tity of lava and ashes that were ejected was so great, as to fill the neighbouring valleys, and occasion a rise of the waters of an adjacent river, which continued for many days: at the same time the course of another river was impeded for ten days, by part of a mountain falling and filling up its bed. The water at length forced itself a passage, overflowed all the neighbouring plains, and formed a lake which still exists.

The general appearance of Chili is that of a plain, which inclines from the mountains towards the sea; and it may be considered as a prolongation of the western base of the Andes. From its situation it receives the waters produced by the melting of the snow of the mountains. Consequently rivers, streams, and springs, are innumerable: they are to be found in every part; and springs are discoverable even on the tops of the lower mountains. The principal rivers are one hundred and twenty-three in number; and fifty-two of these communicate directly with the sea, and convey thither the waters of all the others. Although, from the inconsiderable width of the country, the course of these rivers is short, several of them are navigable, through at least half their distance, for ships of burthen. The principal rivers are the Maule, the Bibio, which is two miles in width, the Canten, and the Valdivia. Their streams, for a considerable distance from the mountains, are peculiarly rapid. They afterwards flow more slowly; their beds are very broad, the bottoms generally stony, and the banks low. The last circumstance is of great advantage to husbandmen who occupy the adjacent lands, and who avail themselves of it, to let the water into canals, from which, in times of drought, they irrigate their fields.

In this country the fine arts have not hitherto made much progress; and the mechanical arts are yet far from having arrived at perfection. The articles of traffic in this country consist chiefly of gold, silver, copper, hides, and tanned leather, wheat, hemp, oil, and fruit.

In our survey of the principal parts of Chili we will begin with Copiapo, its most northerly district. This has its name from a small town situated in the twentyseventh degree of south latitude. The soil adjacent to the town is impregnated with mineral salt and nitre; and eastward, among the mountains, there are mines of gold, silver, lead, iron, and sulphur. The soil of this province is fertile; and yields grain of excellent quality, and fruits of various kinds.

Proceeding southward we enter the district of Coquimbo. It consists of tolerably fertile and populous plains and valleys, which produce an abundance of grain, wine, and oil; and its capital, of the same name, is situated at some distance from the sea, partly in a verdant and well watered valley, and partly on an eminence resembling a terrace. This eminence extends about half a mile in length, and commands a fine prospect of the bay and neighbouring country. The bay is semicircular, and has good anchorage, but is exposed to the winds. Eastward, among the mountains, there is a volcano. The mountains abound in metals, and particularly in copper.

South of Coquimbo is Valparaiso, a district which extends as far as the river Maule, and consists of thinly inhabited plains and fertile valleys, partly covered with forests, and partly with fruit-trees, flowers, and pas tures. The town of Valparaiso is situated at the foot of a hill, on the shore of a bay three leagues in extent. This town is small, and defended by a strong fort. Being the nearest port to St. Jago, the capital of Chili, it has of late acquired much commercial importance. The bay affords good anchorage and shelter for vessels, except during the tempestuous weather in April and May. The environs of Valparaiso are watered by numerous rivulets, and are so fertile as to produce corn sufficient not only for the consumption of the inhabi tants, but also for exportation.

St. Jago is an inland district at the foot of the Andes, and about the thirty-fourth degree of south lati

tude. It is eleven leagues in length and twenty-three in breadth, and, in many parts, is extremely fertile. The only place of importance that it contains is St. Jago. This, the capital of Chili, is a large and well built city, about sixty miles from the coast of the Pacific Ocean, and twelve or fourteen from the mountains. It contains a cathedral, several churches and convents, and numerous public edifices. The streets are straight, broad, and cross each other at right angles. On account of the frequent occurrence of earthquakes, very few of the houses are more than one story high. They are, however, commodious, whitewashed on the exterior, and generally painted within. Each house has usually a pleasant garden watered by an aqueduct, which also furnishes water for the use of the family. The houses belonging to the wealthier classes, particularly to the nobility, are furnished with much splendour. The churches are generally more remarkable for their wealth than their style of architecture. The cathedral, however, is an exception. It is constructed of stone, is of considerable height, and nearly three hundred and ninety feet in length. The plan of it was drawn by two English architects, who superintended the execution of the work. But, when it was about half finished, they refused to go on, unless their wages were increased. In consequence of this the building was suspended. Two of the Indians, however, who had worked under the Englishmen, and who had secretly found means to instruct themselves in every branch of the art, completed it. The plain in which the city of St. Jago has been built is extremely fertile, and abounds in plantations of olives and fruit trees, and produces also a great abundance of corn.

Conception is a district lying between the rivers Maule and Bibio, and in the thirty-sixth degree of south latitude. Its climate is temperate and its soil fertile, but it is thinly peopled and indifferently culti vated. The only place of note that it contains is the city of Conception, or Penco, as it is called by the In

dians. This city was originally built in the year 1550, and near the sea shore; but having been destroyed by the earthquake in 1751, a new one was constructed twelve years afterwards, about three leagues inland, and on the banks of the river Bibio. It contains a cathedral, and several convents and churches. The houses, like those of St. Jago, are only one story high. Corn and vines are here extremely abundant. The fields are covered with innumerable flocks, which, without requiring any care, multiply beyond all calculation. Oxen, horses, and mules, are also extremely numerous. large ox is worth about thirty-six shillings sterling, and a sheep about three shillings and sixpence.

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Much indolence prevails among the inhabitants, and fertile as the land in the vicinity of Conception is, the district is by no means in a flourishing state. The houses of the most opulent inhabitants are almost destitute of furniture.

The dress of the women consists chiefly of a plaited petticoat, which discovers half the leg. This petticoat is formed of gold and silver stuffs, and, being always reserved for extraordinary occasions, is transferred, like jewels, from one generation to another. Some of the women of Conception also wear striped stockings, of red, blue, and white, and very short shoes. The common people are much addicted to theft; but Spaniards of the higher classes are extremely polite and hospitable. Most of the inhabitants, not excepting the women, excel in horsemanship. The whole number of inhabitants is supposed to be about ten thousand.

Conception is a place of considerable trade. The bay of the same name extends about three leagues in width, and as many in depth. The country around the bay, to the distance of twelve or thirteen miles from the shore, has, at the depth of two feet below the surface, a stratum of shells of different kinds, twelve or fourteen feet in thickness, without any mixture of earth. Similar deposits of shells are sometimes found even on the tops of the lowest hills.

Valdivia is a district situated in the fortieth degree of south latitude. The town of the same name is about one hundred and fifty miles south of Conception, and stands on a peninsula between two rivers. It is inclosed by a wall of earth, and contains about three thousand inhabitants. Criminals from Peru, and various parts of Chili, are transported to this place for a limited time, or for life, according to their crimes. The Spaniards formerly considered Valdivia to be a place of great importance, and accordingly protected it by strong fortifications. But it is not now much frequented, as the gold mines in its neighbourhood are no longer productive.

Chiloe, an island lying about the forty-first degree of south latitude, and near the coast of South America, is another of the districts of Chili. It is about one hundred and forty miles in length, and thirty in breadth; but is almost divided in the middle by bays or creeks. This island is well peopled with Spaniards, Mulattoes, and Indians. It has forests of excellent timber, particularly cedar; and abounds in vines. Cattle, sheep, and swine, are here very numerous, and afford excellent meat. The principal trade of Chiloe is in timber, and wood of various kinds. The governor of this island resides at a little town on the north-east coast, called Chacao. In the sea, immediately around Chiloe, are several small islands, some of which are inhabited, and all of which are included within the same govern

ment.

The Indians of Chili.

Nothing is known respecting the primitive inhabitants of Chili. The Indians now existing in this country have no records nor monuments of antiquity, that can elucidate their history. On the arrival of the Spaniards, three centuries ago, the inhabitants of this country, being unacquainted with the art of writing, their tradition

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