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of printing. I took a number of boys, to whom I have paid wages, as an inducement to them to engage in the business, and to render it desirable to others; the number of workmen will in a few years be sufficient to enable us to establish presses in all the principal towns; and printing, which has already fallen one-third, will bear a due proportion to other labor. I know well the importance of this precious art, to a country which aspires to be free. I shall have contributed my full share to the independence of my country, if I succeed." He was then printing for the government, a system of military discipline, to be introduced into the armies, adapted by some of their military men to the situation of the country. He was also publishing the celebrated letters of Iturry, in vindication of America, and of the Americans. This is truly an admirable performance; it may be regarded as a sequel to that part of Mr. Jefferson's notes on Virginia, which treats of the same subject. There is a translation of Mr. De Pradt's Six Months, by Cavia, one of the secretaries in the department of state, a young man of fine talents. Political writings seem to be for the present almost exclusively in demand. I saw a translation of Bisset's "Sketch of Democra cy," which I was informed by the booksellers, had met with a rapid sale. This work might possibly have a salutary effect on a people who are in danger of running wild in their notions of liberty; and who, like the French, would be desirous of taking Greece or Rome as their model. The work is not worth much; it selects all that is bad in the ancient and modern republics, (it is honorably silent, however, on the subject of the United States,) without

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any of the good; and this is contrasted with the meagre list of doubtful advantages of a limited monarchy, like that of England.

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All restraints on the circulation of books, no matter what may be the subject treated of, are not merely removed, but in order to encourage the importation, they are suffered to be introduced free of duties. domiciliary visit would now be an insult. I have seen the works of Voltaire publicly offered for sale in the bookstores, which would formerly have been a penal offence. The French is much more familiar to them than the English, which is, perhaps, to be regretted; as the French revolutionary politics have been proved by experience to be unsafe. The writings of Franklin, the Federalist, and other American works, are frequently quoted; but in general, even the best English and American productions find their way through the medium of French translations. The English language is, however, beginning of late to be much more attended to than formerly. There are in circulation, Spanish translations of many of our best revolutionary writings. The most common are two miscellaneous volumes, one containing Paine's Common Sense, and Rights of Man, and Declaration of Independence, several of our constitutions, and general Washington's Farewell Address; the other is an abridged History of the United States, down to the year 1810, with a good explanation of the nature of our political institutions, accompanied with a translation of Mr. Jefferson's inaugural speech, and other state papers. I believe these have been read by nearly all who can read, and have produced a most extravagant admiration of the United States, at the

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same time accompanied with something like despair. Of the state library, I have already spoken; it is a noble monument of the public spirit of these people, and their desire to elevate their national character. Should Spain ever succeed in subjugating them, the library, like that of Alexandria, will probably be consigned to the flames.

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It remains to speak of the public schools, and the progress of education. This is a subject which excites the deepest interest. There are at present about one hundred and fifty students at the university of Cordova, and the course of studies there has been entirely reformed.* The college of the UNION OF THE SOUTH, is said to be a splendid establishment; twenty thousand dollars have been expended in fitting it up, and in purchasing philosophical apparatus.

The cabildo of Buenos Ayres expends annually about ten thousand dollars, for the support of common schools; and at the different monasteries there are not less than three hundred scholars taught to read by the monks, who are thus rendered, useful. A part of the tythes has been appropriated for the establishment of primary schools in the country. No people were ever more sensible of their deficiency in point of education, than these appear to be, or more anxious to remedy it. The public examinations take place in the presence of the supreme director, and the other pub. lic functionaries; and an account is published in the papers, with the names of those who have excelled in the different branches of learning. There are se

* The American clergy and lawyers are in general excellent Latin scholars, and are very familiar with the Latin classics,

veral military academies, where a number of youth, who intend to embrace the military profession, are instructed, so that in the course of a few years, they will have officers enough to supply all South Ameriса. The military seems to engross, for the present, the attention of the aspiring youth of the country; the study of theology is almost entirely neglected; that of the law has increased, and a much greater number than formerly apply themselves to commerce. It is the opinion of every enlightened man, that in the course of another generation, the monasteries will be entirely deserted.

All admit that there is an astonishing difference in the boys of the present generation, from those that have gone before them. One day while listening to four or five hundred boys, who were singing their national songs in the public square, a gentleman observto me; "Sir, these are the independents of South America-we are good for nothing." They are thus at an early ege, taught to consider themselves the hope of their country; and they know that in a few years, they will be the men who will fix its destinies. Every thing concurs to impress this idea on their minds. Their education is the special care of the state; in the presence of its highest authorities, they are already called upon to act a part; and in celebrating the praises of the nation, its independence, and its achievments, they have acquired an importance before unknown. The words liberty and country are connected with all that is dear to the heart. A gentleman related to me an anecdote, which shows how powerfully these feelings have seized upon their youthful affections. Passing along the street, he observed a

crowd of boys round two of their companions who were fighting: "How is this," said he, "are you not ashamed to fight with each other? If you must fight, has the country no enemies?" This simple appeal had an electric effect-the boys embraced, and joined with their companions in shouts of viva la patria! Such sentiments impressed on the honest and generous minds of infancy, must naturally constitute the darling illusions of the future man. These boys already engage in the 'political discussions of the day, and are much more free and bold in their opinions than their parents or teachers. Even in private life, there is no longer that arbitrary and despotic authority exercised over them, which in a monarchy seems to partake of the very nature of the government.

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Upon the mass of society, it is natural to suppose that the long protracted contest must have been productive of great effects; the variety of interesting occurrences which have passed before their eyes, since the invasion of the British, down to the present day, have changed the face of society. They are no longer the insipid automatons of despotism, but anxious about events to which they never before raised their minds, and are continually inquiring for news. needs this excitement to call forth his latent virtues, and to bring his faculties into employment. They have followed the good and bad fortune of their country, until their affections are completely enlisted. The history of the varied scene of the last ten years, furnishes even the commonest peasant with inexhaustible subjects of thought and conversation. The news of a battle, a victory, or defeat, is felt as if it individually benefitted or injured them. I might almost

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