IV. THE RIVER OF SILVER 74 V. THE GARDEN OF THE REPUBLIC 99 VI. THE PROVINCE OF GOOD AIRS 121 VII. THE MYSTERIOUS LAND OF THE PATA-GOAS 136 VIII. CROSSING THE CONTINENT 158 IX. THE PEOPLE AND THEIR CHARACTERISTICS 189 X. THE PEOPLE AT PLAY 209 XI. EDUCATION AND THE ARTS 230 XII. THE FORCES OF DEFENCE 246 XIII. RAILROADS AND THEIR DEVELOPMENT 260 XIV. RELIGIOUS FORCES 287 XV. THE STRUGGLE AGAINST OPPRESSION 298 XVI. THE ERA OF DEVELOPMENT 329 XVII. TRADE CONDITIONS IN SOUTH AMERICA 361 XVIII. A PROMISING REPUBLIC 377 APPENDICES 405 INDEX 415 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS PAGE PLAZA DE MAYO, BUENOS AIRES (see page 35) _Frontispiece_ MAP OF ARGENTINA _facing_ ix ON THE UPPER PARANÁ RIVER 4 “GIANT CRANES ARE SWINGING” 25 “THEY FILE AROUND AND AROUND BETWEEN THE PALMS” 29 “THE BROAD AND IMPOSING AVENIDA DE MAYO” 34 THE AVENIDA ALVEAR 35 ONE OF THE PALATIAL HOMES OF BUENOS AIRES 38 “COWS ARE BROUGHT TO THE DOOR” 41 THE RICOLETA CEMETERY 43 “AGRICULTURE HAS SPREAD FAR AND WIDE” 51 THRESHING GRAIN ON AN ESTANCIA 52 “NOT A HANDSOME STRUCTURE, BUT ... RATHER STRIKING” 54 A HERD OF HALF-WILD HORSES 63 “THE HARVESTING MACHINES ARE USUALLY PROPELLED FROM THE REAR” 65 A GAUCHO AND HIS WIFE ON AN OUTING 67 GAUCHOS BRANDING CATTLE 71 A FOREST IN THE GRAN CHACO 90 AN INDIAN WOMAN OF THE GRAN CHACO 95 AMONG THE HILLS OF CORDOBA 109 “A SOMNOLENT ATMOSPHERE SEEMS TO PREVAIL” 124