u 



'.iieiices, us iu all the countri(-\s of the southern 

 hemisphere, the 22d Septeriil)cr, the summer in 

 December, tlie autumn iu March, and the ^vintcr 

 in June.^ 



* Tliat part of CJiili which may properly be deemed it 

 Spanish province, is a narrow district, extending along the coast 

 troni the desert of Atacaaias to the island ol" Chilo*';, above 

 900 miles. Its climate is the most delicious of" the New 

 World, and is hardly equalled by that of any region on the 

 face of the earth. Though bordering on the torrid zone, it 

 never feels the extremity of heat, being screened on the east 

 by the Andes, and refreshed from the west by cooling sea- 

 breezes. The temperature of the air is so raild and equable, 

 that the Spaniards give it the preference to that of the south- 

 ern provinces in their native country. The fertility of the soil 

 corresponds wilh the beuignity of the climate, and is wonder- 

 fully acconmiodated to European productions. The most valu- 

 able of these, corn, wine, and oil, abound in Chili, as if they 

 had been native to the country. All the fruits imported from 

 Europe attain to full maturity there. The animals of our 

 hemisphere not only multiply, but improve in this delightful 

 region. The horned cattle are of larger size than those of 

 Spain. Its breed of horses surpasses, both in be;iuty and iu 

 spirit, the famous Andalusian race, from which lliey sprang. 

 Nor has natuie exhausted her bounty on the surface of the 

 earth ; she has stored its bowels with riches. Valuable mines 

 of gold, of silver, of copper, and of lead, have been dis- 

 covered in various parts of it. A couatry distinguished by 

 so many blessings, we may be apt to conclude, would early 

 become a favourite station of the Spaniards, and must have 

 been cultivated with peculiar predilection and care. luoteud 

 of this, a great part of it remains luioccupied. In all thi.^ 

 extent of country, there ate not above eighty thousund whlU: 



