The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1888-11-03

| Telesharo Peralta, governor of the pro-
vince fully one-tnird of the population
of the city-which at that time was
computed at 17,500-Iay buried for
hours beneath the wreck of their homes.
Astonishing to relate, only sixteen per-
sons were killed outright-a statement
not so Incredible when we remember
that the one-storied casas, made of
adobe, easily desolve themselves into
the parent dust At that time every
house in the town but one was demol
lshed. The one that was left deserves
to stand forever for in its court ard
1t still fourishing, green and beautiful
in its old age
THE PARENT COFFEE TREE OF COSTA RIGA,
planted there in 1919, by Padre Val
vordi.
Irazu has tour distinct mouths. In
one Of them sturdy oaks are growing,
so gnarled and lofty as to lead to the
years have elapsed since their irates
first opened-at least, that is Baron
Won Humboldt's opinion, given IN his
account of the volcanic phenomena of
Central America. Another of the
=
the source of the river Reoentazon-the
cnabonchure of which, according to
Thomas Gage, was a resort of great
commercial Importance as far back as
1886.
Now and then, to this day, the grim
Cyclops frowning overhead, grumbles
and emits puffs of smoke, as if to as
sure the world that his is by no means
pipe of peace. One would think that
the Cartagorians would heed his threat
enings, and choose some safer site; but,
as Governor Peralta writes: "Such is
the attachment which the people of
Carriage feel for their own soil, that
they bear with patience all these evils,
and as often as it is thrown down. out
of its ruins they rebuild the beloved
CITY," This remarkable
SPIRIT OF K-To-A-TIvENEss
seems to be stran gely true of the dwell
ers near all volcanoes, especially of
those living at the foot and up the
slopes of Vesuvius. In his paper on
Naples Mr.. Leigh Hunt remarks:
They have always persisted in build
ing their homes above those that have
been buried, thus keeping up forever an
obstinate struggle with one of natures
most fearful powers" 1t may be a
wise provision of Providence to keep
the most forbldding spots on earth In
but-betWeen ourselves, dear
reader-I believe that with the good
people of Carriage it is merely matter
Of sheer laziness, they being consti-
too inert to strike out and
take root elsewhere.
Coming in from the smart modern
capital, this oldest city in Central
America looks ancient indeed, with its
but ruined churches, empty
streets and tumble down palaces, |
whose yard-walls were built as high as
he houses themselves, Having seen |
better days, the place wears an aspect |
If shabby gentility, appropriate to its
changed circumstances, but truth COM |
)els the admission that its latter-day |
ienizens are somewhat
STUPID AR1sTocRAcY,
,ut at elbows AMI hopelessly gone to !
he "demnition bow-wows"-perhaps
endered the more naughty, sulIen and |
useless by recollections of ancestral
grandeur. 1t is difficult to tell how
hey manage to exist, being altogether |
90 proud to work, though mostly |
3ooyer than Jobs typical turkey. The
oluest blood of old CASTLE is not singu-
ar in this popularity, however, for
gentility in other parts of |
the world has been known to live-the
Lord knows how-mainly on the pleas
lres of memory"
The oppressive quiet of the town fills |
one with superstitlous fancies. Riding
up long street, probably without en-
single person, you come at |
length to the alleged hotel-which has |
but one merit, that of observing the |
eternal fitness" by matching its sur
Architecturally, the Car
tago inn is a pretentious affair, but !
ruined, comfortiess and infested with
vermin. The long, narrow passage-way |
is paved and arched like a tunnel and |
smells like tomb. Mounting trem- |
bling staircase in the dim and distant |
rear, you find vast, mouldy interior, |
whose gloomy halls and shadowy rooms |
seem full of spooks. Warm and healthy |
iesh and blood cannot endure
SUCH UNCANNY COMPANY,
% say nothing of the execrable cuisine
md lack of the commonest necessaries.
Therefore, expecting to remain some
ime, we rented one of the partially
.epaired houses just above the plaza,
IN an elevated terrace which rises with
he slope of the volcano. With the as
,istance of sleepy m0@o oman servant)
and sleepier female, We soon trans
ormed this rookery into delightful
1ome-a beautiful blending of the po-
stical and practical, of southern sloth
md Yankee energy, old Spain and New
England. Our cGSa-Which. by the |
Tay, is one of the best in Carriage, yet |
rents fo- only Sc per montn-has been
quilt nearly three centuries, and thrice
partially destroyed by volcanic conyul-
,ions. Though destitute of every con-
7enience, and literally overrun with |
lizards, centipedes. scorpions, ct al, it |
1as overwhelming charms, which make
is 10th toleave it. In reality, we have |
title to do with the house, except at
hight, by daylight writing, reading, or !
dreaming the happy hours away in
he cool and shady gardea.
Life never seems real here, but as if |
We, and the sculptured faces on the |
outer walls, were in an enchanted slum-
Der together, waiting for some gay |
2onnia charmpr to come along and