THE LADIES OF THE CABINET--SOCIAL LIFE--CHARITIES
[Illustration: A BEAUTIFUL BOLIVIAN.]
Under the viceroyalty, when the Audiencia of Charcas represented the
authority of Spain throughout the greater part of South America, and
occupied a position hardly second in power to that of the viceroy, the
capital of Alto Peru, then called Chuquisaca, now Sucre, was the centre
of culture and fashion for the whole territory comprised in the present
republics of Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina. Imagination can easily
picture the little court of the Audiencia, and mentally place in its
charming circle the ladies who gave prestige to its social functions.
From the stately old palaces with their carved doorways, they look out
to-day; for the same type of beauty may be seen in the capital now as
then, a few of the same wonderful palaces remain, and the owner is as
queenly, as beautiful, and as charming as she could possibly have been
a century ago. It is always the ladies of the court, the Cabinet, the
diplomatic corps, who stretch the silken cord of harmony across the gap
between political and social life and give to the state its ornamental
feature, without which it would present a cold and unattractive
spectacle. The Court of Saint James, the White House, the Escurial,
are names which call to mind, with more pleasure and fascination than
their chief purpose inspires in most of us, a vision of gay throngs
in silks and laces and jewels, with Cupid in the midst and proud
Jupiter benignly looking on. A gallant young minister of state remarked
recently to the wife of a colleague: “Ah, madam, the Cabinet is only
a necessary evil; the ladies of the Cabinet are its indispensable
blessing!” Life at the capitals would often be a dreary routine were
it not for the gracious hostesses of the administration, who inspire
by their sympathy, and give a charming note of gayety to leisure hours
with their brilliant balls, receptions, and other entertainments.
In Bolivia the president and his ministers are nearly all young men;
and although the president’s wife enjoys the matronly prestige which a
house full of beautiful children gives, she still looks but little over
twenty. Possessing a gentle dignity of manner and the rare charm of an
exquisitely modulated voice, it is a pleasure to be in her company and
to listen to her genial conversation. The executive mansion is thronged
on her day of reception, as everyone loves and esteems the _Señora
Presidenta_. The poor and unfortunate adore her for her numerous
benefactions and for her kindly interest in their troubles and needs.
The home of the president was recently plunged into mourning by the
death of his eldest daughter, a singularly beautiful and attractive
young lady, universally admired for her winsome disposition and the
extraordinary loveliness of her character. The entire nation manifested
its grief with demonstrations of profound sympathy.
Señora de Pando, the wife of the ex-president, and Señora de Villazón,
the first vice-president’s wife, while representing distinctly
different types of Bolivian beauty, are both remarkably handsome
women. Señora de Pando, who is now in Europe, is a stately figure,
the _grande dame_ whom painters love to put on canvas; like
her illustrious husband, she is greatly esteemed and beloved by the
Bolivian people. Señora de Villazón is of the pure Spanish-American
type, combining Old World ideals of beauty and grace with a blithe
spirit which is altogether American and shows nothing of the melancholy
temperament so often characteristic of the Spaniards. Señora de
Abecia, the wife of the second vice-president, who, as well as Señora
de Villazón, is a resident of Sucre, is one of the most charming
social leaders at the capital. Sucre is among the most European of
South American cities in its social life and customs, several of its
representative families having lived a long time abroad, while a great
many of the younger generation finished their education in French or
English schools. This influence of the Old World is noticeable in the
best circles of society, and especially among its more conservative
leaders. Señora de Abecia is distinguished for her gentle refinement
and culture; and when she receives in company with her daughter, they
might easily be mistaken for sisters.
Whether or not the climate and the philosophical contentment which
pervades Bolivian life be responsible, the years seem to pass with
no more than a graceful bow to the favored ladies of this country.
The wife of the foreign minister, Señora de Pinilla, impresses one
as being remarkably young when she presents her grown son, several
inches taller than herself, who, by the way, has just distinguished
himself and brought honor to his country as the only American who has
ever carried away the highest honors, ahead of European students, at
one of the first schools of Belgium. A daughter, now of the “sweet
girl graduate” period, and several younger children make life merry
in this most attractive household. Señora de Pinilla has genius as a
social leader, and she entertains with liberal hospitality, possessing
many of the gifts of mind and heart which were characteristic of her
illustrious father, Señor Don José Rosendo Gutierrez, and which made
him so generally beloved. Señora de Capriles, the wife of the minister
of government, spends much of her time at the easel, and the results
of her study of art are seen in several beautiful pictures which adorn
her handsome home. The opportunity for studying art is limited in
Bolivia; and though the country has produced many good artists, the
circumstances have never been quite favorable to a development of
this talent, so few teachers being available. Señora de Capriles has
evidently received instruction abroad, as her work shows the influence
of European schools.
[Illustration: SEÑORA DOÑA BETHSABÉ DE MONTES, WIFE OF THE
PRESIDENT OF BOLIVIA.]
The Señoras de Montes, de Pinilla, and de Capriles live in La Paz,
which is at present the seat of government. Señora de Saracho, the wife
of the minister of justice and instruction, has her home in the city of
Potosí, far from the centre of official life, under the shadow of the
famous mountain which poured so much silver into the lap of Spain in
colonial days, and which is still supplying rich metals to the markets
of the world. In a picturesque old _palacio_,--everything old in
Potosí is picturesque,--on one of the sloping hills of the “Imperial
Town,” Señora de Saracho lives the ideal home life, welcoming with
true courtesy and kindliness the visitor to that interesting city,
and charming everyone who meets her by her sweet graciousness and
unaffected goodness. Whenever it is possible for the minister to get
away from the arduous duties of his office, he leaves at once for
Potosí, where he takes his holiday with his beloved family and among
his precious books. Señora del Castillo, whose husband is finance
minister, lives in La Paz. She belongs to a very old and aristocratic
family and is one of the most popular of the Cabinet ladies. In company
with her clever husband, she holds charming receptions, and entertains
a host of friends with delightful hospitality.
[Illustration: SEÑORA DOÑA HORTENSIA DE PINILLA.]
There has never been a time in the history of the republic when
the name of Ballivian has not been prominent in social as well as
political affairs, and the present head of the family inherits the
best characteristics of his noble race. His home is the centre of
intellectual and social life in La Paz, and Señora de Ballivian, with
clever sons and lovely daughters to assist her, entertains sumptuously.
The salon of this gracious hostess is a feature of the social season.
Her _tertulias_ are more than evening receptions; they are marked
by a reunion of the best talent, and there is often music, singing,
the discussion of interesting topics of varied character,--indeed,
everything that gives a salon its charm. As Señor Ballivian speaks
many languages fluently, and as Señora Ballivian and her children are
similarly gifted, foreign visitors to La Paz are especially happy to be
invited to these “at homes,” which are always enjoyable.
[Illustration: CARNIVAL DAYS IN COCHABAMBA.]
The customs of good society are more or less the same in all lands,
and the popular methods of entertainment vary little in any country
from those of all others. Climate and circumstances may influence the
social routine in a moderate degree, but even these are less taken into
account than may be generally supposed. When a foreigner arrives in La
Paz for the first time, and the altitude of over twelve thousand feet
makes breathing difficult to him, to say nothing of the effort required
to climb the streets of the city which are nearly all at a considerable
angle toward the perpendicular, his first impression is likely to be:
“It is impossible to go about and enjoy life when the mere effort of
breathing tires one!” but a short residence serves to cure most people
of the _soroche_, as this mountain sickness is called, and in the
social functions which mark the summer season, none of the guests are
more constantly in evidence than the foreigner, who promenades, dances,
and banquets with the greatest apparent enjoyment. Long horseback
rides into the country around La Paz constitute a favorite form of
amusement, and coaching parties, automobile outings, or picnics by
train to Tiahuanaco and Lake Titicaca are frequently arranged. Life may
be passed very agreeably in the City of Peace, and as the government
officials, with few exceptions, and the entire diplomatic corps, reside
there, society is represented in its most attractive features. While
La Paz has the prestige which the residence of the executive and the
diplomatic corps gives it, Sucre is the centre of the social world as
represented in some of the wealthiest and most aristocratic families
of the republic. Cochabamba, the garden city, is the home of many of
Bolivia’s intellectual leaders, artists, poets, and other great men,
and it is the centre around which are grouped the great estates of
several of the most prominent landowners. Potosí rests a good deal on
the laurels won in colonial days, when it was a city of fabulous wealth
and fanciful legends, though its society is charming and cultured;
Oruro is called the “Gringo city,” so many foreigners having made
it their home, contributing to give it something of a cosmopolitan
character. Social life in Santa Cruz is simple, but frank and cordial,
and the generous hospitality of its people is proverbial. The bustle
and whirl of a strenuous existence do not disturb the serenity of
any Bolivian city. La Paz leisurely takes its coffee between nine
and ten in the morning, and by five o’clock in the evening the day’s
work is done, as it should be. What more barbarous than the mad rush
and scrimmage that characterize the life of the average modern city
from daybreak until dark! Humanity seems to be caught on a wheel of
progress, which, the faster it turns in its onward course, the more
recklessly it grinds the unfortunate victim. It is to be hoped that
future generations will evolve a more comfortable system, and, if
it must be rapid, let it be a less tragic process. The proprietress
of a silkworm industry in Cochabamba complained recently that it
was impossible to get help to tend the cocoons at night as no one
would work all night, no matter how well paid. Perhaps this state of
affairs indicates an indifference to opportunities for bettering one’s
condition in life and a too easy contentment, but there is, after all,
something refreshing in the contemplation of an entire community able
to take its rest undisturbed in the night hours. Isn’t it a glimpse
of the “simple life” so much lauded by the latter-day philosophers?
The happiness and well-being of Bolivian society do not depend upon
the regularity of a suburban train service, upon the attractions of
the theatrical season, or upon any of the well-known public amusements
which have become essential to the enjoyment of leisure in the big
centres of the Old and the New World. At the same time, the chief
cities have their theatres, one of the best being the Teatro Municipal
of La Paz, which was built under the administration of General José
Ballivian and opened to the public in 1845. It has a seating capacity
for about a thousand spectators, divided into parquet, first and second
balconies, and a third gallery, which is called the _gallinero_,
or hencoop, occupied by the miscellaneous crowd familiarly called
gallery gods in English and American theatres.
[Illustration: SEÑORA DOÑA ISABEL DE CAPRILES.]
Outdoor sports and pastimes are popular, and there are several
clubs under whose management races and horse shows are held. The
_cancha_, or race track, of La Paz, situated in the suburb
Sopocachi, is used not only for the races, but for various other
_fiestas_, and upon many occasions entertainments are held there
in the interests of charity. A feature of social life found in all
Spanish-American countries is the promenade in the plaza, which is
as attractive in the Bolivian cities as elsewhere. La Paz, Sucre,
Cochabamba, Potosí, Oruro, and Santa Cruz have their large public
squares, ornamented with trees and flowers, and having paved walks all
around for the promenade. A band of music plays in the evening two or
three times a week, and society puts on its gala dress and spends an
hour or two in the plaza, the young ladies walking in one direction
and the young men in the opposite, so that there is a constant
meeting of “dark eyes” that “look love to eyes which speak again.”
Under the marvellously clear light of the moon as it shines over La
Paz, the effect of the brilliant throng is particularly pleasing and
picturesque. Bolivians like to enjoy the beauties of nature, and
live a great deal out of doors. Many take their annual outing in
a trip by coach to the wonderful health resorts of the Yungas, to
far-famed Sorata, or to the thermal springs in the neighborhood of
La Paz, Cochabamba, Sucre, and Potosí. It is quite a popular custom
for society to go to the seashore during a part of the year, and the
ports of Mollendo, Arica, and Antofagasta are favorite resorts. With
the completion of the new railway from La Paz to Arica, the trip can
be made in a few hours by fast train, so that the popularity of that
beautiful little coast city may be expected to grow rapidly, not only
as a commercial port, but as a fashionable bathing resort. Many rich
families of the principal cities have homes in the country also, where
they spend a few months every year. The valleys around La Paz, Sucre,
and Cochabamba are dotted with prosperous-looking haciendas, and there
are several really magnificent estates. A favorite outing for La Paz
people is a drive or horseback ride along the road to Obrajes; and
delightful picnic parties are held in the picturesque little park of
the town of Obrajes, which overlooks some of the most beautiful scenery
imaginable. La Paz itself being at too great an altitude to permit of
luxurious vegetation, it is a treat to find, within a few hours’ ride,
all the charm of green fields and shady groves. The suburban homes of
La Paz are many of them very attractive, and pretty chalets look out
from the hillsides all around.
[Illustration: SEÑORA DOÑA V. DEL CASTILLO.]
[Illustration: AN AUTOMOBILE PARTY IN COCHABAMBA.]
In the city itself some of the handsomest houses are old palaces of
the time of the viceroyalty, which, in spite of the necessity for
modernizing their interiors to provide for twentieth-century comfort,
still possess that charm of solidity and individuality of design
which makes them easily recognizable from the dwellings of recent
construction. Their spacious drawing rooms are particularly adapted
to the entertainment of large parties, and one can imagine that an
additional touch of romance is given to the gayeties of a ballroom
about which cling traditions of brilliant social events celebrated a
century ago. If walls could speak, what tales of chivalry and beauty
we might hear regarding those days when splendid festivities were
held to honor the arrival of a noble representative of the court of
Spain, or to welcome some illustrious envoy of Rome! Society entertains
with less pomp and pageantry in these republican days; but romance
knows no epoch, and the old walls, if they could speak, could still
repeat pretty compliments exchanged “when hearts are young and faces
fair.” Bridge parties and five o’clock teas are among the more modern
entertainments of La Paz society. Several of the foreign legations are
presided over by bachelors, conspicuously those of the United States
and Germany, though the Hon. W. B. Sorsby, the American minister, and
Baron von Brück, the German minister, are both excellent hosts, and
their legations are frequently the scene of charming reunions of La
Paz society. From reasons of climate, the annual exodus to the country
is less marked in La Paz than in other cities. Many families remain in
their town houses all the year round, as there is but little difference
in the temperature, except that in the winter months of May, June, and
July it is less agreeable than during the rest of the year, because
of heavy rains. When the La Paz people seek a change, it is usually
a change of altitude that is needed, as a few find that the rarefied
atmosphere produces a tension of the nerves.
[Illustration: SEÑORA DE MANUEL VICENTE BALLIVIAN.]
The same is true of Potosí, those who require a change frequently
making a trip to Sucre, which is between three and four thousand feet
lower than Potosí. The marvellous thermal springs around Potosí, at
Miraflores, Yocalla, and Don Diego, attract large numbers of invalids.
The air of La Paz and Potosí is, naturally, pure and healthful, and
is especially recommended for those who suffer from asthma, many
remarkable cures having been effected at Potosí, where the conditions
are particularly favorable. It is sometimes said that the great
fortunes made in Potosí are spent in Sucre, the more agreeable climate
of the latter city making it a very desirable place of residence.
Numbers of wealthy people live in Sucre, some of whom divide their time
between Paris and that city, while others find life most enjoyable in
the country, on their haciendas.
[Illustration: PREPARING FOR A TOURNAMENT ON THE AVENUE ARCE,
LA PAZ.]
Ex-President Don Aniceto Arce, who lived several years in Paris in
great luxury, with a large household, entertaining almost constantly
with lavish hospitality, is enjoying the later years of his busy life
in Sucre, and principally at his beautiful country estate, which covers
many leagues in the same province. The Alvarez place, near Yotála,
a few miles out of Sucre, is an ideal country home, with gardens,
fountains, and a great marble bathing pool; and in the suburbs of the
city the principality of Glorieta, the Guereo estate, Florida, and
other handsome properties, testify to the delightful character of
social life amid surroundings which apparently leave nothing to be
desired. Under the auspices of the principal clubs in each city, balls
and banquets are given from time to time, which are celebrated with the
_éclat_ usual to such functions the world over. At a ball recently
given by the Union Club of Sucre, at least three-fourths of the ladies
wore gowns imported from Paris. The dancing differed little from
the conventional standard in all countries, except that the opening
quadrille was the stately _quadrilla imperial_, inherited from
colonial days, when the Audiencia of Charcas gave to its entertainments
the grandeur and formality of court functions. In preserving this
tradition of the past, the society of Sucre retains a very picturesque
and beautiful custom. There is no capital in South America of which
the society is more aristocratic, refined, and cultured than that of
Sucre. In the homes of its rich people are to be found rare _objets
d’art_, of which the great marvel is that they were transported to
their destination across leagues of country in ox-carts or on muleback
without damage. Great French mirrors, reaching from floor to ceiling,
adorn the drawing rooms; crystal candelabra, hardly to be duplicated in
any market to-day, hang from the ceilings; rare old tapestries and fine
paintings deck the walls; and in cabinets of exquisite design are to
be seen collections of miniatures, snuffboxes, and other heirlooms of
great value. In some cases these treasures have been in the possession
of the family for several generations. Señor Don Arturo Urriolagoitia,
a connoisseur and collector of rare antiquities, has wonderfully carved
pieces of old furniture of colonial times, fine tapestries, silver and
gold ornaments of Inca manufacture, and a collection of very old coins,
among them the celebrated Roman coin bearing on its face the head of
Christ, about which so much discussion arose a short time ago, though
Señor Urriolagoitia had his coin long before the famous “discovery.”
[Illustration: SEÑORA DE JOSÉ MANUEL PANDO.]
Sucre and Cochabamba are located at equal distances from the railroad
line between Oruro and Antofagasta, and upon the completion of the
proposed railway system they will both be directly connected with it.
At present it requires from two to five days by coach or muleback to
reach the railway from either point; so that social life in Cochabamba,
as well as in Sucre, is undisturbed by continued changes. Cochabamba
families who trace their origin as far back as the conquest represent
the stability of social forms and ceremonies; and although the
old-time “pomp and circumstance” of colonial days has given place to
a republican simplicity, there is still the same pride of race and
dignity of character that distinguished the upper classes of this city
in its earliest history. The climate is ideal, and the city occupies a
magnificent location under the shelter of the white-crowned mountain
of Tunari. The ladies of Cochabamba are often spoken of as _hijas de
Tunari_, “daughters of Tunari,” and they are proud of the pretty
title. The automobile has invaded Cochabamba, as it has other Bolivian
cities, and auto-parties are popular forms of amusement. Garden parties
are frequent, and the morning horseback ride is among the features of
the social routine. At Cala-Cala, a picturesque suburb, visitors are
shown the “Lovers’ Tree”; and, from the well-worn path that leads to
it, the shade of its ample branches, and the romantic seclusion of the
spot, one judges that the dear old friend of youth and beauty has not
lived in vain nor has the title been a misnomer.
[Illustration: A CHALET IN THE ALAMEDA, LA PAZ.]
Much of the Bolivian lady’s time is devoted to charity. Like all her
South American sisters, she is attentive to the duties of her church
and the various benevolent institutions which it sustains. According to
the national constitution, the municipalities are charged with the care
of charitable institutions, the government making provision for their
maintenance; but in addition to the establishments provided for by the
state, many others have been organized by humanitarian and benevolent
societies in every department, whose members devote themselves with
charity and patriotism to the duty of relieving the sufferings of the
poor and the invalid. In nearly all cases, the management of these
hospitals and asylums is in charge of the Sisters of Charity, under the
supervision of a board of directors chosen to represent the society.
In times of famine or epidemic, which have occurred in consequence
of failures of the crops in the interior districts, the benevolent
societies take it upon themselves to assist the government in
ministering to the relief of the stricken communities. Poverty, in the
extreme condition in which it is encountered in the overcrowded cities
of Europe and North America, is practically unknown in Bolivia. As it
exists, it is generally the result of indolence or improvidence, and
often arises from absolute indifference to comfort or the most ordinary
requirements of well-being. The Indian is, in this respect, the most
serious charge of the state, as his habits are those of the simple
child of Nature who gives no thought for to-morrow, and is satisfied so
long as his handful of parched corn and his drink of _chicha_ are
forthcoming for the day. When these fail by reason of sickness or old
age, which forbid his earning them, he becomes an object of charity,
and depends upon the _patron_ or some benevolent society for the
necessaries of life. Many of the rich landowners have quite an army
of old retainers who live on their bounty, and nearly all persons of
wealth contribute to charities. The Prince and Princess de Glorieta
maintain an orphans’ asylum out of their private fortune, and visitors
to Sucre are surprised to find at Glorieta a private institution so
well attended and thoroughly equipped with a good staff of teachers.
The girls are taught plain sewing, dressmaking, and kindred domestic
work, and the boys carpentry, shoemaking, tailoring, and other
customary trades of men. The asylum has a band of music well drilled,
composed of all the boys belonging to the institution. This band paid
a delicate compliment recently to two appreciative North American
visitors by rendering _The Star-spangled Banner_, which they
played remarkably well.
[Illustration: SEÑORA DE AGUIRRE ACHÁ.]
There are in Bolivia more than twenty hospitals, each of which receives
a subsidy from the government. In nearly all of these the attendants
are Sisters of Charity, and the ladies of various charitable societies
are frequent donors. In La Paz the hospitals Landaeta, Loayza, and the
Lazareto are among the most important, and they are in charge of the
Santa Ana Sisters of Charity. The Hospital Landaeta, for men, was the
first founded in La Paz, in 1555, under the direction and government
of the Cabildo, or Municipal Council. In 1629 it was given over to
the Brotherhood of Saint John, and in 1664 was rebuilt; among the
contributors to its improvement and endowment was Señor Don Martin
Landaeta by whose name it is now known. It has a medical and a surgical
department; a dispensary for oculist work, a pharmacy, and a hall
for autopsies. The Loayza Hospital was founded in 1803 by General
José Ramon de Loayza, and in 1884 a charitable lady of La Paz, Señora
Sanjinés Uriarte, ordered additions to be built to it at her own
cost. The budget for hospital service has doubled in less than twenty
years, showing the increased recognition of the demands of such an
institution. In Sucre especial attention has been paid to the hygienic
conditions of the hospitals and asylums, which are eminently creditable
to the city; the Hospital of Santa Barbara and the Asylum 25 de Mayo
are particularly well installed and attended. The only insane asylum
in the republic is the Manicomio Pacheco, of Sucre, so called in honor
of its illustrious founder, General Gregorio Pacheco, who presented it
to the nation on October 10, 1884. It is built in modern style, and
its various _salas_ are commodious and well ventilated. It was
constructed at an outlay of one hundred and twenty-one thousand seven
hundred and eighty bolivianos, not including the cost of the site. By
a law passed in 1885 the national Congress accepted this munificent
gift of the philanthropic patriot and declared the establishment to
be of national character, assigning to it a subsidy from the treasury
of the republic. In Cochabamba the Hospital Viedma takes care of all
patients sent to it. The Asylum of the Buen Pastor, in La Paz, and
similar institutions in other cities are designed to provide for the
helpless and the infirm of all ages. The Buen Pastor, “Asylum of the
Good Shepherd,” was founded out of funds bequeathed for the purpose by
the charitable Señoras Felipa Cordero and Tadea Guachalla, who left a
large fortune to be disposed of in this way. The noble object of this
asylum is to gather into the fold unfortunate women who have stepped
aside from the path of virtue, and endeavor to save them from further
vice and crime. It seeks also to give instruction to women, for which
purpose a girls’ college has been attached to the institution for
boarding and day pupils. The Orphans’ Home of La Paz is another notable
charity which has accomplished much good, under the direction of the
nuns of Saint Vincent de Paul. The boys’ quarters include a refectory,
school, tailor shop, printing office, and shoemaking and carpentering
departments, comprising the entire ground floor, with a spacious
playground; the girls have laundry rooms, bakery, kitchen, sewing room,
and embroidery frames. The annual cost of this institution is about
fifty thousand bolivianos, and the officials and inmates number about
three hundred. Contributions have been made to this worthy charity
by many of the best-known people of Bolivian society, among them the
benevolent Señora Modesta Sanjinés Uriarte, who spent her life in deeds
of kindness to humanity, and left a legacy for their continuance after
her death.
[Illustration: RESIDENCE OF SEÑOR SOLOMON ALEXANDER, LA PAZ.]
In Cochabamba the sentiment of love for humanity has inspired many
benevolent efforts on the part of ladies of wealth, and the poor
and suffering are generally cared for with great kindness. In the
provinces of the Yungas, notably in Coroico, Chulumani, and Achacachi,
and in the city of Sorata, hospitals have been founded. Oruro has
two hospitals, of which one is exclusively for the miners; Tarija
also has two, the San Juan de Dios and the Lazareto; Potosí, Tupiza,
Colquechaca, Pulacayo, Santa Cruz, and the Beni--all have hospitals.
In addition to these, the government maintains offices of hygiene and
bacteriology in the principal cities; and every effort is made to aid
the cause of charity by removing the unsanitary conditions which are
so often responsible for sickness, and consequent distress and want,
among the very poor. Indeed, it is practically useless to attempt the
amelioration of existing evils which owe their origin to disease and
poverty without first improving the surroundings of the suffering and
unfortunate. With this object in view, the charitable people of Bolivia
are considering the importance of building better asylums for the sick
and the infirm; and in some cities, as in Cochabamba, the young ladies
especially are taking a more active interest than ever before in
establishing charitable institutions. The demand for charity is greater
some years than others; and when, as within a comparatively recent
period, severe droughts in the agricultural districts have brought
distress in their train, the richer classes have frequently been called
upon to aid the government in relieving the dire situation. Charitable
entertainments are sometimes held for the purpose of raising funds for
benevolent enterprises, and wealthy people contribute largely to the
various church societies organized especially to take charge of their
less fortunate fellow creatures.
The first duty of society is to its fellow man; and the more devoted
the social world shows itself to the cause of the weak and the
helpless, the more beautiful is the national character. In spending
much time and money for benevolent purposes the ladies of Bolivia
prove themselves worthy of all admiration, and render still more
attractive their many graces of mind and person by adding to these the
incomparable charm of a kind heart and a willing helpfulness.
[Illustration: A BOLIVIAN DÉBUTANTE.]
[Illustration: A GENERAL VIEW OF LA PAZ.]