Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1827-06-18

than thousand and about six hundred nuns
During the power Of The Careras, attempts
were made to reduce the NUMBER oil ecc!esias'
tics, and likewise establish annual salaries, In
lieu of primc,as, diermas, and discretionary ices
for all marriages and Interviews But these IN
noyations were no, acceptable even TO the Peo-
ple. who, il would almost seem, would hardly
regard marriage valiI, or death a HAPPY
one, unless they were obliged to pay the accus-
toned fees The value and effect oil a dlspen'
sation 10 quiet scrupies of conscience Tor the
omission Of any known duty,or the commission
of an act forbidden, are still weighed i'll golden
scales. Hence, the absence of,he Bishop, du-
ring the troubles Of the revolution, has been
productive OF very serious inconvenience 20
many conscientious Christians in Chill. on
some important occasions, several persons nave
been obliged to have recourse to Rome
The University in Santiago is an object OF
interest. The buildings occupy whole square,
and their disposition * general appearance are
nearly the same as those OF the Converts, with
chapel iu The place Of chnrch. he Cni-
versiiv has been sadly neglected during the re-
volulion, and has now but very lew students,
and very imperfect government II has recent
" attracted notice, however. AMI the Stale has
made provisions for its reorganization. All
The apartments intended FOR students and TEL
lows within its walls are dark and gloomy, aud
lillle better than the cells ofine monks. WHAT
ever other lights they NAV have 10 GUIDE them 10
knowledge, they surely have little OF the light OF
heaven: for there are not ten windows IN all the
buildings pertaining 10 the University ne
hours OF study are passed in walking round the
piazzas reading aloud, or under tie trees in the
centre Of the square, in the true style OF Peripa-
ta,ics; and, indeed, VIVA, Of philosophy and meta
physics is taught there, Savours very much OF
the DAYS of Aristotle. No attention has been
paid to Greek or Hebrew, but there have been
professorshp, OF Latin, Theology, the low
branches of the Mathematics, and Philosophy,
which last, as far as its explanation can be IN
derstood, means nothing but Lvsic Neither
Astronomy, Chemistry, nor any Other branch
of physical or natural Philosophy mas ever been
introduced There are no such things as globes,
elescopes, mathematical instruments, nor, in
fact, any sort of philosophical or chemical APP
paratus whatsoever.
Considering this state of the University. i,
is the more remarkable, that there should be
an extensive and highly valuable library. A
great proportion of the books are OF course up
on theological subjects, and many Of these in
Latin; and bound in parchment. There Is,
moreover, a good number Of manuscripts, and
large collection OF Spanish and French authors.
The whole number Of volumes may perhaps be
estimated at eight or ten thousand. With such
library, and the Jesuils for teachers, one would
hardly suppose that the sciences would have
been so entirely neglected. Graduates, and We
ry sensible men too, till lately might have been
heard to discuss, with great formality and grl.
witty, questions concerning the Seven Heavens,
the Primum Mobile, and the Ceium Empvre-
um; and In THIS venerable seat OF he MUSES.,
the doctrine of lhr motion OF the earth, and the
stationary position Of the Sun, would haze been
as i'll received as it was in the days Of Py:hago-
ras, Copernicus, or Calico
The mint al Santiago i noble building, of
the Doric order; its proportions are we'll pre-
served. Us front occupies the entire side OF a
square. Another public work OF Importance Is
the Tacarn,r, an embank mfnt constructed fo'
the purpose Of con6ning the waters OF the river
which passes through the city. THIS river RI
ses suddenly during the winter rains, to SUCH
degree as 10 overflow the streets adjoining II,
and threaten TO inundate the civ 10 remedy
this Inconvenience, a solid and finely finished
wall OF stone and Bricks has been raj ed and
continued through nearly the whole length Of
the city and suburbs. a spacious new street
has thus been formed at the same time the o.
theirs, which were formerly exposed, have been
secured and improved. In the centre Of this
street, is a fine water fountain, and here and
there groves OF trees, winch form pleasant lit
tie shady walks. On the inner side OF the wall,
throughout its whole extent, Is a raised foot
walk, abou, five feet high and four broad, beau
tifully paved with small stones, like mosaic
work, and affording dry passage al all seasons
from one end of the city TO the other. VI this
work, as we'll as the mint, Ambroso O'Hig-
gins, father Of the late supreme director OF Chi
Ii, was the protector. This bold Irish adven-
lurer, indeed, has left behind him many noble
monuments Of an exalted and comprehensive
genius, in every part Of the continent to which
his singular fortunes guided him. The great
road from Santiago TO Valparaiso was the fruit
of his enterprise ard public spirit, and the post
houses on the summit Of the Andes were built
by his order. The celebra ed road from Lima
to Callao was constructed by him, after he had
risen, by his talents alone, to the elevated sta
ton of viceroy Of Peru. His projects were all
on grand scale, and they all aimed at public
good II may be doubted whether the history
OF any individual, connected with the Spanish
South American provinces, during the colonial