
little stream, on the banks of which, as well as
on the trees overbanging it, we saw great num-
bers of Flaminges, whose plumage is splendid.
The valley is surrounded on all sides by high
mountains. and heinr wn'e'sd ~ the Rio de-
Uo Snri,a Shallow stream which winds through
every part it, it is very fertile. Descending
the side Of the mountain, one might almost
have imagined it "the happy valley" they were
approaching, all nature was so calm and so
beautiful; we heard no sound but that OF the
limpid waters, and occasionally, the voice OF
the lady calling out to lis "to take care" for,
having never seen any one ride sour fashion
before, she was terribly alarmed for US.
After arriving safely 10 the foot of the noun
tain, we rode for some distance under the shade
of the Ugarrobo, tree which bears small yell
low flower Of most delicious fragrance"