Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1822-07-11
Philadelphia, July 6.
FRANKLIN 74.

The following Is the concluding eX'
tract of letter from a young gentle
man on board this ship, dated ValpaTai.
so, March %, 1922.
"Two days brought US to Valparaiso.
From the glowing descriptions which
had previously both read and heard, |
expected to find it in every respect SUI
perior to Rio, how great then was my
disappointment when first visited the
Gillian town its situation is on a fiat
sandy beach, scarce raised above the le-
vel Of the sea. and encompassed with
mountains; the houses (but few raising
above one story being built ofthe coun-
try brick, and rooted with tiles Of the
same, give to the whole dark and drea
ry appearance, to which the i'll dressed,
savage looking mortals who compose
the mass of society, contribute their
share: droves of mules laden with the
produce Of the surrounding country,
raise continual clouds of sand, and the
scorching rays of an almost vertical sun
render the town truly disagreeable.
The neighboring mountains instead OF
presenting noble views like those a.
round Rio and at Juan Fernandez, ap-
pear like one barren heap; but nature
in lavish moment. determined partly
to reeompence the inhabitants, by for
ming one spot which should serve as a
retreat from the heat, hustle and noise
of the city. With this view, she fixed
upon spot delightful as the moan,
and with bounteous hand, heaped her
treasures upon it, and the Garden Of
Eden appeared, formerly the favorite
resort of Lady Cochrau, now of the
still more beauteous and accomplished
Mrs. Stewart.-This spot seems to be
the masterpiece of nature in the beauti-
fol; after sight of it, the works Of art
appear poor and ipsipid; but as no ade-
auate idea of it can be formed without
| actually visiting it, | shall not attempt
a description.
This is the land of religious parade
Forts, fountains, cathedrals, and pub
lie buildings are decorated with the i'm.
ages of saints, virgins, and crosses the
streets are throDgt'l with monks
priests, and devotees, from the fat friar
with his goodly round belly and prince.
ly clothing, mounted on his ambling
nag, and attended by his retinue, to the
| poor half starved, half clothed mendi.
cant, who with cap in hand, leaning his
exhausted form upon his cross, infests
every corner begging charity from each
passenger. and every square boasts its
cathedral, but these descendants of Old
| spian are totally destitute of that pride
austerity and jealousy which have ever
been considered as characteristics o.
the nation; and the women Of tina,
| sweet modesty aud chaste reserve
| which should ever accompany their Sc,
without which beauty loses half it,
charms, and love is robbed of all hel
powers.
The men, INDECENT in their nature
! rise from their couches but half refresh
ed from the debaucheries of the prece
ding night, and HE forth to pursue eli.
! Their their business or pastime as incli
nation dictates. The women, free a.
air, rove from town to country. from
country to town, no jealous veil over,
shades their charms, no wary matron
watches or directs their steps, the stea-
dy gaze of impudence causes not the
blush of modesty to mantle their
cheeks, but with bold and vulgar assn.
rance they meet more than midway ;
yet while l thus describe the bulk, let
me pay a just tribute to the chosen few
LIN beauty, politcness and accomplish
lnents they vie with my fair Country
women--may their inclination and