1835. TOPOCALMA ACONCAGUA HOECON. 4^ 



for boats to land on the outer beach : and difficult for them to 

 profit by the few opportunities which occur of passing the bar 

 without risk. 



Notwithstanding these local disadvantages, Constitucion may 

 thrive wonderfully hereafter, by the help of small steamers, 

 for she has a most productive country around her, abounding 

 in internal as well as external wealth, and a navigable river at 

 command. Besides this, in 1805, a very practicable passage 

 was discovered through the Andes, about seventy leagues south 

 of Mendoza, not far from the latitude of the River Maule, 

 almost entirely level, and fit for waggons — the only pass of 

 such a description between the isthmus of Darien and Pata- 

 gonia. 



From the Maule we sailed along the coast northward ; limited 

 time, and work in prospect urging us to hasten more than could 

 have been wished. The shoal, or rather rocks of Topocalma, 

 or Rapel, were examined ; some coves looked at, fit only for 

 coasting launches, and the line of this bold, but uninteresting 

 coast tolerably well determined. Before sunrise, on the 22d, 

 we had a splendid view of the Andes — their range or Cordil- 

 lera being unclouded, and distinctly visible from south-east 

 almost to north. The sharp summit of Aconcagua, 23,000 feet 

 above the sea level, towered high over any other. 



At noon, on the 23d, we hove-to off Valparaiso, and sent 

 boats ashore. Mr. Darwin came on board, and among other 

 pieces of good news, told me of my promotion, I asked about 

 Mr. Stokes and Lieut. Wickham, especially the former ; but 

 nothing had been heard of their exertions having obtained any 

 satisfactory notice at head-quarters, which much diminished the 

 gratification I might otherwise have felt on my own account. 

 Mr. Darwin returned to the shore, intending to travel over- 

 land, to meet us at Coquimbo, his very successful excursion 

 across the Andes having encouraged him to make another long 

 journey northward. 



On the 25th, we anchored in Horcon Bay, a place (by some 

 curious accident) entirely left out of all former charts, 

 although there is good anchorage, and a fishing village not far 



