The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1897-03-11
one or both sides, or down the middle,
always filled with fresh water


early in the morning. The stranger who
starts out at daylight is sure to surprise
groups of Maids disporting in the streams
or rather surprises himself by the sight,
for the women do not hesitate to bid the
passer-by ''Buenos dias' and to exchange
few words of good natured banter with
him, while keeping their bodies under
water
Alphabetically, San Salvador is a re-
markedly ugly town, its only redeeming
feature being the beautiful gardens and
rich vegetation. The walls are very low
and very thick, because of the frequency
of earthquakes; windows barred, facades
entirely unadorned and instead of the
picturesque red tiles, so appropriate to
these casas, it has become modern fad
to roof them with corrugated galvanized
iron. Indeed, since the great earthquake
OF nearly 30 years ago, which shook down
most of the town, wood and galvanized
iron have become favorite building mate
rials, because believed to be earthquake
proof. 1t gives a sort of storage ware
house effect to the place, in unpleasant
contrast to the red rooted and gaily-stuc-
coed walls of other Central American
cities But though constructed of lighter
materials, the Moorish plan of inner
court yards is always carried out, and
from the dull, unattractive streets. YOU
are ushered into gardens of wonderful
beauty within the house walls. where the
people pass the greater portion of their
time, even sleeping in hammocks under
the trees during the dry season. Besides
numerous small, open spaces filled with
cocoanut and bread fruit trees. there are
three principal parks Plaza Mayos,
Plaza d Armas and Plaza Morazan. The
last named and smallest part has a colos-
sal bronze statue of the patriot General
MORGAN, made in Genoa Italy. The
massive pedestal is decorated with bronze
tablets, in relief, illustrating the hero's
career, and at the angles are beautiful
marble figures emblematic of the Central
American States. OF the great Plaza
Mayos any city might well be proud
Broad, paved walks, shaded by the finest
trees of the tropics, radiate from the
central nd-stand, grotesque little
structure which looks like a Chinese pa
CODA OF the temple of a Hindu idol.
Around the outer edge of the park runs
another broad walk, shaded by double
rows of orange trees, laden with golden
fruit in their season, OF pertaining the air
with their blossoms. Here the fine mill
tary band, under German leader PLAYS
two nights in the week, and everybody,
high and low, turns out to promenade
and listen to the music of Strauss, Often
bach and Suppe, always winding up with
the popular Boulanger March and then
the Hymno Nacional. The plaza is sup
piled with numerous adobe benches, and
near the band stand are several movable
kosks, furnished with awning-covered
seats, which may be rented by private
parties. On the western side of this park
stands the Salyadolian Capital. or Casa
Municipal-a very large building, two
stories high, with three Greek columned
porticos in front. The outer windows
have little stained glass in their sashes
and the entrance is guarded all day by
score Of soldiers, who lounge about on
benches, with rifles in their hands Most
OF the lower rooms have been applied to
barraek purposes, while the department
tai offices are on the second floor and all
the rooms open upon the corridors of the
court yard, Though by no means a hand
some or imposing structure. it is really
one of the largest and best of its class in
Central America.
The Presidents palace occupies an
angle Of the plaza d Armas, and looks
as much out of place in its immediate
surroundings as Little Egypt would in
plaza is occupied by the vast, unfinished
cathedral; two sides are lined with a
series of massive gray arches, extending
over the side walk, called portales, lead
ing to SMALL dark shops. The fourth
side is partly filled with the Municipalidad
or City Hall; and by the side of it this re-
markable palace wide, two story
wooden house, which might have strayed
out of some New England village were it
not for its roof of corrugated iron and
square, three story wooden tower. The
whole thing is painted white, Tin imita-
ton of our White House?) and upon it the
tropical sun beats with merciless glare.
Why the tower, l do not know Certainly
not for ornamental purposes, for it looks
like railway water tank. Perhaps it is
useful as a post Of observation from which
the troubled executive can keep a sharp
look out for revolutionists. The lower
story of the Presidents casa is occupied
by guards and military officers, the upper
part by His Excellency and family. The
edifice is surrounded by narrow fringe
of shrubs and flowers, shut in by an iron
fence. No need tc say that the utterly
homogeneous editice was planned BY an
American architect, and erected and
Mt d INV M