CLIMATE, WINDS, ETC. 



Ill 



not dangerous, being always visible, and may be safely passed within 

 a cable's length. 



The first interesting object that presents itself to the eye on round- 

 ing Point Angels is a long sandy beach on the opposite or eastern side 

 of the bay, and beyond that the almond-gardens before mentioned. 

 ** In an instant afterward the whole town, shipping with their colours 

 flying, and the forts, burst out, as it were, from behind the rocks,"* and 

 the city of Valparaiso lies before you, close by the water, under a 

 naked precipice of red earth and rock. 



This cheerful and animating scene may be contemplated as you 

 haul in for the shipping and choose your anchorage. If it be winter, 

 a ship should not anchor in less than fifteen fathoms ; but during the 

 summer months her best berth will be in-shore, in four or five fathoms, 

 if possible. She will be more likely to hold on in this position, as the 

 bottom is not so much broken up as it is farther off-shore. 



This port is defended by three castles, viz. St. Anthony's, Rosario, 

 and Conception. There is also a fortress at the eastward of the Al- 

 mandral, called Fort Caleta. That part of the town called the Alman- 

 dral, with its delightful groves of almond and olive-trees, occupies the 

 declivity of the mountain on the eastern side of the bay, and is con- 

 sidered as the suburbs of the city. 



The climate here, except during the rainy season, is temperate, 

 healthful, serene, and not surpassed in any section of the globe. In 

 the spring, summer, and autumn months there is seldom a cloud to be 

 seen. A fog generally prevails in the morning, hanging over the coast, 

 and rising up the mountains in such a manner as to remind one of a 

 summer sunrise among the Highlands of the Hudson River. But when 

 the sun bursts from behind the mountains, the scene is instantly lighted 

 up with a beauty and a brilliancy unrivalled in any other place I have 

 ever visited. A foggy morning at Valparaiso is a good sign, for when 

 the morning breaks with a perfect clear sky, and the sun rises uncon- 

 cealed by haze, while the horizon in the offing is broken by a tremulous 

 line, a very strong southerly wind is to be expected about noon ; which 

 sometimes comes down the mountain that encircles the town in fitful 

 gusts, and with such violence as to drive ships from their anchors, un- 

 less they lie well in-shore, under shelter of the highlands. 



These troublesome winds, however, generally abate and die away 

 at sunset, when a calm night of starlit beauty succeeds ; which, if the 

 moon be at the right age, is delightful beyond description. When the 

 morning breaks with fog, clouds, and haze, a breeze generally sets in 

 at the early part of the day, and frequently from different points of the 

 compass, but with no strong gusts from the south. The country back 

 of the precipice which surrounds the town is diversified with hills, 

 plains, and valleys. The vale of Quillota, in particular, is very beau- 

 tiful, and luxuriantly fertile. A river called the Aconcagua meanders 

 through it, on the banks of which is built the city of St. Martin de la 

 Concha, otherwise called Quillota, about forty miles from Valparaiso. 



August 2d. — My venerable friend the consul-general had been so 



* Porter's Journal. 



