SANTIAGO. 187 



arc invariably Imrifil no lr<-p in tin- earth that tin- moisture is not entirely evaporated from 

 them in HMIUMMT. By a little att* ntion, not only might these be domesticated and improved, 

 hut the Calandrinasplendens, I'.'.i-duvalia tcu-ornalii, Loxodon chilensis, Eucryphiapinnatifolia, 

 iMalva lidlua, Ilcxapti i.-i jii -ia-i, the Fuchsias, and Tropo-oliMiis, all found in tin; central pro- 

 vinces, wniihl IK- elegant additions to any collection. However, the taste in rather for imported 

 flowers, and the gardens of several wealthy gentlemen in the neighborhood contain many most 

 costly and choice specimens. Camellias, magnolias (grandiflora), fuchsias (exotic), and 

 azaleas, thrive almost without any care, except irrigation ; and their anemones, ranunculae, 

 pinks, and several varieties of foreign bulbs, cannot be surpassed anywhere. Cape jasmins, 

 roses, dahlias, tulips, and hyacinths, do not flourish so well as in the northern hemisphere. AB 

 a very large number of inter-tropical plants grow in the open air here, the market is well sup- 

 plied throughout the year ; and, though not arranged with the taste a skilled bouquet- 

 maker would exhibit, for a very insignificant expenditure one may obtain many varieties of 

 beautiful flowers. Forbidding as were the precincts, from their odors and dirt, and the dogs 

 and fleas certain to be. encountered, their flowers were, attractions not easily resisted. 



The street next west of the market leads to a substantial bridge, of masonry, erected over the 

 river about the year 1775. Including the abutments, it is more than 650 feet long, wide enough 

 to allow footways and the passage of two carts abreast, and is supported, at some thirty feet 

 above the stream, on eleven most solidly built arches. As one of the arches will deliver more 

 water than ordinarily descends from the Andes, Padre Guzman says, that at the sight of so exten- 

 sive a structure over so diminutive a stream, more than one has been tempted to suggest that 

 "the city ought either to sell the bridge, or buy a river for it." There are times, however, when 

 it is neither too great nor too firm for the volume of water which comes roaring through the 

 ravines. On one side, at regular intervals, there are small semi-circular turrets, like watch- 

 towers without the parapet wall, and between them stone benches, for the convenience of pedes- 

 trians. The turrets contain bread, fruits, and confectionery, for sale ; but they are not tempting. 

 Three squares farther to the east, up stream, there is a bridge of wood, resting on brick piers. 

 This is intended for foot-passengers only. 



Beginning at the lower part of the city and bounding the south bank between it and the 

 river, there is a solid brick wall, four or five feet thick, with a parapet three feet high next the 

 stream. The wall is paved on top with small pebbles. This also was a work of the Spaniards, 

 intended to prevent overflow of the city, during freshets in the river; hence its name, Tajamar 

 breakwater. At intervals of three or four squares there are openings in the walls, with sloping 

 embankments and flanking masonry, to allow of the passage of horses or vehicles, and there are 

 flights of steps at convenient places by which pedestrians may ascend. A row of majestic poplars 

 above the densely populated part of the city renders the Tajamar a favorite resort of promena- 

 ders, when rain has rendered the Canada, muddy. The latter, which has already been alluded 

 to, extends through the heart of the city from east to west, and is one of the most beautiful 

 walks in the world. The Andes and Central cordillera only limit the vision beyond its many 

 parallel rows of poplars ; and its shade and refreshing coolness, from evaporation of the water in 

 its irrigating streams, renders it a favorite resort in the evening. A bronze fountain and &jet 

 d'eau ornament it near the Mint. 



TUB NATIONAL INSTITUTE. For more than a quarter of a century after the invasion of Chile, 

 the followers of Valdivia had too much occupation in combating their Indian neighbors, to 

 devote thought to education; a subject which, if not actually disdained, they at least regarded 

 as rather the province of priests than of knights. Nor was it until the arrival of the Jesuits, in 

 1593, that any step of consequence was taken for the general instruction of children. In a 

 "History of the Church in Chile" by Seiior Eyzaguirre, published in 1850, he says: "All the 

 schools of Santiago proceeded to the Compania on Friday evenings, carrying their crosses and 

 banners before them ; and there a padre was designated to instruct them in the rudiments of 

 religion, making them repeat, by classes, the questions and replies of the cathechism, and con- 



