THE fame of Bolivar las been obscured by the failure of the SpanishAmerican republics to maintain liberty with order. The Washington of South America built his house upon the sand.

Simon Bolivar was the son of Juan Vicente Bolivar y Ponte and Doña Maria Concepcion Palacios y Sojo.

Each

of his parents had large wealth, and belonged to the nobility. Simon, their only son, was born

in Caracas, July 24, 1783. His parents dying when he was quite young, Simon was left to the care of his uncle, the Marquis de Palacios, who sent him to Madrid, where he was educated. He also traveled through Italy, Switzerland, Germany, England, and France. He cultivated the society of the learned, and gave much study to jurisprudence. He was an eye-witness to some of the last scenes of the Revolution in Paris. Remarkable events were before him, for which his varied experiences were gradually fitting him. He was a bold horseman, possessed of great strength, and carried a soldierlike bearing. He was of a lively temperament, master of vivacity, fond of dancing, fluent in speech, and gifted with a noble eloquence. By nature he was refined and attractive;

his temper was fiery, but his self-mastery was perfect. He was a man of independent habits of thought, strong individuality, and great strength of character. Education and travel had given him extensive information, while his rare social qualities made him a charming companion.

On his second return to Madrid he met the beautiful daughter of the Marquis de Cro, then sixteen years of age, and most highly accomplished; also, full of the vivacity and fascinations for which Spanish ladies are justly noted. In 1801 they were married, and looked forward to a happy domestic life. Sailing from Madrid, they arrived at La Guayra, near the elegant estate that he had inherited from his father. The yellow fever was prevailing at Aragua-that beautiful spot where his anticipations for happiness were so great. It seized upon his charming wife, and there she died. His grief was frantic, and drove him into exile.

The bereaved husband did not return till 1809. Part of the interval was spent in the United States, where he made a study of the political situation. On his return he identified himself with the cause of independence. The South American Colonies, after long submission to Spain, began to rise and resist their oppressors. Despotism and avarice were disgustingly shown in the government of the viceroys and captainsgeneral, who, with all of the principal officers of the viceroyal court, were sent from Madrid; and, being in reality under no responsibility, fairly revelled in every kind of tyranny. Justice was bought and sold. The most important legal decisions were made in favor of the highest bidder. The mercantile policy of Spain was despotic and rapacious. To preserve the monopoly of the wine trade, the culture of the vine, though appropriate to the climate, was strictly prohibited. Manufactures were not permitted. Cargoes of the refuse of Spain's city shops were forced in barter for bullion upon a half-civilized people who could not use them! Foreign commerce was forbidden on pain of death. Social improvement was suppressed. All intercourse with any country or people save Spain or Spaniards was strictly forbidden; even with Spaniards it was allowed only under many restrictions. The disposition to shake off Spain's tyranny had occasioned

desperate attempts, but these were soon quelled, after the leaders were destroyed by the cruelest kinds of death.

In undertaking to marshal the friends of liberty for resistance at this time Bolivar labored under every possible disadvantage. He had to rely upon his own clear brain, without outside aid. His countrymen were of many castes: Creoles, Indians, and Africans, all more or less ignorant and indolent, and mostly morally degraded adventurers rampant for thieving and plunder. The cavalry were worse; whole regiments of half-savages mounted on their wild horses would desert from one side to the other at any fancied chance of success. As to his generals, it is said that "General Arismendi could neither read nor write; Paez was a mulatto bull-hunter, while General Bermudez always took the field in a dirty blanket with a hole in the centre for his head." This was probably the poncho worn by the peons or countrymen.

Bolivar was induced to go to England with Don Louis Mendez, to solicit the British Cabinet to aid the cause of the independents. Of this mission he paid all the expenses. The English preferred to be neutral. In 1811 the Spanish standard was cut down, and independence was declared and held. Bolivar became governor of Puerto Cabello, then containing 1, 200 prisoners of war, but after a fearful earthquake they broke loose and took possession of the citadel-murdering the garrison; and only by destroying the town could Bolivar have regained it. General Miranda, on learning of the loss of this important fortress, so well stored with provisions and ammunition, capitulated in despair and prepared to leave the country; but he was arrested by a party of patriot leaders, including Bolivar, who accused him of being a traitor. Finally General Miranda was sent in irons to Spain, and died in a dungeon.

Bolivar went to Carthagena and raised a liberating army, of which he was commander-in-chief. He drove the royalists from Tenerife, and so on to Cucuta, whence he expelled Correa, the commander, and "secured volunteers, provisions and money." He made a triumphal march to Bogota, where he was substantially aided. He entered Venezuela, defeated the royalists, and took possession of the Province of Varinas. Castillo denounced his precipitancy as rash and mad. They

separated. The patriots rose and joined Bolivar. He divided his army, giving Ribas command of one division. They advanced upon Caracas. Driven to desperation by the cruelties of the officers of Monteverde, their cry was, "Guerra á muerte" (War to the death).

On the 12th of August the army entered Caracas to find the city in joy. Bolivar was gratified beyond expression. He was greeted with shouts, music, bells and artillery, and drawn into the city in a triumphal car by twelve beautiful young ladies of the highest rank, who were dressed in white, trimmed with the patriot colors. His way was strewed with flowers, and he was crowned with laurel. All the prisons were opened, and hundreds poured out to thank him for once more giving them the sight of heaven. Never did mortal man have a more complete triumph. His eyes filled with tears of gratitude to Heaven for such a result. Even General Holstein, his bitter enemy, acknowledged he deserved great praise.

Bolivar's power at that moment was unlimited. He took the title of Dictator and Liberator of the Western Provinces of Venezuela, while General Marino took command of the Eastern. Bolivar proclaimed that no royalist should be injured, yet many emigrated. The extent of his power began to give offence. He found that people believed he was seeking his own aggrandizement. On January 1, 1814, he declared before the assembled Congress, "I have consented to accept and keep the supreme power to save you from anarchy. Citizens, I am not the sovereign. Your representatives will give you laws. The revenues of the government are not the property of those who govern. Judge for yourselves if I have sought to elevate myself; if I have not nearly sacrified my life to constitute you a nation! I desire that you will permit me to resign the office I hold! . My only request is, that you will leave me the honor of combating your enemies." The enthusiasm in his favor was tremendous.

But the royalists began to rally, and to arm the slaves. So great were the cruelties that they practiced, that Bolivar in return ordered eight hundred of their people to be shot. Yet he afterward proclaimed that "the war to death shall cease; no Spaniard shall be put to death except in battle." For a

Later his usual

time he inspired every one with confidence. good sense and wise political ideas seemed not to serve him.

Bolivar himself became over-confident. He was beaten in battle, and lost 1,500 men, and was only saved from being taken prisoner on his own estate of San Mateo by the fleetness of his horse. "A legion of negro cavalry, with black crape on their lances, rushed from an ambush, scattering his forces; and seizing his cousin Ribas, shot him, and stuck his head on the walls of Caracas. His beautiful family home of San Mateo was burned to the ground. Bolivar and Marino fled to Carthagena. Civil dissensions ran high. The following December he marched upon Bogota with 2,000 men, and for two days stormed the outworks. Bogota capitulated, and became the seat of Congress. Santa Martha, although a fortified town, was in the hands of the royalists, owing to the weak management of the governor of Carthagena, Colonel Castillo. He had formerly been with Bolivar, whose troops were now trying to reduce Carthagena. Castillo refused to furnish supplies and issued defamatory manifestoes, as well as poisoned the wells in the vicinity.

Suddenly the arrival of General Morillo was announced, with an army of 12,000 men from Spain. The Spanish government was making great efforts to regain the Colonies. Bolivar was disheartened, and in 1815 he left for Jamaica. While in Kingston Bolivar wrote a defense of his acts in the civil war of New Grenada and exhorted the Patriots. The Royalists hired a Spaniard to assassinate him, offering him $50,000, while the priests promised him perfect absolution. The man decided to stab him while asleep. On the night agreed upon, his secretary occupied his hammock, and in the morning the poor fellow was found stabbed to the heart. It seemed to be a special intervention of Providence. Bolivar wandered to the Dutch Islands and Hayti. In 1817 he again returned with an army; while 3,000 men from Holland, England and Ireland voluntarily joined him, fully imbued with the spirit of the country. Battles, reverses, conflicts and gains went on like games of battledore and shuttlecock. Discouragements succeeded victories. Defeats occurred today, only to be reversed to-morrow.