horses, ostriches, and other animals. Over these pampas lies the only route by land from Buenos Ayres to Chili, which journey was formerly performed by large companies, as the plains were infested by hordes of roving Indians, who went there to hunt, catch wild horses, and plunder. From the absence of all permanent landmarks, the travellers over these immense plains shaped their course by the compass, and their caravans were in reality moveable houses, solid and defensible. Of late years, regular posthouses have been established along the whole line of road betwixt Santiago (the capital of Chili) and Buenos Ayres

a distance of nearly 1400 miles and a regular communication is kept up betwixt the two republics by means of couriers, who perform their journeys with uncommon speed. The cattle though wild, are quite gentle in their disposition, but there are no sheep found on these plains.

The method of catching these wild cattle is a practice almost peculiar to the South Americans. The instrument used is called a "lasso," from the Spanish word "lazo," which signifies slip-knot or noose, and the operation of using it is called "lassoing."-It consists of a rope made of untanned hide, ten or twelve yards long, and about as thick as the little finger. One end of it is firmly fixed to the hinder part of the saddle, generally on the right side; and at the other end is an iron ring about two inches in diameter. The horseman, or "guacho," as he is called, about to use the lasso, forms a sort of running noose by passing a portion of it through the ring, and this is taken in the right hand, so as that the ring may be at the opposite part of the circle. The noose is then swung with care over the head, until the extreme part of it, including the ring, acquires a considerable momentum. The instrument thus prepared, is in due time discharged,

and carries off the remainder of the rope, which before hung loosely in coils on the fingers of the left hand. When whirling the noose round the head, by a peculiar turn of the wrist, it is made to assume a circular form; so that, when delivered from the hand, it preserves itself open till it falls over the object at which it has been aimed.

A well trained horse, though at full speed when the lasso is thrown, instantly stops, and turns half round, the bull continuing its course till the whole cord has run out. The horse meanwhile, knowing by experience what is going to happen, leans over as much as he can in the opposite direction from the bull, ready to pull as hard as he can, and stands trembling though firm, in momentary expectation of the violent tug which will be given to him by the bull when brought up by the lasso. The shock is so complete and instantaneous, that the captured animal is frequently dashed to the ground as if he had been shot.

They are occasionally captured also with what is called in the language of the guacho, "las bolas," or ballswhich consist of three thongs or cords of hide, each a yard

long, having balls about two inches in diameter, made of hard leather, like the golf balls used in Scotland, attached to the extremities, the three thongs being united by a knot at two feet distance from the balls. This may be called the handle of the instrument, for the "boleador," or he who is going to fling the balls, takes the knot in his right hand, and having given it the necessary velocity by swinging it over his head, throws it at the hind legs of the horse or ox which he wishes to secure, and the balls, spreading in their progress to the utmost distance which the strings or thongs will allow, on reaching the legs generally pass round them, so that the animals are entangled, and thus captured.

The South Americans are taught from their infancy to use the lasso, as even boys three or four years old may be seen lassoing dogs, cats, and poultry; so that they acquire by degrees, that matchless skill in lassoing cattle and horses for which they are so celebrated.

In Central America the Indians use the lasso also, but instead of fastening it to the overall girth or pommel of the saddle, they tie it to the horse's tail. An Indian being asked what would happen if a bull, instead of being checked when noosed, got the best of it, replied, "He go away, lasso, tail, and all.”

The Indians who use the lasso in Mexico and California, are great robbers, and throw the noose not only over cattle and horses, but occasionally over men; so that if a pedestrian or an equestrian traveller do not keep a sharp look out as he is passing by a bush or thicket, one of these lassos may be thrown out, when the noose falling over his head will be jerked right round his body, and in the twinkling of an eye he will be dragged off his horse and away into the bush to be stripped of every thing he has. Robbers, however, in Mexico are very considerate, as

they will give you, if you wish it, a certificate of your having been plundered, which protects one from any further molestation.

In Mexico, on one occasion, two Roman Catholic priests were lassoed and plundered, but before the robbers would let them go they insisted on their giving them "absolution," a request with which the priests at once politely complied.

Bryant in his celebrated travels in California, published in London and New York in 1849, says

"I had often enjoyed the advantage of seeing the lasso used by the Californians, and ever marvelled exceedingly at the dexterity and strength they exhibit in securing the very largest animal in the herd. Whatever its power, the lasso overcomes it; and it is really wonderful to witness the skill with which they adapt their movements, and the action of their horses to those of the ensnared animal; now bringing it short up, half dead with fatigue, then, after allowing it to breathe again, giving it rope to scamper off to the end of its tether; driving it sometimes with marvellous swiftness in one direction, then permitting it to follow the bent of its own inclination in another, until the wearied animal becomes a mere plaything in their hands, and is either quietly secured, or as quietly allows itself to be driven into a shed."

NORTH AMERICA.

CHAPTER VIII.

Advantages of emigrating to America-The Menai Bridge-Voyage from Liverpool to Boston in the United States of America-Wonderful extent of emigration from Ireland-The United States more Irish than Ireland -Extent of Emigration from Liverpool-Banks of NewfoundlandSafely landed at Boston.

Having been often asked "What are the general inducements to quit Europe for the purpose of settling in America?" I have no hesitation in replying, the total absence of anxiety respecting the future success of a family. In Great Britain, perpetual exertion, incessant, unremitting industry, daily deprivation of the comforts of life, and anxious attention to minute frugality, are almost incumbent on a man of moderate fortune, and in the middle class of life; and the probabilities of ultimate success are certainly against some of the members of a large family, however virtuous or industrious they may be. In America it is otherwise, for as every man can find employment, he may reasonably reckon upon a comfortable settlement, according to his situation in life, for every part of a family however numerous. The common comforts and conveniences of life are there, from their abundance and cheapness,