FIGS, OLIVES, AND JOCOTES.

79

to among the different fruits, are said by writers generally to be a species of plum, but I rather class it as an olive in color, meat, texture, size, and in some instances in similarity of taste. Our present limits will not permit us more extended latitude amid the fruits and productions, which subject we leave for the present with regret.

CHAPTER IX.

THE MALACCAS-CULTIVATION OF THE CACAO-DESCRIPTION OF A CACAO ESTATE -AN UGLY FISSURE OUTSIDE GRANADA-A SHOCK OF AN EARTHQUAKE— SPECULATIONS IN CASE OF EMERGENCY-LAKE POYO-DELIGHTFUL JAUNT -A LAKE COMO-A CUP OF TISTE-ITS USE-PRODUCTIONS OF THE COUNTRY -CIGARS-MAIZE-AGUARDIENTE-EFFECTS

OF NOT TO. BE MISTAKEN

WHEAT-MINERALS-GOLD, SILVER, AND COPPER MINES OF DEPILTA-THE CHONTALES MINING DISTRICTS-MATAGALPA-PAYNTER THE

CENTRAL

STATES-THEIR MINES-ACCOUNT OF HONDURAS AND SAN SALVADOR-COSTA RICA-COAL-WANT OF MACHINERY, MEANS, AND ENTERPRISE.

FIVE miles from Granada is a cacao estate known as The Malaccas." The ride from the city is over a level country, studded with white cacti and flowering shrubs. This plantation may be considered a fair sample of that which proper culture and industry may accomplish. The cacao is cultivated. extensively, but is very rarely exported. That of this State is considered very superior, and is worth three times the price of that raised at Guyaquil. The tree is delicate, and requires

DESCRIPTION OF A CACAO ESTATE.

81

great attention, though it repays every expense lavished upon it. It bears in seven years, produces two crops annually, and its yield is perfect in its fifteenth season. It grows to the height of twenty feet, its leaves are large and pointed, and it bears a small red flower. The pod contains about fifty beans. The shoots are planted fourteen feet apart, and are shaded by the plantain and the coral tree; the latter is called "The Mother of the Cacao," and shields the nursling from the glowing sun-rays. The cacao drops its bright crimson leaves about the beginning of April. It is indigenous; one laborer will attend one thousand trees, which will yield an annual income of three hundred dollars. Its beans are in circulation in the absence of smaller pieces of money than the media, and are of the value of one cent. A visit to the Malaccas is full of information. Its graveled roads are margined with mango groves, laden with golden fruit; and being perfectly free from weeds or underbrush, resemble a public square in Philadelphia.

Beyond the limits of Granada, upon the right, there is a large chasm, where a bridge spans the Camino real. It is the result of an eruption of the volcano of Masaya, in 1529, more of which we will give in another place. Your head grows giddy as you stand on its brink, gazing far down the dark abyss. The stones thrown within this yawning gulf bounded from crag to crag, while from far below came the

echoes, faint and fainter, till they ceased. I should judge its width to be from twelve to fifteen feet, and probably one hundred yards or more in length.

One eve, while lying in my hammock, and about sinking into a pleasant slumber, I felt myself bumping against my neighbor, and turned, thinking he desired to attract my attention. Again, while talking, the motion was repeated. Mutually we sprang for the candle. Hearing a bustle in the street, we opened the door, to find the inhabitants abroad, and expecting a grand crash. Here was a dilemma. Señoritas in distress, with dishevelled hair and terrified appearance, appealing for aid, and yet none could be rendered. The shocks, however, soon ceased, and we gladly returned to our hammocks.

About the same distance from the city, a road winds through a forest of trees of most beautiful symmetry, and arched groves of mango, to an eminence visible through a cluster of palms, whence the path leads to an indefinite conclusion. The eye cannot pierce the heavy shroud of dense foliage ahead or on either hand. Carefully our horses tread this shelving inclination, reminding one of "Old Putnam's" riding scene in the melo-drama. The loose stones, becoming detached under the horse's feet, rattle down the precipice to the right. We hear a splash; another moment, and the gorgeous Lake Poyo bursts upon us, fully equaling those of the fairy tales in appearance.

THE BEAUTIFUL LAKE POYO.

83

This sheet of water is oblong, about three miles in length by two in width, the banks inclining around it. The air is heavy with the incense of countless flowers, mingled with the orange and lemon, while playing over our heads are gay-winged parrots, paroquets, and the really magnificent macaw. The water is very clear, and impregnated with sulphur. Not a hut is to be seen. It has an exit in a small stream on the left border, and is an inviting solitude for a bath.

The lake is full of gold fish, which we can see distinctly finning along, their gleaming scales relieved by the white sandy bottom. Oh, what a paradise is here before us! As fair a picture as e'er was tinted on an easel. There, rise soft hills, voluptuously falling to the water's edge, and in the ascent flowing to a graceful height, margining a sheet of wondrous. beauty. The whispering leaves breathe happiness; the birds skimming the rippling-basin seem ignorant of the world beyond, and wing close to us, as though they feel we are strangers, and come to welcome us to their sweet retreat. Such is Lake Poyo, calm, clear, truly beautiful-the embodiment, the realization of Bulwer's "Lake of Como," where every floating cloudlet hath its mirror, and every wind hies to kiss its surface. I gaze back as I mount into the saddle, reluctant to quit it; and now, seen through an interval of time, I still deem it one of the loveliest of my foreign memories.