-T.KIKHCES OONTINI 



ami following I'm- liiilf a mile tin- canal cut by tin- Indians along its western slope, the sun was 

 found to have so much po\\er that tip '...ted a return, and can ied tlicir proposition by 



influence, if not by nunilH-rs. It must he a-kn..v. <-end the rugged 



ami, in many places, previously unt n.|.|en grOOBdj rendered tin- shade and cool lm-e/.e at our 

 rende/.voiis most grateful to the sturdiest lover of nature among US. We v :uitted to oc- 



cupy a sp..t which had I icon chosen f>r the mansion of a gallant son of th<: Kmerald isle, who bore 

 n.. undistinguished part in the war of the revolution. A portion of its walls had been erected 

 .snine r.oo leet above the plain, \\ithonlycolumnson the i'ront overlooking the latter; and here 

 the proprietor had recently made a han-juet, to which were hidden most of his confreres of the 

 war. and such others as he knew sympat hi/ed in love for his adopted country. The " came con 

 (////'* was capital, the champagne cooled to a charm, and wine and wit circulated fast and 

 frequently, until the old adage was fully realised one ran out as the other was poured in. How 

 a nuinher of the chosen ones got back to town at all they never learned ; and few could tell the 

 hour of their arrival. Independently of the wisdom nearly half a century had given to the 

 youngest of them, one would have thought that the necessity of descending such a bridle-path 

 would have warned them to keep the serpent out of their mouths ; but as no neck was broken, 

 we may probably agree that "all's well that ends well," and that they did right to enjoy the 

 festivity of the hour. 



The covering of boughs and matting over the walls and table, as well as the matting on the 

 high settees along each side, which had been prepared for the earlier feast, were retained for 

 our accommodation, so that few picnic parties find themselves better provided for than we were. 

 But that which claimed attention on first entering to deposit the basket of edibles, was a tablet 

 of white marble inserted in the south wall. Beneath the gilded outline of an engraved heart 

 there is inscribed in gilt letters: "Here lies the heart of Gen. O'Brien, que nada preferia d la 

 lil i-tad de Chile. Chacabuco, Haypu:" (who preferred nothing to the liberty of Chile.) The 

 old soldier has his excentricities, and has probably placed this where he may be constantly 

 warned of the uncertainty of life ; but many a fervent wish daily goes forth that the heart may 

 long throb its pulsations of frankness, generosity, and hospitality characteristics of his nation 

 ere it be placed to moulder on the hill-side of San Cristoval. 



December 25. There is nothing to remind one of the merry-makings of our northern homes 

 on this peculiarly social festival ; no legends of Santa Glaus, with his sled-loads of rewards, 

 by which to enslave the attention or awe the mirth of children; no hanging of stockings, or 

 quiet creeping to the chimney-side in the dim grey of the morning ; no joyous exclamations at 

 unexpected results ; no messages or visits from friends to invoke a merry or a happy day ; no 

 annual assembling of the family at the old homestead to partake of the time-honored turkey 

 and mince pie ; no pleasant games in the evening, or narrative of the olden time to interest the 

 younger members ; in short, there is no Christmas in Chile ag Anglo-Saxons know it. 



On the evening of the 24th la noche buena the market-house is swept clean, its quadran- 

 gular walks covered with pieces of carpet or matting, and tables are set out with ices and confec- 

 tionery, as well as more substantial roasts and salads, not forgetting a due proportion of drink- 

 ables. In some instances they were ornamented with silver candelabras, mate cups, fine flowers, 

 and little banners ; and each was surrounded by a dozen or more chairs for the accommodation 

 of visitors. In the portion of the building occupied by the butchers, gardeners, and fishermen, 

 the supply of meats, vegetables, and fish was greatly more abundant and of far better quality 

 than on other days, every effort being made for display, though it was principally in fruits and 

 flowers that the greatest exertions were manifested. All the gardeners think it of the greatest 

 consequence to present the earliest specimens at this festival. The show is really verv fine. 

 I'.sually there are very superb flowers of the magnolia graudiflora, dahlias and jasmins of 



* A common preparation in the Argentine provinces. The meat (usually a calf) is wrapped in the fresh skin and baked in a 

 hole previously heated. All acknowledge that the richness and juices of meat are better preserved in this than in any other 

 mode of cooking. Try it. 



