182 CHILI. 



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 even- 

 ing, 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 completed, 

 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 facilities, and want the modern improvements in the pro- 

 cess. 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 manuscripts 

 relating to the Indians. 



The amusements are not very remarkable. Santiago, however, 

 boasts of a theatre, and a chingano. There appears to be little busi- 

 ness doing, and it 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 evening, the Alameda 

 is resorted to. It is a beautiful walk, about a mile in 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. 



The evenings are genorally passed at tertulias, in visiting socially, 

 or in shopping in the colonnade. The inhabitants are much addicted 

 to gambling. Monte is the game with the higher classes, whilst that 

 of match-penny is the favourite of the lower orders. The Chilian 

 ladies are remarkable for their ease of manner, kindness, and attention 

 to strangers. They are fond of diversions of any kind, but more 



