1834.] TENURE OP LAND. 265 



to the surveyor, for measuring each quadra (150 yards square), 

 together with whatever price he fixes for the value of the land. 

 After his valuation, the laud must be put up three times to auction, 

 and if no one bids more, the purchaser can have it at that rate. 

 All these exactions must be a serious check to clearing the ground, 

 where the inhabitants are so extremely poor. In most countries, 

 forests are removed without much difficulty by the aid of fire ; but 

 in Chiloe, from the damp nature of the climate, and the sort of 

 trees, it is necessary first to cut them down. This is a heavy draw- 

 back to the prosperity of Chiloe. In the time of the Spaniards the 

 Indians could not hold laud; and a family, after having cleared a 

 piece of ground, might be driven away, and the property seized by 

 the government. The Chilian authorities are now performing an 

 act of justice by making retribution to these poor Indians, giving 

 to each man, according to his grade of life, a certain portion of 

 land. The value of uncleared ground is very little. The govern- 

 ment gave Mr. Douglas (the present surveyor, who informed me of 

 these circumstances) eight and a half square miles of forest near 

 S. Carlos, in lieu of a debt ; and this he sold for 350 dollars, or 

 about 701. sterling. 



The two succeeding days were fine, and at night we reached the 

 island of Quinchao. This neighbourhood is the most cultivated 

 part of the Archipelago ; for a broad strip of land on the coast of 

 the main island, as well as on many of the smaller adjoining ones, 

 is almost completely cleared. Some of the farmhouses seemed very 

 comfortable. I was curious to ascertain how rich any of these 

 people might be, but Mr. Douglas says that no one can be con- 

 sidered as possessing a regular income. One of the richest land- 

 owners might possibly accumulate, in a long industrious life, as 

 much as 1000?. sterling ; but should this happen, it would all be 

 stowed away in some secret corner, for it is the custom of almost 

 every family to have a jar or treasure-chest buried in the ground. 



November 3Qtk. Early on Sunday morning we reached Castro, 

 the ancient capital of Chiloe, but now a most forlorn and deserted 

 place. The visual quadrangular arrangement of Spanish towns 

 could be traced, but the streets and plaza were coated with fine 

 green turf, on which sheep were browsing. The church, which 

 stands in the middle, is entirely built of plank, and has a pic- 

 turesque and venerable appearance. The poverty of the place 

 may l>e conceived from the fact, that although containing some 



