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34
SAN SALVADOR.
[1837.

a mule at another, we arose at midnight, resaddled the beasts, and with a clear sky resumed our journey.

At two we entered the city of San Salvador, and were misdirected by the guard to the house of the French Consul, who was not a little surprised at such an unexpected visit. He was, however, excessively civil, offered us accommodation, and finally sent his servant to conduct us to the house of our Consul-general, Mr. Chatfield, who turned out with much good-humour, provided refreshments, and having chatted away the interval employed in preparing our beds, we finally enjoyed an uninterrupted repose in civilized style.

We were amused in the morning by the sound of martial music, and found a band of eight heroes very pompously attired, parading the street, but unaccompanied by troops. At ten they returned with the latter, in number about twenty; the master of the band, fancying himself at least a general, and using as many antics as a gander, leading forth his troop to the green. The whole number reminded one much of Listen's brave army in Bombastes Furioso.

The town is very prettily situated on a level plain or amphitheatre, from which several lofty mountains rise, that of the Volcano de San Salvador being the most conspicuous. The streets are broad, and very clean for a foreign town; the houses have very projecting eaves; they are substantial, although lightly constructed, and of one story only, in con-