The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1888-02-09

the scene is altogether ono of peace and
repose, quite at variance with my pre-.
| conceived ideas. l long for tho monkeys
and anacondas and jaguars, but they
will not come.
10 return to the eastern or Paraguay
an, here / notice that apart from the
magnificent display of orange groves,
and occasional patches of corn, tobacco
and sugar cane, there is little or no cul-
tivatlon, though we pass many flourish
ing settlements. Foremost among the
latter is the thriving town of Pillar, at
present the entrance harbor of the brave
little Republic of Paraguay, and which
was, in days not far back, the only point
of contact with tho outer world per-
mitted by the jealous policy of President
Francia. Its clean, bright aspect gives
foretaste Of tho neatness peculiar to
Paraguayan villages and houses. On
the bank we observe machine fer cut
ting and saving tho hard timber of the
country, and lying by are two vessels,
built of and laden with the same timber,
ready for expectation. There are two
American families living ct Pillar, en-
gagged i'll the cultivation Of pineapples.
For $50 miles moro we continue our
upstream way, with ever-increasing in
terest, wooded hills and grassy plains,
with sad ruins and relics of the late
Brazilian war, passing in exciting pano-
rama before us, until we reach Villeta,
famous for its orange groves, whose
products suffice for the markets of both
Bucnos Ayres and NIontevideo. 1t is o
pleasant sight TO sec the fruit brought on
board by long files of lively, white clad,
barcfootcd women, singing as they trip
over tho long gang planks leading
ashore, many of them bearing immense
burdens, and smoking large rough made
cigars. Above Villeta, we pass San
Antonio, beautifully located amongst
oranges, guavas and palms, about seven
miles below Assuncion. San Antonio is
noted as the settlement of IN American
colony, company formed in Rhode
Island years ago, for introducing agri-
cultural and mechanical implements into
Paraguay, under the auspices of Mr..
Hopkins, q. S. Consul in 1854. The
company was encouraged by President
Lopez, and they were about to realize
an immense fortune for themselves, and
confer boon upon Paraguay, when
Lopez became jealous, and determined
TO compel them to leave tho country.
which lie finally did, to their great dam
age and suffering. They were obliged
to claim the protection OF Captain Page,
Of the u. S. steamer, "Water Witch, -
then cruising in Paraguayan waters
The ousted company requested the
U. 5. Government to demand damages
for expulsion and losses. President
buchanan sent out minister and q
vessels Of war to Assuncion, at cost of
millions, which, strange to say, ended
i'll no redress. The prosecution of this
claim is still in progress, the present
U. S. Minister having recently made two
visits to Assuncion for tho purpose OF
settling it, with good prospects of sue.
cess, and without further cost,
AS we loso sigh6 Of San Antonio, the
picturesque, well-wooded hill of LAM
bari, on the waters edge, juts up ahead
of us; its isolated position, in tho midst
OF level country, gives it the appear
ancc Of a veritable mountain in tho dis.
tancc. AS We turn the sudden bend of
the river around the Lambari, we emerge
into Il bay-lillo sheet Of water, placid,
clear and CLASSY on the surface, and said
to be of considerable depth, and before
us lies the capital of Paraguay, ''the
garden of South America" WHITTIER L
invite you to follow me in my next
chapter of wanderings. II. G. D.