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CH. XI.]
TO GUATEMALA.
151

CHAPTER XI.


Family of Doña Vicente.—Festivities at Amatitañ.


Saturday, 21st. The family with whom I had taken up my abode, consisted of Doña Vicente Cuellar y Rascon, and her daughter Maria Jesus, the eldest of a large family, and probably about twenty-five years of age. Don José de Padillo, the father of the interesting family at Aguachapa, was living with them. The house was large but not very commodious, and very indifferently furnished; it was hired for the Guatemalian season.

Amongst the little festivities with which the time abounded, was one which was going on at a retired and beautiful hamlet about twenty miles from the city, on the road towards the south sea. All the fashionables were setting off thither to partake of this rural recreation; and, being invited to join the party of my kind hostess,