There are few more pleasant cities as a place of residence for all the year round than San Salvador. The climate is very agreeable, while the situation of the city, scenically2 speaking, is exceptionally beautiful, being located as it is 2,115 feet above the level of the sea in the valley of Cuscatlán, or, as it is called in the vernacular3, "Valle de las Hamacas" (the Vale of the Hammocks). This district has been so named, I understand, because it lies directly in the line of the severest earthquake action, and has many times in the past been "rocked and swung" by the waves of movement, and which have been rendered unusually destructive by the reflex action of the high hills which half encircle the place.
San Salvador was founded, as already observed, by Don Jorge de Alvarado, brother of the famous Spanish conqueror4, Don Pedro de Alvarado, on April 4, 1543, and from 1834 to 1839 it was the capital of the new Republic, a dignity which was in later years transferred to the city of San Vicente; while Cojutepeque upon three separate occasions, as pointed5 out more fully6 elsewhere, was also used as the Federal Capital.[257] In the year 1840, however, San Salvador became the designated metropolis7, and has since remained so. Here are located all the Government Departments, as well as the Supreme8 Civil and Military Courts, in addition to the headquarters of the Ecclesiastical Government.
In the year 1854, the city having been ruined, as we have seen, the Government as a consequence ordered the founding of Nuéva San Salvador, or Santa Tecla, which lies some eight miles to the south-west, and about 800 feet higher, as a city of refuge. To this place many families transferred their homes, and it is now a very prosperous place, with a population exceeding 11,000 inhabitants. Many good people of San Salvador, however, were not so much discouraged by their misfortune after all, and they very pluckily10 rebuilt the city, only, however, to again see it laid low by the even greater catastrophe11 of March 19, 1873. Gradually, and for the third time, this city rose from its ruins, and there are to-day no traces in its streets of any of the various disasters which have visited it.
San Salvador is altogether a well-constructed and even a handsome city, with several notable public buildings which would grace any European capital. Among these are the Casa Blanca, the Artillery12 Barracks, the National Institute, the University, the Theatre, the Market, the Orphans13' Home, the Polytechnic14 School, the Normal School, the new Cathedral, and a large number of other handsome churches.
The Government have constructed a handsome official building in the city of San Salvador, to provide thoroughly15 up-to-date and modern quarters for the various Government Departments, in addition to which it adds considerable beauty to the Capital City. This[258] edifice16 is built in the Continental17 style of architecture, and has been occupied for some two years past.
There are also many attractive private residences, consisting of one or two stories, with handsome interiors and beautiful gardens. The usual style of building adopted is the adobe18 house, with tiled roof; and what lends particular attraction to the appearance of the city is the variety of the architecture adopted for both private and public buildings; additionally, a large number of plazas19, parks, and open spaces, prevent anything approaching an appearance of monotony. The whole city is extremely well lighted by electricity, the roads are well paved and as well maintained, while the drainage is excellent. The material of which the sidewalks are built consists mostly of large slabs20 of the basaltic rock, which is freely and cheaply quarried21 from the famous Guarumál Ca?on.
This elegance22 and good taste are displayed almost generally in the city of Salvador regarding the arrangement of the public parks and gardens, as well as in connection with the private residences of the well-to-do inhabitants. The beautiful Parque Bolívar, which was completed and opened to the public in January, 1881, and the no less attractive Parque Barrios, which was inaugurated in the same month of 1901, and for a second time in 1909, are cases in point.
Public Park
Public Park in San Salvador, where throngs23 of well-dressed people assemble in the evening to listen to an excellent military band.
The Parque Due?as is centrally situated24, and is a favourite rendezvous25 with all classes. In the Parque Morazán is to be seen the handsome monument erected26 in 1882 to the hero of the same name. The attractive thoroughfare known as Avenida do la Independencia was inaugurated in December, 1901, and the Central Markets in October, 1887. The new Cathedral, commenced in June, 1881, was completed and solemnly[259] consecrated27 seven years later—namely, in June of 1888. It is a fine edifice, and contains some handsome ecclesiastical plate and beautiful mural decorations.
The Cathedral is altogether a fine specimen28 of Latin-American ecclesiastical architecture, but is distinguished29 from many others of the same period by the feature of pointed arches, instead of the usual square or rounded arches usually prevailing30 in this class of buildings. It is dedicated31 to the patron saint of Salvador.
The prevailing religion in the Republic, as a natural consequence of the long ascendancy32 of the Spanish domination, is Roman Catholic. Previous to the Liberal revolution of 1871 no other kind of religion was tolerated. Since then, and to-day, the greatest freedom and toleration prevail in all religious matters; while so far has the hand of reform stretched that the cemeteries33 are freed from the control of the clergy34; civil marriages are legalized without the addition of any religious ceremony; education is non-clerical, and all monastic institutions have been abolished. All these changes are embodied35 in the Constitution promulgated36 on August 13, 1886, and under which the country is governed to-day. Nevertheless, the Church is greatly respected by the people, and the attendances at Mass are invariably large and representative. The bishopric of San Salvador was created in 1842.
A very handsome thoroughfare is Santa Tecla Avenue, a broad and beautifully laid-out thoroughfare, linking up this favourite residential37 place with the City of Santa Tecla, locally known as the "City of Flowers." Already one of the most favourite suburbs, it is growing rapidly in favour as a residential quarter[260] with the people of San Salvador, being situated from it only a few miles distant.
The tramway system is as yet only at the commencement of its development, and electricity has yet to play an important part in its equipment. There are two companies running regular services of cars, one being the Concepción and Western Tramway Company, which sends out its cars at intervals38 of ten minutes during the busiest parts of the day, and conducts a service till fairly late at night. Usually, however, the last cars have gone back to the garage before theatre-goers have left their places of entertainment. Fortunately, the fares demanded by the local Jehus are reasonable, and it is therefore an easy matter for belated passengers to reach home.
The new theatre, which will soon adorn39 the city in place of that which was burned down last year, should form a handsome addition to the architecture of San Salvador. The Municipality very wisely invited competition for erecting40 and designing the building, which is to have a seating capacity of some 1,200. The structure is to be equipped with the latest improvements and appliances, and will be made as fireproof and as earthquake-proof as modern science can effect. The cost will be between 800,000 and 1,200,000 francs, or, say, ￡32,000 and ￡48,000. All construction materials are to be imported free of duty, which should lessen41 the cost immensely. Two prizes were offered, of 800 francs (￡32) and 400 francs (￡16) respectively, for the best plans, and when the last day for sending these, in—namely, March 15, 1911—had passed, the judges had several handsome designs to choose from.
In the month of March last the number of competitive[261] plans which were sent in to the Department of Fomento for the new National Theatre in the capital amounted to thirteen, of which three came from Paris, one from New Orleans, one from Canada, four from San Salvador, one from Monaco, one from Italy, and others from New York. The whole of the designs were exhibited in a public gallery.
While one may admit freely that the hotels in Salvador are conducted for the most part upon infinitely42 better lines than are those in the neighbouring Republic of Guatemala—which, indeed, may be pronounced, without undue43 harshness, as possessing about the worst in Central America—the Salvadorean hostelries are not as yet absolutely perfect. In this regard, however, it is only fair to remember the extreme difficulties which the proprietors44 are called upon to face. The servant problem is, perhaps, the hardest of all, and there is hardly one, among the many hotel managers of various nationalities with whom I discussed matters, but who confessed to me that he was weary to death of his efforts to conduct his business with the aid of native domestics. I have myself upon different occasions been witness to the curiously45 perverse46 nature of some of these servants; when, like others, I have been travelling through or resident in the interior of the country, I have likewise observed their spirit of robust47 independence.
Where the cost of living is so low, and the question of supply and demand in regard to domestic service is so overwhelmingly in favour of the latter, anything like efficient service is practically impossible to find. The domestic servants in Salvador are recruited almost entirely48 from among the Indians; and while these latter are by no means lacking in intelligence, and[262] can by kind treatment be won to some degree of fidelity49, they are naturally slow, and even indolent, while an extreme sensitiveness and spirit of resentment50 at once asserts itself should blame or abuse be offered by the employer. Under such circumstances, or even for less provocation51, the domestic will forthwith take leave, and even forfeit52 the few shillings in wages that may be due. Usually, however, the wages question is in favour of the servant, since payment has probably been anticipated, and the domestic is the debtor53, and not the creditor54, of the master. This hold, therefore, is a somewhat feeble one to depend upon, and in nine cases out of ten fails to apply.
There are a number of European and native families who possess the traditional "treasure" in the person of an old and faithful retainer; but not infrequently the history of such "treasure," when probed, shows that the employer is over-indulgent, being fearful of losing the much-prized services of the domestic in question, permits all kinds of privileges, and submits to all sorts of exactions, in order to preserve peace in the household. Perhaps it may be good policy to do so; but I have witnessed instances of downright tyranny upon the part of some native servants—not by any means confined to Salvador—which, in my opinion at least, could never have been warranted, and never should have been condoned55, no matter how valuable the services rendered may have been. The absolute helplessness of the lady of the house may be accepted as some excuse, but peace may be purchased at too high a price, and in the instances which I have in mind I fancy such was the case. But, then, I was not personally concerned in the results, and therefore[263] my judgment56 may be at fault, and even regarded as valueless.
Salvador seems to be a particularly favourite visiting-place with itinerant57 theatrical58 companies. All the year round, practically, a theatrical troupe59 of some kind may be found touring the country, which is usually included, with Guatemala, Panama, and Costa Rica, in the "Central American" road programme. As a general rule, however, the companies are of a somewhat indifferent quality—poor Italians and Spaniards, whose precarious60 existence often excites commiseration61 from even the hard-hearted. It is pitiable to see them upon occasions moving from State to State and from town to town—lean, hungry, dirty, and depressed62 in spirits, as they well may be; women and children, many of the latter being born on the road, having to undergo very great physical privations and serious personal inconveniences. The men, probably more habituated to the roughness of life, mostly accept their hard lot with philosophy and resignation; but it is cruelly severe upon the women and little children. The public of Salvador are somewhat capricious in their support of the different theatrical companies, and at times the playhouses are practically empty, and even the cheaper portions deserted63.
It was in the month of January, 1910, that the City of San Salvador lost its handsome Teatro Nacional through fire—a disaster which was caused, it being charged, by incendiarism, although this has never been proved. There is at present but one other place of entertainment—El Teatro Moderno, belonging to the same proprietary64, and which is but a large-sized barn, capable of accommodating at the most some 200 people.[264] It was used originally for cinematograph exhibitions, which, by-the-by, with all Latin-Americans would seem to be a very popular and profitable form of entertainment. The place is structurally65 fit for no other sort of performance, but is now perforce being utilized66 for dramatic and musical representations.
In few cities of its size will be found a larger number of Societies than San Salvador possesses, these associations being representative not only of various classes of organized labour, but of literature, music, art, religion, science, and even insurance. Among those which have their headquarters in the Capital are—"Sociedad Unión Nacional de Amigos," "Sociedad Estudiantil Minerva," "Sociedad Carlos F. Dárdano," "Sociedad de Medicina Emilio Alvarez," "Academia de Ciencias, Letras y Artes de El Salvador," "Sociedad Pedagógica Francisco Menéndez," "Sociedad de Artesanos La Concordia," "Sociedad de Obreros Gerado Barrios," "Sociedad La Buena Prensa," "Sociedad de Artesanos del Salvador," "Sociedad Co-operativa El Ahorro," "Sociedad Nacional de Agricultura," "Logia Masónica."
The Provinces have also their respective associations, many possessing a long and influential67 subscription68 list; among the most prominent may be mentioned: "Sociedad de Obreros" and "Sociedad literaria José Cecilio del Valle," both having their headquarters in Santa Ana; "Sociedad de Obreros El Porvenir," in Santa Tecla; "Sociedad de Obreros Rafael Campo," at Sonsonate; "Club unionista," at Ahuachapán; "Sociedad de Obreros" and "Logia Masónica," at Cojutepeque; "Sociedad de Obreros," at Sensuntapeque; and "Sociedad La Protección," at Zacatecoluca.
Tho principal educational establishments of the[265] Republic are located in the Capital, and comprise the National University, of which Dr. Hermógenes Alvarado is the Deacon and Dr. Adrián García is the Secretary; the National Institute, of which Dr. Darío González is the Director; the National Library, of which Don Francisco Gavidia is the Director; and the Municipal Library, of which Dr. Don José Dols Corpe?o is the Director. There are in addition the Astronomical69 and Meteorological Observatory70, directed by Dr. Santiago I. Barberena, and the Museum and Botanical Gardens, both under the direction of Dr. David J. Guzmán.
Among the many excellent charitable institutions of which the Capital is possessed71 are the Orphans' Asylum72, directed by Don Francisco Escobar; the Sara Asylum, directed by Dr. Alfonso Qui?ónez; the Orphans' Hospital, which is under the same control as the Asylum of that name; and the well-known Hospital Rosales, which is controlled by a number of the most eminent73 medical men in the Republic. It is an admirably-managed institution, and has effected a great deal of sound charity since its inauguration74 some years ago.
A great amount of unobtrusive but sound charity and benevolence75 are practised in Salvador. The people as a whole are, perhaps, not very wealthy in the accepted sense of the word, and there are probably few great family fortunes to be found there; while I was never fortunate enough to come across a full-blown millionaire—at all events, considered in sterling76 money. On the other hand, there are many very well-to-do families, many handsome privately-owned properties, and several highly-prosperous businesses, especially among the coffee and sugar planters. No doubt in the halcyon77 days of the indigo78 industry Salvador[266] could boast of many very opulent residents; but with the invention of the aniline dyes much of this indigo wealth passed away. The wide diffusion79 of charity and benevolence is, therefore, all the more noteworthy and all the more commendable80.
Most of the charitable institutions are not alone the creation, but remain the special care, of the Government, and successive Presidents have very properly devoted81 both their personal attention and the country's funds to the maintenance of these institutions. The charge of these charities is in the hands of the Minister of Education, Public Works and Benevolence. I visited several of the hospitals during my stay in the country, and I was pleasurably impressed with their generally cheerful and always cleanly appearance.
The foremost institution of this kind is the magnificent building presented, with its entire equipment, to the nation by the late Don José Rosáles, a distinguished and very wealthy Salvadorean, who not only sustained the hospital during his lifetime, but bequeathed to its funds no less than $4,000,000. The institution bears the name of its generous founder82, and it is admirably conducted in every way. A large staff of competent physicians and a full body of male and female nurses are always maintained, and as a rule the hospital is very well patronized, the kindness and the skill of the authorities having obtained a wide notoriety. The Rosáles is, however, but one of several similar institutions, the Government having of late years added similar necessary buildings to the towns of Santa Ana, Sonsonate, Ahuachapán, Santa Tecla, Zacatecoluca, San Vicente, San Miguel, Alegria, Chalatenango and La Unión. It is difficult to speak too highly of the thoroughly efficient manner in which[267] most of these establishments are maintained; and among the many patients whom I saw, and with whom I conversed83, I met with not one who had anything but praise and gratitude84 to express for the benefits which had been received.
As an evidence of the use to which these institutions are put, I am able to say that during the year of 1892 some 3,198 patients were treated, of whom 2,798 were discharged completely cured, 203 died, and the rest remained under treatment. The total amount expended85 in this year was a little over $81,000. Including all of the hospitals established throughout the country, there are annually86 admitted and treated about 8,000 patients, of whom an average of 8 per cent. die. This cannot be considered a high rate of mortality, considering the climate and the many tropical diseases which have to be treated.
In the vicinity of San Salvador, upon a beautifully-situated and very healthful spot, has been established a tuberculosis87 Sanatorium. Here the open-air treatment is employed in conformity88 with the latest recognized therapeutic89 and hygienic methods for the alleviation90 and cure of consumption, which, as in Mexico, is unfortunately a common complaint. The expenses of this Sanatorium are met by appropriations91 by the Federal and Municipal authorities; by contributions from industrial companies, which are usually very open-handed in such matters; and by voluntary donations from benevolent92 people and institutions. A library is maintained for the use of the patients, and all possible measures are employed, to mitigate93 the sad condition of resident invalids94. So far, I understand, the Sanatorium is free from debt, and it is so excellently managed an institution, and is productive[268] of so much real good, that it is sincerely to be hoped that it may remain so.
How admirable have been the attempts made, and how successful the results achieved, to overcome the ravages95 of tuberculosis, are best shown by the following comparative statistics, which give the figures for Spanish-American towns:
American Towns. Mortality per
10,000 Inhabitants.
Lima (Peru) 62·1
Carácas (Venezuela) 60·0
Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) 38·0
Santiago (Chile) 38·0
Havana (Cuba) 32·7
Montevideo (Uruguay) 16·0
Buenos Aires (Argentina) 14·2
Mexico City (Mexico) 14·0
San Salvador (Salvador) 13·7
That Salvador should have the smallest number of deaths among all these Republics is a triumph for the medical faculty96 and for the Government, which have conjointly done so much towards the improvement of conditions.
Many of the sanitary99 and clinical institutions in the Republic have medical schools or classes attached, and such are naturally much better equipped with special departments for the eye, ear, nose, throat and skin diseases. Fever hospitals are carefully segregated100, and are most carefully controlled, with the idea of avoiding any epidemic101 breaking out. Many of the attendant physicians have studied in Europe and the United States.
National
New National Palace at San Salvador.
Theatre
Theatre at Santa Ana, Department of Santa Ana.
The Superior Council of Health, of which Don Tomás G. Palomo is President, has rendered important services during the last two years. The Government is continually encouraging authorities to[269] persevere102 with their sanitary measures and to compel the public to follow the instructions periodically issued by the Superior Council, and to fulfil the rules laid down by the Code of Laws relating to health. In his report for the year 1907, the President of the Council has said: "In proportion as the sphere of action of the Council widens, so has its beneficial influence been remarked, especially in some places of the Republic, where formerly103 only the most rudimentary laws of hygiene104 were known. Already a large majority of the municipal authorities are showing some aptitude105 in ameliorating the sanitary conditions of their respective localities, and if things continue thus we shall soon arrive at the complete banishment106 of endemic maladies from certain districts of the Republic."
In Salvador a pernicious kind of malaria107 is the predominating disease, and shows itself in different phases and manifestations108. The Council has recommended several measures to minimize its effects; but the result achieved does not altogether correspond to the efforts of the authorities, because, besides the heavy expenses of the sanitation109 works in many parts of the country, the majority of the people are opposed to all hygienic measures, and through poverty are condemned110 to live in small dwellings111, which are badly ventilated and damp, and consequently unhealthy.
In the Capital, at the beginning of the year 1907, and at the time of the mobilization of the Army, several cases of cerebro-spinal meningitis presented themselves. Those soldiers who were afflicted112 were isolated113 during the march, first in a ward98 of the Rosalés Hospital, and afterwards in the Military Sanatorium. This measure and others that the Council promptly114 ordered prevented any development[270] of the epidemic. In the same manner four cases of diphtheria presented themselves, and altogether, through different diseases, 1,598 deaths took place in San Salvador in that year. In the same period it recorded 2,147 births, giving as a net result an increase in population of 549 inhabitants.
Cerebro-spinal meningitis also showed itself in Santa Ana and at San Pedro Nonualco, but the malady115 did not assume the character of a real epidemic. During the year 1908 a few cases of meningitis of a marked epidemic character were observed, but the efforts of the Council secured the mastery over the disease. Unfortunately, at the end of the year 1909 smallpox116 broke out in the west of the Republic, principally in the Department of Santa Ana.
The Council of Health immediately sent out the Director-General of Vaccination117 to the above-named Department with the necessary means to combat the smallpox. The disease spread, however, and continued to show itself in different parts of the country, so that the Council was obliged to arrange for the establishment of lazarettos in Santa Ana, Candelaria, and Santiago de la Frontera, and also to nominate various travelling vaccinators for each of the Departments, at the same time insisting upon sanitary cordons119, and, in fact, taking all the measures that the imminent120 peril121 demanded. There have been places quite immune, and in the Capital not more than five cases appeared, all of which were immediately isolated.
The Supreme Council of the Red Cross has upon all occasions collaborated122 in this campaign against disease, effective measures being undertaken by the authorities against the terrible malady, and greatly facilitating the furnishing of the necessary funds.
[271]
The General Direction of Vaccination has its seat in the Capital, and is directed by Dr. Rodolfo B. González. In connection with the Rosáles Hospital an Institution of Vaccination has been established, which is under the direction of Dr. Gustavo Barón. In normal times as many as a thousand tubes of vaccine123 are prepared monthly. The Institute of Vaccination in San Salvador, I may mention, is the first that has been established in Central America.
The Council, notwithstanding the fact that it receives a large quantity of calf124 lymph, imports every fortnight further supplies of lymph from France and Switzerland, as a provision against the home supply becoming exhausted125 through any unforeseen circumstance. In the year 1907 there were vaccinated126 in the Capital alone 1,597 men and 973 women, while in the Departments there were 4,667 men and 4,295 women, or a total of 11,532 vaccinated in this one year.
If to these numbers are added 1,000 vaccinated by the Travelling Vaccinator118 of the Department of La Libertad, a total of 12,532 was reached—a figure which will be increased to at least 18,000 if is taken into account the fact that in many of the outlying districts the number of inoculations which were made by special vaccinators have not been accounted for.
In the year 1908 the number of cases was doubled, so it appears that in all the Republic more than 40,000 persons were vaccinated in one year. In the first months of 1910, in which vaccination was enforced with some severity, even in the most remote hamlets, the majority of the inhabitants were vaccinated and revaccinated. In the ports, into which epidemic diseases are more easily introduced by foreign vessels127 arriving from different infected ports, the Council has[272] under its control several competent medical officers, who examine with the most scrupulous128 exactness all the steamers, and even the small boats, which arrive. By this means, up till now the much-dreaded yellow fever and bubonic plague, which have attacked many ports of South America, have not reached Salvador.
Apart from the Hospitals, there are several Asylums129 for the Insane, the Blind and Orphans of both sexes. The inmates130 receive a thoroughly sound normal or primary education, being taught also carpentry, shoemaking, needlework, and many other useful occupations and trades. Those who desire to study music or electric telegraphy as a profession are permitted, and even encouraged, to do so. These institutions in some cases are under the management of Sisters of Charity, and very well they seem to carry out their merciful duties. The Government supports also an Asylum for the Aged9 Poor, and a similar institution for orphans, in addition to those which already exist.
One of the most prominent members of the Salvadorean medical profession is Dr. Federico Yúdice, who enjoys an unusually large surgical131 practice. Dr. Yúdice has studied in Germany, and holds the highest diplomas of the German Faculty of Medicine, as well as in the United States, from which country he also received the most coveted132 diplomas in the profession. His consulting-rooms are frequently well filled, and his surgery and operating-room are replete133 with the latest improved surgical apparatus134 and equipment—in some cases more replete in the possession of such scientific inventions than some of the hospitals of Europe. Although quite a young man, Dr. Yúdice is considered one of the leading physicians[273] of San Salvador, and undoubtedly135 he has an exceptionally brilliant career before him.
Due to the initiative of Dr. Manuel Enrique Araujo, the President, an important and representative Congress of Medical Scientists will assemble in San Salvador in November of this year. Dr. Tomás G. Palomo will be the President of the Congress, Dr. Benjamin Orozco the Vice-President. Among others who will take part in the deliberations are—Dr. José Llerena, Jerónimo Puente, J. Max Olano, Estanislao Van Severen, Enrique Gonzalez S., an eminent surgeon-dentist, and Gustavo S. Barón, who will act as treasurer136. Dr. Pedro A. Villacorta, Dr. Miguel Peralta L., and Dr. Rafael V. Castro, will act as joint97 secretaries.
The ready hospitality which is extended to the stranger sojourning for no matter how short a while in Salvador renders existence there exceptionally agreeable. While, like most Latin-Americans, far from being effusive137 or indiscriminate in either their friendship or their offers of social entertainment, the Salvadoreans are always pleased to show courtesy and hospitality to those who are recommended or presented to them, and to these fortunate individuals nothing is denied in the way of attention and consideration. San Salvador is especially kind to its foreign visitors, and to all who bear introductions, or who make friends upon their own account, the doors of the Casino Salvadore?o are readily open, this being a club which is well provided with most of the current literature, some of which is in English, and possesses many pleasant reading and writing rooms, as well as the usual complement138 of French billiard-tables. It is an orderly and well-managed establishment, and most[274] of the better-class Salvadoreans belong to it. A good, although small, library is attached, and this contains some valuable collections of statistical139 volumes and several works of reference.
San Salvador has been peculiarly unfortunate in regard to the number of serious conflagrations which have at various times afflicted that city, and within the last ten or eleven years no fewer than five such disasters have overtaken it. In the month of November, 1889, the Palacio Nacional was completely destroyed by fire, and, unfortunately, many valuable archives, dating back into the early times of the Spaniards, when Salvador was still a colony, as well as a large number of documents relating to the Federation140, were lost. In 1900 a second fire destroyed a large area in the city, wherein were situated many of the principal mercantile houses. In September, 1901, a third visitation of this kind destroyed the handsome building of La Mansión de la Presidencia, as well as the barracks of La Guardia de Honor. In 1903 fire destroyed the entire building of the Casino Salvadore?o; and in March, 1908, the handsome Zapote Barracks were seriously burned; while, as recorded elsewhere, in 1910 the Teatro Nacional, and nearly the whole block of buildings of which it formed part, was entirely gutted141.
Cathedral
Cathedral of Sonsonate, Department of Sonsonate.
Like most of the Latin-American cities, San Salvador contains many very handsome and appropriate monuments erected to the memory of its brave sons and distinguished citizens. Among these are the tasteful statues dedicated to the memory of Dr. Emilio Alvarez, a Colombian physician who rendered eminent services to his adopted country; another forms a tribute to General Gerardo Barrios, one of Salvador's greatest[275] soldiers and patriots142, and a third, a very fine work, is an equestrian143 statue of General Morazán, in the park which bears his name. The monument of General Barrios is also an equestrian statue, the General being shown seated upon a magnificent granite144 column of heroic proportions.
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conflagrations
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| n.大火（灾）( conflagration的名词复数 ) | |
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scenically
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vernacular
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| adj.地方的，用地方语写成的；n.白话；行话；本国语；动植物的俗名 | |
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conqueror
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| n.征服者，胜利者 | |
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pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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metropolis
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| n.首府；大城市 | |
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supreme
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| adj.极度的，最重要的；至高的，最高的 | |
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aged
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pluckily
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| adv.有勇气地，大胆地 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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artillery
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| n.(军)火炮，大炮；炮兵(部队) | |
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orphans
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| 孤儿( orphan的名词复数 ) | |
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polytechnic
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| adj.各种工艺的，综合技术的；n.工艺(专科)学校；理工(专科)学校 | |
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thoroughly
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edifice
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| n.宏伟的建筑物(如宫殿，教室) | |
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continental
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| adj.大陆的，大陆性的，欧洲大陆的 | |
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18
adobe
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| n.泥砖，土坯，美国Adobe公司 | |
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19
plazas
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| n.（尤指西班牙语城镇的）露天广场( plaza的名词复数 )；购物中心 | |
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20
slabs
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| n.厚板，平板，厚片( slab的名词复数 )；厚胶片 | |
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21
quarried
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| v.从采石场采得( quarry的过去式和过去分词 )；从（书本等中）努力发掘（资料等）；在采石场采石 | |
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22
elegance
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| n.优雅；优美，雅致；精致，巧妙 | |
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23
throngs
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| n.人群( throng的名词复数 )v.成群，挤满( throng的第三人称单数 ) | |
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situated
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| adj.坐落在...的，处于某种境地的 | |
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25
rendezvous
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| n.约会，约会地点，汇合点；vi.汇合，集合；vt.使汇合，使在汇合地点相遇 | |
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26
ERECTED
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| adj. 直立的，竖立的，笔直的 vt. 使 ... 直立，建立 | |
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consecrated
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| adj.神圣的，被视为神圣的v.把…奉为神圣，给…祝圣( consecrate的过去式和过去分词 )；奉献 | |
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28
specimen
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| n.样本，标本 | |
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29
distinguished
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| adj.卓越的，杰出的，著名的 | |
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30
prevailing
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| adj.盛行的；占优势的；主要的 | |
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31
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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32
ascendancy
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| n.统治权，支配力量 | |
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33
cemeteries
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| n.（非教堂的）墓地，公墓( cemetery的名词复数 ) | |
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34
clergy
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| n.[总称]牧师，神职人员 | |
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35
embodied
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| v.表现( embody的过去式和过去分词 )；象征；包括；包含 | |
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36
promulgated
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| v.宣扬（某事物）( promulgate的过去式和过去分词 )；传播；公布；颁布（法令、新法律等） | |
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37
residential
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| adj.提供住宿的；居住的；住宅的 | |
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38
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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39
adorn
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| vt.使美化，装饰 | |
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40
erecting
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| v.使直立，竖起( erect的现在分词 )；建立 | |
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41
lessen
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| vt.减少，减轻；缩小 | |
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42
infinitely
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| adv.无限地，无穷地 | |
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43
undue
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| adj.过分的；不适当的；未到期的 | |
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44
proprietors
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| n.所有人，业主( proprietor的名词复数 ) | |
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45
curiously
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| adv.有求知欲地；好问地；奇特地 | |
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46
perverse
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| adj.刚愎的；坚持错误的，行为反常的 | |
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47
robust
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| adj.强壮的，强健的，粗野的，需要体力的，浓的 | |
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48
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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49
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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50
resentment
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| n.怨愤，忿恨 | |
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51
provocation
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| n.激怒，刺激，挑拨，挑衅的事物，激怒的原因 | |
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52
forfeit
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| vt.丧失；n.罚金，罚款，没收物 | |
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53
debtor
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| n.借方，债务人 | |
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54
creditor
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| n.债仅人，债主，贷方 | |
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55
condoned
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| v.容忍，宽恕，原谅( condone的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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56
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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57
itinerant
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| adj.巡回的；流动的 | |
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58
theatrical
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| adj.剧场的，演戏的；做戏似的，做作的 | |
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59
troupe
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| n.剧团，戏班；杂技团；马戏团 | |
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60
precarious
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| adj.不安定的，靠不住的；根据不足的 | |
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61
commiseration
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| n.怜悯，同情 | |
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62
depressed
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| adj.沮丧的，抑郁的，不景气的，萧条的 | |
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deserted
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| adj.荒芜的，荒废的，无人的，被遗弃的 | |
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64
proprietary
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| n.所有权，所有的；独占的；业主 | |
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65
structurally
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| 在结构上 | |
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66
utilized
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| v.利用，使用( utilize的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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67
influential
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| adj.有影响的，有权势的 | |
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68
subscription
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| n.预订，预订费，亲笔签名，调配法，下标（处方） | |
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69
astronomical
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| adj.天文学的，（数字）极大的 | |
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70
observatory
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| n.天文台，气象台，瞭望台，观测台 | |
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71
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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72
asylum
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| n.避难所，庇护所，避难 | |
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73
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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74
inauguration
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| n.开幕、就职典礼 | |
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75
benevolence
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| n.慈悲，捐助 | |
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76
sterling
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| adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑) | |
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77
halcyon
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| n.平静的，愉快的 | |
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78
indigo
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| n.靛青，靛蓝 | |
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79
diffusion
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| n.流布；普及；散漫 | |
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80
commendable
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| adj.值得称赞的 | |
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81
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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82
Founder
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| n.创始者，缔造者 | |
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83
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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84
gratitude
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| adj.感激，感谢 | |
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85
expended
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| v.花费( expend的过去式和过去分词 )；使用（钱等）做某事；用光；耗尽 | |
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86
annually
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| adv.一年一次，每年 | |
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87
tuberculosis
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| n.结核病，肺结核 | |
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88
conformity
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| n.一致，遵从，顺从 | |
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89
therapeutic
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| adj.治疗的，起治疗作用的；对身心健康有益的 | |
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90
alleviation
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| n. 减轻，缓和，解痛物 | |
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91
appropriations
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| n.挪用（appropriation的复数形式） | |
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92
benevolent
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| adj.仁慈的，乐善好施的 | |
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93
mitigate
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| vt.（使）减轻，（使）缓和 | |
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94
invalids
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| 病人，残疾者( invalid的名词复数 ) | |
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95
ravages
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| 劫掠后的残迹，破坏的结果，毁坏后的残迹 | |
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96
faculty
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| n.才能；学院，系；(学院或系的)全体教学人员 | |
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97
joint
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| adj.联合的，共同的；n.关节，接合处；v.连接，贴合 | |
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98
ward
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| n.守卫，监护，病房，行政区，由监护人或法院保护的人（尤指儿童）；vt.守护，躲开 | |
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99
sanitary
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| adj.卫生方面的，卫生的，清洁的，卫生的 | |
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100
segregated
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| 分开的； 被隔离的 | |
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101
epidemic
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| n.流行病；盛行；adj.流行性的，流传极广的 | |
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102
persevere
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| v.坚持，坚忍，不屈不挠 | |
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103
formerly
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| adv.从前，以前 | |
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104
hygiene
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| n.健康法，卫生学 （a.hygienic） | |
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105
aptitude
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| n.(学习方面的)才能，资质，天资 | |
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106
banishment
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| n.放逐，驱逐 | |
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107
malaria
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| n.疟疾 | |
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108
manifestations
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| n.表示，显示（manifestation的复数形式） | |
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109
sanitation
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| n.公共卫生，环境卫生，卫生设备 | |
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110
condemned
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| adj. 被责难的, 被宣告有罪的 动词condemn的过去式和过去分词 | |
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111
dwellings
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| n.住处，处所( dwelling的名词复数 ) | |
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112
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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113
isolated
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| adj.与世隔绝的 | |
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114
promptly
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| adv.及时地，敏捷地 | |
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115
malady
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| n.病，疾病(通常做比喻) | |
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116
smallpox
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| n.天花 | |
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117
vaccination
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| n.接种疫苗，种痘 | |
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118
vaccinator
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| 牛痘接种员，种痘刀 | |
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119
cordons
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| n.警戒线，警戒圈( cordon的名词复数 ) | |
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120
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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121
peril
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| n.(严重的)危险；危险的事物 | |
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122
collaborated
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| 合作( collaborate的过去式和过去分词 )； 勾结叛国 | |
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123
vaccine
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| n.牛痘苗，疫苗；adj.牛痘的，疫苗的 | |
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124
calf
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| n.小牛，犊，幼仔，小牛皮 | |
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125
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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126
vaccinated
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| [医]已接种的，种痘的，接种过疫菌的 | |
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127
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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128
scrupulous
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| adj.审慎的，小心翼翼的，完全的，纯粹的 | |
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129
asylums
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| n.避难所( asylum的名词复数 )；庇护；政治避难；精神病院 | |
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130
inmates
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| n.囚犯( inmate的名词复数 ) | |
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131
surgical
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| adj.外科的，外科医生的，手术上的 | |
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132
coveted
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| adj.令人垂涎的；垂涎的，梦寐以求的v.贪求，觊觎(covet的过去分词)；垂涎；贪图 | |
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133
replete
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| adj.饱满的，塞满的；n.贮蜜蚁 | |
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134
apparatus
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| n.装置，器械；器具，设备 | |
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135
undoubtedly
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| adv.确实地，无疑地 | |
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136
treasurer
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| n.司库，财务主管 | |
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137
effusive
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| adj.热情洋溢的；感情(过多)流露的 | |
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138
complement
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| n.补足物，船上的定员；补语；vt.补充，补足 | |
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139
statistical
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| adj.统计的，统计学的 | |
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140
federation
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| n.同盟，联邦，联合，联盟，联合会 | |
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141
gutted
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| adj.容易消化的v.毁坏（建筑物等）的内部( gut的过去式和过去分词 )；取出…的内脏 | |
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142
patriots
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| 爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 ) | |
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143
equestrian
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| adj.骑马的；n.马术 | |
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144
granite
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| adj.花岗岩，花岗石 | |
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