Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-08-23
MODES OF LIVING.

rally constructed OF adobe and rock,
plastered over and then painted, are one
story high, wide and deep. have an in
terror court, or 'potio." containing beds
OF flowers, palms, etc, and rooms running
around two or three sides Of the court.
according to the width of the house. Ths
sanitary and cooking arrangements are
not as advanced as ours, but the absence
OF these are not felt by the native, and
the foreigner soon accustOms himself TO
native methods.
The cooking-stove Of the native is pecu-
liar. and may be likened to an immense
earthen vase. about four feet high ana
about three feet across the top, with a
number Of openings at the side, In whlch
the fuel IS placed. and the cooking uteh-
sils are deposited on top, the top being
also pierced with openings IN "nlch tne
utensils are placed. Yet, with this crude
affair the Venezuelan cook turns out some
toothsome dishes.
MANNERS.
The native Venezuelans are the embodl-
ment Of pollteness. and possess an innate
refinement which Is also notable in their
chilsren. The wealthy people are edu-
Gated at Venezuelan universities and
abroad. and are excellent linguists. Ihey
carry themselves with ease and grace the
result OF good breeding and education.
The beauty and morality OF the women
and their Kindness 70 strangers are pro
verbal and cannot be too much extolled.
The grossest blunders in their language
will not cause a "giggle." but the correct
expression will be supplied In the most
delicate manner possible.
The men are intelligent and bright IN
business. private. and public station, ana
it is often amusing 10 see an over-smart
foreigner ooolly taken down peg or
two" by the supposedly less intelligent ma
tive. Many OF them have worldwide rep
utations in international law, finance
statesmanship, painting, music, &c.
with the influx of foreign capital ana
imrnigration. It IS believed that all in
ternal petty strife has forever disappear
cd. and as a result OF this fact and the
proximity OF her ports to the markets
OF the world, her resources will be rapidly
developed.
cREsP0s WISE RULE.
President crespo seems to have won
the affection and confidence OF his coun-
trymen. and under his wise and economic
administration the country's prosperity
seems assured and its credit greatly i'm
proved He and his advisers are giving
all possible announcement TO the de-
velopment OF the country's resources. and
great advantages can be derived from his
willingness 10 aid railroad construction
or navigation development and to open
10 rich but neglected territories. His
friendship for America and Americans IS
hearty and sincere and this feeling IS
shared by all Venezuelans.
am in receipt OF hundreds Of letters.
which I am utterly unable TO answer.
making enquiries which would require
months OF labor on the part OF experts In
commerce and mechanics 10 answer. de-
sire briefly 10 say that the country is open
TO many enterprises with capital for
their proper conduct, but mechanics
would do unwiseiy 20 go TO Venezuela
without means OF support AM trusting
only 10 the uncertainty Of securing
"somethlng to do" The government f.
always willing TO extend a helping hand
10 American industries and enterprises.
and recently manifested this friendship
by granting an American a valuable
franchise. which Congress confirmed.
VENEZUELAN CITIES.
The smaller towns retain their antique
Spanish style OF architecture, and the
people their quaint customs. They all
have their pretty little pazas, with lovely
flowers. shrubs, and palms, and narrow
streets In which the useful and patient
little donkey is a conspicuous feature.
The larger interior and coast cities have
been subjects OF innovation, and many
modern Improvements are 10 be seem
Electric lights. water-works, gas, etc,
are 10 be found in many cities, such as
Caracas, La Guayra, Puerto Cabello. and
Maracalto. but they have no sewerage
systSms. 1t speaks well for the health
OF the country generally that no more
sickness IS found in Venezuela than in
the healthiest portion Of the United
States.
Caracas. called the Paris Of South
America. has a population OF about 5000.
II is situated about 5000 feet above the
level Of the sea- 1t lies In a beautiful
valley. surrounded on all sides by noun
tains some OF which attain an altitude
of SOO0 and 5000 feet. 1t covers a large
area. is traversed by street-cars In all
directions. and the streets and houses arc
50 arranged and numbered as TO enable a
stranger TO easily find his way. Many
OF the streets are very handsome. con-
tanning a large number OF private houses
of palatial proportions, with handsome
decorations and furnishings.
The descendants of many old and his
toric families reside in Caracas. and their
engaging manners lavish hospitality, and
culture are the praise of European and
American travellers.
STATUE OF WASHINGTON.
The city contains many points Of in
tarest 70 an American. the greatest being
a small plaza or park. in the centre OF
uybich stands statue OF George Wash
tngton whose memory is venerated by all
Venezuelans.
Tha Plaza Bolivar Is a small park about
950 feet square, handsomely tiled, and
odorned with beds Of beautiful flowers
shrubs and palms. and many large gas
Iomns of exquisite design, while in the
centre IS an heroic equestrian statue OF
Boliyar. on one side OF the plaza IS the
casa Amorillal' yellow House,, the
Presidents official residence. and on the
other the celebrated Catholic Cathedral.
The pantheon is a sort of memorial build
ing I'm which are gathered the remains Of
Rolivar and other heroes Of the success
fuI revolution which freed Venezuela,
Colombia. Ecuador, Bolivia, and Peru
IRON, spanish dominion. The University
~ Caracas and the Capitol are structures
of imposing design, and contain much
70 interest the stranger and educate the
native.
The CaIvario is a lovely park. situated
upon A high peak, to which access is
gained by a long, winding path, and car
riage-drive, and which over'ooks the
civ. Access Is also had by great num-
her OF almost perpendicular steps. at the
ton OF which a statue OF Columbus has
heen recently erected. The Vagas Hos
pital deserves columns OF praise for the