It need hardly be mentioned that Tucuman, which had been founded by the Spaniards from the Peru side some twenty years before, is not on the river at all, but nearly five hundred miles distant across the still almost unknown Gran Chaco. Tucuman is now reached by railway from the south by way of Cordoba.
[2]
W. O. Campbell, "Through Patagonia," p. 6.
[3]
"Voyage of the Beagle," chap. viii.
[4]
"Voyage of the Beagle," chap. xv.
[5]
D'Orbigny apud Howorth, "The Mammoth and the Flood," p. 352.
[6]
Darwin, "Geological Observations on South America," p. 99.
[7]
It is estimated that during the floods the Parana rolls down 1,650,000 cubic feet per second, while the Uruguay volume amounts to 500,000.
[8]
"Description Physique," i. 310-11.
[9]
"We found the river course very tortuous, and strewed with immense fragments of various ancient slaty rocks, and of granite. The plain bordering the valley had here attained an elevation of about eleven hundred feet above the river, and its character was much altered. The well-rounded pebbles of porphyry were mingled with many immense angular fragments of basalt and of primary rocks" ("Voyage of the Beagle" chap. ix.).
[10]
"Very great numbers of birds, wild animals, cattle, and horses perished from the want of food and water. A man told me that the deer used to come into his courtyard to the well, which he had been obliged to dig to supply his own family with water; and that the partridges had hardly strength to fly away when pursued. The lowest estimation of the loss of cattle in Buenos Ayres alone was taken at one million head" (Darwin, "Voyage of the Beagle," chap. vii.).
[11]
For much of the matter in this chapter I am indebted to the late E. J. Payne's valuable "History of the New World called America."
[12]
In "De Mundo."
[13]
"Venient annis saecula seris Quibus Oceanus vincula rerum Laxet, et ingens pateat tellus, Tiphys que novos detegat orbes, Nec sit terris ultima Thule." ("Medea," ii. 373.)
[14]
"Some writers carry back the date five hundred, or even five hundred and fifty, years before the Spanish invasion.... In the Report of the Royal Audience of Peru, the epoch is more modestly fixed at two hundred years before the Conquest" (Prescott, "Conquest of Peru," p. 5, note).
[15]
See Sir H. H. Howorth, "The Mammoth and the Flood," chap. xii.
[16]
See D'Orbigny, "L'Homme AmÉricain," passim.
[17]
De Bougainville, "A Voyage Round the World," pp. 24-5.
[18]
D'Orbigny, ii. 295-7.
[19]
Purchas, "His Pilgrimage," xiv. 546.
[20]
R. Hakluyt, Extra Series, xi. 252.
[21]
Or 1537 or 1538, according to various authorities.
[22]
"A man of indefatigable courage and a rare prudence, he joined with these qualities the experience of serving in many glorious campaigns" (Funes, i. 287).
[23]
"History of Brazil," i. 349.
[24]
"Ensayo de la Historia Civil," p. 318.
[25]
Funes, vol. iii. 73.
[26]
"History of Brazil," ii. 322-3.
[27]
Drake in 1578 visited the south of Tierra del Fuego, and discovered that there was a passage round, but he did not himself make the voyage round Cape Horn.
[28]
Bourgainville (See J. H. Moore), "Collection of Voyages and Travels," 266.
[29]
"Buenos Ayres," 59.
[30]
Carlyle has an accurate perception of the gravity of the issue. "The Jenkins's Ear Question, which then looked so mad to everybody, how sane has it now grown to my Constitutional Friend! In abstruse ludicrous form there lay immense questions involved in it; which were serious enough, certain enough, though invisible to everybody. Half the World lay hidden in embryo under it. Colonial-Empire, whose is it to be? Shall Half the World be England's, for industrial purposes; which is innocent, laudable, conformable to the Multiplication-table at least, and other plain Laws? Or shall it be Spain's for arrogant-torpid sham-devotional purposes, contradictory to every Law?" ("History of Frederick the Great," xii. 12, § 3).
[31]
See Sir J. K. Laughton, English Historical Review, October, 1889.
[32]
See Sir J. K. Laughton, English Historical Review, October, 1889.
[33]
"History of Brazil," iii. 300.
[34]
"An Account of the Spanish Settlement in America," 340-1.
[35]
"They collected them into fixed habitations, gave them laws, introduced useful and polite arts among them; and, in short, of a barbarous nation, without civilised manners, and without religious principles, they made a good-natured and well-governed people, who strictly observed the Christian ceremonies" (De Bougainville, p. 98).
[36]
"These Indians live at present in an entire assurance, that whatever their priests advise them to is good, and whatever they reprehend is bad" (Ulloa, ii. 183).
[37]
The following is a typical example. "In 1602 a custom-house was established at Cordoba for the purpose of levying duties equivalent to 50 per cent. of the value of all commodities passing between Peru and the River Plate. It was not till 1665 that this irritating restraint on commercial business was relaxed" (C. E. Akers, "A History of South America," p. 11).
[38]
"The commerce between Peru and Buenos Aires is chiefly for cattle and mules; such as are concerned in the former, go first to the Governor, and ask his leave to drive a herd of cattle into Peru, which is never refused when backed by a present of some thousand pieces of eight" ("An Account of the Spanish Settlements in America (1762)" 331).
[39]
"In the trade to America every nation endeavours to engross as much as possible the whole market of its own colonies, by fairly excluding all other nations from any direct trade to them" (Adam Smith, "Wealth of Nations," ii. 129).
[40]
Thackeray, "A History of William Pitt," ii. 73, 74.
[41]
"Wealth of Nations," i. 203.
[42]
Writing of the time of Galvez, Funes (iii. 225) says: "Civil and military appointments were never before distributed with such complete partiality to the European Spaniards. In general, the native-born were shut out; they were not esteemed worthy to be appointed door-keepers of the offices." He also remarks that there was similar exclusiveness in the distribution of ecclesiastical preferment.
[43]
A. F. Kirkpatrick, "Cambridge Modern History," x. 277-9.
[44]
"From various informations I have received from different people of the defenceless state of Monte Video, Buenos Ayres, and their dependencies, I have deemed it expedient, with the squadron under my command, assisted by his Majesty's 71st Regiment, to proceed on an expedition against those places, not doubting in the smallest degree of such success as will add lustre to his Majesty's arms, distress our enemies, and open a most beneficial trade for Great Britain" (Popham to Governor of St. Helena, April 13, 1806).
[45]
"All future prospects were marred and rendered hopeless by the selection of General Whitelocke for the chief command; a man of most unpopular character, unrecommended by previous services, and void of all claim or pretension beyond powerful interest" (J. W. Cole, "Memoirs of British Generals," i. 224).
[46]
See "A Memoir of Sir Samuel Ford Whittingham" 24, 25.
[47]
"The Liberal Creoles were delighted, for experience showed them the immense resources of their country, and proved that it could subsist upon its revenues without asking for anything from Peru or Spain" (Arcos, "La Plata," p. 241).
[48]
In 1825 he successfully introduced Southdown sheep.
[49]
"In fact, for Don Juan Manuel the Federal cause was solely a means of attaining power. This object gained, he proved by his extraordinary concentration of authority that he was more of a Unitarian than any one else" (Brossard, "La Plata," p. 181).
[50]
Brossard, who knew him personally, gives Rosas the following character: "A man of the country, Rosas has indeed been the chief of the reaction of men of the country against the predominant influence of the town. Steeped in the prejudices of Castilian pride, he loathes all foreigners alike. Their energy and capital might enrich his country, but he accords them a grudging welcome. Being an agriculturist by birth, by training, and by taste, he is little interested in industry. This preference has inspired several good measures; he sets a good example in his estates, which are perfectly managed and cultivated. He has encouraged the culture of cereals, and thus under his rule he has justified the extremely high custom duty by which he struck a blow at the wheat formerly demanded by Buenos Aires from North America. In other measures he has overshot his mark. Having been brought up in the rigid principles of the Spanish colonial system, he does not understand trade, and only permits it when surrounded by prohibitive tariffs and stringent custom duties. Thus we have stagnation in commerce and industry and complete neglect of objects of material utility" ("ConsidÉrations," pp. 458-9).
[51]
Although the constitution of Argentina is in form Federal, the logic of facts has been too strong for the intentions of its framers. The immense importance of Buenos Aires has, in effect, forced upon the Republic a centralised form of government, and the Provinces are largely under the direct control of the administration at the capital.
[52]
During forty-five years before 1857 the population had only a little more than doubled; during the forty-five years since that date the increase has been 450 per cent. (Dawson, "South American Republics" i. 143).
[53]
"The boundary line between the Argentine Republic and the United States of Brazil, in that part submitted to me for arbitration and decision, is constituted and shall be established by and upon the rivers Pepiri (also called Pepiri-guazu) and San Antonio" ("The Misiones Award," Article VI.).
[54]
Report, i. 152.
[55]
I.e., north of Patagonia.
[56]
Sir T. H. Holdich, "The Countries of the King's Award," p. 50.
[57]
"Where the boundary was adverse to Chile the Argentine Commissioner voted for it, and Mr. Buchanan siding with him gave a majority against the Chilian representative. Where the conditions were reversed, Mr. Buchanan agreed with the Chilian Commissioner. In this manner the work was concluded in three days" (Akers "A History of South America," p. 114).
[58]
"Political combination is now possible between two strong and self-reliant Republics, recognising a common ancestry, bound by the ties of ethnic affinity, owning and revering the same splendid history (which has before now included concerted action in the common cause of South American freedom), and rejoicing in the present possession and future prospect of magnificent material advantages, such as never could possibly be secured, except under conditions of peaceful development, unchecked and unhindered by the recurrent threat of war. It is difficult to overestimate the results of such a combination on the future of South America" ("Holdich," Ibid. pp. 413, 14).
[59]
He will be succeeded almost immediately by Dr. Roque Saenz PeÑa.
[60]
But in practice the period does not usually exceed one year, and many are released after three months.
[61]
The President, in his last Message, speaks of thirty thousand, but he is referring to a special occasion—the celebration of the Centenary.
[62]
"Owing to the conditions of his country life, the Argentine is transformed readily into a good cavalry soldier, and in general he soon learns to shoot, because he has been accustomed to train his eye to the calculation of distances" (F. Seeber, "Argentina," &c., p. 88).
[63]
"The Countries of the King's Award," p. 104.
[64]
"L'Argentine au XXe SiÈcle," p. 300.
[65]
Yves Guyot, "L'Éspagne," pp. 188-9.
[66]
The figures on this subject are striking. In 1904 it was computed that in Argentina 1,000 Italian women gave birth to 175 children, 1,000 Spaniards to 123, 1,000 Germans to 96, 1,000 Uruguayans to 93, 1,000 English to 92, 1,000 Argentines to 85, 1000 French to 74. (See "L'Émigration EuropÉenne," by M. R. Gonnard.)
[67]
"The Spanish-American Republics," pp. vi. vii.
[68]
"The Psychology of Peoples," p. 152.
[69]
L. Guilaine, "La RÉpublique Argentine," p. xxiii.
[70]
"L'Argentine au XXe SiÈcle," p. xxviii.
[71]
"The Argentine is, one may say, Italy's finest colony—a colony 'without a flag,' but prosperous" (R. Gonnard, Ibid. p. 219).
[72]
Some particulars as to the law upon this subject may be of interest. Foreigners may obtain naturalisation papers after residing two years in Argentina, or earlier if they can prove service to the State. They are immune from compulsory military service for ten years after naturalisation. After from four to six years naturalisation they are eligible for election as national deputies or senators, but persons not naturalised may hold administrative positions in the executive Government. Article 20 of the National Constitution says: "Foreigners may freely exercise their callings or any profession for which they are qualified, navigate the rivers and coasts, make testamentary dispositions, marry in accordance with the laws of the Republic, own and deal in real estate and exempt from differentiated taxation, travel, associate for lawful purposes petition and do all such things as may be legally done by born citizens of the State."
[73]
In the Chaco it is said that there are 13,025,450 hectares of State land for sale or renting.
[74]
"An Account," &c., pp. 328-9.
[75]
De Bougainville, who visited it in 1767, says the town had twenty thousand inhabitants of all colours. He comments upon the lowness of the houses and says that the houses usually had spacious gardens—a great contrast to the modern city. ("Voyage autour du Monde," p. 33.)
[76]
"History of Spanish America," p. 274.
[77]
Head, "Rough Notes," p. 30.
[78]
"The Voyage of the Beagle," chap. vi.
[79]
Mansfield, "Paraguay, Brazil, and the Plate," pp. 128, 136, 138.
[80]
A suggested derivation is from the corruption of an Arabic word, i.e., Chaoucho, which in Seville is applied to a cowherd.
[81]
See Windsor, "History of America," ii. 322, 3.
[82]
"The obligations of religion were undermined, every weapon was directed to the extermination of the unshaken foes of the revolution. The ignorant and depraved set no bounds to their conduct, every thought of religion and morals, of future welfare and its effects upon unborn generations, were out of the question. Many of the youth of this province have, in consequence, been brought up in a neglect of all religion" (Captain Andrews, "Journey" &c., i. 190).
[83]
Primary education is free and compulsory for children between the ages of six and fourteen. It is also, unfortunately, secular.
[84]
The following table will show that Argentina is more advanced than her neighbours:—
Percentage to Population of School-going Children.
Argentina
10
Uruguay
7
Chile
3·70
Paraguay
3·50
Peru
2·86
Brazil
2
Bolivia
2
Santiago and Jujuy are the most ignorant parts of the Republic, Buenos Aires City the least.
[85]
Émile Daireaux, "La Vie et Les Moeurs À La Plata," i. 414.
[86]
Caras y Caretas is a sprightly weekly paper of varied interests, which makes a special feature of coloured cartoons.
[87]
See the Annual Register of 1907, p. 345.
[88]
See the North American Review, July 31, 1907.
[89]
"La Vie et les Moeurs À La Plata," i. 408-9.
[90]
M. de Waleffe, "Les Paradis de l'AmÉrique Centrale," p. 213.
[91]
Valuable articles appeared on this subject in the Economist, beginning No. 3,457, November 30, 1909.
[92]
The following figures show the progress of railway construction:—
1866
73 miles
1874
150"
1884
2,290"
1890
5,745"
1899
10,285"
1908
15,476"
In 1909 the railways carried 50,810,000 passengers. The gross receipts were about £20,715,000, the net profits about £8,200,000.
[93]
The following are the principal lines:—
Argentine Great Western. Argentine North-Eastern. Bahia Blanca and North-Western. Buenos Aires Central. Buenos Aires Great Southern. Buenos Aires Midland. Buenos Aires and Pacific. Buenos Aires and Rosario. Buenos Aires Western. Central Argentine. Cordoba Central. Cordoba Central Buenos Aires Extension. Cordoba and Rosario. Entre Rios. Villa Maria and Rufino.
The above are mainly English. There are several smaller private lines and several belonging to Government, while there is an important French line—the Province of Santa FÉ Railway. As will be pointed out, several of the above have been practically amalgamated with larger lines.
[94]
The following is a directory of the four broad-gauge railways:—
Buenos Aires Great Southern Railway.
Directors.
Jason Rigby (Chairman), Sir Henry Bell, Bart., A. E. Bowen, Col. Sir C. Euan Smith, K.C.B., Woodbine Parish, D. A. Shennan, D. Simson.
Local Committee.
G. White (Chairman), J. P. Clarke, Dr. N. R. Fresco, F. D. Guerrico.
Consulting Engineers.
Livesey, Son, and Henderson.
General Manager.
J. P. Clarke.
London Manager and Secretary.
H. C. Allen.
Offices.
River Plate House, Finsbury Circus, E.C.
Buenos Aires Western Railway.
Directors.
Sir Henry Bell, Bart. (Chairman), A. E. Bowen, D. Simson, Woodbine Parish, J. W. Todd.
Consulting Engineers.
Livesey, Son, and Henderson.
Legal Representative in Buenos Aires.
Santiago Brian.
General Manager.
A. F. Lertora.
Secretary.
E. Eustace Faithfull.
Offices.
River Plate House, Finsbury Circus, E.C.
Buenos Aires and Pacific Railway.
Directors.
Rt. Hon. Lord St. Davids (Chairman), T. P. Gaskell, C. E. GÜnther, E. Norman, Hon. A. Stanley, M.P., F. O. Smithers (Managing Director).
Local Board.
Dr. Don E. Lamarca (Chairman), J. A. Goudge, R. S. Zavalia.
General Manager.
J. A. Goudge.
Secretary.
W. R. Cronan.
Offices.
Dashwood House. 9, New Broad Street, E.C.
Central Argentine Railway.
Directors.
J. W. Todd (Chairman), C. Darbyshire, P. Riddock, W. Morrison, Jason Rigby, Col. F. J. G. Murray, J. W. Theobald, C. P. Ogilvie.
Local Committee.
Dr. J. A. Frias (President), H. H. Loveday, S. H. Pearson, Carlos Maschwitz.
Consulting Engineers.
Sir Douglas Fox and Partners. Livesey, Son, and Henderson.
General Manager.
H. H. Loveday.
Secretary.
F. Fighiera.
Offices.
3A, Coleman Street, E.C.
[95]
When the term dollar is used, it invariably means the gold dollar at five to the English £1.
[96]
"Stables and stalls are replacing the old-fashioned 'corral.' The wealthy proprietor arrives at his estancia from the railway station in a carriage; the old rustic homestead is converted into a veritable country-house, sometimes into a mansion, with park and garden. There are estancias a hundred leagues from Buenos Aires which we once knew as plains deserted and in the hands of the Indians, and where now carriages, equipped in English fashion, pass over the plain and people dine in the evening in sumptuous establishments. The European stock-raisers have made the gaucho retreat to the vast tracts situated on the confines of the desert" (Martinez et Lewandowski, "L'Argentine," p. 132).
[97]
The statement of the "Encyclopedia Britannica," that Argentina had a hundred million sheep in 1866 is quite incredible. Mulhall estimates, no doubt accurately, the number in 1870 at forty-one millions.
[98]
In 1569 Don Juan Ortiz de Zarate arranged for the importation of four thousand merinos to the River Plate. In 1660 Buenos Aires shipped its first cargo of wool—about a ton. When we condemn Spanish restrictiveness we must remember the enlightened efforts of various Viceroys to improve the industry of wool and hides.
[99]
"In some respects we are so backward that our wool cannot compete in the great markets of the world, so far as regards the quality, with any other country which is a great producer. The bad habit of our breeders to separate their sheep into large flocks—sometimes above five thousand heads—is the principal obstacle to the improvement of our wool, because large flocks do not admit of the necessary attentions" (Napp, "The Argentine Republic," p. 303).
[100]
"Of every twenty estancias in the South fifteen belong to Englishmen" (Bernandez, "The Argentine Estancia," p. 45).
[101]
"The Argentine Estancia," p. 52.
[102]
For some of my information I am indebted to an article in the Lancet of October 24, 1908.
[103]
The following table shows the progress of the Company:—
Acreage of Farms.
Stock of Cattle.
1868
28,494
12,000
1878
37,961
19,036
1888
126,984
36,685
1898
254,133
66,435
1908
1,302,386
224,406
1910
1,527,720
274,500
[104]
There are also some fine specimens of Aberdeen Angus. This is a useful breed, for it "nicks" well with Herefords and Durhams, and is a better milker than the Hereford. Its colour, usually black, is unpopular, and Argentines are fastidious in that respect. But they stand the cold well and their beef is of high quality, and some breeders pin their faith to them.
[105]
For 1909 the figures were—
Imports
£60,551,219
Exports
79,470,102.
[106]
I have divided the figures, which are given by all authorities in American gold dollars, by five. It is greatly to be regretted that the splendid private enterprise of Englishmen in Argentina receives so little help from English statisticians or the English Government. The statistics are best set forth by an excellent publication, the Bulletin of the International Bureau of the American Republics, published at Washington. Even the Statesman's Year Book (Macmillan) gives totals in American dollars. We have far more trade in South America than the United States, but we cannot, in view of the approaching completion of the Panama Canal and the intelligent efforts of American statesmen, hope to retain our position indefinitely if our own Government continues to trust to the policy of "muddling through."
[107]
According to the Statesman's Year Book, the figures appear to be too high.
[108]
MacCann, "Two Thousand Miles' Ride," i. 160.
[109]
Ibid. ii. 304.
[110]
Bulletin of the American Republics (July, 1909), p. 14.
[111]
As opposed to exportation.
[112]
The table given below shows the tonnage of the chief ports in 1908:—
Tonnage.
Port.
Entered.
Cleared.
Rio Gallegos
41,266
42,239
Bahia Blanca
799,198
783,272
Puerto Madryn
19,921
12,666
C. de Uruguay
603,818
646,411
La Plata
855,950
840,548
Diamante
375,779
449,492
Santa FÉ
440,466
481,948
Parana
636,091
635,064
Erquina
374,037
373,596
Goya
404,917
377,227
Bella Vista
399,667
402,235
Empedrado
306,136
309,635
Correntis
504,433
494,693
Rosario
1,924,808
2,029,596
Buenos Aires
7,555,574
7,562,055
[113]
The various authorities almost always differ slightly, sometimes considerably, in their figures. Thus the Statesman's Year Book gives the tonnage of Buenos Aires in 1908 as 4,760,316, while the Bulletin states it at 4,888,741.
[114]
"Politica Comercial Argentina," p. 42.
[115]
Art 74 of the Custom Law of 1905.
[116]
"Politica Comercial Argentina," p. 367.
[117]
In 1907-8 the world's export of wheat was as follows:—
United States
4,400,000 tons
Argentina
3,540,000 "
Russia
1,651,000 "
Canada
1,530,000 "
Balkan States
623,000 "
India
533,000 "
These figures are reckoned from July 31, 1907.
[118]
"All the inhabitants of the Republic, be they citizens or foreigners, between fifteen and fifty years of age are obliged to give personal help for the destruction of the locusts and the use of animals or their property fitted for the work, excepting fine animals which are destined for breeding" (Art. 7 of Locust Law of 1903).
[119]
Quebracho means break-axe. Of the red variety Falkner says that "in redness and colour it bears so strong a resemblance to red marble, that it is a difficult matter to distinguish them."
[120]
The total value of quebracho exported during the year 1905 amounted to over 7,000,000 dollars gold.
[121]
"Coleccion," i. 199.
[122]
"I feel it a duty which I owe to the Association shortly to state that, having ridden 6,000 miles in South America—having thrown myself on the feeble resources of the country—having been to the bottom of every mine which has been inspected—having made all the observations I was capable of making—having lived in deserts, and almost in solitude, nearly a year, with no other subject on my mind than the interests of the Association—I deliberately declare upon my honour and upon my character, that it is my humble, but decided opinion—
"1st. That the working of the mines in the provinces of Rio de la Plate, by an English Association, is politically unsafe; and—
"2nd. That if there were no such risk, the expense would far exceed the returns." (Head, "Reports," pp. 51-2.)
[123]
Geog. Journ., October, 1898.
[124]
Darwin remarks of the remains of the Spanish settlement, that "the style in which they were commenced shows the strong and liberal hand of Spain in the old time.... Port Famine expresses by its name the lingering and extreme sufferings of several hundred wretched people, of whom one alone survived to relate their misfortunes" ("Voyage of the Beagle," chap. viii.).
[125]
Hakluyt, Extra Series, xi. 383.
[126]
Walter, "A Voyage Round the World," p. 55.
[127]
Hawkesworth, "An Account of the Voyages," i. 26.
[128]
"A Description of Patagonia," pp. 84-5.
[129]
"Narrative of the Surveying Voyages," ii. 167-8.
[130]
"Voyage of the Beagle," chap. iv.
[131]
The following is the testimony of travellers:—
1520.
Pigafetta. The least, taller than the tallest man in Castile.
1578.
Drake. Not taller than some Englishmen.
1591.
Knyvet. Fifteen or sixteen spans high.
1598.
Van Noort. Natives of tall stature.
1615.
Schouten. Human skeletons ten or eleven feet long.
1669.
Narborough. Mr. Wood was taller than any of them.
1750.
Falkner. A cacique seven feet and some inches high.
1765.
Byron. A chief about seven feet high, and few of the others shorter.
1766.
Wallis. Measured some of the tallest: one was six feet seven inches, several six feet five inches; the average height was between five feet ten inches and six feet.
1783.
Viedma. Generally six feet high.
1829.
D'Orbigny. Never found any exceeding five feet eleven inches; average height, five feet four inches.
1833.
Fitzroy and Darwin. Tallest of any people: average height, six feet, some taller and a few shorter.
1867-8.
Cunningham. Rarely less than five feet eleven inches in height, and often exceeding six feet by a few inches. One measured six feet ten inches.
[132]
"At Home with the Patagonians," pp. 165-6.
[133]
"Through Patagonia," p. 6.
[134]
Otto NordenskjÖld, Geog. Journ., October, 1897.
[135]
"Never river seemed fairer to look upon, extending away on either hand until it melted and was lost in the blue horizon, its low shores clothed in all the glory of groves and fruit orchards, and vineyards and fields of ripening maize" (Hudson, "Idle Days in Patagonia," p. 17).
[136]
This little railway escaped notice in the chapter on railways. It is an English company, the Central Railway of Chubut, which was registered in 1886. Besides the original 42 miles an extension of 10 miles to Gaiman will soon be open. In 1907-8 the net profits on working were £6,629.
[137]
O. NordenskjÖld, Geog. Journ., October, 1897.
[138]
"Voyage of the Beagle," chap. viii.
[139]
"If a man could but bear an indolent life, there can be no spot upon earth where he might be more indolent and more independent than at Mendoza, for he might sleep all day, and eat ices in the evening, until his hour-glass was out. Provisions are cheap, and the people who bring them quiet and civil; the climate is exhausting, and the whole population indolent" (Head, "Rough Notes," pp. 70, 71).
[140]
See Mrs. Mulhall's "Between the Amazon and Andes," pp. 127-31.
[141]
"When one hears of a natural bridge, one pictures to oneself some deep and narrow ravine, across which a bold mass of rock has fallen; or a great arch hollowed out like the vault of a cavern. Instead of this, the Inca's Bridge consists of a crust of stratified shingle, cemented together by the deposits of the neighbouring hot-springs. It appears as if the stream had scooped out a channel on one side, leaving an overhanging ledge, which was met by earth and stones falling down from the opposite cliff. Certainly an oblique junction, as would happen in such a case, was very distinct on one side. The Bridge of the Incas is by no means worthy of the great monarchs whose name it bears" (Darwin, "Voyage of the Beagle," chap. xv.).
[142]
Rosario exported in 1907—
Wheat
2,850,000 tons
Linseed
580,000 "
Maize
1,400,000 "
[143]
"The new port at Rosario is admittedly no improvement on the old system of delivering wheat by shoots from the barrancas down to vessels moored to wooden stages in deep channel. In a word, the means of access from shore to river are most permanently effective when capable of adaptation to the shifting character of the stream" (W. S. Barclay, Geog. Journ., Jan., 1909).
"The works at the present time are sufficiently advanced to provide berths for some 15 vessels. A channel of sufficient breadth all along the frontage has been dredged so that large vessels drawing 24 feet or more can now manoeuvre without stranding on sand or mud banks, as was formerly the case. The entire port can provide loading berths for about 40 vessels and for 20 to 25 vessels to discharge. The change that has been effected along the river frontage in the short space of four years is remarkable, and when the works are completed Rosario will possess one of the best ports in the country, with excellent storage accommodation attached. The contract price for constructing the port was fixed at 60,000,000 fr., but a much larger sum will have been expended before completion, exclusive of grain elevators and other works which the Company is undertaking estimated at 17,000,000 fr." (Consular Report, July, 1908).
[144]
"Now at last in our day progress is being made in the great neglected central zone watered by the ParanÁ, and here, as has been shown, the main line of advance will still be south and north. For if we accept the statement that mountains are the true frontiers of nations then the reverse also holds true, and the valleys that connect them are their best and natural highways. So when the railroads which already link Patagonia to Paraguay extend further along the great 'llanos' overshadowed by the Andes, right up to a navigable port on the Amazon, they will strengthen, better than any words or treaties, the ties of rational trade and intercourse between the republics whose hinterlands meet in the ParanÁ watershed" (W. S. Barclay, Ibid.).
[145]
"Coleccion de Obras," iii. 121.
[146]
The Rio Salado.
[147]
"The future of Santa FÉ is rather in agriculture, the raising of hogs, and the production of butter and cheese, than in the old-fashioned system of stock-raising, which has already become an employment for which the land gives a scant return, and which, moreover, will become absolutely impossible at no distant date, when the price of land rises still further" (Latzina, "GÉographie," p. 239).
[148]
MacCann, "Two Thousand Miles' Ride," ii. 32.
[149]
"Descripcion Chorographica," p. 1.
[150]
South Americans say that it will not harm man under any circumstances.
[151]
M. Gonzalez, "El Gran Chaco Argentino," pp. 89, 90.
[152]
Captain Andrews, "Journey from Buenos Aires," i. pp. 59, 60.
[153]
W. MacCann, "Two Thousand Miles' Ride through the Argentine Provinces," ii. 52, 3.
[154]
"The land was rich in wheat, barley, and maize, and had fine pastures to fatten fine cattle. Game was abundant, the trees were of hard wood and of great size, and there was much cotton and flax which was woven into fine linen. There were traces of gold, and above all the climate was the best in the whole governorship" (Pedro de Lozano, "Coleccion," iv. 228).
[155]
"Journey from Buenos Aires," i. 241, 2.
[156]
Bonelli, "Travels in Bolivia," &c., ii. 247.
[157]
The Argentine Year Book supplies useful up-to-date information in small compass.
