l^B FROM ST. Catherine's to 



tivate it, reap an hundred-fold. We often rode 

 through the most beautiful orchards, which, with- 

 out the assistance of culture, produced the finest 

 tropical fruits. When we appeared on the parade, 

 eight cannon were fired, the military drawn up 

 in parade : the Governor received us in full 

 uniform, and conducted us into the fort. The 

 company consisted of the principal persons in the 

 place, among whom was the Bishop. We drank 

 the health of Alexander I. and Ferdinand Vll. 

 with a salute of artillery and flourish of trumpets. 

 The table was laid out in the same manner as at 

 grand entertainments in Europe ; ice was brought 

 up in great abundance, which the Governor had 

 the politeness to send for from the lofty Cordil- 

 leras, where it was procured with difficulty and 

 danger ; it was very refreshing to us natives of the 

 north in the great heat. In the evening there was 

 a ball, which was crowded with elegantly-dressed 

 ladies, of whom there is generally a greater num- 

 ber tlian of gentlemen. The Chilians receive their 

 fashions from Paris. The tone of society is be- 

 coming, and unconstrained. Upon the invitation 

 of Count Reyes, we remained another day at Con- 

 ception, to be present at a ball at his house. We 

 in the mean time visited the town, of which we 

 have nothing remarkable to say ; it is built on a 

 regular plan, yet very deficient in handsome 

 houses, but the number o£ churches and convents 

 is very great. The size of the town may pretty 



17 



