pleasant, the climate is generally delightful, and it would be difficult to find anything more healthy and invigorating than the free and independent life of the estancias, or country estates.

Availing myself of a good offer, I made an expedition up the river Uruguay to the neighbourhood of Paysandù, about three hundred miles from Buenos Ayres, where I had a very favourable opportunity of enjoying plenty of sport on the estancia of a friend, and of thoroughly examining that district of the Banda Oriental.

Later in the year I ascended the river Paranà to Rosario, Santa Fé, and the town of Paranà, which was then the capital of the Argentine Confederation. After an agreeable visit for a week at the latter place, I started with a friend to cross the rarely-visited province of Entre Rios, and a journey which was both amusing and exciting brought us to Nogoyà and the neighbourhood of Gualeguay. Here we spent a fortnight at the estancia of another friend, riding to all parts of the surrounding country and familiarising ourselves with the life and pursuits of the estancieros, among whom we found many of our own countrymen. Ultimately we left the province at Gualeguay, and had an interesting

voyage down the river in a small schooner which in due time, but not without difficulty, brought us into the neighbourhood of Buenos Ayres.

Much as I regretted the necessary abandonment of my intended journey across the Cordillera, I was partially repaid by witnessing the excitement of the civil war which caused it. The armies and navies of a South American republic, though capable of doing much mischief among themselves, cannot fail to be amusing to European travellers. I trust and believe, however, that the Argentine people are beginning to see the folly of their frequent wars and discords, and are preparing themselves for such a career of steady progress and prosperity as would naturally be expected in so fine a country. I hope that the railroads and important undertakings upon which they are now engaged for opening communications and developing the resources of their vast country, will turn their natural talents and energies into sober and useful channels.

Foreigners have been making great progress on both sides of the river, and those Englishmen who go out to engage in the profitable pursuits of sheep-farming in that part of the world will generally find fellow

countrymen within reach. Bad government and turbulent partisans have been the only serious drawbacks to the prosperity of the country, and there is at present every symptom of the evil times having come to their end. Even in the midst of their internal discords, the various governments have been sufficiently wise in their generation to recognise the importance of conciliating foreigners and encouraging the immigration of Europeans every man who embarks his capital and labour upon the estancias of the River Plate is not only benefiting himself, but contributing his quota to the prosperity of a country which must soon become great and important among the nations of the earth.

The railway which is about to be made from Rosario to Cordova, with its ultimate ramifications through the provinces of La Plata, cannot fail to open up very great sources of wealth in what may even still be considered as almost a new world. Cotton and corn, wine, fruits, and tobacco, will be brought within the reach of a short and easy transit to Europe. The healthy climate and the vigorous life of the country will be strong inducements for all who try it to persevere in their efforts: and with the increased conveniences which every year

is producing, I cannot help feeling sure that La Plata is

destined to be great.

I have endeavoured to give a short but faithful account of all I saw and heard, in the hope of inducing others to go and judge for themselves. The journals which I kept and the letters which I sent to England have afforded the materials of this volume; and I have adhered to the plan of describing my journey and various expeditions in order as they occurred. This has involved the necessity of retracing my steps for my second visit to Brazil; but, considering the various effects of different seasons upon the climate and vegetation of the countries described, I thought that this was the best system to adopt.

The illustrations, with the exception of that which is taken from an interesting photograph of the ruins of Mendoza after the earthquake, are from rough sketches taken by myself upon the spot, and completed by the kindness of my friends. The map is upon too small a scale compared with the immensity of the country to enter upon much detail, but it is sufficient to give a general notion of the mighty basin of La Plata with the adjoining territories.

In conclusion, I wish to express my thanks to the

many' hospitable friends who rendered my visit to South America one of unmixed pleasure and satisfaction; and

if

any of them derive the least amusement from the perusal of these pages, I shall feel very greatly pleased

at having been able to give so slight a proof of my grateful remembrance.

LONDON: May 27, 1863.

T. W. HINCHLIFF.