The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-05-27


followed.
After about two hours perseverance, twisting,
turning, bowling, and lodging among branches, to
save our eyes and brains from being knocked out,
at last we came to an opening without bush,
where cattle were feeding, and at our left, in full
view, stood the dark, barren and desolato looking
volcano Of laalco. Looking back, an immense
wooded plain extended to the sea shore and beyond
were the waters Of the boundess Pacific Not being
satisfied in viewing the volcano from that place,
at once determined to approach, and if possible to
ascend it. Accordingly we entered piece of wood
land, about milo in width-an almost imponetrable
thicket, without path We were obliged to dis
mount, cut away the vines hanging around like
ropes, and after an hours seige suddenly to
barrier Of fallen trees against which rose wall Of
lava five feet in height, which in rolling down had
found it's way thus far into the woods carry
ing with irresistible force all before it. We
tied our horses, and assembled tho barrier Of lava,
when scene of magnifcence, grandeur, and
desolation presented itself to view. The
volcano was now in full view, belching forth at
intervals of about FIVE minutes, with roar Of thun-
der, huge column of black smoke and q mass of
stones and ashes which fell upon its sides, and came
rolling down the mountain. An immense bed of
lava lay in irregular rolls like of the sea, with
| deep chasms yawning between, and extending its
desolation far into the valley; and for miles in ex-
tent, tremendous mass of burnt stone was hanging
upon the side OF the mountain, that seemed to be
detached and with threatening aspect; and upon all
sides the entire mass of lava seemed about to roll
down. it shook and tumbled at each eruption. The
u
height of over 5000 feet. 1t is said to have COM
menced forming and continued in action for
upwards of sixty years. 1t being the first active volca
ne had visited, and as was now standing on tho
lava upon its side, although in state of eruption, and
dangerous, could not resist the inclination Of at
tempting its ascent and, accordingly, with Mrs. A,
commenced the undertaking. The lava was sharp
and rough; much of it small, loose and porous like
SPONGE with succession of ridges and deep chasms.
| II cut the shoes of Mrs. A. so much and being
tatgued, she was obliged to stop in the shade of
mass of lava, but had succeeded in ascending half
| way. | continued the ascent, and arrived at the
1 summit. The lava was an immense mass forming
| cragged wall aroundthe mountain. Above this,
it was composed of loose ashes and sand and the
remaining distance to the top could not have ex-
cecded 100 feet. Seating myself to view the scene
| of desoation, l was obliged to keep an eye upon
each eruption. The heat was oppressive; ] sought
refuge. beheath the shade, in a chasm, but upon
through tho soles of my boots. Placing my hand in
crevice upon piece Of lava, it burnt my fingers;
quickly withdrew my hand, and considering that
place to warm for me, re,reated At each eruption
heats the force was great, with the violent tremb
| ling of the mountain, that was fearful the whole
mass might be precipitated upon me-
While resting preparatory to my descent, and
musing upon the scene of beauty stretched out in
the green plain, with its towns nerspersed, and the
ocean beyond--or upon the awfully grand and wide
| spread scene Of desolation before and around mo
| there seemed to be an unusual rumbling and shak-
| ing of the mountain Immediately a sheet Of
| flames, lighting up column of dense black smoke,
spouted forth from the centre, accompanied with
fearful kissing. and an explosion like the heaviest
thunder; huge mass of stones were hurled in the
| air, with violent shaking of the mountain my
feet were thrown from under me, and was precipi-
| tated over the dragged mass into chasm, with
hot stones thrown out by the eruption falling around
! fnncied that the whole top Of the mountain was
tnmbling upon me, and that | was about to be
ushered into the presence Of Pluto forging the thun-
rhn1fa of I 11icfin IN, hon Tho
| three headed monster, Cerberus, (guarding tho
entrance thcreunto), growing tearfully at my ap-
proaeh. ! soon arrived at stopping, place, reco-
| yered my footing and my hat which had gone on
and bruised by the fall, the way descended would
have been caution to pedestrians on burning noun
tains.
| arrived safely at the place where Mrs. A. and
Fhill were waiting anxiously for me, with whole
| head, but not so OF my boots. You cannot get a
native to ascend; they very superstitious aboat
it. considering it the abode and assembling place Of
evil sprits but should call it the head quarters of
the liking of evil spirits 1t is impossible to ascend
higher than I did, and was informed it had never
boon done (sayc once by Engishman) to the height
| lava at my feet. / think Mrs A. is the first lady
who has made the attempt to ascend it Visitors
generally ascend the mountain behind tho volcano,
| which, being higher affords view Of the interior
Of the crater. became perfectly satisfied in ascend
ing the mountain itself Although the ascent af
iords scene Of magnicence, grandeur, and desola-
ton beyond description, would not advice m at
tempt. ~ il is both dangerous from falling stones
| and avalunchcs from the top.
Upon the mountain. back Of the volcano. there is
| native settlement, containing from 200 to 800
buildings, or huts. and large fresh water lake,
with quantities Of FISH The natives raise cabbages,
potatoes, &c. which they bring down and exchange
Tor fruit and Other products of the valley, it being
too cold there for fruit After resting, we passed
through the woods. mounted our horses. and in de-
scendng. performed eats of skill in horseman-
ship. in the intricate windngs, turnipgs, and dodg-
ings among rocks, roots and trees well preci-
pitous desoents over sharp, dragged, perpendicular
rocks that would have cast the celebrated feat OF Cen
Putnam in the shade. AT five T. NJ. arrived at
Izaco, and being nearly worn out with fatigue |
threw myself into o hammock.
After eating, contrary to the earnest persuasion
OF the ladies of the house for Us to remain, we
mounted our horses. and in company with our host
ess, set off and after dark arrived at quarters
in zonzonate. The following morning We walked
| through the city. 1t is situated upon the bank of
the Rio GIande; is well watcred by number Of
springs. and occupying high ground, is quite free OF
filth II is regularly laid out with good streets,
which are paved The billings arc one story adobe,
with several large private residences The buildings
are whitcwashed and the streets clean. ii con-
tains COCO inhabitants. There eight churches,
three Of which are in ruins 1t contains plaza,
with the uins Of large stone church at its head;
this church. with ono other OF the same size, was
built less han hundred years ago. and belongs to
the fiiars Of St. Francisco. They had nnroofcd
| them, and were about to repair them with new
rOpl OfnaEehts, &c, Nnon the revolution broke QUIZ
and the funds and ornaments of value belonging to
| the church were seized BY Morazan. and devoted 10
| the use of the government-thc friars being driven
out of the State, and now reside in Guatamaa
They do not return, fearing other revolutions, when
they might again be driven out. The churches arc
going TO ruin fast; but the property belongs to them
perTolually, and cannot be disposed OF, or lawfully
used without their sanction. In the front yard Of
the one standing in back street, ! observed the
city were laying the foundation for building. TO be
used as as school house. This church, and adjoin-
ing buildings belonging to it, was used by Morazan,
| as barracks, &c; at the present time the adjoining
adobe budngsare used for ahospital We entered the
principal church of the city, (Which is built of stons
and in excellent condition). the interior of which 10
richly decorated. 1t has large gilded altar, occu-
rying the end Of the building, and reaching to the
dome, containing beautiful image of the Virgin
Mary, standing in niche in the CENTRE dressed in
rich silk, with profusion of tinscl and spanglcs.
On the left. in an open portable case, was full
sized image of Christ, bending under the weight Of