The Portland daily press., 1896-10-24

These same three intend to repeat the
They have made q beautiful fiat-bot-
toned plank boat, and are going to
build another dug-out canoe. This craft
will be filed with provisions (being
mostly vegetable, these are bulky, and
sowed behind their own boat. Thy will
and proceed to Asouncion where they
hope to realize on the plank boat. Upon
the proceeds they will journey homeward
In the Same royal style as before.
A FINE COUNTRY. BUT UNDE-
VELOPED.
Paraguay is country of which little
ia known. And yet the climate is one
of the healthiest in the world, and nearly
everything that is planted grows sponta-
neously. Vast groves of unterded orange
trees are soatterat in various parts of
the country. The fruit is described as
delicious and Of enormous size.
The country has never recovered from
the disastrous war of many years ago,
when Paraguay, sinRle-handed, fought
the united forces Of Uruguay, Brazil. and
Argentine. The result was independ-
ence for Paraguay, but out of nation
of about 2,000 QUO it is calculated that
but hundred odd thousand were left.
The population is mainly composed of
Paraguayan Indians, and the admins
traitors ars descended from the Spaniards.
The language generally spoken is In
dian.
The natives are described as being
without moral restraint of any kind,
and Ignorant of the difference between
right and VIZ ong. The Cosme colony,
with its appurtenances, is the standing
awe and admiration of these natives,
who would quickly become impertinent
in their curiosity did not the colonists
keep them off, taking care, however,
not to offend them.
Paraguay is country of forest and
fen, somewhat like England was in GEN.
turies long gone by. Most of the trees
being nondeciduous, the forest is ever
green from years end to year 3 end, and
when the orange trees are in bloom 1t is
fun of a wonderful natural beauty. An
1mal life abounds in the country but
unfortunately, very little of it Is suitable
for food. The colonists struggle along
on monkeys which make capital eating.
although it goes sadly against the grain
to shoot them, an extensive and varied
vegetable diet, and Yerba Mate tea. This
beverage made from the Leaves OF the
young shoots of the Mate tree, is the
staple drink OF the Paraguayans. 1t is
said to be much more nourishing than
tea, and at the same time less harmful,
as there ia little tannin in 1t. The colo
nists use it very largely. They have rwo
square meals in the day, morning and
evening, and the Mate tea supports them
in the interval.
Among the mountains of this land are
magnificent waterfalls, marvellous cliffs.
and enchanted alleys, almost unknown
to man, and the coloDists are now ex-
ploring them. AS the interminable
depths of the virgin forests are ransacked
fresh stores of natural wonders make
themselves apparent at every footstep.
The climate, equable in temperatur e,
and not at all relaxing despite its hui
nudity Is a natural incentive to work for
the mers pleasure Of working. The col
onists are in the open air from m orning
to night, breathing in its freshness, and
working at healthy empioyments. Their
future is fairly secure, and their present
delightful. They do not intend to absent
themelves from the world, but nothing
will ever take them long way from their
Paraguayan homo.