92 SANTIAGO. [1839. 



Europe. A new treaty of peace was now concluded be- 

 tween Chili and Peru, the provisions of which have been 

 faithfully regarded and observed. 



(4.) Sixty four miles from Valparaiso, in a south easterly 

 direction, is Santiago, the capital of Chili. It is pleasantly 

 situated on the eastern verge of the broad and fertile plain 

 of Maypu, at the foot of the Cordilleras.* The city proper 

 is on the southwestern bank of the Maypocho, a mountain 

 stream which is generally dry for nine months in the year, 

 but during the rainy season is swollen into a powerful 

 torrent. A handsome stone bridge, of five arches, spanning 

 the river, connects the suburb of La Chimba with the cap- 

 ital. On the southeast side of the latter is its suburb of 

 Canadilla, from which it is separated by the Canada, a 

 pleasant promenade, fifty yards wide, and planted with pop- 

 lars. At the southwestern angle of the city is the suburb 

 of Cuchunco. 



At a distance Santiago has a very imposing appearance 

 In the outskirts, there are numerous pretty quintas, delight 

 fully embowered amid groves of laurel, myrtle, and poplar 

 The approaches to the city are mostly through shady lanes, 

 or avenues, flanked by high adobe walls, inclosing extensive 

 vineyards, well-stocked orchards and gardens, and finely- 

 cultivated maize fields. Passing these, you catch sight of 

 the domes and steeples of the capital towering above the 

 humbler edifices around them. Like most Spanish towns, 

 Santiago is divided into quadras, or squares, whose sides are 

 each a little over four hundred feet in length. The streets, 

 which are generally well-paved, and have good side-walks, 

 are about thirteen yards wide. In the city and its suburbs, 

 there are- between two and three hundred quadras, which 

 are included in five parishes. As the ground slopes gently 

 towards the west, the location of the town is peculiarly favor- 

 able for supplying the inhabitants with water, and for under 

 drainage ; in the latter respect, no other city in South Amer- 



* Santiago occupies the site of an ancient Indian Settlement. It was founded 

 by Valdivia, in l.">] I 



