most imposing men in appearance, and most accomplished in manner and in education, of any in the country, and withal an orator and a philanthropist, and the venerable Padre JOSE MARIA GUERRERO, distinguished throughout the State for his exemplary piety, and noted as a musician and a composer of music. I experienced a real satisfaction in taking these men by the hand, and my subsequent acquaintance with them only served to deepen my respect and esteem. After the exchange of salutations, and a very neat welcome from the first alcalde, we were told that the musicos were prepared with a “Cancion,” composed expressly for this occasion, which they begged permission to sing. The permission, accompanied with a glass of ardiente by way of clearing their respective whistles, was graciously accorded. It was but seven stanzas in length, but each stanza was seven times repeated, with a constantly increasing nasal intonation, until the sweat rolled down the faces of singers and players,—for each musico both sang and played. The infliction was severe, and would have been unendurable, had it not been for the amusing contortions of features, and strong muscular exercises of the performers, which far surpassed the most extravagant pantomime ever brought on the stage. A copy of the “Cancion” was handed to me at the conclusion of the performance, of which the title and a couple of stanzas will suffice to satisfy any curiosity which the reader may entertain in respect to it. I could not learn who was the author; for, with the modesty of true genius, he carefully concealed his name. “CANCION. “CON QUE LA MUNICIPALIDAD DE LA VILLA DEL VIEJO, EN UNION DE LOS SEÑORES PRESBITERIOS DON REMIJIO SALAZAR, DEAN DE LA SANTA YGLECIA CATHEDRAL, Y DR. DON JOSE MARIA GUERRERO, Y LICENCIADO D. EVARISTO ROCHA, FELICITARON AL SEÑOR MINISTRO PLENOPOTENCARIO DE LOS ESTADOS UNIDOS DEL NORTE, EN SU LEGADA A ESTA VILLA, EL 5 A SETIEMBRE, DE 1849. “Digno hijo de Washington, Seais bien venido, Illustre bien hechor De nuestro Istmo, No hay recompensa Que eguale al beneficio, De Vuestra Empresa! “Fue la America libre, Hoy in su Centro, Con Vos. se regocije Hasta el estremo, Es un deber Pues que por Vos. adquiere Un nuevo ser. “Dichoso aquel momento Bello, y deseado, En que Vuestra Excelencia Fue proclamado, Para operar La obra grande que el mundo Debe admirar.” [Illustration: VIEW OF CHINANDEGA FROM THE WEST.]