PREFACE.

I HAVE written a current History of Nicaragua, a Guide Book, and furnished in a succinct form, information, Geographical, Topographical, and Statistical. My residence in the country afforded me great facilities for comparing and verifying the authorities consulted, and the results of my observations and deductions are comprised in the present volume.

The Past of every Province of the Spanish Americas, abounds with interest to the student as well as the general reader; and "El Paraiso de Mahoma" has a

present historic importance, which renders aught orthodox upon the country desirable and attractive.

I have penned my pages with a view solely to merit the respect of the Public, having neither varnished nor tarnished a subject, at present vital to my own country; and I feel assured, that I have not been led astray by the garbled statements of those, whose interests may have suffered from causes, which have not exercised, in the remotest degree, an atom of influence upon me.

PETER F. STOUT.

PHILADELPHIA, February, 1859.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

Extent-Geographical Position-Volcanoes-Lakes-Managua and Nicaragua-

Rivers The Rio San Juan-Trailing Vines-Alligators-Monkeys-Rapids-The

Castillo and Machuca-Climate-Temperature-An Incident.......

CHAPTER II.

Districts-Population-Towns, Population-Granada, its Architecture, Churches,

Streets, Carts, Washing and Washer-women-San Carlos, the Commandante's

House, the Old Fort, the Custom House-Lake Nicaragua-Rio Frio-La Boqueta
Islands Virgin Bay and the adjacent Country-San Miguelito-San Jorge, its
Parochial Church-Road to Rivas.........

PAGE

CHAPTER III.

Rivas-The Plaza-Market-Señoritas-Early History-Gil Gonzales de Avila-The

arrival of the Spaniards-Nicaragua-Rodrigo de Contreras-Hernandez-The

Capture of the Country-Country about Rivas-Business-Samoza, the Rebel

Chief-Hotel and Eating-Church of San Francisco-Bust of Washington-Henry

Clay-Price of Land-Stores and Trade-Living, Beef, etc.-Manner of Cooking

-Stoves Wood...............................................

17

26

33

Revenis-The Body of the Virgin-The

Mercedes San Juan de

Tives 4 kani-The Cuartel-The

sinem-3urning Bones-In-

duses Rents of Houses

CHAPTER V.

Patruments-3etween Rivas and

Jardins for those going to

Countain Cats-Coyote

PAGE

41

CHAPTER VILL

The Lovein-Transit of the Virgin

Peter and the Moly Now Theresa-Cochineal

Qulture and Preparation of 2 for Market-Code-Its Cul-

Tulge Amount of acres Podaco-Amount Raised-Profits

veruries of Manufacture-

and von Uppalto Cautio Estates-Catching

¥༥Q\>RHA A»d OR{Vee kha4ད་་་་་་

48

71

CONTENTS.

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..........

PAGE

....

CHAPTER X.

Beyond Granada-A View-Indian Mother and her Load The Conquerors-My

Opinion-Masaya-The Plaza-The Church-Stores and Manufactures-Fine

Hats, Prices-Hammocks-Provisions-Extent of the Town-Dogs and Buzzards

-Country beyond the Town-Nindiri-Its Church-Cool Shade-its Oranges-

Another Fine View-Mal Pais, a road of Lava-Rio Tipitapa and the Lakes-

Something from Oviedo-An Oasis-A Drink, and a Swing in a Hammock-En-

trance into Managua-Whom we met-City by Moonlight-Nihapa-Indian

Temple-A Sell-Difference of Opinions about it-Other Lakes-Washer-women

again-Ancient History-Señoritas..............

CHAPTER XI.

Managua-Its Inhabitants-Serviles and Liberals-Historical Interludes-Educa-

tion-The Fathers of Eld-Bigotry-Ecclesiastics-An Ancient Carving-Padre

Vigil-Religious Ceremonies-The Indians-Squier's Assertions relative to the

Mosquito Indians-History again-Ideas about Migration-Antique Stones

(Piedras Antiguas)—The Confessors of the Conquest..............

11

80

96

106

CHAPTER XII.

Idols-Good Teeth-Cigaritas-Universal Use-A Primitive People-A Clean Breast

of several Matters-A Visit with the Consul-General of the United States-An

Interesting Domestic Group-Recognition of a well-known Voice-Comforts not

Expected-Country about the City-Fruits-Fields-Cooks-Society-Our Posada

-Biographical Sketch of Chamorro-Also of Jose Trinidad Muñoz-Outside of

Managua-On our Tour Again-Scouts-New Road over the Mountain-Narrow

Path-An Incident by the Way-side-Glimpses of the Country-Outposts Ahead,

and our Preparation........................................................................................................................................................................................................... 116