NOTICES OF CHILE. 



Ill 



it is chiefly composed of blocks of decomposing feldspar, cover- 

 ed with a thin soil, scarcely sufficient to nourish the cactus 

 plants, that stand on its most prominent points. The road has 

 been cut into the solid rock in some places, with very considera- 

 ble labor ; it mounts, in a zig-zag line, up one side of a deep 

 quebrada, at the bottom of which runs a pebbled brook. 

 Though a considerable toll is levied for keeping it in repair, 

 it is sadly out of order. Every laden mule entering into Or 

 going out of Valparaiso, pays a medio"* (6i cents). This 

 taxis sold yearly by the government, at auction ; the purchaser 

 collects the toll, and the government engages to keep the road 

 in good travelling condition. Yet in winter it is rarely travel- 

 led in safety; for the rains of a single night swell the streams, 

 and, carrying off the fragile bridges, render the road impassa- 

 ble till the waters subside. In the winter of 1827, intercourse 

 between Santiago and the Port was suspended, from this cause, 

 for several days. 



In about an half hour we reached the top of the hill. Here, 

 for a moment only, we had a magnificent view. The town lay 

 almost beneath us, the bay spread its beautiful sheet of water 

 before the eye, and the ocean expanded away till it met the 

 sky and disappeared. Only one small sail, like a bright speck 

 on the blue expanse, was seen approaching the harbor. 



* The coins of Chile are all of gold or silver. Banks and bank notes are un-- 

 known. 



equal to $17 25 



a, do. 8 62J 



do. 4 31i 



do. 2 15 J 



I Dos reales, do. 



I Real, do. 



j Medio, do. 



1^ Cuartillo, do. 



Peso, equal to 



$1 00 

 25 



3 



The dollar is rare. The small pieces are irregularly clipped, and familiarly 

 called " cut money." 



