Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1855-05-09
AN EARTHLY PARADISE.

4 Va Oouhi ~AAhchiCoB CoPOSiohy is' INV
rior, we know but little. The explora.
lions of Herndon and Gibbon have given
US more reliable information concerning
it, than, perhaps, all other travellers and
writers combined. Some months since,
we noticed at considerable length, the
work of the first named. That of the
latter we have just read, with even great
er interest. We give below an interest
ing sketch, selected from this book, OF
the Department and city Of Santa Cruz,
situated near the eastern boundary OF
Bolivis, and almost midway between
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. With
no commerce other than that carried on
by mule trains, and cut of from inter.
course with the world, it scarcely feels
the loss of either. Its natural produc.
tons make it independent Of all other
countries. Their great variety and its
equitable and luxurious climate make it
Happy Valley" an earthly paradise.
But let the author speak for himself:
"When we look at the list of produe-
tons in that region of country. we are
struck with the independence,of its in
habitants upon all external trade. A
breakfast table in Santa Cruz, construct
ed of beautiful cedar wood, is described,
covered with white cotton cloth, silver
plates and dishes, with silver cups, forks,
and spoons; coffee. sugar, cream, but
ter, corn and wheat bread, mutton, eggs,
and oranges, are all produced in the
province. Beef is found on the pampa,
game in the woods, and fish in the rivers.
Potatoes and all the garden vegetables
are raised upon the plantations. The
arm chair Of the creole is made of the
ornamental "Caoba, (" or mahogony tree.
Eight guests may be seated, each one
in different species of mahogany. His
Indian servants gather grapes, make
wine. collect the tropical fruits, and to-
bacco; while his wife or daughter take
pride in well made cigars. The climate
is such that horses roam about all the
year; there is no expense for stabling
the animals. No barns are necessary
for the protection of his harvests during
q hard winter. His house may be as
open as q shed. What little thin cloth
ing and bedding his family require are
supplied by the soil, and worked into
fine cloth by the hands of Indians, who
spin, weave, and sew. Silver he cares
little for except in table use. Gold oun-
ees are melted into crosses and earrings
for the Indian girls. The inhabitants Of
Santa Cruz are therefore the most indo-
lent in the world under ;ts hospitable
climate, few men exert themselves be-
yoDd what is absolutely necessary.
When he takes fancy to wear stri.
ped trousers, he plants row of white
cotton and row Of yellow. These col
ors contrast without the trouble of dye.
stuff should he wish blue, he plants
row of indigo; when he requires red.
he gathers cochineal from among the
woods, where he also finds bark which
produces deep black, which the wo-
men often employ to dye their white
dresses.
The heart-lesved bixa grows wild
the vanilla bean scents the door way,
while the coffee and chocolate trees
shade it. The sugar cane may be plant.
ed in any part of the province, TO be
manufactured into sugar, rum, and mo-
lssses, during the year of planting.
1t may be well to give, from report,
an outline of the daily life of a family
in this town. Very early in the morn
ing the creole, getting out of bed, throws
himself into q hamac his wife stretch
es herself upon bench near by, while
their children seat themselves with theil
legs under them on the chairs, all il
their night dresses. The Indian servan
girl enters with cup of chocolate fol
each member of the family. Aftel
which she brings some Goals of FIRE in ,
silver dish. The wife lights her husband
: . cigar. then one for herself. Some TIM
is spent reclining, chatting and regaling
The man slowly pulls on his cotton trou
l sers, woolen coat, leather shoes, an,
vicuna hat. with his neck exposed to th'
fresh air-silk handkerchiefs are scare
he walks to some near neighbor's, witt
!. whom he again drinks chocolate an,
and smokes another cigar.
l At midday small low table is set il
( the middle Of the room, and the fsmil
: 90 to breakfast. The wife sits next t
5 her husband the women are very pret
s ty and affectionate to their husbands
: He chooses her from among FVs. ther
b being about that number Of women I
e one man in the town. The children sea
}. themselves. and the dogs form rim
d behind. The first dish is q chupe c
It potatoes with large pieces Of meat. Th
s man helps himself first. and throws b
oil bones straight across the table q chill
. lodges his head to give it free passag'