The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-02-24

of climate. They are strongly of the
Spanish type, however. The men are
slender and graceful, although strong of
build, and the women are dark,
languorous beauties, who know we'll the
coquettishness of the Spanish manta. and
how to sing love songs to the twang of
q guitar. There is certain atmosphere
Of poetry and romance thrown over this
interesting country, which is certainly
an inheritance. It is not born of the
air, which is brisk, and inspires action
rather than sentiment. The Chileans are
far from lazy. They are hearty and
active, with an ambition to lead in all
things, art and science as well as busi-
ness, manufactures and war. They are
copyists, however. Their civilization,
high as it is, is crude and in many ways
uniformed.
Santiago, the Chilean capital, is a
handsome city. 1t lies in the great plain
between the two mountain ranges, the
great snow.capped SUBMITS of the Andes
being visible from every street. 1t is
laid out like chess board, as, 1ndeed,i ,is
every Chilean town, however small.
There is grand central plaza, with the
cathedral, the Governors palace and the
great public buildings on two sides, and
the swell shops of the city on the other
two sides. The plaza is the real centre
of the town. Its life, social and bust
ness, seems to spring from it. At night
there is music under its trees, and the
inh: bitants gather and promenade, max
ing nis shtly festival. By day the plaza
is lined with baratillos or small retail
booths, much patronized by the in
babitants. The city is we'll ordered.
The shops are small and not remarkable
for the variety or quality of the goods
they contain. But Santiago IS not a
business city. Valparaiso, four hours
away by express, is the great seaport and
business centre of the nation, the New
York of Chile. Santiago is the city Of
homes and society, the social and gov
ernmental head of the nation. There
are numerous street car lines in the city,
and blooming half-breed girls act as car
conductors. 1t is singular custom,
secn nowhere else in South America.
MANY of the half-breeds arc handsome,
and the women, wher young, arc plump
and rosy. The bright-eyed conductors
seldom retain their places long. When
one becomes conductor she might as
we'll order her troussoau and be done
with it.
The great street of Santiago is the
Alameda, boulevard with central
garden of trees, adorned with statuary,
and with roadways on either side. There
are many fine residences along the street,
as there are also in the interminable
streets which run to right and left,
always crossing at right angles, and &C.
cupyiug great areas of ground.
The Chilean house is something of
fortress. 1t has indications of the old
Spanish house built about it, with many
original features. It is buils around ono
or more courtyards, and is shut off from
the street by heavy doors and sometimes
by iron gates besides. A blank wall il
all that is presented from the street. The
outsider get no glimpse OF the charming
home.like scene within, of the orange
trees blooming in the courtyard, of tho
curious angles, far-projecting roofs
quaint turnings and twistings, car7ec
rafters, nail-studded doors, aud othe
comfort-suggesting features of the trul!
interesting structure. An exceedingl..
inhospitable building is the Chilean