was well got up, unique, and truly splendid; all Valparaiso had sent furniture of every kind, and even the churches had contributed to assist in the great gala fête in commemoration of the national victory. The company consisted of about five hundred, one-third of whom were females. Many costly uniforms, of various patterns, and not a little fanciful, added to the brilliancy of the scene. About ten o'clock the ball was opened by the President, Don Joaquim Prieto, in person, a novel sight to us. He was dressed in a richly embroidered coat, gold epaulettes, and field-marshal's sash. He danced a minuet with a lady of Valparaiso, whom he had especially selected, after which the dancing became general, consisting of quadrilles, country-dances, and waltzes, besides which they had the lascivious dances of samacueca, cachucha, and lordean. These partake somewhat of the bolero and fandango, or Spanish and African dance. By way of interlude, marches and national airs were played and sung. The ball did not break up until eight o'clock next morning, at which hour the President and his daughter were escorted home by a procession of the dancers, with the music playing national airs, forming rather a grotesque show to the bystanders, from the interchange of hats and outer garments that had taken place. On reaching General Prieto's quarters they sang a national hymn, after which many were invited in, where they again continued dancing until noon. I should not omit to mention that after midnight the ladies underwent a second operation of the toilet. The whole equalled, if it did not surpass, any of our own fêtes at home; indeed all who attended were much surprised, having little idea that Valparaiso could have made so brilliant and tasteful a display of beauty and magnificence. CHAPTER X. CONTENTS. -- JOURNEY INTO THE INTERIOR-BILOCHES-TRAVELLING-CASA BLANCA — GEOLOGICAL FORMATION-CURACOVI-HEATH ABOVE THE SEA-CUESTA DE ZAPATA — CUESTA DEL PRADA-ROADS-TRANSPORTATION OF GOODS-BEGGARS-PLAIN OF MAYPO-CORDILLERAS-ST. JAGO - MINT - LIBRARY AMUSEMENTS — FASHIONS-MARKET — CLIMATE EXCURSION TO THE CORDILLERAS-MOUNTAIN SCENERY-SNOW-GUANACOES-HEATRETURN TO ST. JAGO—MAYPOCHO-JOURNEY TO SAN FELIPE-QUILLOTA-TUPONGATI PEAK DIKES — EVANGELISTO CELIDONO — FARM-HOUSE-CATCHING WILD HORSESRANCHO-ENTERTAINMENT-ARRIVAL AT SAN FELIPE DE ACONCAGUA-MR. NEWMAN'SMR. CHASE-TOWN OF SAN FELIPE-CHICHA AND AGUARDIENTE-THEIR MANUFACTURE -AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTS-VISIT THE COPPER MINES-MODES OF WORKING THEMTHEIR SITUATION-TRANSPORTATION OF ORES-WAGES-TEMPERANCE REGULATIONS— LAKE ON THE HIGH CORDILLERAS-COPPER ORES-RETURN TO SAN FELIPE-KINDNESS OF MR. NEWMAN AND LADY-CELIDONO—QUILLOTA-RETURN TO VALPARAISO-EARTHQUAKES-PROTESTANT CHURCH-LIBERALITY OF PRIESTHOOD-ORACION-COMMERCE EXPORTS-IMPORTS—FOREIGN VESSELS-POPULATION-COLLEGES-CONGRESS-IMPROVE MENTS IN PROGRESS-REVENUE-NATIONAL DEBT-CLIMATE-FRUITS-ADMINISTRATION – EXECUTIVE - SENATE - HOUSE OF DEPUTIES—MILITIA-ARMY-NAVY-G. G. HOBSON, ESQ., U. S. CONSUL― LIEUTENANT CRAVEN—HIS GALLANT CONDUCT-CAPTAIN ISAAC M'KEEVER-U. S. SHIP FALMOUTH-FLYING-FISH-GALE-SEA GULL LAST SEEN-HER LOSS -PASSED MIDSHIPMAN JAMES W. E. REID-PASSED MIDSHIPMAN FREDERICK A BACON— ADMINISTRATION OF GOVERNMENT OF CHILI. CHAPTER X. CHILI CONTINU E D. 1839. PREVIOUS to my arrival at Valparaiso, the naturalists and some officers on board the Peacock and Relief had made excursions into the interior. On my arrival I allowed all those who could be spared, and were desirous of visiting Santiago, sufficient leave to make the trip. Several set out for that city, and some with a view of making the trip to the Cordilleras beyond. The bilocheros were eager for opportunities to hire their biloches, a vehicle somewhat resembling a double gig, which is generally used for travelling in Chili. They have a most rickety and worn out appearance; almost every part appears mended with cords made of hide. They accommodate two passengers, and the time required between Valparaiso and the city (Santiago), is about eighteen or twenty hours. In the shafts a horse is put; a postilion rides another on the left, and sometimes another is placed on the right, both being fastened to the vehicle by lassos of raw-hide proceeding from the saddle. Each vehicle is attended by three bilocheros or drivers, with a drove of twelve or fifteen horses, forming quite a cavalcade. The bilocheros are very expert at their business. They are excellent riders, having been brought up to this exercise from their infancy, and understand managing their horses, though in a rude way. Their horses are small, but spirited, and bear fatigue well. Their usual speed is about nine or ten miles an hour. Few equipages can compare with these crazy machines, driven, as they sometimes are, pellmell up hill and down dale, with all their accompaniments of horses, Guachos, &c.; and it affords no small amusement to those on foot, to witness the consternation of the affrighted passengers, in momen |