194 SANTIAGO. 



At the time of our arrival there were three newspapers printed at the capital, two at Val- 

 paraiso, and one at each of the cities Copiapo, Serena, Talca, and Concepcion. Of those at 

 Santiago "El Araucano" is the official organ, and rarely publishes aught but decrees, regu- 

 lations, or other matters emanating from the ministers. During the close of General Bulnes's 

 term, and the revolutionary struggle following the accession of Mr. Montt, there were occasional 

 editorials in defence of the administration ; but even these were subsequently omitted, and the 

 " Araucano" was of interest only for reports of the proceedings in Congress, and an occasional 

 statistical table. The other journals were "La Tribuna" and "El Progreso ;" the former in the 

 pay of government also, and the latter decidedly in opposition to it. It cannot be said that 

 either of them was conducted with much spirit. The latter, together with an irregular quarto 

 sheet, commenced, in 1850, to advocate the cause of "Los Egualitarios" (Socialists), and 

 indeed all others opposed to the precise measures of the government, were suppressed, under 

 the dictatorial powers with which Congress invested the President in September, 1851. At the 

 advent of Mr. Montt, without changing hands or doctrines, the "Tribuna" was re-baptized 

 "La Civilizacion;" but the nation or Santiaguinos seemed scarcely ready for such a change, 

 and the newly made literary infant, like the majority of the human race given birth to here, 

 expired within the year. "El Telegrafo" was to rise from its grave at the completion of 

 electro-magnetic communication between Valparaiso and the capital ; but, from the fact that 

 it had not been issued as late as September 1, 1852, it is probable that the proposition met with 

 little favor, and that the "Araucano" has remained alone in its glory. There is a "Gaceta de 

 los Tribunales," printed weekly, and devoted to judicial decisions exclusively; the "Revista 

 Catolica," a monthly periodical, advocating intolerance to the satisfaction of the devout ; and 

 a little paper started for musical and dramatical criticism: all with very limited circulation. 

 It may be inferred from this, that a taste for the reading of current events is not very general ; 

 and one may perhaps justly infer that there is a like indifference to more serious literature. 



Above the library is the cabinet of natural history. The origin of this museum is mainly 

 due to M. Claudius Gay, a French gentleman, who went to Chile nearly twenty years since, 

 and, not having succeeded as he desired, commenced collecting native animals and plants, most 

 of which were forwarded to the galleries at Paris. Having subsequently made an agreement 

 with the Minister of Public Instruction, he undertook a systematic examination of the native 

 products, with a view to an authentic natural and political history of the republic. Beginning 

 his multifarious and arduous task in 1833, the first volume of the civil history was published 

 in 1844, and in the following year the first volume of descriptive botany. Since then other vol- 

 umes four of political history, eight of. botany, eight of zoology, and two of documents have 

 been distributed, accompanied by 350 elegantly engraved and colored folio plates, illustrative 

 of the natural history, antiquities, scenery, and customs of the country. The work is still 

 going on, M. Gay having been in Paris to superintend the engravers and printers for the last 

 six or seven years. The plates, coloring, and general execution of the work are in the highest 

 degree interesting and honorable ; and if the text prove equally satisfactory to the mass of readers 

 devoted to those branches, the little republic of Chile will have accomplished more for the 

 enlightenment of mankind than nine tenths of the older and wealthier states of the world. 



The specimens collected by M. Gay were forwarded to the capital from time to time, himself 

 subsequently preparing them for exhibition ; and now, the ornithological and botanical depart- 

 ments, if not complete, are certainly so far advanced towards perfection that the inquisitive 

 student will have little to learn hereafter from other collectors. They are arranged in a long 

 room, in well constructed cases, affording full opportunity for minute examination, and are 

 nominally open to the public on Thursdays. When proper application is made, the cabinet is 

 accessible to strangers every day. Limited as is the country to a small number of families both 

 in the animal and vegetable kingdoms, it has not been difficult to obtain good specimens of 

 every member belonging to some of them ; and it is only to be regretted that the more valuable 

 ones should not have fallen into the hands of more skilful taxidermists. 



