New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1851-11-11
NICAR AGUA.
NJ BELGIoGIoSo.
4 rsALa IN THE WILDERNESS

PSALM IN THE WILDERNESS.
To the Editor Of The N. y. Tribune:
The Nicaraguans generally have fine
talent for music, which has been developed, to
certain degree, in the service of the church as
well as in social life, and is now exercised IN the
military service also. If their means of execu-
ton are imperfect, at least you will not hear
those low and trivial songs and tunes so COM
mon in some countries much more advanced IN
other departments of civilization. Roman rel-
eion and Spanish social usages, with all their
faults and vices have at least the merit Of taste
and poetry.
shall never forget my frs! morning upon the
San Juan river. Our piragua had anchored for
the night in the center of the stream, at place
characterized by that wild, luxuriant beauty Of
tropical nature. which, when first seen by
northern traveller, canno, fail to make deep I'M
preston upon his mind | had spent part of the
night without sleep, abandoning myself to the
emotions caused by a situation novel
Strange forms OF trees, rising specter-ike from
the banks, as they were indistinctly visible IN
the dark, had seemed to change and move as the
eve had tried IN vain to find out their real size
the water, the screaming OF a night-bird, the
roaring of a msnate, or the believing OF some
unknown wild anlmal-strange sounds to my ear
had broken the silence around me At length
had fallen asleep. IN the morning was reused
by hymn our boatnen were addressing 70 the
Virgin. The notes were expressive OF that deep
religious feeling, that longing PAIN OF an ushap
| ny chill's soul which farms tho rharaetar 81
some OF the mos, simple bu, affecting melodies
OF Catholic music. Naked as they were, the
men sat on lholr benches, the oars In hand, the
patron az the helm, two OF them ready to weigh
| our little anchor and begin the hard WORK 81
days rowing against strong current IN the
heat OF a perpendicular sun. ~ that very mo-
men, he was rising, gliding the dark, glossy
leaves OF the trees and as his first rays e upon
then bronzed bodies, making their sthIotc and
savage forms appear IN striking manner,
while the pioUS strain, IN plaintiNe, supplcaiing
note. flowed rom their lips, they appeared 10
me to be pronouncing, without knowing H. some
enchanting spell, whose power was tanning their
savage nature Al once the song reochoed from
our neiehborhood, and other voices al some dis
lance. united with those of our crew Two
other plraguas, without having been seer. hsd
anchored not tar down behind some masses o.
thick foliage which covered them from our view
Their crews were loinIng ours IN the sacred
song.
At length the notes died away III the wilder
ness around rs. 4 silent prayer--our anchor
was weighed-and twelve oars began their regu-
lar movement The sun ghttered in the water :.
bnght-colored macaws were fymg IN pairs across
the nver' monkeys were climbing in the branch
es the scenery had become an image OF gay
sid eIubersnt natural iie
SONGS OF The PEOPLE
When came into the interior Of the country.
was delighted al hearing the pretty little song.
common among the people Most Of them are
OF melancholy and passionate character. Az
Granada blind sitl with her httle brother came
often t. the hotel where lived. Their songs so
well pleased the numerous CalioEnians and
other foreigners that they would stand for hall
an hour around the singers, paying very literally
Tor the enlOymen, they took IN hearing. The
poetry OF these songs is sometimes beautiful.
No doubl they are all OF European and Spanish
origin, though very likely they have long been
out OF fashion in Spain, and are only preserved
in some corner of the world like this. And even
here they are las; disappearing 10 make room Tor
arietas from Italian operas, Just rs the Spanish
national dances have long ago made room for
German wal,zes, gallopades and fashionable
polkas. This is what We call the progress OF