Chapter II: Introduction: Page iii

CHAPTER I.

DIVISIONS AND PRESENT STATE OF THE REPUBLIC.

Extent, Divisions, and General Government of the
Provinces of La Plata. Jurisdiction of the old
Viceroyalties:--Necessity of dividing and subdividing such
vast Governments:--Embarrassments arising out of this
necessity. The backwardness in the Political organization
of these Provinces, common to all the new Republics of
South America; and attributable to the same cause; the
Colonial system of the Mother Country. Mistake in comparing
the condition of the Creoles with that of the British
Colonists of North America. Natural ascendency of Military
Power in the new States. Their progress in the last
twenty-five years compared with their previous condition Page 1

CHAPTER II.

RIVER PLATE.

The River Plate--why so called. Its immensity. Arrival off
Buenos Ayres. Passengers carted on shore. Want of a better
landing-place, for goods especially. Navigation of the
River not so perilous as was supposed in former times Page 12

CHAPTER III.

CITY OF BUENOS AYRES.

First Impressions of Buenos Ayres. Date of the Foundation,
and insignificance of the Colony for a long period.
Contraband Trade carried on through it a grievance to the
Mother Country. Erected into a distinct Viceroyalty in
1776, and its trade opened in consequence of the modified
system adopted by Spain about the same time. The advantages
of this to Buenos Ayres. Page 18

CHAPTER IV.

POPULATION OF BUENOS AYRES.

Statistics of the Population. Its great increase in the
last fifty years. Castes into which it was formerly divided
now disappearing. Numbers of Foreigners established there,
especially British. Their influence on the habits of the
Natives. The Ladies of Buenos Ayres; the Men and their
occupations. Page 22

CHAPTER V.

CITY OF BUENOS AYRES.

Great extent of the City. Public Buildings. Inconvenient
Arrangement and want of Comfort in the Dwellings of the
Natives a few years ago. Prejudice against Chimneys.
Subsequent Improvements introduced by Foreigners. Iron
gratings at the windows necessary. Water scarce and dear.
That of the River Plate excellent, and capable of being
kept a very long time. Pavement of Buenos Ayres Page 36

CHAPTER VI.

CLIMATE OF BUENOS AYRES AND ITS EFFECTS.

Climate of Buenos Ayres, liable to sudden changes.
Influence of the North Wind. Case of Garcia. Effects of a
Pampero. Dust-Storms and Showers of Mud. The Natives free
from Epidemics, but liable to peculiar affections from the
state of the atmosphere. Lockjaw of very common occurrence.
The Smallpox stopped by Vaccination. Introduced in 1805,
and preserved by an individual. Its first introduction
amongst the Native Indians by General Rosas. Cases of
Longevity, of frequent occurrence Page 44