274 



attention of his subjects to useful improvements^ has 

 extended itself to these parts. The arts and sciences, 

 which before were either not known, or very im- 

 perfectly, at present engage the attention of the in- 

 habitants, so that there is reason to hope that in a 

 short time the state of the country will assume a very 

 different appearance. 



The peasantry, though for much the greater part 

 of Spanish origin, dress in the Araucanian manner. 

 Dispersed over that extensive country, and unen- 

 cumbered by restraint, they possess perfect liberty, 

 and jead a tranquil and happy life, amidst the enjoy- 

 ments of that delightful climate.* They are natu- 

 rally gay and fond of all kinds of diversion. They 

 have likewise a taste for music, and compose verses 

 after their manner, which, although rude and inele- 

 gant, possess a certain natural simplicity more 

 interesting than the laboured compositions of cul- 

 tivated poets. Extemporaneous rhymers, or im- 

 provisatori, are common among them, and are called 

 in their language Bailadores. Those known to pos- 

 sess this talent are held in great estimation, and ap- 

 ply themselves to no other occupation. In the 

 countries dependent on the Spanish colonies, there 

 is generally no other laüguage than the Spanish spo- 



* The principal part of these healthy and robust men live dis- 

 persed upon their possessions, and cultivate with their own hands a 

 greater or less extent of ground. They are incited to this laudable 

 labour by a sky alvirays clear and serene, and a climate the raost 

 agi'eeably temperate of any in the twoliemispheres, but more espe- 

 cially by a soil \^03e fertility has excited the admiration of all tra- 

 vellers i?fjy?z,a/, lib. viii. ; QstLi. 



