271 



thedral and the church of the Dominicans in the 

 capital, which are built of stone, are, however, ex- 

 ceptions. The first was constructed at the royal 

 expense, under the direction of the present bishop, 

 Don Manuel Alday, an excellent and learned prelate ; 

 it is built in a masterly style, and is 384 French feet 

 in front. The plan was drawn by two English ar- 

 chitects, who superintended the work ; but when it 

 was half finished they refused to go on, unless their 

 wages were increased. In consequence of this the 

 building was suspended, when two of the Indians, 

 who had worked under the Englishmen, and had 

 secretly found means of instructing themselves in 

 every branch of the art, offered to complete it, which 

 they did with as much skill and perfection as their 

 masters themselves could have displayed. In the 

 capital the following edifices are also worthy of re- 

 mark : the barracks for the dragoons, the mint;, 

 which has been lately built by a Roman architect, 

 and the hospital for orphans, founded by Don Juan 

 Nic- Aguirre, Marquis of Monte-pio, and endowed by 

 his present majesty, who patronises with much libe- 

 rality all establishments of public utility\ 



Spanish Chili, in consequence of the freedom 

 granted to its maritime trade by the present govern- 

 ment, is peopling with a rapidity proportioned to the 

 salubrity of its climate and the fertility of its soiL 

 Its population in general is composed of Europeans, 

 Creoles, Indians, Negroes and Mustees. The Eu- 

 ropeans, except a few French, English and Italians, 

 are Spaniards, who for the most part are from the 

 southern provinces of Spain. The Creoles, who 



