CHILI AND VALPARAISO. 49 



playing their gay flags and mingling their bright stream- 

 ers in the brilliant effulgence of a cloudless sky. 



The police of Valparaiso is celebrated for its efficiency. 

 Good order and decorum prevail everywhere. Crime is 

 rarely heard of, and never suffered to go unpunished. The 

 credit of forming this institution is given to Por tales, a 

 man of rare talents and great energy of character. It con- 

 sists of two distinct bodies, one mounted, and the other on 

 foot ; the former patrol the streets on horseback, while the 

 latter watch over a particular ward or district, for which 

 they are held responsible. They wear a uniform and a 

 sword, to distinguish them from the other citizens. 



The market is well supplied. Fruits and vegetables are 

 abundant and cheap ; the grapes, peaches and pears are of 

 the best kinds. Beef is as good as we have at home. 

 There is also a great variety of fish. 



The population is estimated at 34,000, and is rapidly in- 

 creasing. 



The principal seaports of Chili are Yaldavia, Talca- 

 huano, Copiapo, Coquimbo, Chiloe, and Guasco. Talca- 

 huano and Yaldavia we have in particular heard repre- 

 sented as most eligible places for vessels which visit these 

 seas, to touch at. As for Valparaiso, it is not a good sea- 

 port ; it is entirely exposed to the ocean from the north, so 

 that, when the w T ind blows with violence from that quar- 

 ter, which is the case during the winter season, a heavy sea 

 sets into it, and renders the anchorage highly dangerous. 

 It is, however, more frequented than any other harbor. 

 Yessels make it a point to stop here, whatever may be 

 their destination. 



The common people of Chili are a mixed race, sprung 

 from the union of the Spaniards with the native Indian 

 women. They are generally well made, of a dark brown 



