Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-08-15
THE LADIES In CHILL.
The Languid and Monotonous Life
They Are Compelled to Lead.
HOUSEKEEPING EXPERIENCES.
How the Servants Attend to Their Duties
Difficulties OF Strangers Who Don't Under
stand spanish-The Method Of Charging for
Any Kind of Service.

SoSSLfSiON, WILL, Juiy 1871.
NHIS Is LIFE IN CHILL: TO yEGETATE
u in delightful climate, whose hottest sun
| beams are cooled by breezes blown from the
Andean snow fields-happily exempt from all
excitements except those that spring from
natural causes, notably love. earthquakes and
revolutions; to attend strictly on all fiestas of
the Romish church. and by that means ESQ say
the priests) to secure for ones self an equally
tranquil hereafter; to promenade every even
| ing in the public garden. which is known in the
native grandiloquent style as "El Jardin dc las
| Delicias" Ohe garden Of delight), and later to
attend tho opera at least a tertulia, as social
gatherings in private houses are called.
The fair Chilena rises late. She dresses
| hastily, throwing a charitable shawl about her
| shoulders to hide manifold sins of omission
| her little feet thrust carelessly into slippers
her splendid black hair, snarls and all, plated
| in two long braids that fall down her back and
| her additions. if she troubles herself to make
any. being merely form OF politeness ut the
wash bowl. or course she must go to morn
| ing mass, but the big black manta that custom
demands for that service drawn over the head
! to the eyes and closely enveloping the body.
| obviates the necessity for any further dressing.
| In every case the Chilian woman prefers q silk
or WOODEN gown, however .sOiled and tattered
considers the latter material the exclusive
property OF servants and dsspised grngoes or
foreigners.
Thus on deshabille she dawdles about anus
ing herself with fancy work or doing nothing
at all. until ennui drives her to seek relief in
shopping or paying visits. Then the glossy
hair mounts up on top of her head in q mar
yelous heap, the slipshod slippers give place to
French boots with the highest heels and most
peal ed toes that were ever invented to torture
Is1 md ttas plr AN,.n f
| costly apparel, than which Solomon in all his
glory was never so arrayed. she sallies forth
with stately tread, generally barheaded,
closely followed by servant, whose business
1t Is to bear my lady's purse, handkerchief.
parasol and whatever triiles she may purchase.
At the sunset hour or in the early evening be-
fore time for opera or tertulia-she repairs to
the promenade to enjoy n little music and per-
haps some mild hirtations-the last mentioned
amusement however, being discreetly re-
stricted to signs. Sleeps eyes" and following
| footsteps.
GAMBLING Is GENERAL.
Thus for the women the dnys go by in one
monotonous round, year in and out. The men
omit the mass, look a little after their business
affairs, If they have any. during the middle of
the day. but diligently attend to the promen 4de,
the opera and tertulia to the gaming ia BILE
for the night. Gambling is a national habit.
In many Of the SWEETEST casas of Santiago and
Valparaiso the gaming table is regularly set out
and forms one Of the features of private enter
tainments, like the baccarat OF Great Britain,
which lately plunged the eldest hope Of her re-
spected majesty into such boiling water. In
Chill the poorest peon and raggedest gamin
may be seen at all times in the alleys and by
ways betting medios and centavos (the
pennies and nickels Of the country with
as much eagerness as the wealthy mine
owner stakes his golden ounces. The taliest
gambling that ever came under nv own
observation took place on a steamer between
Copiapo and Talcahuano. when man who had
recently .'struck it rich" in copper at the Alta
CANA mines lost $4,000 in a single night.
There are laws against gaming but they are
seldom enforced; and even the church winks at
t-tne quid-nuncs assert because so many OF
MS dlgni.aries are addicted to monte. friend
teiis me that he once attended Sunday morning
mass In the church OF an interior village, where
the congregation. having waited long for the
coming OF the priest. finally sent for his rever-
ence. The messenger found him at a cock fight.
which he refused to forsake until the exciting
combat was ended.
Yankee school teacher who recently re-
turned to the north after several years resi-
dence here, says OF the Chiienos: "There are
notably two classes of society. II a man wears
silk hat and Carries pretty cane, it is pre-
sumable that he belongs to the better class II
he has a servant to wait on him at home and
carry his small luggage when he travels; IL he
settles with his landlord by handing him
large bill without question and shoyes
the return change into his pocket with
out ueiSnnS 10 count 1t, there is no
ciass oah.,,ano I.,., us o9,nS nfst-
dare to omit the Silk bat and tho r~a,tr ne
and the man to carry his belongings. ho can in
| no wise expect to be admitted into the upper
circles. Thus the Rev. Mr.. -, man Of
great worth. ability and learning, was given
the approbrious title Of vaquero (''cowboy'D
| because he persisted in carrying home every
| morning small pitcher OF milk to his baby
true cabellero would have sent the servant
and even his silk hat and polished cane
| coupled with extremely polished manners
| could not save him.
| In Chill the man who makes vour shoes the
/ tailor who cuts your coat. the woman who irons
your linen will charge according TO vonr
''cioth" for his or her service. III Won claim
to be a gentleman by dressing mn TO the cha
| acter the price will be euormous. bu. If Won
are a tradesman, a clerk or a Iaborer Of snv
i description 1t will be more moderate. Shonid
| you be SO excessively vulgar as To venture In
| the market in person 10 Surcbose n niece ~
meat it will cost you at least 40 cents n pound.
but il you send servant ne will buy
| the same quantity and better oualitv for bsiy
| the money. The CHILEAN physician Who maid n
| professional visit to nav family reouiring bis