The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1903-12-17
LIFE IN CHILL.
ITS EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE
INSTITUTIONS. A SAMPLE OF Chill
IAN SELF-CONCEIT.
Especial Correspondence of The Journal

About the most Self-apprOvlng set l
people on the face of the earth, partic-
ularly as regards their beloved Repub-
lie, are these Chilians. A fair sample
of the native conceit was displayed to
a Commission from the United States,
which came down here few years ago
10 talk about reciprocity, and if posi-
bic to foster closer friendly and CON-
mercial relations between the two
countries. Our representatives were
politely received by the chosen men of
chill, and lengthy but rather one
sided pow-wow was held. Finally,
after listening attentively to all that
me Americans had to say for them
selves, young Miss Chill briefly spoke
aer mind She gracefully admitted the
ruth of all the fattering things which
Tie gentlemen from the north had said
tbout her-that she was a great, rich,
d prosperous and a beautiful country
nut assured them that the half had not
seen told. She acknowledged that it
night readily be discerned, with half
IN eve, as it were, how much it would
We for the interest of the United States
10 have dealing with her; but-really,
Iegging pardon for the seeming dis
.5urtesy-where would the benefit to
4 hill come i'll?
In some respects the Chilians are not
without grounds for their self esteem.
Their educational institutions. for eX-
ample, are ahead of those in many
,,der Republics, and certainly far sur
lass any others in South America; and
heir progress in literature, the arts
md sciences, has been truly remark
1bie. considering that this ribbOn-like
tile strip of territory-walled by the
u.ghty Andes on one side and washed
y the limitless Pacific on the other
IS more remote from the worlds great
enters of population than any other
.vllized land. For some years past
,ducation has been government hob
y in Chill, and no pains or expense
ave been spared in discovering the
st methods, securing the most COM
--tent instructors and opening up
oval road to learning, for the masses
B. we'll as for the wealthy few.
The oldest college in Chilli, the lnstl-
10 Nacional. received its charter from
ae King of Spain century and
.arter ago, and up to 1912 was known
IS the Colegio de San Serite, when 1t
,as reorganized and renamed. 1t oc
..des handsome building in the Ala
Ida. alongside the great University.
.p latter is divided into five faculties
-l III it the sons of wealthy families
.o are designed for the learned pro
.-,ious finish their education. Its
irse of study covers period OF SIX
.lrS and embraces mathematics, prac-
%. surveying, physics, natural his
..N. chemistry, astronomy, cosmog-
ply and other sciences, besides an
mt and modern languages, medicine,
and theology.
}l educated young people IN
country learn French and German,
...t of late years it is becoming the
-h.on to study English, after the
adj languages have been acquired
III the United States, Spanish Is
ult the last language the student
INKS of applying himself to, except
West Point and Annapolis, where, |
..leve, it is compulsory. This is not
it should be, considering that they
.r the two languages of this Western
World. The last statistics | have had
a opportunity of seeing gave the av-
. age annual attendance at the Unlyer-
stv as 931. and of the Institute Naclon-
as 1850. The former has splendid
brary of about 10000 volumes and all
amer of scientific apparatus for the
Sc of students. 1t is filed with earn
st and thoughtful young men, many
I whom may be seen, books In hand,
uacing the extensive inner corridors
md reading or studying aloud, after
he southern fashion. In the law de-
lartment | noticed several young la
Ies-an altogether new departure for
Chlli, not looked upon with favor, so
nat the position of the senOrltas can
ardly be enviable. Had they taken to
The medical department instead, pos
sibly they might have been forgiven;
lat nobody hereabouts can see any
sense in woman studying law. Santa
90 also supports flourishing School OF
Arts and Trades; School of Agrlcul-
tare; a Conservatory of Music; and
numerous other public and private
Summaries. all we'll filled and doing
creditable work. The military academy
IS another government institution, for
The education of young men intended
Tor the army and navy, and is said to
lave done much toward improving
10Th services. 1t is conducted on the
French system, and, like that in Val
paraiso, occupies very handsome and
extensive group of buildings. The
Normal schools of Chill are later eX-
periment, and are designed especially
for the training of those who are to be-
come teachers in the government