The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1891-06-18
Sightseeing in Santiago.

SANTIAGO DE CHILE, May, 1891. The tourist
on a sightseeing expedition cannot do better
than to begin with Santiago's central square,
named La Plaza de Ia Independence; because
from it all things raiiate, even the tramway
lines aud hackney coaches. and in the streets
Immediately enyironing il are found the prnc-
pal institutions religious, social and political
of this proud old Capital. 1t is an imposing
space. with a handsome marble fountain in the
middle. surrounded by a well-kept garden con
taiuing trees howcrS, statues, walks anil stone
benches.
Nearly all the west Side Of this great plaza Is
occupied bv the Cathedral. which l. said to be
the largest IN South America, AZ 1t is certainly
one of tie oldest. Originally erected 10y the
rorqucrcr. Pedro de Naldivia, II has been
several Nmes partially destroyed by earth
quahcs, and was reconstructed on its present
plan 10y Garcia he Menuoza, SOmew here about
the year lGl0; or rather it was carried a. near
to completion as seem, to be consistent with
local principles Of economy. Ii has never been
quite finished, and probably never vii! be- be-
cause like the licensed beggarS OF MeXic0-itS
impertcctiunS are a fruitful source Of revenue.
Though millions Of dollars have been collected
from pi0u> parishioners - almost enough to
veneer the whole pile with coating of gold
there Is still standing call for FUNDS to finish
the tatGedral; and year after year, as genera
uonr come and 90. contribution box. posted
III acohNplcuOuS position and frequently hand
ed around presents rs gaping mouth ike
perpetual inelhrant crying give give!
lhe tathtnral Is large enough TO shelter
fourteen thousand people, yet has no striking
feature rNrcPt that or slHe. IT 'S bullt OF
coarse Kind of porphyry, with a single tower
Oh I"h%h nrlcN ana i taii IRON cross over the
mem or >"'idify' IT. earthquake-rracked walls
nave hech c"huemheH' ana the rltlIehs repeat
tNiE MHlCd ifi;t thF NilghteSl hItHt"te may
tH'hu't II 'oWh t"out thtlf ears. II Is hol 50
'AN''IA i1>"e - iho>' .'ot4Ih American Sahclu-
'N>' ln""3l containing score OF Htar~'
Wu'Uude ol craven images, a vast array OF
>Ialle'l @Ih>~ ahu panied canvas, ana gold, stl-
yer ana precious stones galore.
:" hi'l9h- lllGh or low, whether cIad in
>rH"iA rags OF HHllralNeiA foheu III royal pul-
Pic ever passes thc beloved athedTai' or any
"th'I 'hnF'h nor Ihtl matter without iiltlnS
tht lai. making The -l-h oi the ro-s or NUT
t"ring ~ \Nr Marie Ne popular difference
- ftIl-'nu> NiFlhe> |. shown On every occasion.
~ 1llr front wal OF enc of SantIAgoS hand
soonest re9ldehreS, htir the main entrance. Is
Il 'itei hIrhe, III "nch >tahd~ Ru Image of the
Blessed Tgln' clothed IN shy-blue, with
>dli" iHlhlit' Gohl-ellhf"idercl ana slar-be-
oPah@ied. crowned with halo OF Gas-let-. An
IRON grating protects the figure from the street;
hut every day houqutt~ and garlands Of flow
tl~' tNh SlltN ana willow ; mites ana F"tINe
o1eTlll-s OF various sofl> are ehoWertd upon II
ny Pe"p'e ~ h"alIE of mental dlHtrt>s. VINO Pc
'fNc ihat iFuNtluI appra'> I" the HOLY MOTHER
VIII hIihE speedy mitigation Of their lnlIrmi-
Is he