PREFACE. 



as being the produce of that country.^^ Ulloa's 

 Voyage, p. 270, vol. i. The same writer then pro- 

 ceeds to describe the mode in which it is taken, 

 which is precisely as the writer of this Journal has 

 stated. The difference in the style, and the re- 

 marks on the teeth and months of the drinkers of 

 matte, proceed probably from the latter having 

 written his account under the immediate impression 

 arising from the unpleasant practice of drinking 

 out of the same spout. He takes, however, the 

 earliest opportunity of making atonement to the 

 ladies of South America, by omitting these reflec- 

 tions, and of bearing testimony to the kindness 

 experienced by his wounded sailors from those of 

 Valparaiso. 



The remarks on the manners and customs of the 

 people of Valparaiso, were made by the author at 

 his first visit to that place, and if the reader requires 

 any corroboration, he is referred to the following 

 authority: Captain Vancouver states, that "the 

 town of Valparaiso, not affording any taverns, or 

 places for the reception and accommodation of 

 strangers, we were obliged to intrude on the hospi- 

 tality of its inhabitants," &c. " These civilitief^ 

 were conferred so handsomely, as at once to relieve 

 us from any idea of our being intruders ; the plea- 

 sure that every one manifested in entertaining us, 

 completely removed every sentiment but that of 

 s^ratitude on our part, for the repeated acts of 

 kindness they so obligingly bestowed." Vol. iii. 

 p. 407. He then demonstrates this gratitude by 

 remarks similar to the following, upon the inhabi- 

 tants of this part of the world. " Indolence and 

 superstition appeared to influence the whole of their 

 conduct, which was marked with a greater degree 

 of uncleanliness, and those characteristics that dis- 



