VENEZUELA.
42
On
seeing
all
this,
my
went back to India,
recollection
and the processions of Durga and Krishnah.
Indeed, the
yatrotsavahs of Hindustan, and the fiestas of South America,
have a
common
They
origin.
are the resource of an idle
people, and an excuse for putting on best clothes, loitering,
gaming, and love-making.
I
was assured that
some
fiesta at Santiago, the Vii'gin receives
letters
from the
girls of the city
and
its
grand
at the
thirty thousand
Some
environs.
ask for husbands and lovers, others for ball-di*esses and
may
pianos, and, incredible as
it
answered, and, where
thought
such
it is
appear, the petitions are
as husbands and lovers, one
trifles
As
politic, granted.
for
knows from Hero-
dotus that such matters are easily arranged, but even a
piano
is
At Caracas, absurdity
occasionally sent.
is
not
carried so far, but even there fiestas are no doubt the busiest
days at Cupid's post-office.
The
of Caracas
site
It is at about the
the
one to please an Oriental sovereign.
same elevation above the sea
of Persia,
capital
With
is
and resembles
it
in
as Tehran,
accessibility.
a few batteries judiciously placed, the approach to
Caracas from the coast might be completely closed against
an enemy, exceptmg, of course, English tilings are practicable that
sailors, to
whom
imply prize-money and a
In the beginning of June,
the renowned
1595,
Dracke, as the Spanish historians
call
all
fight.
Corsair
him, or Francis
Drake, stood in with his squadron towards the coast of
he arrived within about half a league from
Venezuela,
till
La
when he embarked
Guaira,
and landed. resistance,
The
five
inhabitants of
hundred men
La Guaira
in boats,
fled
without
and carried to Caracas the news of the
terrible
Englishman's descent on the coast.
Then
did the valiant