The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-11-26
when 1t was rebuilt to show the traveller its

ancient origin.
The furniture (portions Of IL. at least) Of
this hotel would make the heart Of r bric-a-
brac hunter leap with JOY and envy. This
building, | forgot to mention, has only been
hotel for u comparatively short number of
years. II was originally the private resi-
dence Of General Zarallo. BY whose family
IT was handed down from generation to gen
Grafton. until ii finally fell into the hands Of
4. A. Downing. an enterprising American.
who has made il rle best hotel in Nicara-
qua. The hotel Is only one story high. and
roofpd with red tiles. but occupies two city
blocks on both sides Of the Plaza de los Leo
mes (g wide street,. and each OF its rooms
would make. both in height and width.
eight ordinary-sized rooms OF New York
house.
The floor. are Of red. roughly baked tiles
each foot square. There are four beds.
covered with mosquito nets. each in the cor
ner OF the room. The mattresses are simply
strips Of canvass stretched across frame
and covered with piece of mating; one
sheet is laid over this mattress and. with %
small pillow and a second sheet. the latter
the only covering. the traveller turns in and
sleeps as coolv and as comfortably as IL II
possible To sleep in Central America.
These four travellers, all unknown n each
other. are placed III one OF his huge roms--
resembling small houses-the elect may De
more easily imagined than deseribed. 10
complete this picture il Is only necessary 10
add that there are no windows 10 these
rooms leach ihirty-feet high: that there il q
free air passage over the tops of the separat-
ing walls: that each ''ro0m'' has two double
doors of oak. large enough 10 pass car
riage: that one of these doors opens upon
the wide yerandah facing the Plaza and
the other upon an interior varandah sur
rounding n small square i'm the centre OF the
portions Of the hotel on each side OF IN
street. In short. the Hotel de los leones
forms two hollow squares on each side OF
the Plaza de los Leones.
Finer water than can be procured in New
York city. well water from the sides OF
MOmbachO, an inactive volcano near Gran
tda). cooled by artificial ice made from di-
titled water Is served M table; but. alas
lager beer costs eighty cents bottle.
Otherwise. we are doing quite well. the
food served is good. plentiful and well
cooked.
nave deal. somewhat M length upon
this hotel as II is not only the best hotel in
Nicaragua. but il will give your readers
fiir idea Of the style Of building inhabited
by Nicaraguans Of the better classes.
A PROGRESSIVE REPUBLIc.
The Nicaraguans are not perfect. any
more than we Americans are perfection.
but il j. only Just 20 say that the Nicarlgu-
ms are "away ahead Of any Of the oth'i
Central American Republics and. In several
respects. ahead Of many of the South Amer
can Republics.
II is one Of the proud and just boasts, iol
Instance. Of the Nicaraguans, that ali then
presidents have retired from office honore'
md esteemed hy all. and that the little r.
public has never yet had corrupt govern
ment.
In conclusion. am happy to say that th'
Nicaragua Canal Company is doing every
thing possible to win the confidence and
.steem Of the Nicaragutns. who are to o.
certain degree the companl's partners D.
the great enterprise now being pushed for
ward by Americans in the interest Of The
commerce OF the world AT large.