Smyrna times., 1859-02-03

kisses the strangers cheek al mld-uay' Iea'i"e
an impression somewhat like that which 10 pro-
duced by the breath of furnace. returns after
sunset bland and cool TO cheer him after the IA
tigues of the day, and to tan him gently to his
slumbers moonlight night in that country
is indeed glorious beyond description. Al such
a season there are scenes of natural loVelIness
and of quiet enjoyment among the people to be
witnessed worthy of the graphic touches OF the
Howadii in Syria, or to be immortaIzed in the
songs of genius like that of Campbell or
Thompson. Night scarcely parlakes of dark
ness.
The lecturer dwelt at length upon the poll
tics of the country, and reviewed The reign OF
various sovereigns since the revolutions in the
Spanish provinces in 1901 and 1915. In allu-
ding to Francia, who governed Paraguay from
1914 to 1910, he said, that monarch issued a
decree which sealed Paraguay as etfectually for
30 years 10 all the surrounding nations as was
Japan, no one being allowed to enter or depart
f:om the country. The lecturer described Lo.
pee, the present Dictator and absolute ruler,
whom he visited, as being very vain and conse-
quenIial but in his domestic relations he was
said to be very exemplary, kind, faithful hus.
band and a considerlte father; rather a good
man, considering that he was born. educated
and holds irresponsible power in a country,
where, as when there was no Judge in Israel,
every man walks in the sight of his own eyes,
The people of Paraguay, like all the South
American States, the lecturer said. were not
yet prepared for the prac ical management Of a
form of government like that our own country.
The worst feature, he said, in the character of
Lopez as Dictator, was his disposition to be su-
preme in small things as well as great. His
dis position is la meddle in all business affairs,
inquire into and have u hand in all paying en-
terprizes. He rules over one million of people
The warlike resources were considerable. BY
raw every man born in the country is required
to serve ccrta n period as a soldier, and liable
to be drafted at any moment Hence most OF
the men have some knowledge of military dis
cipline. The usual force under arms in time of
peace is $4,000. mostly infantry and artillery
this force in five days may be augmented to
$4,000. The feet consists of three steamers
carrying in all about fifty guns. II is command
ed by an Admiral, formerly a captain in the
English navy. The fUrtifcations in the vicini.
| ty Of the capital mount about 60 guns. About
200 miles below the capital, aud 40 miles above
the mouth Of the Paraguay river, stands the
fortress OF llumieta, which mounts 100 heavy
guns, and has garrison and military encamp-
ment of from six TO ten thousand, and is regard.
ed by Paraguayans as the pride and strength Ut
their country. AT this fortress the chief stand
would be made against an attempt to approach
the capital by the direct and easy route of that
river. The Notifications were constructed un-
der the direction Of and are mmanded by q
Hungarian gentleman who understands his bu-
siness, having once drawn up the defences o.
Warsaw. In the army there are few French
officers. The lecturer thought the Paraguayar
army would not long stand the shock of ar
American force, though they might be twenty
to one. And that it was not likely Lopez woulC
refuse to come to terms when he saw that Pre-
sident Buchanan was in earnest
| There has never been a revolution in Para
quay since it achieved its independence 0
Spain. The population may be divided int
two classes. The first consists of families VIII
have preserved their Spanish descent with SOM
degree Of purity. The second is formed Of al
admixture of Spanish and Indian. The latte
constitute nineteen .twentieths. The first re
side 10 the capital and principal towns, beinl
8 chiefly landed proprietors and merchants. Th
\ second are scattered over the country and or
mostly ignorant, living as servants, or on pa
| ches of government lands, which they cultivat
9 and for which they pay a nominal rent. Th
I houses are mostly of mud. thatched with straw
f the bare sand for flooring, or a carpet OF co..
: hides or tiger skins; but when whitewashe
r and embowered in vines, flowers and orang
8 trees, as is frequently the case, they present
d beautiful appearance. The women spin an
B. knit their cotton cloth; but pay very little a
Q tenton TO marriage, because it is not encou
ofl aged by the government. And it often haI
ID pens that family consists of three wome
l. seveateen children, and no men. In the visi
re Of the lecturer, he seldom encountered ma
o, member of the household. The men Of d
he lower class are copper cOlOred. wear but lit
nd clothing and are lazy and indolent, their war
"a, being few and simple.
w The lecturer remarked, in conclusion, that
es had said nothing abou: the religion Of the Pal
ed guayans. Had he introduced ;hat particu
no tonic. IL would have required too much spa
a. for a single lecture, and many other matters
af a more general character would have been exc
TX. ded from his narrative. The longer man liz
TO who would fain be humane and considerate,
ks more reluctant does he feel to pass judgm'
te, upon the religion of his fellow-creatures
AZ no,h,lsss il is we'll to scale the Chinese W
he and 10 penetrate the jungles of lndia--tO thi
lte Of our BROKER man in Central Africa and
ire Isles of the Sea but let US, as American Chi