178 OVALLE^'S HISTOUrCAL KELATION OF CHILE. 



of tafemg upon them the cure of fouls ; and thofe who betake themfelves to a reli- 

 gious life, are better qualified to ferve their orders, and be an honour to them, as 

 many of them are ; and it does not a little contribute to the value of them, to 

 ' fee the great folemnity ufed at the reception of the feveral graduates. And in this, 

 as well as the reft, I think our city of St.Jago is not inferior to any : for, firfl, 

 all the afts are held with great concourfe of all the learned, and very often the 

 bifhop honours them with his prefence, and fo do the prefident of the Audiencia, 

 and the chief of the town-government, to whom are dedicated the fubjefts of the 

 extempore readings, according to the conftitution of the univerfity, which are given 

 out with great fidelity, dividing the fubjeft into three parts, for the graduate to 

 difpute upon in prefence of a great concourfe of people ; and the feverity is indif- 

 penfable in this and all other examinations, for the different degrees which are 

 given by the bifiiop, by virtue of an approbation firfl given him by the father reclor 

 and the profeffors, as the bull diredls ; according to which there is no obligation 

 of giving any treat ; but yet that the dodtors may affifl with more pleafure and dili- 

 gence, there has been introduced a cuftom of giving fome moderate ones, befides 

 gloves, which were allowed inftead of it ; but fome out of oftentation give both 

 treat and gloves. Befides this, there has been introduced a cuftom of inviting, 

 the horfe of the city to honour the proceflion, which make the folemnity the more 

 confpicuous j and they very willingly accept of the invitation, for they are very ready 

 «*j<n Au).mV. to mount on horfeback to honour any, much more thofe who diftinguilh themfelves 

 by the exercifes of virtue and learning. 



CHAP. VI. — Of the Worjhip of God, and the Church CeremoJiies in the City of 



St. J ago, 



IF we were to make a judgment of this city by the worfhip of God that is per- 

 formed in it, and the appearance of the clergy, we ^ould judge it to be much- 

 bigger than it is ; for the ftate and expence with which the holidays are kept, in 

 the charge of mufick, perfumes, wax, and other ornaments, are very great : let us give 

 fome particular inftances, and begin 'with the cathedral. I cannot but commend the 

 piety of thofe eminent perfons, the bifhop, prefident, and counfellors of the royal Au- 

 diencia, who taking each of them a day during the oftave of the holy facrament are at 

 the whole expence of that day, and that is very confiderable ; for all the wax and 

 perfumes are very dear, as coming from Europe ; and the holy emulation that is 

 between them, increafes the fplendour of the day ; fo that during thatodlave, the church 

 is fo perfumed, that its fragrancy is fmelt fome diftance from it. The proceflion of 

 the firfl; and eighth day are upon the account of the chapter, as the hanging of the 

 fl:reets, and eretting of altars for repofitories, are at the charge of the inhabitants 

 where the proceflion pafles : this proceflion is attended by all the convents, and all the 

 companies of trades, with their banners and flags, fo that it reaches a great way. 

 After this of the cathedral come every day new ones of all the convents, fo that they 

 laft a month, every one endeavouring to have theirs the beft ; by which means there 

 are great variety of ornamental inventions and machines. The Indians of the neigh- 

 bourhood, that live in the Chagras, that is, little cottages, within fome miles of the 

 city, attend likewife with their banners : and they chufe for this purpofe a leader 

 who makes the expence, and treats thofe of his company : their numbej:s are fo great, 

 and the noife they make fo bud, with' their flutes, and their hollowing and finging. 

 Is that; 



