CHAPTER X. 



THE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS. 



HATION8 ON 8EITKMin.lt ITtli. ON THE 18th: PROCESSION TO THE CATHKDRAL ; HIGH MAK; VIT TO THE PUSH- 

 DENT; To MM I -< I I.I V I)E ARTE8 Y OFIC1OH; ILLUMINATIONS. ON THE 19th : THE MOVING CROWD*; THE PAMMULA 

 AM) II- -I MS; DISPLAY ON nil. CANADA. ON THE 2llth: ENCOURAGEMENT AND REWARDS OF MEHIT; OIVKfegoKtf OB 

 THE PAMl'lLLA ; CONCLUDING AMUSEMENTS FOR THE POPULACE. 



Though the 18th of September is the anniversary of the independence of Chile, government 

 ordains that the 17th and 19th shall also be national holidays, and the masses continue their 

 frolics and carousals until near the commencement of October. In the year 1850, the celebra- 

 tions began at noon of the 17th by a national salute fired at the castle, a general ringing of the 

 bells, a display of the Chilean flag from every house, and bands of the several regiments parading 

 through the streets playing the national hymn. By 1 p. M. the musicians had all collected in 

 front of the Mint (President's quarters) ;but as there had been a heavy snow-storm on the 

 mountains (rain in the city) on the preceding day, the air was raw and comfortless for Santiago, 

 and scarcely more than a thousand persons assembled in the square. For the same reason it was 

 found necessary to postpone a portion of the ceremonies until the 20th; and, outwardly, the day 

 closed with more music, another military salute, and a partial illumination of the houses at 

 night. Next year the celebrations began at sunrise, and though essentially the same, the order 

 of ceremonies for the several days was somewhat varied. It was an epoch of much anxiety 

 and excitement. There were more salutes fired, more flags displayed, and more general illu- 

 minations at night (by order of the municipal chief) ; but previously, the police were specially 

 particular to notify the head of each household that the new Intendente was resolved to enforce 

 all fines for non-compliance with these patriotic ordinances, as well as for omitting the prepara- 

 tory annual whitewashing. As the fines range from $4 to $20, at his discretion, in order to 

 save the mulct, every one runs up a piece of bunting, and manages to place a few tallow can- 

 dles along the blank walls. A stranger in Santiago, without this explanation, would imagine 

 himself among a people enthusiastically patriotic. Of course our contribution to the display 

 could not be very great, but our own bright flag was run up (and a superb one it was) ; and at 

 night, as there was too much wind to expose it on the observatory, a star-shaped frame crowded 

 with lights was erected on the front of our house. The latter needed distance and elevation to 

 give it effect, and when appropriately placed on subsequent nights it attracted much attention. 



By direction of the President, an invitation was sent to us from the governor to meet the 

 public authorities and foreign ministers in the Senate chamber at 10 A. M. of the 18th, thence 

 to proceed to the cathedral and participate in rendering thanks to the Almighty for his blessings 

 on the nation. It having been arranged that we should proceed in the carriage with Mr. Peyton, 

 our party repaired to the United States legation in full dress shortly prior to the appointed time. 

 Besides himself, the only foreign representatives present were the Charges from France and 

 Brazil: the English gentleman pleaded indisposition, the Peruvian actually was ill and at Val- 

 paraiso, and the Spaniard could not thank God for having deprived his country of one of her 

 fairest colonies. We found there a number of officers in superbly embroidered uniforms ; no incon- 

 siderable proportion of church dignitaries; and all the cabinet ministers, municipal authorities, 

 and members of the University. The procession was formed as soon as the President appeared, 

 and marched from the Senate chamber to the cathedral two squares distant preceded and 

 followed by squadrons of lancers. The head of the column consisted of distinguished officers ; 

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