Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-03-18

some nice little cakes, which he placid upon a
small table made of rushes, covered with a
white napkin, and placed it before US; he peel
ed the peaches with knife from his pocket,
and presented them to me with courtly air.
We presented group for painter;-the room
was very high and narrow, lighted from one
small window above in one corner was his
couch made of hides, with very scanty cover
ing; Immediately over it hung picture of the
cruci6xion, and at the foot skull, and all the
paraphernalia belonging to his official charac-
ter; his ordinary wardrobe hung around the
walls, table covered with books, an inch thick
with dust, and horn ink-stand, and stone
Jug with water, and one rush chair, were all it
contained. felt great desire to obtain some
of his valuable and very ancient books, without
directly asking him to give or sell them, but ne
said, ",hey were all his world
There was such an uncommon expression OF
benevolence and grace in all he said and did,
that | was very curious TO know something OF
his early history; but, without asking any ques-
tons, he told me he was native Of Madrid
that he was educated for the ehurch-and after
being instructed in all that could be taught in
their colleges, at the age of thirty he went to
Chile, where he embraced the cause Of liberty,
and lost ali his "wordIy goods" the Spaniards
having plundered the church and convent, and
robbed them Of every thing valuable.
After we had partaken of, and enjoyed his
hospitality, little boy entered and announced
the readiness of the Lady Abbess to receive us.
We followed tie Priest into an adjoining hall,
and the folding doors were thrown open, and
there stood the nuns in full vision before me !!
Twenty five figures, habited in loose white robes,
their faces and persons entirely concealed by
long black wells, stood as motonless as statues,
for their grand mover, the Lady Abbess, had
not vet appeared. In few minutes they re-
treated few steps, and tall majestic woman
entered, and with great animation said, "Where
is the foreign lady who does us SO much honor"
advanced, and she encircled me with her
arms, and babe me welcome with sweet kind
ness and courtesy, and graciously extended her
hand TO the gentlemen who stood outside;-the
nuns then crowded round and asked permission
to embrace me; the Ab5ess set them the exam.
pie, by lifting her veil and throwing it over me,
so that we were both enveloped by it; and l
have seldom seen face of greater beauty or a
more ma estic form than hers, which were uni
ted with uncommon dignity and elegance Of
manner.
Two of the nuns allowed me TO lift their wells,
and they would have been considered pretty in
any country. said to them, how tranquil and
happy you must be!-one of them replied, (and
they all had an expression Of deep sadness) with
melancholy tone of voice; Yes, Sonora, we
are surrounded by beautiful flowers, pointing to
lovely garden near, and we are removed from
the troubles of the world, and Why should we
not be happy" That why appeared to me
TO reveal all that was necessary to know about
their happiness!
The Abbess was very inquisitive about my
country and family, and asked many amusing
questions; she did not show me any of the
apartments, but said was the first stranger
they had ever received within their doors; they
gathered for me the choicest and most fragrant
flowers from garden which is cultivated en-
tirely by the nuns, and which is kept in CONT
nual beauty and freshness by the fountains.
Before we departed, we ascertained from the
Priest, that donation, however small, would
be gratefully received by the Abbess; for the
convent, he said, was very poor; and accord
ingly when we took leave of her, we did not
forget our offering, she embraced me very al
iectionatey, and said should be remembered
Sin their daily prisons. Our visit was soon
noised about the town, and the ignorant and Gre
dulous people said the Convent had been visit.
ed and blessed by the "Holy Lady," or the
"Virgin Mary"
We returned to the Hotel, and were obliged
to 60 through all the forms and ceremonies of
Spanish dinner, by ourselves, for the storm
was so tempestuous we refused the invitation
from the Governor; we retired to our Camara,
and found it contained two beds, a barrel of
Pisco, and several kegs Of brandy, SC. "upon
tap" equipment for several horses, and the
landlords wardrobe hanging in every direc-
ton.
The next morning we went to see some Au-
racanian Indians who had come down from the
mountains upon some mission to the Governor;
they had erected for themselves huts Of cane
and were weaving Ponchos; they took not the
slightest notice Of US, but refused the money
we offered them. One Of the women appeared
delighted with my riding hat and took one Of
the feathers from it, which she placed in her
hair; the rest gathered round her and testified
by their EXPLANATIONS the greatest delight at
her appearance, and learnt afterwards, that
she was very distinguished parsonage.
They ere much more delicately formed than
the North American Indians; indeed never saw
any thing more perfect than the symmetry Of
the woman, and their hair is remarkable for
its length and beauty; they wear but one gar
ment, which is made Of elastic cloth, is high