1S89.] APPEARANCE OF THE CITY. 93 



ica can compare with the Chilian capital. The waters of the 

 Maypocho are also employed for ornamental purposes ; there 

 being a great number of public fountains and reservoirs scat- 

 tered through the city. The Plaza, occupying an entire 

 quadra in the centre of the town, contains "the largest foun- 

 tain, furnished with water by a subterraneous aqueduct, 

 from which the inhabitants principally obtain their supplies 

 for drinking. The water is conveyed in barrels holding ten 

 gallons each — two of which are a load for a mule — and sold 

 for about ten cents per barrel. 



A solid brick wall, or rampart, six feet broad, and ten feet 

 high, extends along the south bank of the Maypocho, as a 

 protection against inundation during the heavy rains. Be- 

 tween the river and the town is the Alameda, which is 

 planted with willows, and furnished with seats, reservoirs, 

 and artificial streams of running water ; in pleasant weather, 

 it is thronged, in the afternoon and evening, with all classes 

 and sexes, with beggars and hidalgos, rosy-cheeked padres, 

 dark-eyed senoritas, and stately caballeros, — and the soft 

 moonlight that streams down the rugged sides of the Andes, 

 and falls tremblingly upon the plain of Maypu, rests nowhere 

 on happier or more picturesque groups, than those which may 

 be seen in the cool paseos of this favorite promenade of the 

 citizens of Santiago. At the northeastern angle of the city- 

 proper, is the hill of Santa Lucia, the site of the fortress 

 bearing the same name, intended to command the town ; 

 there is no other defence, and the artillery in this work 

 could be easily silenced by guns planted on the neighboring 

 hills. 



In cleanliness, regularity, and salubrity, Santiago greatly 

 surpasses the other cities of South America ; but it is inferior 

 to Lima in its public buildings. On the northwest side of 

 the plaza, are the presidential mansion, the palace of govern- 

 ment, the prison, and the chamber of justice ; on the south- 

 west side stands the cathedral, and the old palace of the 

 bishop, now occupied by the estddo mayor ; on the south- 

 east there is a range of shops with a colonnade in front, and 



