THE NATIONAL HOLIDAYS. 487 



. M n f'..r tin lower classes, and, as if in keeping, the flags on many houses had drooped to half- 

 mast. Not a littl.- remarkalil.- ai.- fcheM lame " hauliers on the outward wall." Whilst the 



red. I, Inc. aii.l white e.dors are | II Combined to make ( .'hileail , Dlltrli, 



Freneh. llnssiaii. an. I n<>n-deseript flags, ranging through the various dimensions and materials 

 that wealth ami ustrntati.m. pride and poverty, can obtain; many hointctl as signals of distress, 

 union down ; others in mourning, at halt-mast; while the national emblem properly elevated was 

 a rare sight. At 1 r. M. the great flag of the nation was taken from the old palace by the 

 governor of the city, supported by the aldermen and other members of the municipal board. 

 They \\.ic prece.le.l hy a troop of mounted artillery, the pupils from the School of Mechanic 

 Aits, the interns from the National Institute, and the corps of civic officials. The corps of cadets 

 formed a guard of honor, and the rear was brought up by pupils from the schools of music and 

 painting and a military band. Proceeding to the residence of the President, the procession 

 was joined ly himself and aids, the cabinet ministers, and officers of the line and National 

 Guard ; and it returned to the plaza, where a platform, tastefully ornamented with flags and 

 festoons of evergreens, had been erected in front of the chambers of the municipality. The 

 stage was large enough to accommodate the distinguished people and most of the pupils, but the 

 larger number were compelled to remain members of the crowd in the plaza. As the procession 

 "changed front" in returning, the pupils of the School of Music reached the platform first; 

 and at the moment of the President's arrival they commenced singing the National Hymn, 

 part of which is most sweet and plaintive. Then succeeded the recitation by the authors of 

 poems offered for prizes; discourses; distributions of premiums, &c. ; during the intervals of 

 which the pupils sang the "Prayer" from Rossini's opera of Moses, and other simple choice 

 selections, with very considerable effect and credit tp themselves. One of the poems offered for 

 a prize, entitled " La Fe sobre los Monies" (the Religion of the Mountains), was based on the 

 popular delusion respecting Santa Eusebia, current some months previous, and of which some 

 mention has been made. I make a free translation of the two first stanzas, to show the author's 

 style and his allusion to ourselves: 



"Mountain of Lucia! Ancient home of the Araucanian condor; then, stronghold of the 

 proud Castilian ; now, habitation of science ! Glory and ornament of my country! Why on 

 thy heights do learned and simple so seek God? Whilst on thy summit the sage American, in 

 observation of gem-like stars, seeks of our Creator the luminous foot-prints, a reverent nation 

 climb silently thy venerable sides ; and, as they upward bear the cross with hearts of faith, 

 mysterious hands enkindle suddenly a thousand torches on thy brow ! Luminous symbols with 

 which a people write their faith and holy superstition upon high mountain crests ; religious 

 sentences they lovingly accede to." 



At the end of about an hour the names of the individuals most entitled to the gratitude of Chile, 

 whether for efforts to effect moral or physical advancement, commerce, agriculture, or the 

 mechanic arts, were publicly announced. Among the number was our countryman, William 

 Wheelwright, Esq., to whom was presented a gold medal, bearing on one side the coat of arms 

 of the republic, and on the obverse a steamship, with the inscription, "The Government of Chile 

 to William Wheelwright: a token of gratitude for the introduction of steam navigation and 

 railroads." And no man more richly deserved so public an acknowledgment. 



Medals were also presented to others (all foreigners except one), for the introduction of honey- 

 bees, new breeds of cattle, new methods of smelting copper ores ; diplomas for specimens of 

 cabinet-work, silver- ware, gilding, engraving and carving in wood ; and rewards of money to 

 the manufacturers of a handsome piece of carpeting, similar to the imperial, and a tapestry 

 coverlet wrought by a lady. At first the names were read from the rear of the platform, where 

 his Excellency was seated ; but as they could not be heard beyond his precincts, the well known 

 leader of a charitable society (Brothers of the Holy Sepulchre) came out to the edge and 

 announced the honored individuals in loud tones. This was good policy. Several of those 

 rewarded or honorably mentioned for moral conduct during the year were but journeymen 



