The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1901-04-13
FROM PORTO RICO.
MOTHER INTEREST,", G LITTER
FROM Mr. Garrison
A Trip 10 cara as, v.ntzuela, aud the
Island OF CUTacOA

FROM MR. GARRlSCh
A Trip TO Cara as, v'n'zuela, aud the
Island OF CuTacOA
| To TnE FREE LtNcE:
South America lies So near to Port"
Rico and the means Of access are 50
pleasant aud favorable. that a soiourncr
in Porto Rico who misses the oppor-
tunity oi seeing at least n small portion
of this interesting country, loses much.
\ party from san Juan, consisting oi
Judge Holt. of the United States District
Court of Porto Rico: Mrs and Miss Holt,
| Mrs Garrison and your correspondent
recently made n trip 10 Venezuela and
Curacoa. which proved very interesting
and enjoyable. The voyage from san
Juan to the port Of La Guayra il made
in three days by the good steamer
"Caracas. ' Of the Red d Line, stopping
nearly day at Ponce nroute. Caracas.
the capital of Venezuela is less than eight
miles from La Guayra, but Is reached 10y
a railroad of twenty-thrce miles, ascend
ing the mountains to the height Of BOO
feet above sea-level by n series OF loops,
or switch-backs. which are marvels OF
engineering skill
The scenery il indescribably grand,
lookingdown from stupendous and awe
inspiring heights. viewing three and four
tracks of the railroad, far below circling
around SUBMITS which have been climbed,
aud still further down, at the foot the
blue expanse of the Caribbean sea, and
the port of La Guayra, with itsdwellingS
clustering up the mountain sides. its
spacious break-water, and the ships oi
divers nationalities moored alongside.
Caracas il a beautiful city of 10000
inhabitants, with well-payed streets,
roomy side walks, fine plazas and squares
and handsome public buildings and pri-
vate stores and residences. The hotels
are good and prices reasonable.
The Plaza Bolivar, in the central por-
ton of the city, il adorned with a mag
nifcent equestrian bronze statue OF Boil
var. the patriot and warrior, the lib
orator of Venezuela and other South
American States. This plaza is very
spacious and surrounded by fine shade
trees, and il paved throughout with fine
tiling of variegated color, presenting a
beautiful effect
The State Capitol, or Federal Palace,
which occupies an entire square, faces on
the Plaza Bolivar. 1t is handsome. i'm
posing building, with a fine court inside,
to which entrance is effected on either
side through n magnificent archway.
The halls for the Senate and House are
fine and well-equipped, with spacious
galleries. The Reception Hall is very
large, with eliptical dome, adorned with
spirited paintings OF the battles and vic
tories of Bolivar and his confreres; and
the walls are brilliant with portraits OF
the generals who served with Bolivar,
conspicuous among whom is the fine face
of Gen. Miranda, who served on Wash
ington's staff in the war of the RevOlu-
tion. Caracas venerates the memory OF
Washington by square called Washing
ton square. in which there is a bronze
statue to the Father of His Country.
The University of Venezuela is fine
building, of the Gothic style of architect
ure, opposite the Capitol, or Federal
Palace. and occupying n whole square.
The building surrounds n fine interior
court adorned with trees and flowers,
and statues to the distinguished sons OF
Venezuela who have acquired fame in
literature, art and science. Through the
Kindness of DR.. Dominica. one OF the pro
Tessors Of the university, our party was
shown through it's schools, and also wit
messed the havoc wrought to many OF
the interior portions of the building by
the earthquakes of October, 1900, which
did great damage in Caracas which is
not now outwardly visible, but can be
seen in the interior of many OF the large
buildings and churches.
The Pantheon, or Westminster Abbey
of Caracas, very handsome building,
dedicated TO the memory of the patriots
of Venezuela, and in which their remains
repose, was much injured by the earth
ouakes and some of the fine marble
statues shaken from their bases The
statue to Bolivar, exquisitely wrought OF
Italian marble, occupies the centre OF the
extreme end OF the building, and beneath
the statue his remains are inferred. On
the right is a life-size marble statue Of
Gen. Miranda, and on the left similar
statue of Gen. Sucre.
The floor has many marble slabs, with
inscriptions showing the resting-place
Of other heroes of Venezuela whose re-
mains have been gathered into this
Pantheon. A handsome wreath of flow
ers (immortelles), sent by the Daughters
of the American Revolution, in Washing
ton. to adorn the statue ofGen. Miranda,
is still preserved, although shaken from
it's place on the pedestal OF the statue by
the recent earthquake. This wreath was
presented with ceremony in February,
1899 by Mr.. Loomis, the American Min
lister at Caracas The President of Ven
ezuela responded in eloquent terms to the
presentation speech OF the Ministero of the
United States.
Mr.. Loomis resides and has the legation