NOTICES OF CHILE. 



CHAPTER I. 



Arrival at Valparaiso — Bay — Appearance of the place — Landing — Town- 

 Market — Scenesin the street — Costume— Oracion — Plaza — Cries — Beggars. 



At four o'clock in the afternoon of the 29th of October, 

 1831, after a passage of forty-nine days from Rio de Janeiro, 

 and having sailed 12,548 miles from New York, we anchored 

 in the bay of Valparaiso. 



Those who, on the voyage to the "Vale of Paradise," had 

 anticipated their experience, and formed a picture of the 

 place in their imaginations, from written descriptions, found 

 their hearts sink with disappointment at the first glance. "Is 

 this the lauded ' Vale of Paradise !' Is this the spot we have 

 heard of so often on our voyage, as the scene of pleasure!'' 

 exclaimed some ; " I feel no inclination to go ashore at such a 

 looking place. It resembles a brick-kiln more than a town! If 

 the lee coast be no better than this, I have seen enough of the 

 Pacific." Such were the remarks of those who had never 

 twirled in the waltz with the fair Chilenas, nor experienced 

 the hospitality of a Chile reception. Yet they have all since 

 learned, that social pleasures may be totally independent of 

 locality and scenery — whatever may be their influence upon 

 the imagination and the mind. 



On approaching the coast, the land is seen, in clear weather, 

 above the clouds, capped with snow, even before the line of 

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