NOTICES OF CHILE. 



147 



quarter of a mile,) I returned home on horseback, attended by 

 a servant. 



The hospitality and kindness of the Chilians towards stran- 

 gers, cannot be exceeded (if equalled) in any part of the world. 

 Yet it is difficult for a stranger to form a correct estimate of the 

 national character. A friend of more than ordinary intelligence 

 and observation, who has resided several years in Chile, speak- 

 ing of the native character, says, they are a fickle race ; their 

 affections lie altogether on the surface; their feelings are not 

 deep seated, and of course cannot be permanent; they are easi- 

 ly excited, and as readily become indifferent." But such is the 

 influence of the climate, and other circumstances, that he thinks 

 few young Americans would live willingly in the United States, 

 after spending three years in Santiago. There is certainly a 

 <jharm about Chile that few foreigners can resist — indeed it is 

 a proverb, for which there are abundant data, that all persons 

 who visit the country once, will do so a second time. 



The face of the country around Colina is overgrown by 

 several kinds of thorn trees, amongst which the algarrobo or 

 carrob stands conspicuous. It bears a bean, which, when used 

 medicinally in an infusion, is said to be a very powerful aphro- 

 disiac. The tree grows to the size of a common peach ; the 

 fruit is used for feeding animals, and the wood for fuel. The 



espinos" or thorn bushes overgrow wheat fields and pasture 

 grounds, and are always cut even with the soil at the time of 

 ploughing and sowing, which take place after the first rain in 

 the month of June. On a large hacienda, this operation pre- 

 sents an interesting and animated scene. 1 saw a hundred and 

 sixteen pairs of oxen and as many ploughs* working at the 

 same time. They were marched and countermarched like 

 troops of soldiers. Each ox had its name, and each ploughman 

 was shouting and goading at the same time, presenting a spec- 

 tacle not easily described. Like every thing in Chile, the ope- 

 ration of sowing wheat is performed on horseback. The sower 

 carries before him, on the pommel of his saddle, a quantity of 



* The plough is a simple spike, not differing materially from that of the an- 

 cient Romans. 



