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convent of Franciscans, around which a nuinber of poor families 

 having collected, formed the population of this place. In its 

 vicinity are several country houses belonging to some of the princi- 

 pal inhabitants of St. Jago. Not far from the mouth of the river 

 Maypo is the port of St. Antonio ; this was much frequented at an 

 early period of the Spanish settlement, but since the trade 

 has been transferred to Valparaiso, few or no vessels continue ta 

 load there. 



6th. ST. JAGO, OR ST. JACOPO. 



THE province of St. Jago isboundedby that of Aconcagua to the 

 îiorth, the Andes to the east, the river Maypo to the south, and 

 MeliipiHa to the west. It is fifteen leagues in extent from east to 

 west, and twelve from north to south, and is watered by the rivers 

 Mapocho, Colina, and Zampa, and by several other beautiful 

 streams. It also contains the lake Pudaguel, which is about tluree 

 leagues in length. It is the most fertile of any part of Chili, pro- 

 ducing great quanties of corn, wine and fruits, particularly peaches 

 which in size and flavour surpass any others of the country. The 

 mountains of Caren abound with mines of gold, and that part of the 

 Andes which is attached to it with silver. But the chief impor- 

 tance of this province is derived from its being the seat of the capital 

 of the kingdom, founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia. This beautiful 

 city called St. Jago stands on an extensive and delightful plain on the 

 southern shore of the river Mapocho, which separates it from the 

 suburbs of Chimba, Cannadiîla and Renca. It is supplied with 

 water by a great number of aqueducts which are carried to all 

 the houses. On each side of the river mounds of stone have been 

 built as a security against inundations, and over it is a beautiful 

 bridge that connects the city with the suburbs. It is situated in 33 deg. 

 31 min, south latitude, and in 305. 40. longitude, at the distance of 

 thirty leagues from the sea, and seven from the Andes, whose 

 lofty snovf-clad heights form a beautiful contrast with the verdure 

 of its scenery. The streets, like those of all the other cities and 

 villages in Chili, are strait and intersected at right angles, and ^-e 

 thirty -six geometrical feet in breadth. The great square is quad- 

 rangular, being four hundred and fifty feet on each side. In the 

 midst is a handsome fountain of bronze. The north side is occupied 

 by the palaces of the presidents of the audience and of the city, 

 beneath which are the public prisons. O.n the opposite side is the 

 ]){i,lace of the Count de Sierravbeli», On, the western are the cathe- 



