The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1913-04-04
SEE a mountain" exclaimed
the first daring white naviga-
tor who rounded from the
broad Atlantic into the mouth

DrOdQ AIlduClC luLO Juo LuOuIu
of the Rio de la Plata and
searched the northern bank. Juan
Diaz de Soils is said to have thus sail
ed and mayhap he made use of the
expression, if he was personally on
the lookout. At any rate whosoever
said it and Notwithstanding the fact
that the mountain Is little more than
a good-sized hill, the Latin expression
stuck, and its two words, now welded
together, form the name of the splen-
did little modern capital Of the Re-
public Of Uruguay.
Little capital? Well, yes-when
compared in population with its two
big neighbors, Buenos Aires and Rio
de Janeiro-but even at that just
about as big as the capital of the giant
Of all republics, the United States Of
America In fact, in point Of popula-
ton, Montevideo and Washington are
very nearly twins, each claiming a
near approach to the 100000 mark.
However. the impression made upon
the tourist is that there is nothing
small about the Uruguayan capital.
It's fine. substantial houses are large,
its streets are wide and well paved,
and its parks and plazas are beautiful
and spacious. while the liberal hospi
tally of its people shows that their
hearts are large as we'll.
Ideal Location.
The city has an ideal location on a
fine bay, the eastern side facing the
Atlantic and the southern fronting the
Rio de la Plata. It Is built on PENN
sula that ,juts out into the waters and
forms the eastern extremity of this
semicircular bay which forms the
actual port. while on the ocean side
the coast sweeps directly north for
quite distance, and it is here that
are located the fine bathing resorts of
which more anon, writes correspon-
dent for the Pan American Union.
Promptly at o'clock we left the
vessel for the wharf carriages awaited
us for sightseeing tour of the city.
Our drive took us first to the Plaza
Matriz, a pretty square inclosed by
some fine buildings, among them be-
ing the Cabildo or Parliament house;
the Club Uruguay, the leading social
organization for the wealthy Uruguay
ans; and the fine old cathedral, one of
the ancient structures of the city,
which dates back to the Spanish re-
gime, and in which repose the remains
Of the first president of the republic
and those of the first archbishop Our
time was too limited, however, to stop
here, and we proceeded to the Plaza
Independence. This is beautifully
kept garden of trees, shrubs, and flow
ers, covering a space about 900 by
600 feet. Here may be seen the gov
eminent house-which Is also relic
Of colonial days-the resident of the
president of the republic. the splendid
Teatro Soils, and the national museum.
In every city visited in South America
we found the leading theater to be
one Of the costliest and handsomest
structures, and the Soils Theater was
therefore not such surprise. It
ranks with the finest in the world, and
such great artists as Patti. Bernhard.
Caruso and others, have appeared
there, for Montevideo's amusement
loving public must have the greatest
artists In the world to cater to its
critical taste, regardless of expense.
The national museum, located close
beside the Soils Theater. Is worthy Of
more than passing notice. for 1t is one
of the most interesting and instructive
places in all South America Here are
gathered specimens Of Uruguayan art,
natural history. geology. and hundreds
of objects OF historical interest The
collection Of Indian "bolos" alone is
a remarkable exhibition. for among
the hundreds Of these primitive weap-
ons may be found specimens of every
stone formation known to this section
Of the continent. Other weapons and
primitive utensils Of the aboriginal
tribes found In the country. mounted