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Preface.

known from the province of Buenos Ayres, which contains one third of the population of the whole Republic, and is by far the wealthiest, most cultivated, and most influential part of it. In this province his election has been complete and unanimous, and the voice of many other provinces has long been heard through their daily organs, so that doubtless before these pages see the light, the favorable result will be confirmed. Colonel Sarmiento has resisted all the entreaties of his friends to return to his country to aid the interests of his election. He has chosen to wait until elected by the unbiassed will of his countrymen,—and for wise as well as self-respecting reasons. All who have followed the golden thread of his life through the chaotic changes that have harassed the life of the Republic, so determined to be free and progressive, in spite of all the temporary reactions of the barbaric element which has its seat in the peculiar composition of its society, feel with him that it is only by appreciation of his motives, sympathy with his aims, and confidence in his ability to save them from the present threatened anarchy, that he can have any assurance of doing good from the high position now assigned him. He has never flattered his countrymen; he has always recognized the barbarian tendencies which have so often overpowered the equally persistent but vitally permanent influences of civilization, and he has been