28 



CHILI. 



extensively felt ; for they are not only greater 

 purchasers, but have more home produce to give 

 in exchange. All classes, therefore, both high 

 and low, share, though not equally, in the bene- 

 fits resulting from the change of government ; 

 and this universality of advantage is the charac- 

 teristic circumstance, which, with one exception, 

 distinguishes the South American from all other 

 revolutions with which we are acquainted. 

 These are real and solid advantages. That they 

 should be fully understood, or even appreciated 

 at once, is too much to expect ; and many errors 

 and extravagances will be committed before such 

 blessings can have their full exercise : but as they 

 are of a nature to work themselves clear, if left 

 alone, every successive hour of freedom will have 

 the effect of enlarging the circle of knowlege and 

 virtue throughout the country. 



On the 6th of January 1821, I set out for San- 

 tiago, the capital of Chili, in company with a na- 

 val officer, who, having been several years on the 

 South American station, proved a most useful 

 guide, both from his knowledge of the country, 

 and from his general information. As the roads 



