SANTIAGO. 191 



before they can be submitted for the approbation of the patron. The faculty of mathematical and 

 physical sciences having been j.lea.-ed to elect me an honorary member immediately after I arrived 

 in Chile, it wan gratifying to have an opportunity to attend its meetings and become personally 

 aci|iiaintr<l with its members. Their im. -tings are held at night in a large and well constructed 

 t.iry edilice in the i car of the cathedral, formerly used as a part of the National Institute. 



An academy was established in 1842 for the formation of officers de.-tined to serve in the 

 regular army and navy. At present it contains sixty cadets at the expense of the State, of whom 

 forty are intended as commissioned and twenty as non-commissioned officers. As supernume- 

 raries are permitted, the number actually benefiting by the most thorough system of education 

 yet known in Chile is quite double that expressed in the statute. Cadets must be between twelve 

 and twenty years of age ; supernumeraries, who are at liberty to withdraw at any time, but who 

 also may become cadets as vacancies occur, enter at any age over ten years. The allowance 

 to a cadet is $14, and that to a corporal, as the others are ranked at admission, $8 per month ; 

 which sums are wholly devoted to their maintenance. Supernumeraries are required to pay 

 $120 annually ; for which sum they are furnished and taught in every respect as the cadets, to 

 whose discipline they are required to conform. The director of the academy is General J. 8. 

 Aldunate, than whom a more gallant soldier, a truer patriot, or a more honorable or amiable 

 man, it would be difficult to obtain for a post of such trust. Ardently devoted to the service, 

 in which lie gained high distinction in struggles against the royalist forces, his whole 

 thoughts and energies are devoted to the creation of corps of officers who may be relied on in 

 times of doubt and danger men who will not be open to the purchase of every faction able to col- 

 lect a few thousand dollars, but who will ever be found oh the side of law, order, and the legiti- 

 mately constituted authorities of the nation. Having been authorized so recently, the school has 

 scarcely had opportunity to prove how beneficial will certainly be its results ; but, to their credit 

 be it said, in the recent anarchical struggles, the few cadets who have graduated have proved 

 themselves worthy of their instructors. Indeed, when the revolt broke out, on the 20th of April, 

 every individual in the academy was earnest in his desire to aid in its suppression, although 

 some of the little fellows could not have held a musket horizontally had their lives depended on 

 the result. Yet many of these, the General told me, wept bitter tears of mortification when 

 their older companions were about marching to the President's without them, and he eventually 

 took them along. 



The vice-director is a sergeant-major ; and there are thirteen professors, who give instruction 

 in religion and sacred history, ancient history, Spanish grammar, arithmetic, algebra, elementary 

 and descriptive geometry and spherical trigonometry, cosmography and uranography as applied 

 to navigation, the French and English languages, drawing, infantry and artillery tactics, field for- 

 tification, and gymnastic and sword exercises. Between five and six o'clock in the morning and 

 eight and nine at night, according to the season, they are allowed three hours for meals and recrea- 

 tion, the remainder of the time being devoted to study, recitations, or exercises. Provided there 

 are no misdemeanors, they are allowed to visit relatives on one Sunday in each month, and during 

 certain other holidays. The course of study occupies five years ; after which they are incorporated 

 into the army or navy, according as their inclinations have developed themselves, and they have 

 been consequently prepared. Their uniform is a dark-green frock with metal buttons, military 

 cap, sword, and white pantaloons, without which no one is permitted to leave the academy. An 

 old Jesuit convent three squares southeast of Santa Lucia has been fitted for their accommoda- 

 tion ; its broad patio forming a fine parade-ground, and its long corridors ample space for 

 exercise and study. The building is sufficiently extensive to afford wholesome quarters for four 

 times their number ; yet, in every part of it there is the utmost cleanliness and order nothing 

 luxurious or elegant, but everything frugal, simple, and comfortable. In every respect the 

 institution reflects credit on its able director and the government. 



Under the patronage of the State also, there are schools for instruction in the mechanic arts 

 (artes y oftcios), agriculture, painting, and music; in all of which the majority of the pupils are 

 maintained wholly at its expense. In the first named, a portion of the day is given to intellect- 



