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TRxVNSLATORS PREFACE. 



*\4 Important and interesting as has ever been 

 the History of the Spanish settlements in Ame- 

 rica^ particularly to the inhabitants of the 

 same continent, that importance and interest is at 

 r4 the present period i^reatly increased, by the oc- 

 currence of events of such magnitude, as wdll 

 most probably be attended with the total scver- 

 r ance of those colonies from Europe, and the 

 "^ establishment of a new empire in the west. Of 

 these settlements. Chili is in many respects one of 

 the most important. Blest with a soil fertile 

 beyond description, a climate mild and salubrious 

 in the highest degree, productive of every con- 

 venience and most of the luxuries of life, and 

 rich in the precious metals. Nature appears to 

 have been delighted in lavishing its bounties 

 upon this favoured portion of the globe. In its 

 minerals, its plants, and its animals, the natu- 

 ralist will find an interesting and copious field of 

 research ; and the character of its natives fur- 

 VOL. I. b 



