CHAPTER V. 



(1.) Approach to the Chilian Coast. The Andes. — (2.) Valparaiso. Appear- 

 ance of the City. Principal Attractions. — (3.) Chili. Early History. Rev- 

 olutionary Struggles. War with Peru. — (4.) Santiago. Other Towns. — 

 (5.) Dress of the Chilefios. Manners and Customs. — (6.) Geological For- 

 mation of the Country. Productions. Zoology. — (7.) Commerce. — (8.) Mines. 

 — (9.) Departure from Valparaiso. 



(1.) Few travellers approach the coast of Chili, or Chile, 

 without turning their eyes in the direction of the lofty crests 

 of the Andes, the giant vertebras of South America. On 

 entering the harbor of Valparaiso, fine glimpses are obtained, 

 in the northeast, of the peaks of the Great Cordillera ; though 

 the distance — from one hundred to one hundred and fifty 

 miles — at which they are situated, cannot be truly appreci- 

 ated till you ascend the hills overlooking the beach. These 

 peaks begin to be numerous in latitude 30° S., and increase 

 in number as the cordillera trends away to the south. The 

 principal one is Aconcagua, at least 23,200 feet high — an 

 elevation greater than that of Chimborazo — which is, at in- 

 tervals, an active volcano. 



hi pleasant weather, — the general rule, rather than the 

 exception, in Chili, — the sunset view of the Andes, off the 

 coast, is remarkably beautiful and picturesque, probably more 

 so than at any other time of the day : — the soft, transparent 

 atmosphere ; the clear blue heavens ; the light fleecy clouds, 

 glowing with all the colors of the rainbow, sailing along th 

 pure depths of the sky, or floating around the rugged mon; 

 tain summits ; the purple hue of evening falling in the noo 

 and crevices, and the golden flash yet lingering on the bol- 

 locks and precipices, impart to it all the charms of roman 

 and enchantment, — and Fancy roams half bewildered, through 



