206 CHILL 
with ; that although they could not allow a church to be put up, 
there could be no objection to their worshipping in a private dwell- 
ing. Since then a very nice room has been prepared, and a resident 
chaplain, Mr. Rowlandson, has been called, who officiates regularly 
on the Sabbath. The effect that it has produced on the habits of the 
foreign residents, of whom there are about three hundred, is marked. 
About one hundred and eighty of them are constant attendants on the 
service. 
What is somewhat remarkable, the person most in favour of 
toleration and building a church, is the priest of Valparaiso ; and the 
only vote recorded for toleration, on the adoption of the constitution, 
was given by a Catholic bishop. 
The influence of the clergy is great, and they have much political 
power in the state. The people may generally be called bigoted, and 
under the control of the priests. The clergy as a body stand very 
fair ; they encourage schools. The inhabitants are ignorant as yet ; 
their opportunities for instruction are limited. There is no impe- 
diment in the way of Protestants teaching. 
Although it may be somewhat trite to mention it, yet one cannot 
but admire the sight of the Oration, or sunset prayer. Whatever 
may be our idea of Catholic forms of worship, no one can witness it 
here without feeling the solemn and impressive scene of a whole 
community, on the striking of the evening bells, instantly stopping 
employment, both within and without doors, and uncovering their 
heads to offer up their thanks or prayer for a few minutes, ft must 
bring reflection, unless habit so blunts the mind and feeling as 
to make it callous to impressions well calculated to make men 
consider their evil ways, and feel thankful for the blessings they 
receive. 
The commerce of Chili is increasing rapidly. Valparaiso numbers 
sixty coasting vessels, of from fifty to three hundred and fifty tons, part 
of which are engaged in the trade from Valdivia and Chiloe to the 
northern ports, with timber and staves; and part are charged from 
Maule and Concepcion with grain, returning in ballast to Valpa- 
raiso, to load with foreign manufactures for the various ports of 
tne republic. The exports are taken away in foreign vessels 
and consist of copper, hides, wool, hemp, and plata pina. About 
sixty thousand quintals of copper are exported from Huasco, Co- 
qmmbo, and Valparaiso annually; one hundred and fifty to two 
