The Republican journal., 1889-08-22
The Southwest Corner of our Continent,
STRANGE THINGS ON LAND AND SEA. 4 BRIT
ISH SCHEME THAT OUGHT TO BE FKlS-
TRATED.

ers, horses We're Immediately placed at cur dis
posa, it being taken for granted that the eN.
petition would be made, after the universal
fashion of the natives, in the saddle. But one
can have quite enough of that method of loco
motion in the rural districts and in travvrsing
| the long stretches of unoccuped country he
tween centers, without choosing it in cities.
Enquiry for carriage was met with looks
of blank amazement aud an expression on
| eyerybody'S face that seemed to saw Nv hat
| singular creatures are these Americans. But
| so polite are those hoSpitablc Caiifornian> that
| had we asked for IA dromedary, an effort would
have been made to crafty US After days Of
delay, four-whoced vehicle here yclcpt m
c0che, probably the only one on the southern
| peninsua-wa finally secured.
According to Scripture, it would be no sin to
worship that alleged coach it being not in
the likeness of any thing above or below and
to be appreciated it must tie seen or rather
ridden in. An unpaintcd box, long and narrow
like Il piano-case entirely gutlc>> of springs
| mounted high above four ponderous wheels
that swayed to and fro, each with an indcpcnd-
ent motion of its own; three backle>~ benches
inside, covered with cow-skin (thc hair left on
in lieu of other cushionins) the whole concern
topped with canop, of unbeached cotton and
drawn hy three nlulc>--a leader IN front Of two
abreast.
Anxious to do his duty by the strangers and
prove himself an honest ,JenlI. the Mexican
cOchcro drove like ltnatic, up hill and down
dale. over sands ana boudcrS and rutS and
'thank-y ou-na ans. .-cracking his long whip
ince>santly and making the wekin ring with
his "Mulas-a-a-l-h-h-h.' No wonder the nu-
tiVes We're a>tOni>hed at our choice and thcnl-
selves prefer the satldle-tor the way we We're
bounced about, and battered black and blue,
and had our bonnct> tlattcned into >hapcle>>
ruins by violent contact with the top Of the
coach, was indeed pitiful.
Except in the vicinity of the landing tine streets
of La Paz seem literally de>ercd->tve for the
dogs which outnumber the human population,
three to one. Big dogs and little dogS, nrI~to-
cratic canine> and mongrti> Of every de>rrp-
ton, followed Us in eVer-increa>ng crowds.
each house contributing its quota all barking
in widest excitement at the unusual spectacle.
and stirring into den~er clouds the tlu- that
already cnNeoped ts. A distinctive prculilri-
ty Of la Paz il it> luNuriant verdurc i'll the
midst OF desert sands. Every cnS" is >urround-
ed by lovely gardens, and the humhIo>t hui is
emboWcred amid shrubs and flowers. with
creepers cHnging to its thatch, under the Shell
ter Of 4 spreading orange or pomegranite tree.
Wishing to see all sides Of life. we accepted
every invitation. whether it led among the lofty
or the Iowy, the rich or the poor, and yerl
pleasant remombrancc> We shall retain of clr-
CANT entertainments in charming homes. aud
Of hospitality no less sweet and cor,titi. tiough
of tar humhiur character III the mansion Of
the Wealthe>t pcarI-mcrrhaut, We Thoroughly
enjoyed Ceremonuus dinner of fourteen
courses; and came away laden with r~cnct-
nf -l.4ll.