ovalle's historical relation of chile. 



s$ 



fometimes are fo plentiful, that they are ealily catched ; and this ufes to be one of the 

 greateft diverfions of the citizens of the city of St. Jago. There are other lakes, as 

 thofe of Aculco, which empty themfelves into this river of Maypo, on the contrary 

 fide to that of the clear river : there are alfo bred in it fmelts of above a foot long ; 

 the very name in Spanifh declaring their excellency, it fignifying a royal filh : fome 

 years there is fuch plenty of them, that the whole city may keep Lent with them 

 alone, without buying any other fifh from the fea ; which, though it is very good, yet 

 it never attains to the delicacy of the river-fifli, which is fo fweet and healthy, that it is 

 ufed to be given to the fick and convalefcent. 



After Maypo, is the river of Rapel, not at all inferior to the other ; it enters the fea 

 about the 34th degree, and as many minutes ; about four or five leagues before the 

 two famous rivers of Cachapoal and Tinguiritica join together, and are no lefs in debt 

 to mankind for the many people they have fwallowed, than that of Maypo. Among 

 others which increafe their rapid current, are the rivers Mallua and Chambaronigo : 

 on the banks of this the order of the Redemption has a convent, for the inftrudlion 

 and edification of all that country. The Jefuits have alfo a novitiate, who have for 

 neighbours a monaftery of St. Dominick. The lands thereabouts are extreme fertile, 

 have excellent pallures for the fattening of cattle, and are much valued all over the 

 country. In thirty-four degrees and three quarters is the river Delora, which receives 

 thofe of Teno, Peterroa, and Metaquito, whofe ftream is fo rapid, that many perifli in 

 it. Thefe rivers water moft rich lands, and a delicious country for the breeding and 

 feeding of all forts of cattle j and indeed there is not a foot of ground unemployed 

 in them. 



The great Maule appears at thirty-five degrees ; and it makes the limits of the 

 archbifhoprick and jurifdidion of the city of St. Jago : all that was inclofed between 

 this and Rapel, Cachapoal, and Tinguiritica, was called by the natural Indians, Pro- 

 mocaes, that is, a place of dancing and delight, to exprefs the pleafantnefs of that 

 country. They were not out in this charadter at all : I remember once, that travelling 

 in this country, when I came to a farm of any Spaniard, he would entertain me with 

 nothing but the praifes of it, and that with fo many particulars, that I could not imagine 

 it could be out-done by any in the world ; but when I came to another farm, the 

 mafter of it would relate to me fuch admirable properties of his, that the firft feemed 

 but ordinary to me. Thus I found every one fo in love with the fpot he lived on, 

 that I could not but admire the whole, and have a great idea of the excellency and 

 temperament of this land, as well as of its provifions. Partridge are abounding, and 

 all manner of game ; and as for fifh, there are fuch quantities of fmelts and trouts, 

 that they take them when they will, being as fure almoft to catch them, as if they had 

 them in ponds at home. I have heard them often fay, that when they were fat down 

 to table, if any one longed for a frelh trout, they had no more to do, than to fend and 

 catch one, which they would have ready dreffed before they rife from the table. The 

 river Maule receives the clear river, and that of Cauquenes ; and though it be as deep 

 again as either of them, yet it is lefs dangerous for paflengers, and fewer people are 

 drowned in it ; becaufe near the fea, by the yard for building of Ihips, it fpreads itfelf, 

 and makes a large paflage, where the king has a ferry for the conveniency of paflengers. 

 The Auftin friars have alfo a convent here, and take care of the Spaniards, and their 

 black and Indian fervants, who people all the banks of this river, and are numerous, 

 living in feparate farms all along the country ; thefe they call Eftancias. 



Now we enter the jurifdidtion of the city of the Conception, where the governor 

 refidesj and there is a garrifon of the militia. The bifhoprick of the city of Imperial 



begins 



