Journal of an Expedition across Venezuela and Colombia. By Hiram
Bingham, Ph.D. (T. Fisher ITnwirt. 10s. net.)—Dr. Bingham's object in making this journey was to explore the route of Bolivar's march in 1819 and the battlefields on which he won South American independence. We do not deny the interest of this search ; but the general impression left by this sketch of Venezuelan ways is a doubt whether Bolivar was really a great benefactor of his country. How things may have been under Spanish rule we cannot say ; but they can hardly have been worse than what they are, as revealed by one of the stories told here. A. man died intestate in Caracas, leaving about £16,000. He was a Colombian, and some time elapsed before his heir could put in an appearance. Meanwhile all but some £3,200 had been laid hold of, mainly by the Public Administrator and the Judges. The heir instructed a firm of lawyers in the town to bring a criminal suit. This was done. But the next morning a warrant for the arrest of the two lawyers was issued. One of them was arrested and kept in prison till the time of • prosecuting the plaint was over; the other had a warning in time and escaped. One does not after reading this think so much of ex-President Castro for setting up a statue to the great Liberator. The country seems to have gone back since it gained independence. Nor did the travellers have a much moro favour- able experience of Colombia. Certainly Dr. Bingham and his friend were not very hospitably received in Bogota, and did not much admire the local manners. The ladies of the "smart set," for instance, spend hours leaning out of second-floor windows and staring : "It is considered a mark of respect to stare and make remarks." The currency is in a curious state. A hundred. dollar bill is worth not quite a dollar in gold, or would be if there were any gold or silver to exchange it for. It is strange how unfamiliar are these two capitals to the average English- man, though they are not ranch more remote than New York and Boston. Here one may read about them and about the countries which have them for centres; but the result will scarcely be a wish for closer acquaintance.
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