THE BEAUTY OF COPIAPO. 



37 



rather quarries, for the rock is here so rich in ores 

 of that metal, that it is sometimes broken from 

 the surface, and smelted at once. 



It was interesting to notice how constantly the 

 earthquake occupied all people**s thoughts at this 

 place, however much they might seem to be en- 

 grossed by other objects. In the early part of 

 the evening, an English gentleman, resident at 

 Copiapd, took me to visit a family of his acquaint- 

 ance living in the undestroyed suburb, called the 

 Chimba. Though almost worn out with the day'^s 

 work, I was tempted to go, by the promise of be- 

 ing presented to the handsomest young woman in 

 Chili. We had come, it is true, to Copiapd, 

 with our thoughts full of mines and earthquakes ; 

 or, if we had originally any thoughts of mixing 

 with society, the desolate appearance of the town 

 had chased them away : nevertheless, we could 

 not refuse to visit a lady with such pretensions. 

 We found her very pretty and agreeable; but 

 what entertained us particularly was her vehe- 

 ment desire to have a wider field for the display 

 of her charms, which, to do the secluded beauty 

 no more than justice, were of a very high order^ 



