Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1900-06-21
CITY SOUTH OF EQUATOR.


The chief characteristic of this most
southern republic in the world is its
vast plain, or pampas rs it is called.
stretching nearly 1000 miles nortl, and
south and 400 miles east and west.
| These plains run right down to the
sea, and 1t is proved beyond denial,
that the sea once Tapped the feet of
the Andes in the west, but as CEN
turtles have come and gone, the sands
of the ocean have accumulated until
It's waters have been forced back to
the eastward over 500 miles. and the
end is not yet For instance, the en-
trance into the Rio de Ia Plata. at
Monteyideo, has narrowed down from
100 miles to about so, within the
limits of history. There is a continual
drift of sand and refuse down this
great river, which is constantly maxi
ing at the entrance As we sailed up
the river from Monteyideo, to the road
stead in front of Buenos Ayres, II
seemed TO me that the river, Rio de la
Plata, the river Of silver" was wrong
ly named, and should be called the
river Of gold" rs the water is a yell
lowlsh gold color at all times Be-
fore we came in sight of the city, we
came to anchor, owing to the shallow
ness of the water
The health boat came out very
promptly in the morning and put us in
quarantine for five days, though we
ala "a t 81 -.
board, but they very mercifully re-
Tented in the afternoon, and gave us
permission TO go ashore the next morn
ing Christmas day; so as soon as the
shore tug put out to us, we went
ashore, the distance to the landing be-
ing IL miles, taking us nearly two
hours TO make the journey | have
visited other large cities in southern
countries, whose natural conditions
and advantages rightly employed,
would have made them far more
healthful than they are. so when | saw
Buenos Ayres the largest city In the
world south of the equator, without a
hill or any sort Of an eminence to
break the monotony OF the level me-
tropols | made up my mind | would
find 1t to be a regular pest hole.
Imagine my surprise, therefore, when
! stepped ashore, and drove up to the
Phoenix hotel, in the center of the
city, to find, instead of filthy streets,
people and buildings. everything scrup-
ulously clean and inviting. was
really though happily, disappointed.
There were no disagreeable odors
whatever but the air was laden with
the scent OF the rose and honeysucke.
| stood out on the little yeranda lead
ing from my room in the hotel, and
could see the roses all in bloom. and
the honeysuckle climbing about the
windows Of a house not far away.
Everything was peaceful and happy,
so my first impression Of the land OF
; Good airs" tBuenos Ayresl was of the
very best
E The city has a population Of about
500 600, made up principally Of italians
and Spanish, these two natonalltles
forming nearly one-half of the popu-
lation. There are several thousands OF
English to whom belongs, in a great
measure, the credit for the prevailing
conditions of cleanliness and thrift
There are little colonies Of Germans,
Americans, Irish, Danes and a larger
one Of French, with the latter large
ly increasing
The city Is laid out much after the
fashion OF Philadelphia, and has some
very beautiful streets. The Avenlda
de Mayo reminded me very much Of
Commonwealth avenue, Boston and
the Gale Florida impressed me as re-
sembIing Chestnut street, Phladel-
pMa. All OF the principal streets are
paved with Trinidad asphaltum, and
are kept in excellent condition one
would almost think George f. Waring
had drorQed a force Of his men into
the city cleaning department, as they
dress very similar and are omnipresent
and very industrious IN fulfilling their
duties
As BuenOs Ayres Is the capital Of the
republic, all the state buildings are
here, and they are very credtable.
There are some very beautiful squares
In the city, and the Plaza de ia Victoria
Is the equal of any square have ever
seen in the United states, and the city
Is working on a system OF little
breathing spots, running through
tbe center Of one Of the great bOuIe-
Yards. that when finished, viii rival
anything planned by the greater New
YOiN It VIII take many years to
finish what they have started, but IL
viii be very Correspond
ence Of the Unlyersalist Leader