ACROSS THR ROCKY MOUNTAINS, ETC. 295 



12th. — We have had fine breezes since Saturday, and this 

 morning, at 8 o'clock, we made the coast of Chili, distant about 

 fifty miles. The day has been a lovely, clear one, so that we 

 had a fine view of the land until evening closed. We were then 

 within about eight miles of Valparaiso point, and as it was 

 deemed unsafe to attempt to run in during the dusk, we 

 were compelled to lie to all night. The coast here appears 

 exceedingly bold, with a very small portion of level beach. In 

 the back ground, hills rise upon hills to the far distance, where 

 their summits are crowned by the snow-capt Andes. As the 

 sun sank this evening, and gilded with his departing rays the 

 frozen peaks of these lofty mountains, the effect was truly mag- 

 nificent. 



The hills in the vicinity of the shore appear to be totally 

 devoid of vegetation, nor can the eye discern a single shrub in 

 the whole of the vast space comprehended within the range of 

 vision. From our present station, we can see two flag-staffs 

 erected in different situations, upon the tops of two of the highest 

 hills, intended, doubtless, as a guide for mariners ; and in one of 

 the little valleys, we observe a small, but neat looking village of 

 white houses. The harbor of Valparaiso is deeply embayed 

 within the hills, so that we have not yet had a sight of it. 



13th. — Early this morning we passed the point, and came 

 immediately in view of the town of Valparaiso. The houses 

 appeared thickly grouped together, but without any attention to 

 order or regularity, and between these groups, there often inter- 

 vened large uninhabited spaces, producing the appearance, from 

 the harbor, of several towns. Immediately in front of the bay ; 

 and for the space of a quarter of a mile east and west of it, is 

 the principal part of the city, the place of commercial business 

 and fashion. Back and westward of this, are three large groups 

 of houses, occupying the summits and sides of three hills, com- 

 monly known to foreigners by the nautical names, fore-top, main- 



