New-York daily tribune., 1854-08-31
Nrm~tJo1k Eiuilp QTlbln1e
COSTA RIGA.
By 4 FORMER BRirIsi CONSUL.

III.
The valley Of San Jose s beautiful valley, perhaps
the prettiest 20 be met with anywhere. II occupies
the center of the mountainous region of the .thmus at
Ike distance from both oceans. Its direction is
wet to cast Around the capital the ground rises by
huge eastward to the base OF the VOLCANOES north
by gentle slopes 10 the Barba peaks; southwark
il svells 10 form the San Miguel Mountains; while
to the west the soil declines, gradually the undustlOn
disappear, ard tie broken ground becomes the level
plains O the Carmen, where large protrudng rocks oil
cacinCd porhyry tell the tale Of some vast explosion
from the now extinct volcano fBarb1 Suddenly the in
clinaon of the soil of the plain becomes more Marked
and YOU now stand the brink of a dark and deep
uvine-a huge rent in the earth IN the sOmber depths
u which you hear the roar of rushing waters-the
waters Of the Rio Grande The road descends and
winds along the outstanding peaks OF the ravine walls
with GOOD stone bridge built the torrent, climbs
| the opposite wall to the plains beyond, the base
Of the Aguacate mOuntains aud through the passes of
the mining district leads the traveller to the Pacific
coast and the shipping port of Punta Arenas:
From the Cordillera, which surrounds the valley,
rush nnumerable streams, which, bounding on their
rocky beds fertilize the grounds in every direction
and uniting at the confines Of the valley combine to
form the Rio Grande. The principal Of these stream.
are the following: from the Barba Mountains :.o
rivers descend and empty their waters into The Rlo
Grande above the spot where the Punia Arenas road
crosses it; they are the Rio de Alauela and the Rio
Seeundo. From the northern end of the Carthgo
there flows across the valley small stream called the
Nrla which emPues Its waters IN the Cores, TO tne
west Of san jose. The Cores, the Marie Aguiar and
the Crib have their sources in the lrasu and wind
parallel 10 the San Miguel Mountains-the latter az
tler very base the two former north aud south Of the
capital. All these rivers are mere mountain tor
rents tsItuous, encased in deep rocky channels, shall
low and liupid in summer, rapid angry and turbd Ia
their sudden rise during the rainy season.
The upper part of the valley is laid out IN plana-
tons OF coffee but the lower plains OF the Carmen
are merely used grazing grounds. The fences
which portion of the plantations formed 10y dry
ING into the earth stakes of green wood these coon
take root and grow into trees which overshsdow the
patLs; tie intervals between them being filled with
csctuses Ii is delightful to ramble of evening,
the sun sets behind tie high peaks OF the Andes,
through those avenues and enjoy the reshenG2 arr and
avoid the sitting dust which the wind raises along the
Liahroads. Unfortunately in winter time these lanes
end shady paths become impossible from the heavy
rains and mud.
There are three large buildings in course Of con-
structipn at San Jcse-a palace, university aud
bos,tal The palace is badly placed at the lntersec-
non of two Streets its true site should have been one
side of the large square, the spot occupied by the
barracks which could have been removed elsewhere.
The university is well-executed building with s,v-
ersl large halls. When finished II will be the only
thing worth seeing in san jose As TO the hospital il
is in an unwholesome position; placed on the low
ground in the outskirts Of the town. Il must necessarily
be fatally damp during the maj part Of the year;
and its ventilation is very bad all the windows
being opened one AIDE only OF the bulidIng-thst
prrsors in good health would sicken within Its walls
Tor want OF air Moreover. the windows 50 small
ard paced so high from tie foor that the rooms
nearly in complete darkness at midday. We used TO
tease tie Costa Ricsns by asserting that they were
erecting hospital not to care, but TO k, htU sck liz
is unfortunate that the benevolent intentions Of the
founders should be thus frustrated by the ignorance Of
the man who undertook to draw the Plan OF this hos.
pifal.
friend and companion called to New-fork ou bus'-
ness and left the country. We parted at ie foot q
the Barba Mountsin and as lost sight of MIA, eehiud
a projecting hill, experienced how painful AZ 10 &c
rart in strange and distant land, from person Who
is the last remaining link which connects the present
with the last. With a heavy heart turned Eow
hat saw him DO more, toward san Jcse ard slowly
r,iractd ry steIs.
TS4artS . -. Z ,oH!u1t u many Pett. annoy.