162 SOCIETY. 



gentler sex is deservedly spoken of in a more lenient manner. "They are good wives, and, 

 though it cannot be said that they love passionately or are very jealous, they are faithful in 

 the care of their children, and more constant and persevering than men in all they undertake. 

 They possess something of the indolence characterizing the men, though not to so great a degree ; 

 for, charged with the direction of domestic affairs, they not only exhibit discretion, but, at 

 times, are precipitate in terminating whatever is to be done. A prudent economy being exer- 

 cised as far as is possible, what they possess is rather taken care of than expended osten- 

 tatiously. Under certain circumstances, their love of luxury is excessive; and in this men 

 participate equally. Yet, if it be a crime, as we cannot doubt, the habits of both will improve 

 in this respect when they shall have learned the eternal truth, None should aspire to more than 

 they can fulfil." 



Ordinarily, such is life in Chile calm, monotonous, without thought for the future or to 

 benefit mankind ; almost passionless, save when civil war or the gambling table stirs up the 

 hideous sentiments of our nature. To woman such a vegetable sort of existence seems propi- 

 tious, and she becomes robust, and lives to an average age beyond that of her sex in the northern 

 hemisphere? whilst man shrivels and passes away at an age scarce beyond the prime. I must 

 not be understood as saying that this inactivity, this apathy, alone produces the different effects 

 on the two sexes, but simply as stating, as a general rule in connexion with it, that men die 

 at much earlier ages than women; and, with brief reference to the ceremony which closes one's 

 career on the surface of the earth, the chapter will terminate. 



The death of General occurred during the excitement attending the civil war in 



1851, and his remains were accompanied to the grave by persons of the highest rank of both 

 parties, as well as by all the foreigners of note. He had ever been a warm friend to the latter 

 during life, remembering that the divine precept of "good will to all men" would tend to the 

 advancement of his country ; and, to this end, he constantly manifested the utmost interest in 

 their wants and comforts. Scarcely an hour had elapsed, after sending to his residence a pack- 

 age of letters given me in the United States, before he came to see me ; and from that time both 

 himself and family were unremitting in attentions, inspiring my esteem and respect. Returning 

 from a walk with a lady on the evening of his death, she stopped to visit the family, and, 

 assuring me that it was a custom of the country, to which I, as a friend, would be expected to 

 conform, I also went to the parlor, where relatives awaited visitors. Only one of the four sons 

 was present he who had been the constant attendant during the last illness of his father. 

 The others were in a room where gentlemen only were received. But it appeared strange that 

 any one should intrude on a family in the very hour of direst affliction. 



Usually the corpse is sent to the chapel of the cemetery between midnight and daylight, and 

 the male friends follow at 6 or *7 o'clock in the morning, to attend the masses and deposit it in 

 the tomb. Nor is there any variation of the rule, except by special permission from the Inten- 

 dente, in cases of distinguished persons, like the present. On this occasion the body remained 

 at the house till morning, from which it was taken in a handsome funeral-car, drawn by rela- 

 tives and other gentlemen. His sons and immediate relatives followed on foot, and the military 

 cadets escorted it as a guard of honor. In advance were all the civil troops of Santiago, with 

 their bands playing sprightly marches ; and an immense concourse of carriages brought up the 

 rear. The streets through which the procession moved were thronged to an excess we had never 

 seen equalled ; and where there were so many prancing horses, so few skilful drivers, and no 

 kind of order observed in the march, it is miraculous how accidents were avoided. Indeed, 

 each coachman appeared desirous to outstrip his predecessor, and there were thus sometimes 

 two and sometimes three lines of vehicles in the narrow streets, crossing and recrossing each 

 other in shocking confusion. 



A halt was made for some minutes in front of one of the churches on the opposite side of the 

 river, where prayers for the soul of the deceased were said at an altar put up temporarily by 

 some of the priests from La Merced. Most of the followers knelt in the road beside their car- 



