The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-03-12
rne baths Of Cauquedes.


Here am among the Andes. I could
not leave Santiago without visiting the
celebrated Baths Of Cauquedes, the first
syllable of which word must be pro-
nounced like our English word "cow."
At eight o'clock on a fine morning
how often Journeys begin on fine morn
ings!-I left by the railway, and at
1l:l5 we stopped to breakfast, and very
badly, at Rancdgua. The Chilians
seemed to me to think more about
gourds and tunas than about good meat.
In our wo-hourS-and- -a-quarter journey
we passed through much cultivation by
irr cation, conducted from the many
mountain streams There was much
cattle. and many horses were TO
be seen scattered over the coun-
try, and some of these last were Curl
ously occupied in wading up the shall
low courses of the water in search of
some plant growing at the bottom,
which they spied through the crystal
LIQUID from time to tine and then
ducked their heads to pick up great
mouthfuls of it. Dry mud walls and
houses appear on all sides, and the dust
was abundant indeed. The corn har-
vest was going on, and the wheat was
being thrashed out on the thrashing-
floor with horses. Round s.ones
abounded everywhere, showing how
the districts have been coursed by huge
waters. The people looked rude and
free; they wore ponchos, and goiter was
visible on many throats, the result (asin
Switzerland) Of drinking snow-water.
When we came to the station for eau.
quedes, took the coche' for the baths
"a distance of seven leagues, which oc-
cupied us some two hours and half,
with one change of horses. The teams
cons sted of four, and these were caught
out gra ing on the spot, and harnessed
before our eyes. They were excel ent
animals, though rough, and were har-
messed abreast Our pace was excel
lent, but there was much delay befors
starting, and the same at the change.
The dust was frightful, as it is all over
such parts of Chilli as | have visited;
the nuisance of it may be compared
W tn that OF the vile coal smoke on their
railways; this last being perfect pois IN
in their magnificent air. At last we
came TO the baths, finely situated on
the Cachapoal River, with dry mount
aims and the cactus all round. The
spot is extremely rocky and pictur-
esque, and from the garden of the estab.
lishment the views are grand; ones I'M.
pressions being en- anced by the sense
that it is the huge range of the Andes
and no mere holiday river-rocks that a.e
before you. The long backbone of the
stream, as it winds its long way
down from the Grand Cordillera,
is particularly imposing. The tor.
rent rushes by the baths
through deep mountain gorge; all is
on "a grand SCALE The establishment is
built in two principal quadrangles; with
pleasant shady walks round. There
are three springs cold, tep;d and hot
and there are two properties in the
water-sulphurous and chalybeate.
The baths are well frequented and well
conducted. The grand range is not
visible from the baths themselves, but
by mount ng rugged rock, after cross
ing sufficiently impres i've and dan"
ing suspen ion bridge, the glorious "s'
piring peaks appear on The horizon.
The colors on them of the sunsets are
surprising; and as you look upon the
west side OF the range these shine full
and uninterrupted. Even these districts
are not free from shocks OF earth uakes.
l was startled at night by the shaking
of my bed, and on waking and in
st'nctively calling out: "Quicn esq" re-
ce we'd no answer. Then the city clock
tolled two; and knew that | had fell
an earthquake; and the next days
paper gave the follow ng short notice
in Spanish, which l translate: "Las
night, shortly before two, mild shocl
OF earthquake was felt" No harm t.
any one this time and here / am agail
at Santiago. Cor. London Graphic.