The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1847-04-09
From the ST. Louis Republican, 22j inst.
SOUTH AMERICA.

From the ST. Louis Republican, 22j inst.
SOUTH AMERICA.
Traits qfMe NatireS-Th Rgri-
cultural Producti0nS--Descrip-
hon IF BOgota-Cen. Paez-Law
and Lawyers, &c.
The New York Tribune gives the
following interesting items from a
Lecture recently delivered in New
York city, on South American Gus
tome, &c.:-
The natives have a great idea of
the ingenuity Of Americans. When
ever any article went out of repair
during Mr.. WIS sojourn, it was al
ways taken TO him, thinking he
could do everything required. Of
the Americans money making and
money loving traits, they have a
similar notion. This was Illustrated
amusingly on Sunday, when Mr..
w. was passing from church. A
hoary-headed priest, tapping him on
the shoulder, said in winning voice,
My son, | want you to confess your
sinsn to which the other replied, -
'Oh, | guess not; it will cost too
much = THAT'S it exactly ex-
claimed the priest, . have just made
a bet of dozen champagne, that
that would be your answer! Come,
let's walk into the Church and drink
itn SO in they went, says Mr.. Will
hanson, to the back lecture room,
and had the champagne with a hear
ty laugh. Now, the joke was very
good, but the propriety of the stake
may be doubted, especially at the
hands of a reverend teacher.
In Antioquia, the gold mines are
rich, but poorly worked, although
they are in the hands of English
companies. Not half the gold is ex-
tractcd, for the reason that what is
obtained pays such an immense per
centage that the companies do not
consider it worth while to dig deep
er or more carefully.
Antioquia is also celebrated for
the Government Fairs, and for being
thus rade one of the places where
the government gathers its tenth OF
every thing for it is an established
law that it shall receive { or if not
receive, procure) tenth part OF
every thing in the country-all ami
mails, birds, fish, &c.
The nuns and priests Of the coun-
try are supported by contributions
from the people. At stated inter-
walls the priests 60 from house to
house daily, with each day a differ
ent ornament of the Church in their
hands, and the people { Foreigners
also) are obliged to give something,
even though it be no more than an
egg or an apple.
Nowing is common practice
When native is afflicted, for in
stance, by swelling on the finger
which causes him trouble and pain
he vows that on recovery he will
render into the Church finger oil
gold-and this he is very careful to
do. Frequently, Mr.. w. said, he
had seen piled up in the market
place five or six bushels arms, fin
gers, &c. made of gold, as the offer
ings of the people. A tenth of all
this goes to the Government, and the
remainder goes to tue priests.
The sunerals arc conducted in O
very characteristic manner. The
corpse is carried through the streets
at stated times, for several days, to
the music of fife and drum for the
space of half a mile, and is then re-
turned to the house whence he start
ed, allowed to remain until the next
day, and then the same operation is
again performed. A rich man-we
believe foreigner-died there no
long since, and his funeral occupied
eight days-the expenses amounting
to about six thousand dollars, so cx,
orbitant is the charge.
The banana grows to the very
largest size in that region, and i,
used in almost every manner. II
the U. States only two varieties o
the fruit are known--the L0ng anc
Sugar: The latter is poor dcscrip-
ton, coming principally from the w
Indies, where the best will not grow
on account of the prevailing wind.
and sea breezes. In South America
bananas are usually planted after
man has married, and Is so flourish
ing in that climate that grove ma,
be formed in few years.
The plantain is different de
scription Of the banana-and 70
boiling, like our potatoes, and in thi
way is very delicious food. Whel
very ripe, it is fried. The leaves o