The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-02
c H I LE.
Our SANTIAGO CORRESPONDENCE.
SANTIAGO, August 20, 1861

oNIlAoo august 20, iooo.
GILMAN WINTER Just 0vRR.
The of the Southern hemisphere is fast drawing
Close and while the readers of this correspondence
may housing themselves from the keen winds of No.
vember beyond the equator We shall be just entering
upon summer life OF this semtropica latitude The
Andes entirely covered with snow which
tends almost to their BASE but tue valleys and particu
iary the Valley of Santiago green like hills IN
May with early flowers bespriuklng the meadows and
all tho fruit trees in blossom. The heavy rains which
tor the last six weeks threatened deuge the country
have been succeeded by light showers, and in short
time the dry will have commenced in which for
months shall get rain. striking feature OF
this climate In the great difference In temperature be-
tween sunshine and shade. When the sun is shining
"a the midst OF winter, exposure TO il is generally
uncomfortable, but If the sky becomes overcast the
Thermometer goes down with a rush and everybody
wraps up in overcoatz As consequence colds and
coughs (conspadosthey call thcm and enhs
OF the population are complaining half the time Very
few houses have stoves or irepaces, brasero being
ussa when the weather is TOO cold This consists Of
shallow brass vessel containing species OF wood coal
peculiar to the country, and which slowly, emit
tug considerable warmth with but little gas The ladies'
generally sit around the 6rosro In the winter evenings
with cioaks or shawis on and gentlemen who call fire.
queuty retain their in the drawing ROOM Tho
effect of this mode OF warming apartments render
the people quite Injured cold and the ladies' remarka.
bly, healthy. few houses Of modern construction have
nreplaces for burning wood anthracite COAL but the
cvasero Is generally preferred
rHK CHILEAN rounrH OF July AND l EsR Arsp
With the approach of spring commences the prepare
for the Deis-e Ochoihe 18th OF scpfember-Chiie
anniversary Of independence and her Fourth Of July
Ibs year the occasion possesses additional interest from
ave years. TO which he reelected June las Prob
ably country celebrates its national anniversary more
enthusiastically than does the republic Chile All the
country people flock into the capitals OF their respective
provinces and spend a week in festivities aud reunion
Thousands Of tents pitched upon the pampas mill
tay parades and reviews religious ceremonies and COR
geous sham lights among native horsemen
with iassoes, horse racing fighting gambling and
un,yersai dancing form the programme for a week. All
the arstocracy turn out to display their newly gded
squpages and the latest and most expensive modes Of
dress and the parade grounds and canada he fashona
bic ayenuel are crowded 70 overlooking with senoritas
and Their mammal All business Tor that week is
suspended and everybody gives himself up to tho car
nvsi without reserve The ceremony Of nsugura,n g
President there is quite interesting, and shall look
to send fuli particulars
FESTIVITIES ~ sASuAGo--nm PRESIDENTS Rail-
Santiago is now quite lively and society" j. die.
porne itself In the most approved STYLES. There
ternos or small parties, restricted TO intimate friends
every night ana everybody knows everybody and
everyDDuy business also has hands full
attempts 70 onehali social demands upon him
This sccabity Of tho people, however Is the great
traction OF Santiago La. week the Presidcn, gave
ball upon is feast daythat the feast day OF the
saint bearing his name-and the boods Of Santiago
sembed in gorgeous array. The saloons Of the Pres
dent house were richly simply furnished and are
capable OF accommodating about two hundred guests
There Formally observed, all the wish
tors entering unannounccd side entrance
TO the main saloon, 10 which they were
directed by aid OF tbs President In full uniform Cen
temen were frst ushercd into small apartment where
and hats were deposited upon chairs Next to this aud
somewhat retired from general obse rvaion card
which number were play ing cards and beyond
those rooms we're tho saloons.
THE CHILEAN WHITE
Mrs Perez the Presidents wife, is pleasant, ma.
trony appearing lady evidently much the JUNIOR Of The
President She did the honors OF the occasion with Gle
gauce aud genuine courtesy and with unaffected grace
PLACED ali ber visitors Her attire rich but
q contrast 10 some beleweiled danes whose persons
be specially Appropriated TO the exhibition Of
diamonds and costly trnkets,
mnglcd with his gness Just u he visitor HIN.
s instead Of the absurd aud cxhausting Handwriting
winch our President - compelled TO undergo 81 every
reception az The White House, the President welcomed
Ms trends in an Informal manner, az hc sauniersd
through the various apartments The snar terminated
A DIPLOMATIC DINNER
was aao given last week DIV Mr. Covarrubas. Secretary
Of State The entertainment magnificent and was
msis the oi interchange OF the most friendly
sentiments between the several foreign Ministers
urr CHILEAN cO~ykSr.
short time since awaited myself o an opportunity
10 visit convent IN Santiago, and went through the
institution. whole square - occupied by the
building ana grounds which extends hirh wall
After entering the outer portal, winch II secured by
heavy doors studded Will spikes he visitor applies Mt
the other SIDE OF the vesbnle 70 a dOorkceper who IN
spocis the intruder aud asks his business through a
grating IN the door A. rule visitors admitted,
but peculiar crcumsances this occasion favored nv
designs aud after wang few moments for the return
Of the d0orkeeper Who bad gone 20 consult with some
manager was ushercd into suue Of rooms used by
inmates Of the Institution 70 meet their mothers and
other relatives in Religious paintings adorned toe
wallis and few highly colored mans showing the 500.
graphical extent Of Roman caho clam .ere pared In
positions favorable study by visitors Along one eide
Of these apartments extended gfaue torn,ng NJ abot
one.fourth OF zach room ~ cage Mfoprh ne be-s
OF wlich the inmates ~ the convent are soetes psr
nittea 70 converse wth their frencs Two or three
Sisters Of Mercy chatting With ADJ suos through
the grating while waited FOR permission 10 enter Ike
interior ~ the convent aud ruay. after nudh unlock
ing and un'affng ~ door NJ one slds N
the room in which We were seated tbe ~Goe patty eaa
invited ~ Walk through ne establishment We Gfr
EMERGED into courtyard surrounded by Tie high white
washed walls Of The main structure and st ont hrAu.
tlul green grass plate with srefel saks aud flowers
between them. TIE sJauf o. piano. up0u which some
music SUDDEN, was PATIENTLY hamnerrg Il the notes of
the tMpther Prayer echood through the courtyard,
the oay ihinc that broke the silence Of tho place We
were CONDUCTED through long hail into another