The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-07-23

jose ue Uudtdlndia Is tne neaulnR Vi tne
following poem which was written by
lady now visiting in this county, who has
recently returned from Guatemala in Cen
trail America, accompanied by her husband
and young son, and who told me many
interesting things about that country
which, | trust may be OF some interest to
the readers of the CECIL WING. The poem
was written by her while ON that voyage,
as the heading OF this sketch indicates
Her husband was lately employed to run
the division line between Guatemala and
Mexico and to make maps of the same.
The work being completed, they returned
TO this country.
The word "Guatamala" is of Portuguese
origin and means full OF trees" The
country is very mountainous and rain
showers are sudden and frequent and
when they occur the GuatanInlans aust
seek shelter, for it is very dangerous 10 get
wet Why this is so do not know, but
they were told never to allow themselves
to be caught in IA shower, or sickness was
sure to follow. Nature has provided sure
indication Of approaching rain, and upon
the least sign of rainfall every person 5
door is open to anyone who may choose TO
enter for shelter The city of Guatemala,
officially styled Santiago de Guatamala,
con tains about G0,00O inhabitants, and is
situated about 527O feet above the sea level.
1t has narrow, but regular streets. and
is lighted by electric lights. The houses,
though usually OF only one story, are
solidly and compactly constructed, and
many Of them are furnished with large
gardens and courts. The open squares are
Plaza Major, which contains the Cathedral,
erected in $780, the Archepiscopal Palace,
the government buildings, the Mint and
other public buildings. In that city they
have theater, founded in 1873, which is
considered one of the best in Central
America; university, schools OF various
kinds, a general hospital, several banks
and a postoffice. The duty Of the last
mentioned office appears to be to retain
letters to be sent and received until officials
are sure they contain nothing inimica to
the government A very little suspicion
creates distrust in that city.
| wish Mark Twain would visit it and
write it up. Mark Twain and his family
are now in Vienna, Austria. About three
months ago some one sent cablegram to
this country stating that Mark had died
in Vienna, and one of the New York
editors int cd ak al bla
to Mrs. Clemens, Marks wife, deeply
sympathizing with her Within two hours
he received reply from Mark reading,
''The report of my death is greatly exag-
gerated."
Prov isions are very high in Guatemala.
! am afraid to say how high, for it might
make some Of our provision dealers green
with envy.
The narrow-gage railroad is now com
pleted from San Jose to Guatamal city and
it will be extended to some point on the
Caribbean Sea- G. ?. Huntington, Leland
Stanford and other railroad magnates have
the construction OF these roads under their
control. The prevailing religion is Roman
Catholic. Every RELIGIOUS view is tolei-
ated, a kind Of 20 - GU please arrange
ment.
The people ae small in stature, and she
prevailing custom among the better class
appears to be to see who can wear the
smallest shoe, irrespective OF discomfort,
pain, annoyance and corns The whole
of
Gates, is almost entirely covered with trees
and bushes. About 100 kinds of different
timber trees are there. 1t is richly wat
cred
In 1897 Guatemala got tired of the Spar-
ish yoke and about three years after, with
the aid of Iturbide. the Mexican patriot, q
republic was formed. 1t is almost free
from animals dangerous to man. OF the
cat tribe, 1T has the jaguar, popularity called
the tiger; the cuguar, popularity called the
hon; the tigrills which is sometimes kept
tame, and monkeys galore. The lions and
she tigers appear to have become good
citizens. Even the rattlesnake appears to
nave lost Its cunning. The monkeys how
ever, still keep up their reputation for mis-
chief Singing birds are commonly kept
in the Guatamalan houses. The carakan
is as good as watch dog, as no stranger
can enter the yard without being greeted
by ITS shrill cries. Cats have been i'm.
ported to Kill rats and mice, but the natives
ate up the cats as soon as they arrived and
wanted more. Bats and heas are MINER
GUS.
Water is brought to the city by two old
aqueducts, each about eight miles in
length. With all of its rude surroundings
and its difficult access, the town possesses
cigar factories, breweries, wool and cotton
factories and other industrial establish
ments. 1t was after much persuasian I
induced the writer OF the following piece
to permit me to have it published.
Long ago, from New York City, there sailed,
oh. quite few,