, 1855-11-16
RariS Ihnni NitarnEna.

Parker H. French, Esq, is publishing
in his paper, (the California STATE Tribune
a Series Of letters descriptive of the people
Al Nicaragua and the character Of their
country, from which he has but recently
returned. Just at this juncture his descrip
will be read with interest Although the
population is composed Of mixed races, de
scended from the Castiliaa conqucrors, the
aboripines of Aztec extraction and the
ebony African, the society Of the country
is universally divided into two classes, the
rich and the poor the one wearing shoes
the other without them. Wealth give;
distinction, yet the people are apathetiC
and devoid Of enterprise. All religions
are tolerated the Church and State arc
disconnected, and the Priesthood poor
depending entirely ou the charity of their
parishioners for support. In some OF the
wilder districts, the Indians are Pagans
Ever since their emancipation from the
Spanish yoke in 1872, there has been an
incessant struggle for political ascendency'
between the republican democracy OF the
country. known by the term Liberals, and
composed of the masses, and the aristOcratS
known as the Hidalgos or Services. The
Services have generally had the ascendancy,
but when the heart Of the masses are stir
red, their power is irresistible.
It is startling fact that the Nicara-
guam women are more licentious and de-
Urayed than in any other country on this
continent virtue is at fearful discount,
when measured according to our standard.
The sexual depravity of this country may
be accounted for by the great disparity OF
sexes, the females being four and half to
one male. The disparity has been caused
by their numerous and protracted wars,
combined with other causes. 1t is no un-
common thing for woman to have three
or four children before marriage, and each
claiming different father ; yet she does
not lose cast by it, but is still tolerated by
her acquaintances, aud moves in society
as though nothing had occurred. The men
are indOlent and disconddent of their own
abilty-trcachcro and always expecting
treachery 10 others, yet possessing certain
degree Of independence that is pleasing TO
Americans. Their honesty is superior to
any other people have ever known, and
their punctiliousness in paying their debts
might justly put more civilized nations to
tho blush. They are cruel because they
have long lived in ignorance and oppress-
ion, yet they have strong affections, and
their everyday intercourse with one anoth-
er is marked by native politeness that is
truly charming
The city Of Grenada, situated on the
northern shore Of lake Nicaragua, contains
about fifteen thousand inhabitants. The
best informed foreigners in the country
estimate the population of the republic as
follows whites, 20. 900; Indians. 100, 900;
negroes, 1000; mixed races, I76,O0O-to-
tai, 100000.
Col Bosque, who commanded the Mica
raguan forces that fought and gained the
battle Of Rivas against Walkers party,
confessed in the course Of q familiar con-
versation with Mr.. French, at Granada,
that Walker would have whipped him had
the battle lasted FIVE minutes longer that
be had fifty-nipe men killed dead on the
ground, and forty-nine wounded, many o.
whom died afterwards, because they were
all wounded about the breast and head.