e necessary work. Many families proud of their ancient
descent were settled in the town, and its society was therefore superior
to that of any of the surrounding places. In Popayan is a large square,
of which I shall have to speak by-and-by, with the cathedral on one
side, and the residences of some of the principal people in the town
occupying the other sides. There were, besides, several churches, four
convents, and two nunneries. To the north of the city, towards the
Cauca, is the handsomest bridge in that part of the country. From the
town, in the early part of the morning, when the sun shines on them, can
be seen the Cordilleras of Chicquio, and at a less distance rises the
Paramos of Puxana and Soltana, presenting a magnificent appearance.

This description may give a faint idea of the beautiful scenery amid
which I was born. Although I was accustomed to it from my earliest
days, I nevertheless admired it more and more as I grew older. Though
my father and Richard Duffield had not intended to settle in America
when they married, their wives, who were attached to the country,
exerted all their influence to induce them to stay, so they finally made
up their minds to abandon their native land. The doctor, having been so
long a prisoner, was supposed to be dead, and he had no difficulty in
retiring from the service; while the midshipman very easily discharged
himself.

At the time I speak of, Liberal principles had been making rapid
progress in the country among persons of all ranks. For years the
colony had groaned under the tyranny and narrow-minded policy of the
mother country. As she produced wine, oil, and silk, the inhabitants of
New Granada and Venezuela were not allowed to cultivate either the vine,
the olive, or the mulberry, under the idea that they would thus be
compelled to consume the produce of Spain. Attempts were made from time
to time to establish manufactories, which were invariably destroyed by
the orders of the Spanish Government. At length, when Spain herself
became enslaved by the French, the colonists took the opportunity of
throwing off the galling yoke, and New Granada and Venezuela declared
their independence. The Spanish standard was cut down and destroyed,
while the tricoloured flag was hoisted in numerous towns and fortresses.
The inhabitants of the two vice-royalties flew to arms, and, under the
leadership of General Miranda, the Royalists were defeated in Venezuela.
No soon