69 



CHAP. III. 



Military System of the Araitcanians ; their 

 Arms and Mode of making War, 



The military government of the Araiicanians is 

 not only more rational and better systematized 

 than the civile but in some respects appears to be 

 superior to the genius of an uncultivated nation. 

 Whenever the grand council determines to go to 

 Mar, they proceed immediately to the election of 

 a commander in chief, to which the Toquis have 

 the first claim, as being the hereditary generals 

 or stadtholders of the republic. If neither of 

 them is deemed qualified for the command, dis- 

 missing all regard for rank, they entrust it io 

 the most deserving of the Ulraenes, or even the 

 officers of the common class, as the talents ne- 

 cessary for this important station are what alone 

 are required. In consequence, VHumilla, a man 

 of low origin, commanded the Araucauian army 

 with much honour in the war of 1722 ; and 

 Curignanca, the younger son of an Ulmeu of 

 the province of Encol, in that which terminated 

 in 1773. 



On accepting his appointment, the new ge- 

 neral assumes the title of Toqui, and the stone 



