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[amounts to 790,000 souls, including 70,000 independent Araucanos.
6. Chilian Creoles . — The Creoles, who form the greater number, are the descendants of Europeans. Their character, with some slight difference, proceeding from climate or government, is precisely similar to that of the other American Creoles of European origin. The same modes of thinking, and the same moral qualities, are discernible in them all. This uniformity, which furnishes much subject for reflection, has never yet been considered by any philosopher in its full extent. Whatever intelligent and unprejudiced travellers have observed respecting the characters of the French and English Creoles, will perfectly apply to that of the Chilian. They are generally possessed of good tfllents, and succeed in any of the arts to which they apply themselves. They would make as great progress in the useful sciences as they have done iji metaphysics, if they had the same motives to stimulate them as are found in Europe. They do not readily imbibe prejudices, and are not tenacious in retaining them.
7. State of arts and sciences, — As scientific books and instruments, however, are very scarce, or sold at an exorbitant price, their talents are either never developed, or are wholly employed upon trifles. The expences of printing are also so great, as to discourage literary exertion, so that few aspire to the reputation of authors. The knowledge of the civil and canonical laws is held in great esteem by them, so that many of the Chilian youth, after having completed their course of academical education in Chile, proceed to Lima, which is highly celebrated for its schools of law, in order to be instructed in that science. The fine arts are in a very low state in Chile, and even the mechanical are as yet very far from perfection. We may except, however, those of carpentry, and the working of iron and the precious metals, which have made considerable progress, in consequence of the information obtained from some German artists, who were introduced into the country by that worthy ecclesiastic, Father Carlos, of Hainhausen in Bavaria. In a w'ord, the arts and sciences of Chile have for these latter years much engaged the attention of the inhabitants, and it is affirmed that the state of the country has already assumed a very ditferent appearance.
8. The peasantry . — The peasantry, though for much the greater part of Spanish origin, dress in the Araucanian manner. Dispersed over that extensive country, and unencumbered by restraint, they possess perfect liberty, and lead a tranquil and happy life, amidst the enjoyments of that de-
lightful climate. Raynal observes, the principal part of these robust men live dispersed upon their possessions, and cultivate with their own hands a greater or less extent of ground. They are incited to this laudable labour by a sky always clear and serene, and a climate the most agreeably temperate of any in the two hemispheres, but more especially by a soil whose fertility has excited the admiration of all travellers.” They are naturally gay and fond of all kinds of diversion. They have likewise a taste for music, and compose verses after their manner, which, although rutle and inelegant, possess a certain natural simplicity more interesting than the laboured compositions of cultivated poets. Extemporaneous rhymes, or im~ provisatori, are common among them, and are called in their language palladores. Those known to possess this talent are held in high estimation, and apply themselves to no other occupation. In the countries dependent on the Spanish colonies, there is generally no other language than the Spanish spoken, but on the frontiers the peasants speak the Araucanian or Chilian, as well as the former.
9. Di'ess, Sfc . — The men dress in the French, and the women in the Peruvian fashion, except that the women of Chile wear their garments longer than those of Peru. In point of luxury, there is no difference between the inhabitants of the two countries ; Lima prescribes the fashions for Chile, as Paris does for the rest of Europe. Those who are wealthy make a splendid display in their dress, their servants, coaches, or titles. Chile alone, of all the American provinces, has enjoyed the superior privilege of having two of its citizens exalted to the dignity of grandees of Spain ; the one Don Fernando Irrazabal, Marquis of Valparaiso ; the other, Don Fermin Caravajal, Duke of St. Carlos.
10. Diseases; small-pox., how cured. — The salubrity of the air, and the constant exercise on horseback to which they accustom themselves from childhood, render them strong and active, and preserve them from many diseases. 'I'he small-pox is not so common as in Europe, but it makes terrible ravages when it appears. This disease Avas, in the year 1766, for the first time introduced into the province of Maule, where it became very fatal. A countryman who had recovered from it, conceived the idea of attempting to cure a number of unhappy wretches, avIjo had been abandoned, by coAv’s milk, which he gave them to drink, or administered to them in clysters. With this simple remedy he cured all those whom he attended ; while the physicians, Avith their complicated prescriptions, saved but a very few. This anecdote is supported by, at the same time tiiat it tends strongly]
[fo confirm, the experiments of M. Lassone, pliysicmn to the queen of France, in the cure of the small-pox witli cow’s milk, published by himself in the Medical Transactions of Paris for the year 1779. The couniryman, however, employed milk alone, whereas M. De Lassone thought it advisable to mix it with a decoction of parsley roots. These instances would seem to prove that milk has the singular property of lessening the virulence of this disorder, and repressing its noxious and deadly qualities. It is for the Jennerians to consider how far these facts may corroborate, or what may be their analogy to the principles that are inculcated by the vaccine institutions of this country.
11. Manners, moral and physical . — The inhabitants of the country are generally very benevolent. Contented with a comfortable subsistence, they may be said scarcely to know what parsimony or avarice is, and are very rarely affected with tliat vice. Their houses are open to all travellers that come, whom they freely entertain without any idea of pay, and often on these occasions regret that they are not more wealthy, in order to exercise their hospitality to a greater extent. This virtue is also common in the cities, and Feuille observes, that the ill return that they have frequently met with from individuals of our nation, has never been able to produce a diminution of tlieir native hospitality.” vol. II. To this hospitality it is owing that they have not hitherto been attentive to the erection of inns and public lodging houses ; whicli will, however, become necessary when the com. merce of the interior is more increased. Lord Anson, in his voyage, gives a particular description of the dexterity of the South American peasants in managing the laqiii, with whicii they take animals, either wild or domestic. In Chile, the inhabitants of the country constantly carry this laqui with them, fastened to their saddles, in order to have it ready upon occasion, and are very skilful in the use of it. It consists merely in a strip of leather several fathoms in length j well twisted in the manner of a cord, and termiiiated by a strong noose of the same material. They make use of it both on foot and on horseback, and in the latter case with equal certainty, whether amidst woods, mountains, or steep declivities. On these occasions one end of it is fastened under the horse’s belly, and the other held by the rider, who throws it over the flying animal with a dexterity that scarcely ever misses its aim. Herodotus makes mention of a similar noose which was used in battle by the Sagartians. “ The Sagartii,” he observes, “ w ere originally of Persian descent, and use the Persian language : they have no oflensive Aveapons
either of iron or brass, except their daggers : their principal dependence in action is upon cords made of twisted leather, Avhich they use in this manner ; when they engage an enemy, they throw out these cords, having a noose at ihe extremity ; if thej' entangle in them either horse or man, they without difficulty put them to death.” Bcloe’s Hcrodqtus, vol. ill. Polymnia, p. 205. The Chilians have also employed the laqid with much success against the English pirates who have landed upon their coast. TJiey are also skilful in the management of horses, and in the opinion of travellers, who have had an opportunity of witnessing their dexterity and courage in this exercise, they might soon be formed into the best body of cavalry in the world. Their attachment to horses renders them particularly fond of horse-racing, which they conduct in the English manner. The Negroes, avIio have been introduced into Chile Avholly by contraband means, are subjected to a state of servitude, which may be considered as tolerable in comparison to that which they endure in many parts of America, Avhere the interest of the planter stifles every sentiment of humanity. As the planting of sugar and other articles of West Indian commerce has not been established in Chile, the slaves are employed in domestic services, where by attention and diligence they may readily acquire the favour of their masters. Those in most esteem are either such as are born in the country of African parents, or the Mulatlocs, as they become more attached to the family fo which they belong. The humanity of the government or the inhabitants has introduced in favour of this unfortunate race a very proper regulation. Such of them as by their industry have obtained a sum of money sufficient for the purchase of a slave, can ransom tliemsclves by paying it to their masters, avIu) arc obliged to receive it, and set them at liberty ; and numbers wlio have in tliis maimer obtained their freedom, are to be met Avith throughout the country. The same laAv subsists in all the Spanish colonics; and a slave Avho cannot redeem himself entirely, is alloAved to redeem one or more days in the Aveek, by paying a proportion of his price. Those who are ill treated by their OAvners can demand a letter of sale, Avhich is a Avritten permission to them to seek a purchaser. In case of the n-yister’s refusal, they have the privilege of applying to the judge of the place, aaLo examines their complaints, and if well founded, grants them the permission required. Such instances are, however, very unusual, either because the master, on account of his reputation, avoids reducing his slaves to this extremity, or that the slaves themselves contract such an attachment to ’ 5 K 2
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[their masters, tliat the greatest punishment inflicted on them would be to sell them to others. Masters nevertheless exercise the rights of fathers of families over their slaves, in correcting them for their faults.
12. Internal and external commerce, mines, imports, and exports. — The internal commerce of Chile has been hitherto of very little importance, notwithstanding the advantages that the country offers for its encouragement. Its principal source, industry, or more properly speaking, necessity, is wanting. An extensive commerce is correlative with a great population, and in proportion as the latter increases, the former will also be augmented. Hitherto it may be said, that of the two branches that in general give birth to commerce, agriculture and industry, the first is that alone which animates the internal: commerce of Chile, and even that part of the external which is carried on with Peru. The working of mines also occupies the attention of many in the provinces of Copiapo, Coquimbo, and Quillota ; but the industry is so trifling that it does not deserve the name. Notwithstanding the abundance of its fruits and materials of manufacture, as flax, wool, hemp, skins and metals, which might produce a flourishing commerce, it is conducted but languidly. The’inhabitants employ themselves only in making ponchos, stockings, socks, carpets, blankets, skin-coats, saddles, hats, and other small articles chiefly made use of by the common or poorer class of people, since those of the middle rank employ those of European manufacture. These, but more particularly the sale of hides and tanned leather, which they have in great plenty, with that of grain and wine, form the whole of the internal commerce of the kingdom. The external, which is carried on with all the ports of Peru, particularly Callao, arises from the exportation of fruits ; this amounts to 700,000 dollars annually, according to the statements given in the periodical publications at Lima. The commerce between Chile and Buenos Ayres is quite otherwise, since for the herb of Paraguaj/ dXone, it is obliged to advance 300,000 dollars annually in cash ; the other articles received from thence are probably paid for by those sent thither. In the trade with Spain, the fruits received from Chile go but a little way in payment of more than a million of dollars, which are received from thence annually in European goods, either directly, or by the way of Buenos Ayres, and sometimes from Lima. Gold, silver, and copper, are the articles which form nearly the whole of this commerce, since the hides and vicuna wool are in such small quantities as to render them of little importance.
Notwithstanding theworkingofthe mines in Chile has in a great measure been relinquished from theexpence,and from the impediments offered by the warlike spirit of the Araucanians, there are more than a thousand now in work between the cities of Coquimbo and Copiapo, besides those of the province of Aconcagua ; and it is a matter of fact that the produce of its mines has been increasing ever since that the passage into the S. sea by cape Horn was frequented by the Spanish merchants. The gold coined in the capital was lately regulated at 5200 marks annually ; but the present yearly produce of the mines, as calculated from the amounts of the royal duties, and therefore considerably under the truth, amounts to 10,000 Spanish marks of pure gold, and 29,700 do. of pure silver. The value in dollars of both is 1,737,380; the gold being estimated at 145i*#^ dollars, and the silver at 9 t'V dollars the Spanish mark. Besides^ this, we must add for contraband 322,620 dollars ; and the total produce will then be 2,060,000. According to liumboldt, the dollars imported into Chile and Peru in 1803 amounted to 11,500,000, and the exports consisted of produce to the value of 4,000,000 dollars, besides 8,000,000 dollars in specie. The receipts of Chile, Guatemala, and Caracas, are consumed within the country. The remittances of gold and silver to Spain are usually made from Buenos Ayres ; the first being less bulky, is carried by the monthly packets in sums of 2 or 3000 ounces ; as to the second, it has, till within a very late period, been sent in two convoy ships in the summer, by which conveyances gold is also remitted. The copper which is extracted from the mines is estimated from 8 to 10,000 quintals. From these data it will not be difficult to form a general estimate of all that Chile produces annually. A communication by water, which greatly facilitates the progress of commerce, has been already commenced. In several of the ports, barks are employed in the transportation of merchandize, which was before carried by land upon mules. Several large ships have also been built in the harbour of Concepcion and the mouth of the river Maule. The external commerce is carried on with Peru and Spain. In the first, 23 or 24 ships, of 5 or 600 tons each, are employed, which are partly Chilian and partly Peruvian. These usually make three voyages in a year; they carry from Chile wheat, wine, pulse, almonds, nuts, cocoa-nuts, conserves, dried meat, tallow, lard, cheese, sole-leather, timber for building, copper, and a variety of other articles, and bring back in return silver, sugar, rice and cotton. The Spanish ships receive in exchange for Euro-1
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]^pean merchandise gold, silver, copper, vicugna wool, and hides. A trade with the East Indies would be more profitable to the Chilians'than any other, as tlieir most valuable articles have either become scarce, or are not produced in that wealthy part of Asia ; and the passage, in consequence of the prevalence of the s. winds in the Pacific, would be easy and expeditious. No money is coined or has currency in Chile except gold and silver, a circumstance very embarrassing to the internal traffic. Their smallest silver coin is one sixteenth of a dollar, and their weights and measures are the same that are used in Madrid.
13. Natural divisions. — Chile, properly called, or that part which is situated between the Andes and the sea, and within lat. 24° and 45° s. is at least 120 miles in breadth. It is commonly divided into two equal parts, that is, the maritime country, and the midland country ; the maritime country is intersected by three chains of mountains, running parallel to the Andes, between which are numerous valleys watered by delightful rivers. The midland country is almost flat ; a few insulated hills only are to be seen, which diversify and render the appearance of it more pleasing. The Andes, which are considered as the loftiest mountains in the world, cross the whole continent of America, in a direction from s. to n. for we cannot consider the mountains in North America in any other light than as a continuation of the cordilleras. The part appertaining to Chile may be 120 miles in breadth ; it consists of a great number of mountains, all of tliernofa prodigious height, which appear to be chained to each other, and where nature displays all the beauties and all the horrors of the most picturesque situations. Although it abounds witli frightful precipices, many agreeable valleys and fertile pastures are to be found there; and the rivers, which derive their sources from the mountains, often exhibit the most pleasing as well as the most terrifying features. That portion of the cordilleras which is situated between lat. 24° and 33° is wholly desert ; but the remainder, as far as the 45°, is inhabited by some colonies of Chilians, who are Ccallcd Chiquillanes, Pehuenches, Puelches, and Huilliches, but are more generally known by the name of Patagonians. The surface of Chile is estimated at 378,000 square miles. There are about eight or nine roads which cross its cordillera ; of which that leading from the province of Aconcagua to Cuyo, although dangerous, as being narrow, and having on either side lofty and perpendicular mountains, is the most travelled. Mules are often precijiitated from these roads into the rivers beneath.
14. Political divisions . — The political divisions of Chile consist of the part occupied by the Spaniards, and that which is inhabited by the Indians. The Spanish part is situated between lat. 24° and 37° s. and is divided into 13 provinces, viz. Copiapo, Coquimbo, Quillota, Aconcagua, Melipilla, and St. Jago, (which contains the capital city of the country of the same name), Rancagua, Caldiagua, Maule, Ytata, Chilian, Puchacay, and Iluilquelemu. The Indian country is situated between the river Biobio and the Archipelago of Chiloe, or lat. 36° and 41°. It is inhabited by three different nations, the Araucanians, the Cunches, and the Huilliches. The Araucanians do not, as Mr. De Paun pretends, inhabit the barren rocks of Chile, but, on the contrary, the finest plains in the whole country, situate between the rivers Biobio and Valdivia.
15. Climate . — Chile is ono of the best countries
in America. The beauties of its sky, the constant mildness of its climate, and its abundant fertility, render it, as a place of residence, extremely agreeable ; and with respect to its natural productions, it may be said, without exaggeration, not to be inferior to any portion of the globe. The seasons succeed each other regularly, and are sufficiently marked, aithougli the transition from cold to heat is very moderate. The spring in Chile commences, as in all the countries of the s. hemisphere, the 22d September, the summer in December, the autumn in March, and the winter in June. The following account is from Robertson s History of America^ vol. IV. c. 7. “ That part of Chile which may
properly be deemed a Spanish province, is a narrow district, extending along the coast from the desert of Atacamas to the island of Chiloe, above 900 miles. Its climate is the most delicious of the new world, and is hardly equalled by that of any region on the face of the earth. Though bordering on the torrid zone, it never feels the extremity of heat, being screened on the e. by the Andes, and refreshed from the w. by cooling sea-breezes. The temperature of the air is so mild and equable, that the Spaniards give it the preference of that of the
provinces in their native country. The fertiliU’ of the soil corresponds with the benignity of the climate, and is wonderfully accommodated to European productions. The most valuable of these, corn, wine, and oil, abound in Chile, as if they had been native in the country. Ail the fruits imported from Europe attain to full maturity there. The animals of our hemisphere not only multiply, but improve in this delightful region. The horned cattle are of larger size than those of Spain. Its breed of horses surpasses, both in beauty and in]
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[spirit, the famous Andalucian race, from which they sprang. Nor has Nature exhausted her bounty on the surface of the earth ; she has stored its bowels with riches ; valuable mines of gold, of silver, of copper, and of lead, have been discovered in various parts of it. A country distinguished by so many blessings, we may be apt to conclude, would early become a favourite station of the Spaniards, and must have been cultivated with peculiar predilection and care ; instead of this, a great part of it remains unoccupied. In all this extent of country there are not above 80,000 white inhabitants, and about three times that number of Negroes and people of a mixed race. The most fertile soil in America lies uncultivated, and some of its most promising mines remain unwrought.” 16. Of rain . — From the beginning of spring until autumn, there is throughout Chile a constant succession of fine weather, particularly between tlie 24° and 36° of latitude ; but in the islands, which for the most part are covered with woods, the rains are very frequent, even in summer. Tlie rainy season on the continent usually commences in April, and continues until the end of August. In the n. provinces of Coquimbo and Copiapo it very rarely rains ; in the central ones it usually rains three or four days in succession, and the pleasant weather continues 15 or 20 days ; in the s. the rains are much more frequent, and often continue for nine or ten days without cessation. These rains are never accompanied with storms or hail, and thunder is scarcely known in the country, particularly in places at a distance from the Andes, where, even in summer, it is seldom ever heard. Lightning- is wliolly unknown in the province of Chile; and although, in the abovementioned mountains, and near the sea, storms occasionally arise, yet they, according to the direction of the wind, pass over, and take their course to the n. or s. In the maritime provinces snow is never seen. In those nearer the Andes it falls about once in five years ; sometimes not so often, and the quantity very trifling; it usually melts while falling, and it is very uncommon to have it remain on the ground for a day. In the Andes, however, it falls in such quantities from April to November, that it not only lies there constantly during that time, but even renders them wholly impassable during the greater part of the year. The highest summits of these mountains, which are constantly covered with snow, are distinguishable at a great distance l)y their whiteness, and form a very singular and pleasing appearance. Those of the inhabitants who are not sufficiently wealthy to have ice-houses, procure
snow from the mountains, which they transport upon mules. The consumption of this article is very considerable, as a general use is made of it in summer to cool their liquors. The maritime countries being at a distance from the Andes, do not enjoy this advantage, but they feel the privation of it less, as the heat is much more moderate upon the coast than in the interior. In the midland provinces is sometimes seen, in the month of August, a white frost, accompanied by a slight degree of cold, which is the greatest that is experienced in those districts. This coldness continues two or throe hours after sun-rise; from which time the weather is like that of a fine day in spring. The dews are abundant throughout Chile in the spring, summer, and autumual nigids, and in a great measure supply the want of rain during those seasons. Although the atmosphere is then loaded with humidity, its salubrity is not injured thereby, for both husbandmen and travellers sleep in the open air with perfect security. Fogs arc common on the coast, especially in the autumn ; they cordinue but a few hours in the morning, and as they consist only of watery particles, are not prejudicial either to the health of the inhabitants, or to the vegetation.
17. Winds . — The n. and n. w. winds usually bring rain, and the s. and s. e. a clear sky ; these serve as infallible indications to the inhabitants, who are observant of them, and furnish themselves with a kindofbarometer to determine previously the state of the weather. The same winds produce directly contrary effects in the s. and in the n. hemisplieres. The n. and northerly winds, before they arrive at Chile, cross the torrid zone, and there becoming loaded with vapours, bring with them heat and rain; this heat is, however, very moderate, and it would seem that these winds, in crossing the Andes, which are constantly covered with snow, become qualified, and lose much of their heat and unhealthy properties. In Tucuman and Cujo, where they are known by the name of sonda^ they are much more incommodious, and are more suffocating than even the siroc in Italy. The s. winds coming immediately from the antarctic pole, are cold and dry ; these are usually from the s. w. and prevail in Chile during the time that the sun is in the hemisphere ; thej' blow constantly towards the equator, the atmosphere at that period being highly rarefied, and no adverse current of air opposing itself to their course : as they disperse the vapodrs, and drive them towards the Andes, it rains but seldom during their continuance. The clouds collected upon these mountains, uniting with those]