The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-07-12

moist warmth and tropical fragrance which one ex-
periences SO fOrciby on entering large c0nserva-
tory in winter, and the sun, shining through the
clouds along the crest OF the mountains forms pic
lures where plain and peak and sky are blended into
vast sheet OF light, sometimes thin, like gauze,
and at other times bright as to dazzle the eyes.
seen this peculiar erect II it could be transferred
perfectly TO canvas the picture would be declared
an absurdity, and the existence Of such combina-
lions OF light and color impossible.
General Fitzpatrick at the outset only contemplated
trip through the Cordillera but arriving at the
this interesting place, he Concluded to extend his
journey. ride of thirty leagues in sort OF French
diligence drawn ~ ye horses was accomplished
coach was high and painted blue, and horse III
shafts was aided by one on each side which pulled
gaudy dress, and small boy rode the two leaders,
which had on only bride and saddle, with lasso
extending from the glrth on one side to the
belly instead Of the breast Of the animals.
Horses are changed every fifteen miles. In the
whole distance OF thirty leagues there is not single
house or pasture field, and after driving furiously
twelve or thirteen miles across the sandy waste
thinlv covered with short thorn bushes, our Jehu
would commence succession of blasts on a small
bugle that aroused the small boys sleeping ahead
under the bushes in time to bring up the lean horses
browsing on the dry and dusty heritage. Horses
would be quickly changed, and our painting animals
turned loose in the desert to shift for themselves
until the coach picks them up again three days after
To drop them in another part of the barren wilder
ness
Mendoza IS the capital OF the province or the same
name, and is just recovering from the effects Of the
earthquake which in 1852 leveed the city and de-
stroyed nine thousand inhabitants. AS all fertility
In this region Is produced by irrigation the traveller
comes all at once upon clover fields, fruit and 1ow-
ers Fig trees, vineyards oranges, lemons and a
great variety of tropical fruits abound; and from the
desert the coach drives for ten miles along smooth
shady road, skirted with SMILING haciendos, TO the
auintas and pleasant rural residences Just outside
the CITY, Here there is an ugly lord OF half
mile across the river, and few rods bring into
town.
Although six years have elapsed the ruins still lie
they fell, many OF them covering the remains of the
families crushed in the sudden catastrophe. The
grand plaza with its beautiful fountain, its of
tamarind trees its flowers and antique stone seats,
- oVergfown with weeds and bushes and Is full OF
reptiles. Where the cathedral and massive churcnes
stood portions OF the thick walls still standing.
forming scene not unlike the ruins after fire in
our large cties but most of the debris has fallen into
one mass from ten TO fifteen feet deep buryng streets
and gardens alike. II Is painful to listen to the sim
PIE narratives heard here on every hand. One man
through window to some ladies, one of them his
oetrOthed. IL was about eight O'Clock in the even
ing and everything was calm and still, when sud
denly ne found himself thrown from his horse III the
middle OF the street and all view Obscured by dust.
He was so stunned that he has no recollection of
hearing the crash of falling buildings but in a mo-
ment he realized the situation. Every house
PROSTATE and the street blocked up with ruins.
he tried to extrcate the ladies, but could not find
could he get any answer to his calls.
All were dead. A thick cloud Of dust hung
ONcr Tile SCeHe, ODSCuTuk Tie stdTS, anu cries anu
groans from the MANNED and the unnurt, seeking
friends, resounded one very hand While heavy shocks
continued to agtate the earth and add TO the uni
versal horror. colonel who drove us out to the
baths near the city, showed US great pile Of ruins
the spot where MS mother brother, sisters and
young wife were all buried under the falling walls.
Another gentleman standing the bal
cony OF his house when ne heard the
run ing Of of, the approaching earthquake
be great race among the coaches " when he found
himself under the ruins. There were twenty-One
father, his family and the servants, and OF this
number himself and wife only escaped. Both were
badly injured and did not recover for many weeks.
There Is not person in Mendoza but has some such
experience to relate. In an instant beautiful city
OF fourteen thousand Inhabitants was entirely de-
str0yed and all but about five thousand Of its people
killed. These went out to the hacendas, where they
lived In brush huts, tents, &C., until means were
for the scattered and ruined families
The earthquake came without the slightest warn
ing and seemed to be side motion instead OF an
upheaya which jerked the base from under the
houses and threw down every one in the streets.
There was great deal Of motion during the night,
the earthquake waves sometimes causing the earth
to rise and fall under the feet like the deck OF ship
IN a sudden swell. The most remarkable feature of
me earthquake is the fact that It was severely felt
only in small district, about thirty miles
wide. Ten miles from Mendoza buildings
nnlRured by the earthquake, and fifty miles distant
the shock was not heavy enough TO cause much sur
prise. To the westward however, 1t extended hun
dreds OF leagues, and in Chile was so heavy az to
badly crack many buildings and cause great panic
The present city OF Mendoza Is outside the limits
OF the former town, and Is already very pretty
place: II has population Of about eight Thousand
superior character, the streets are well laid out.
wide, excellently paved and adorned with shade
most important Interior cities Of south America
The reception given the Minister here was OF the
most nattering character. Although the General
sought TO avoid any public demonstration, his trip
being simply intended for relaxation In the noun
tain districts the Governor OF the province with all
the principal officials called at the Generals hotel
and sent the military band SereQaue him. They
also took him out TO see all the principal objects OF
interest and have done all In their power to render
The General and his suite, after short rest, left
Mendoza returning to the hacienda Of Vista Flores,
where the party remained three days. The Life of the
haciendado Is very pleasant and will unfit man for
active pursuits as quick as anything In the world.
, ne mas great Troop OF poems on the hacienda
in governing them he is perfect autocrat peon
never approaches the patron; but II he has anything
to communicate 1t is done through the chief steward
or ma yordODpO. who with uncovered head treats his
master with the greatest respect The haciendad0
Fee lights ctgorrfta and rambes about the building
aud cattle yards until ten or eleven O'Clock,
when breakfast Is announced. The table is laid
which numbers Of turtle doves are softly COO
ing, and famed by the fragrant moTuing
half dozen watChiu a attendants ,' taxes his
matin meal. First comes cosue,G, thick rich soup,
full OF vegetables, followed by beefsteak, stew,
roast, salad and coffee or chocolate Good native
wine IL used freely during the meal. and after an
hours loung1ng u the table the haciendado amuses
himself until two or three O'Clock In giving orders to
his overseers or wandering over his uxuriant pas
tures. At three O'Clock he takes his sesta, and
sleeps till 1ve O'Clock, when he again forces Sufficient
energy 20 walk about little, and at six or seven
O'Clock he sits down 10 dinner. At this meal the
tom generally In vogue u reversed. Roast and salad
come on the table first next boiled meats game,
&C., followed by stew and winding up with broth,
fruit, conee and cigars. BY eight O'Clock the beds
have all been brought out and placed In the yard,
and nine O'Clock finds all s0undly sleeping U the
open air Occasionally the proprietor OF hacienda
sends an invitation 70 the neighboring families TO
come over on a certain evening TO teriuitd, when
the native dances kept up I'LL the small hours 10
the music Of guitars. SO the days, and
weeks and months glide by, the haciendado
eating. sleeping ana etsrnally smoking cigarettes
while his nocks and herds Increase his stewards col
ect and turn over funds, and hts retlnue OF poems
toll This idle life B adopted by every foreigner
who settles IN the country The Yankee arrives full
OF vim and thinks he will set an iustrious example
OF saxon industry and enterprise; but, AFTER few
weeks, the enervatng influences Of this semi-tropl