Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-01-22
OUR SERIAL LETTER
Something About Salvador, Its People
and Products.
Contributed 20 nc publio Ledrer.

On the morning Of April % We had
reached the confines of the city of San
Miguel. Many unusual objects now
presented themselves, which betoken-
ed a section of no mean advancements
IN civilization. The first unusual sight
was the appearance Of a bridge. which
spanned the Rio San Miguel. This
was a novel structure, if we consider
the entire absence of such a convent
ence in every other part of the country
through which we had passed, of over
go miles-and stranger still, the
bridge vas constructed of iron, con-
veyed from the sea coast on the backs
of mules. Elegant plantations, well
lnclosed, now also opened before the
gaze, and an occasional vehicle, an
actual buggy sped by us. As we app
preached nearer the city, the different
advancements of these more civilized
people grew the more charming.
Handsomely paved thoroughfares,
beautiful flower gardens, arrayed in
exquisite patterns, we'll dressed and.
polite citizens are moving past you
and everything viii at once impress
you that Ignorance and Incidence have
long since been replaced by industry
and by education, that great architect
of national progress.
What a striking contrast did this
scene present, as compared with sec
lions of Honduras through which we
had just passed. Though scarcely n
half century from under the yoke oe
bondage, they have made astonishing
strides in progressive intelligence and
industry, and their superiority over
their acknowledgements is a prac-
teal Illustration of the results of en-
ergy and industry, under the guidance
of that great power, education.
All this life and hustle takes place
in the early morning, for when the
Moons heat is beating. each one be-
takes himself to his hammock 70 enioy
a fayorite siesta. The pleasant even
ings, delightful and brilliant. entices
out everyone, and a round of gayetyi is
in vogue. Grand fetes and balls are
quite frequent, and all over the city is
heard the light music Of the guitar. or
the sweet tones of the marimba. min
gled with the voices of the Joyous vo-
taries of Terpsichore.
San Miguel is situated neal the
base of a volcano, and upon a river of
the same name. 1t has a population
of about q, 0 0 and controls the bulk
of the trade from Fonseca Bay TO the
Department of the San Salvador. 1t
has many handsome edifces, store
houses and public buildings, and is
not wanting in many of the appli-
ances and %convenienees of modern in
genuity. In the center of its plaza is
a handsome fountain, to which a good
portion of the people of the city re-
sort for water, especially during the
dry season, when all the little streams
about the city dry up.
On a tour of inspection we visited
several of the\ coffee and cocoanut
plantations just without the city
limits. One of these particularly at
tracted our notice. 1t was a large
coffee estate, fenced in by hedges Of
tall cactus, This novel hedge is
planted very thick and shoots up a
stalk as straight as an arrow to about
ten feet, forming an almost impregna-
bic barrier to even the smallest ami
NAL. Within this enclosure was a
luxuriant growth of the coffee plant.
resembling in appearance a field of
eyergreens. As the shrub is found to
thrive much better and to produce a
more healthful and equal berry in the
shade, this was supplied by long rows
of cocoa trees, with their extensive
e%oronal leaves waving in the breeze.
Coffee seems to be n of the chief
products Of this immediate section.
The plant was first introduced into
this country from Costa Rica. about
thirty years ago.
San Miguel is honored with being
the site of the great annual fair for all
this surrounding country. The varied
products of Guatemala, the grains of
Honduras, the coffee off Costa Rica
and the minerals Of Nicaragua being
all brought, in competitive array.
upon the occasion of these great ma
tlonal expositions. During this fes-
tive season one day is set apart for a
grand jubilee and feast, in which the
whole multitude participate. it being a
sumptuOus welcome offered BY the
citizens of the city to all in attend
ance upon the fair.
San Salvador, and especially this
city, are reaping excellent results
from a wise law, which the opinion of
most nations seems to a~ntagonize
viz, that of encouraging the immigra,
ton OF skilled artisans, by the intro
ductiOn Of implements, new inyen-
tlons, machinery, etc., from abroad
free of import duty. Similar enact.
ments, with like good results. have
been passed in regard to export duties
which has been found to be a wither.
ing curse to all enterprise, since the
e%xtravagant duty r%ecoils upon the
producer.
One Of the most unexpected and
%pleasurable sights which greeted our
gaze in this remote region was the
presence Of a piano. This becomes A
fact Of no small consequence, when
you realize that It was conveyed here
upon the backs Of stalwart men from
the sea coast, a distance of no less
than s%eventy-6ye miles from the near.
est port. Though remote from the
advantages Of a thorough musical
training, We found several accom-
plished performers among the aristo.
cratic senoritas of the city. who had
visited and received an education in
foreign lands.
At last the time of our delightful
stay in this city drew to a close. and
We reluctantly packed our baggage for
departure. Many were the hospitali /.
ties VIC had enjoyed here, and when
say hospitality, | do not mean hospi.
| NulfNaF as.IaH - "a