3-028-614 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Asuncion, the capital of Paraguay, 1870. Engraving of a sketch by Sydney Smirke. 'Asuncion, which derives its name from the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, is situated on the left or east bank of the River Paraguay...It is a town of 50,000 people...Mr. Smirke...speaks highly of the improvements begun here, under the despotic administration of President Lopez...It was he who introduced the first railway in that part of the world; and he has constructed the most complete arsenal and engineering workshops in South America. He had also commenced a tramway through the principal streets. Both the workmen and the materials were brought, at an enormous cost, either from Great Britain or the United States. The palace of Lopez is a building of some architectural merit; the front, facing the market-place, is certainly very correct. The new cathedral is a large handsome building, but like nearly all other cathedrals in South America. The old building and the Townhall are somewhat interesting...The railway station is large, and presents a curious mix of styles. Upon this Paraguay railway are a number of very old and secondhand carriages, with three first-rate English locomotives and many carriages that would be no disgraced to the best lines in England'. From "Illustrated London News", 1870.