322 USPALLATA PASS. [CHAP. xr. 



from the cold regions above : and I am sure I most heartily par- 

 ticipated in these feelings. 



8#i. "We left the valley of the Aconcagua, by which we had 

 descended, and reached in the evening a cottage near the Villa 

 del St. Eosa. The fertility of the plain was delightful: the 

 autumn being advanced, the leaves of many of the fruit-trees 

 were falling; and of the labourers, some were busy in drying 

 figs and peaches on the roofs of their cottages, while others were 

 gathering the grapes from the vineyards. It was a pretty scene ; 

 but I missed that pensive stillness which makes the autumn in 

 England indeed the evening of the year. On the 10th we reached 

 Santiago, where I received a very kind and hospitable reception 

 from Mr. Caldcleugh. My exciirsion only cost me twenty-four 

 days, and never did I more deeply enjoy an equal space of time. 

 A few days afterwards I returned to Mr. Corfield's house at 

 Valparaiso. 



