WEATHER. 



17 



at anchor. These gales, however, are not fre- 

 quent. At that season the air is cold and damp, 

 so that the inhabitants are glad to have fires in 

 their houses. Charcoal generally is used, in a 

 large polished brazier placed in the middle of the 

 floor, round which the family range themselves, 

 with their feet resting on its edge. In the houses 

 of the English, and other foreign residents, sub- 

 stantial fire-places have been substituted for the 

 braziers, and coals are used. Of this material 

 there is an abundant supply from Conception, a 

 port situated about 200 miles to the southward of 

 Valparaiso. At present it is taken from a thick 

 seam which crops out at the surface^ and, as the 

 quality is good, it will probably, at some future 

 period, be turned to great account. 



30th of Dec, — As there was much to be learnt 

 of the habits of the people at the night assem- 

 blies in the Ramadas, I made a practice of going 

 there every evening. It was particularly amus- 

 ing to watch, unobserved, the groups round the 

 gambling tables in the middle of the area. A 

 single candle, placed on the table, threw a light 

 on the countenances and picturesque dresses of 



VOL. I. B 



