Polynesian., 1844-07-27

houses are those Of foreigners, many Of
whom have accumulated great wealth. As
a mart for foreign goods Of every descrip-
ton, from the richest fabrics of Europe,
China, and America, to their cheapest, Val
paraiso is second to no other port in the
Pacific. The amount lying in the Custom
house stores is at all times extensive. When
sold for re-export it pays no duties; other
wise they are high. The Custom House is
a large and lofty building of brick, covered
with white %stucco, and Immediately facing
the Mole. 1t is of a chaste design, and was
erected by an American. Near by is the
Bolsa, or Exchange, a building we'll adapted
for its purposes. The room in which are
files of papers from all parts Of the world,
is lofty and spacious. From its roof vessels
in the ofing are telegraphcd, and a fine view
of the harbor and surrounding country OBJ
tanned. The bay is large, and its northern
shore exposed to the full sweep Of the ocean.
During the winter months, storms from this
quarter, known as "Northers," frequently
set in, and sometimes blow with great vio-
lence. The holding ground is good, and
when due precautions are taken, it is seldom
a vessel is driven ashore. The surf rolls
heavily upon the beach, and throws its spray
over the stores, but not to do them detriment.
Either extremity of the roadstcad is protect
ed by a fort. The southern one contains
the Arsenal. Off it lay the war-ships of the
country, and outside Of them, the foreign
men Of wa, of which generally there is a
goodly display. The usual wind is from the
south, and blows strong, but the high cliffs
of Angel Point, protect the shipping.
The climate is considered very good. In
winter a fire is not u%nfrequently desirable;
but during the SUMNER, the dust and heat
are excessive at MONDAY. The atmosphere
is, however, bracing. Slight shocks ofearth-
quakes are frequent, and the inhabitants
live in dread gilmore disastrous ones. Many
among the ladies, have at hand during
the night, long robes for earthquake dresses,
which they hastily snatch up, upon an alarm,
and rush into the squares. The scenes, on
some of these occasions, when the motley
population of all c%olors, classes, virtues,
and no virtue at all, are turned thus hastily
from their beds into the street, is a better
subject for the Imagination than the pen.
But when once seen, the a~frighted inhabit-
ants, in their "robes de mutt, " screaming,
Sun temblor !" assaulting the heavens with
their Ave Marias, it is not to be quickly for
gotten. Foreigners, at first, manifest little
alarm at the shocks, but they soon learn to
share in the general panic. The elite Of
native Gillian society reside at Santiago,
but often make temporary s~ojourns at Valpa-
raise, and add greatly to the gayety of the
place. Some Of the old families, by courtesy,
still bear the noble titles which were legiti-
mately theirs before the Revolution. They
still display much wealth in their eq~uipages.
The Tertullias are a pleasant feature Of Val-
paraiso society. To them foreigners are
much invited, and they meet with a pleasant
circle, though not on a par in general intel
ligcnce with those of similar standing in the
United States and Europe. But education
is becoming more d%ifTlscd, and of a higher
standard. At present cards and music, and
dancing, are the chief amusemcnts. The
former very generally leads to gambling, of
which, even among the ladies, there is con-
siderable. But dancing is the passion of
young and old, and of all their dances, the
waltz is the ~favorite. The Chill ladies', for