186 CHILI. 
are filled with wax figures representing saints, and there are also the 
remains of two martyrs of the church, in a tolerably good state of 
preservation. 
The palace was originally built for the Viceroy. It is now 
appropriated to the accommodation of the President, and the public 
offices. On the side opposite to the palace is a colonnade, which is 
not yet finished, and will occupy the whole side of the square. 
Under its portico are fancy and dry goods shops, and between the 
columns various trades, or lace and fringe-makers are at work. In 
the evening this becomes a most busy scene. Females, with large 
flat baskets before them, are vending shoes, fruit, and fancy articles ; 
others are employed in cooking cakes, and the whole lighted up as it 
is with numerous candles, affords much amusement to the stranger, 
besides giving him an opportunity to see a large number of the 
inhabitants. The greater part of those present are females. 
The mint occupies a whole square; it has never yet been com- 
pleted, and has also suffered greatly from earthquakes. The operation 
of coining is in the rudest and oldest form, the same as practised in 
Europe in the last century. The rolling and cutting are done by 
mule power, and the oldest kind of fly-press, with a great screw 
beam, having enormous balls at the end, is used. The dies they use 
are made from the male die, in the same way as with us, but they 
have not the same facility, and want the modern improvements in the 
process. A toggle-jointed press was imported from France, but it 
was soon put out of order by the workmen, and there being no one 
to repair it, its use has been abandoned. 
The library is extensive, containing several thousand volumes 
which formerly belonged to the Jesuits, and many curious manu- 
scripts relating to the Indians. 
For amusements they are not very remarkable. They, however, 
boast of a theatre, and a chingano. There appears to be little 
business doing, and Santiago may be called a quiet city. The siesta 
is daily indulged in; even the shops were shut in the afternoon, and 
the city is as quiet as midnight. Towards the cool of the evenino- 
the Alameda is resorted to. It is a beautiful walk, about a mile fn 
extent, well shaded, and occupies one bank of the river. It is planted 
with a double row of poplar trees, which seem to thrive well here. 
Streams of water are constantly running on each side of the walk. 
Every few yards stone seats are placed, which are at times filled 
with a well-dressed population. The Alameda affords at all times a 
cool and pleasant promenade. 
