132 



RAMBLES AFTEE SPORT. 



not only is this a fact_, but tlie poor little innocent babe is 

 often lent to a neighbour who wants to attract customers 

 to ber bouse. 



In the neighbourhood of Santiago are some lovely 

 haciendas and casaquintas — country residences of the 

 rich — fruits,, flowers, and all green things of the earth 

 growing in the greatest profusion. It is such a pity it is 

 nob more thickly wooded ! Once upon a time the whole 

 of the south was abundantly wooded, but, there being no 

 forest laws in Chili, all the trees have been cut down/ 

 principally for smelting purposes. 



Near the city are the baths of Apoquindo. I went in 

 a coach, and returned the same day ; there is a good 

 hotel there, and the scenery is very pretty. These baths, 

 however, are completely thrown in the shade by the cele- 

 brated hot springs of Cauquenes, which are celebrated 

 all through South America for their curative properties. 

 They are situated a short distance from the Cauquenes 

 station; an excellent hotel is attached to the baths. Still 

 more celebrated are the hot baths of Chilian, situated to 

 the south in the Cordillera, which are visited even by 

 people from Europe ; they are exceedingly beneficial in 

 skin diseases. 



I stayed a week in Santiago, and quitted it with great 

 regret. 



There is something I like about the place ; when one 

 gets into some large, rambling old house in the outskirts, 

 with some acres of garden at the back, one can shut the 

 door and fancy oneself at Jericho, or anywhere else, and as 

 a place of residence I prefer it to any other city in South 

 America. It is inferior to Lima in many respects ; but 

 I do not associate it, like that detestable, wicked, blood- 

 stained place, with, rapine, violence, savagery, and lust. 



