176 CHILI. 
which, connected with the late victory and successes in Peru, caused 
much rejoicing, and every possible attention was shown to the Chief 
Magistrate, both by natives and foreigners. Among others, he was 
taken on an aquatic excursion on board of a small brigantine, decked 
out with the flags of all nations, and was accompanied by the civil 
authorities of Valparaiso, the English admiral, and others. On pass- 
ing the men-of-war he received the customary salutes from all but 
ourselves. We could not fire salutes on account of our chronometers. 
On his passing, however, the rigging was manned, and we gave him 
several hearty cheers, which, it was said, much delighted the Presi- 
dent and his suite, from the novelty of the compliment. 
Three balls were given during the stay of the squadron here, in 
consequence of the visit of the President (General Prieto); one in 
honour of the recent victory of Yungai over the Peruvians ; the others 
by the citizens and foreigners to his Excellency. As the former was 
an extraordinary occasion, a description of it will give some insight 
into the manner in which they conduct these affairs in Chili. All 
three were managed in a manner that would have been highly cre- 
ditable in any part of the world. 
The place selected for the great ball was between the walls of two 
large unfinished storehouses, a space of one hundred and fifty feet long 
by ninety wide, over which temporary arches were built, the whole 
covered with an awning lined with blue, and studded with stars, from 
which were suspended some twenty very handsome chandeliers. The 
whole was carpeted, while the various pillars which supported the roof 
were decorated with emblems of the victory and nation. At the end 
opposite to the entrance was a transparency of General Bulnes, the 
hero of Yungai, surrounded with scrolls of his deeds. Along the 
corridors which the piazzas formed, ranges of sofas and seats were 
placed; on the walls were hung rich mirrors and paintings: the 
former rested on massive pier tables, in which hundreds of lights 
were seen reflected, whilst the graceful festoons of the national flags 
and pennants formed into draperies, intermixed with wreaths of 
flowers and evergreens m endless variety, encircling emblematic 
designs of the nation's glory, produced an effect not easily surpassed. 
The reception-room of the President was hung with scarlet tapestry, 
decorated with paintings, mirrors, and pier tables, and brilliantly 
lighted with chandeliers, &,c. 
There were likewise card-rooms, smoking-rooms, supper-rooms, 
and a dressing-room for the ladies, in which were a number of hair- 
dressers and mantua-makers constantly in attendance. The whole 
