86 A COLLATION GIVEN ON BOARD. 
in fact, often appeared fully as capable of form- 
ing a correct judgment as the men. 
Without entering into these criticisms, I 
shall only remark, that one regulation of the 
Chilian Constitution must certainly be disad- 
vantageous—the public exercise of any other 
religion than the Catholic is forbidden ; Catho- 
lics only can fill civil offices (with the military 
such strictness is impracticable) ; nor is any one 
permitted to carry ‘on a mechanical trade who 
does not belong to this Church. 
If the advantage of universal toleration is so 
evident in the most flourishing states, how much 
more desirable must it be for one so thinly 
peopled, and where industry and knowledge are 
so little advanced. 
We frequently received visits on board from 
the ladies and gentlemen of Chili; and once 
from an Araucanian chief, accompanied by his 
daughter and some attendants. A collation 
was prepared for the Araucanians, of which 
they heartily partook ; and despising the knife 
and fork, helped themselves plentifully with 
their fingers. The meal being concluded, we 
made them some trifling presents, with which 
