October 

 1825. 



30 VOYAGE TO THE 



that the Chilians were fast getting rid of all their 

 old customs, of which the drinking of mattee is one. 



After passing a very pleasant time in the society 

 of the Intendente, we took our leave, and returned 

 to the port. Our occupations there were divided 

 between astronomical observations, making a survey 

 of the bays of Conception and St. Vincent, and 

 equipping the ship for sea. 



I had some hesitation in procuring coal for our 

 sea stock of fuel ; not that the article was become 

 scarce, but on account of the enormous price to which 

 the owner thought proper on this occasion to raise 

 it. Captain Hall states, that when he was at this 

 place, the Penco coal, which was the best, was sold 

 for twelve shillings a ton, all expenses included ; but 

 the same quantity was now valued at nine dollars, 

 besides the labour of digging and carrying. This 

 arose from a report that some mines which had been 

 recently discovered were about to be worked, which 

 would occasion a great and permanent demand for 

 the material. The coal is of a very inferior quality, 

 and fit only for the forge. Hitherto, however, ex- 

 periment has been made only upon that which is 

 near the surface : when the mines are worked, if 

 they ever be, a better quality, in all probability, will 

 be obtained. Talcahuana and Penco are, I believe, 

 the only places where coal has yet been discovered 

 near Conception. Were this article of a good qua- 

 lity and reasonable, there would be a great demand 

 for it at Valparaiso, and among the several squadrons 

 upon the station ; and it would probably be well 

 worth the experiment of the owner to search a little 

 deeper in the earth, and ascertain the nature of the 

 lower strata. These veins occur in red sandstone 



