172 NOTES OF A NATURALIST. 



superfluous remark as to my imperfect use of the 

 Spanish tongue, Don Olegario changed the conversa- 

 tion to English, which he spoke with perfect ease and 

 correctness. We discussed my project of a mountain 

 excursion, and I found at once that he was ready to 

 give practical assistance in every way. The doubt 

 remained as to the season and the weather. If no 

 rain or snow should fall, there was no other obstacle. 

 He readily undertook to provide men and horses and 

 everything needful for an excursion of three days in 

 the Cordillera, and I was to let him know my resolve 

 on the following day. 



I afterwards heard in some detail the family history 

 of this liberal-minded gentleman. His father com- 

 menced life as a common miner. With the aid of 

 good fortune, natural intelligence, and activity, he 

 became the owner of a valuable mine in Northern 

 Chili, and amassed a large fortune, mainly invested 

 in the purchase of land. Havirig several sons, he sent 

 them all for education to England, and, to judge from 

 the specimen I saw, with excellent results. Large 

 proprietors who use intelligence and capital to develop 

 the natural resources of the country supply, in some 

 states of society, the most effectual means for progress 

 in civilization ; but, excepting in Chili, such examples 

 are rare in South America. 



The day was declining when we reached the Baths 

 of Cauquenes, and I had time only for a short stroll 

 through the establishment and its immediate sur- 

 roundings. It stands on a level shelf of stony ground 

 less than a hundred feet above the river Cachapoal, 

 the main building consisting of a range of bedrooms, 



