evening sun are refracted in this mass of suspended vapour, the optical phenomena are truly enchanting. Rainbows alternately appear and disappear, and their image incessantly sports in the air.

Baron de Humboldt and his friend, after almost incredible difficulties, arrived at Fort San Carlos, where the Portuguese possessions terminate. From this place they proceeded to Guiana, along the Casiquiari, a wide branch of the Oronoko, which forms a communication by the Rio Negro with the Amazon.

Ninth Bay's Instruction.

TERRA FIRMA.

Venezuela or Caraccas.

IF, from Guiana, we cross the river Oronoko, we enter another of the Spanish possessions, called Terra Firma. This part of America was originally discovered by Columbus in the year 1498, and received the name of Terra Firma, or "Firm land," to denote that it belonged to the continent, and was not an island. Subsequently to the time of Columbus the Spaniards conquered it, made slaves of many of its inhabitants; and established colonists and missionaries in different parts, to collect the produce, and to convert the natives to Christianity. It extends from the western ocean, along the sea coast, to the Isthmus of Darien; and is bounded on the south by Guiana, Amazonia, and Peru.

The inhabitants of this and of other Spanish American territories have, during more than three centuries, groaned under the severest despotism, their commerce has been injured, their agriculture neglected, and the exertions of industry have been paralyzed. Galleons, and afterwards register ships, were exclusively permitted

to carry out European merchandize, and in return to bring back the gold and silver drawn from the mines of these colonies; and all other European nations were prohibited, by the most severe laws, from entering any of the colonial parts belonging to Spain. Under this system of restraint, the minds of a considerable portion of the inhabitants have, for many years, been influenced by a desire to follow the example of their brethren, the North American Indians, and to withdraw themselves from the gripe of European monopoly. The dread, however, of failing in an insurrection, the presence of a military force, and the connection of the public functionaries with old Spain, long held in check an unwarlike and divided population. The occupation of Spain, however, by the French troops, presented to the colonists an opportunity of commencing with ardour their struggle for independence. This opportunity was not lost; and the province of La Plata, and several parts of Chili and Peru, have been emancipated and thrown wholly out of the power of Spain.

By the liberation of all these countries from the Spanish yoke, not only the colonists themselves would be benefitted, but by the free intercourse that might be established, every nation of the civilized world would be a gainer; and even Spain herself, under the invigorating system of a free trade, would, probably, derive greater advantage, than she ever possessed in her days of monopoly. But these would not be the only advantages. Civilization would become more extended: Europeans would be able to traverse without impediment, not only for commercial but for philosophical purposes, every part of this extensive region; and at last the grand project might possibly be effected of forming, through the isthmus of Darien, that narrow wall of mountains which, three hundred years ago, arrested the noble ardour of Columbus, a short and direct passage to the eastern countries of the world. But while we look forward with hope to the emancipation of these important provinces, we cannot but regret that much of the

contest, has, of late years, been given up to needy adventurers from Europe, who seek only their own personal advantage, and who, under the pretence of patriotism, are acting with no other view than to enrich themselves and their followers by plunder.

The most important district of Terra Firma, is that called the "Capitania general of Caraccas," or the provinces of Venezuela.

CARACCAS OR VENEZUELA.

THIS Country, which is still subject to the Spaniards, contains nearly a million of inhabitants, among whom are about sixty thousand slaves. It comprehends the province of Spanish Guiana, already mentioned, on the south; that of Cumana on the east; the island of Margaretta on the north-east; Venezuela in the centre; and the government of Maracaïbo on the west.

Near the shore the country is fertile, and in many parts is in a state of cultivation. In the interior it is mountainous; and beyond the mountains are extensive plains and savannas. From its situation, a few degrees north of the equator, this region might be expected to present only a land rendered uninhabitable by excessive heat. But so diversified is its climate, that, in several parts, the inhabitants enjoy the coolness of perpetual spring; whilst in others all the effects of a torrid region are experienced. This diversity of temperature is chiefly attributable to the mountains by which it is traversed.

In this part of America the year is not, as in Europe, divided into four seasons. There is neither spring nor autumn; and winter and summer complete the whole annual revolution. To what is called winter is assigned the interval of time between the months of April and November: this is the rainy season. The summer comprises the six remaining months, during which the rains are less frequent. In the rainy season,

the showers are heavy and almost incessant; and the discharges of torrents from the clouds often produce more water in a single day than the rains of Europe do in six. It has been remarked that, before the year 1792, the rains were accompanied by tremendous storms of thunder; but that, since that period, the rain, though it falls in great abundance, has not the usual accompaniments of a storm. Earthquakes are occasionally felt, particularly in the province of Cumana; but they are by no means so frequent as in some of the adjacent countries.

For fertility and richness of vegetable productions, few parts of America can be compared with this; and it enjoys the happiness of not possessing any mines of precious metals. By diligent search, indeed, the first conquerors discovered four mines of gold, but these are all now either lost or of no value. Gold and silver mines, as long as they last, are the tombs of multitudes who labour in them. They enervate, emaciate, and subject to a languishing life all such as are not stifled in their bosom. They destroy the germ of all the social and domestic virtues: banish every regard to order and economy, and encourage vice; and, when exhausted, they substitute poverty for prodigality and vagrancy for labour. The transient lustre which the possession of mines confers is, in this district, amply compensated by the abundant, the valuable, and inexhaustible productions of the soil. A few copper mines, in the jurisdiction of San Philippe, are all the mines that this part of America can boast, and these employ only a small number of hands.

A pearl fishery was formerly carried on between the islands of Cubagua and Margaretta, but this has, for many years, been abandoned. There are some saltworks at Araya in the province of Cumana; and several parts of the country abound in mineral waters.

In the Caraccas the agricultural industry, the great mass of population, the principal towns, and whatever is connected with an advanced civilization, are found

near the coast, and this coast extends more than two hundred leagues. All the vast districts of Spanish America, have for ages been governed, almost like separate states, by viceroys and captains-general. They have also, in a considerable degree, been peopled by Spaniards, or by the descendants of Spaniards, who have the name of Creoles.

Many of the colonists are possessed of ample fortunes; yet, by the enervating influence of a sultry climate, and by the rigour of a jealous government, their minds are so broken, that most of them waste their lives in luxurious indulgences, mingled with an illiberal and debasing superstition.

The full dress of a Spanish colonist was formerly a taffeta, satin or velvet coat and breeches, adorned with rich embroidery. The waistcoat was of gold tissue, or of silk with embroidery. He wore a cocked hat, and had by his side a silver or a gold-hilted sword. But this formality of dress is now nearly laid aside. Slouched hats, cropped and unpowdered heads, pantaloons пр to the breast, and short vests, buttoned half way, are now the style in which the young Spaniards of the colonies appear, who, by their opulence and rank, are entitled to preside in the circles of fashion. Their highest ambition is to assimilate their manners to those of the French.

It is an invariable custom with this people to appropriate two, three, or sometimes four hours every day after dinner to sleep. Even those who are actively engaged in business, take care so to make their arrangements, that these do not interfere with their afternoon nap.

The Spaniards of the colonies usually marry very young, the girls as early as twelve, and the boys at fourteen years of age. Nothing is more common than to see a young couple, whose united ages do not exceed thirty years. A few years ago, children, who had not obtained the consent of their parents to marry, or who chose to save themselves the trouble of