The daily morning journal and courier., 1903-11-14

number of these mansions, and will tell you something of their interiors anoth- CT time.
 Fl Zorro de Santa Lucia is a strange, steep hill of solid rock, cast by some volcanic freak into the center Of the great plain on which the city stands, anr rises abruptly to the height of near ly a thousand feet. It is surrounded at the base by a lofty wall, which zig gags like battIemented fortress some distance up the sides, having bartigans, towers and parapets, and an enclosing gateway where a small entrance fee IS charged. A wide, well-kept carriage way winds around and around the sto- ny hillside more than half way to the summit; while paths, bordered by shrubs and flowers, and steep stairs dug deep in the solid rock, lead to the very apex, which is topped by an octag- onal observatory with glass roof. All the embellishments were effected by the late Benjamin Vicuna Mackenna,. an eminent Chilian editor, author, orator and statesman, who was governor Of Santiago for many years, and in 1876 was one of the candidates for the pres idency.,. Being public-spirited citizen and possessing considerable wealth, he undertook the work of converting an unsightly mound which could not be moved into thing of beauty and joy forever. By the aid of private sub scriptions and using much of his own means, he improved the natural re- sources of the bare rocks by all that money could compass and taste suggest. He designed it also as his own posthu1 nous monument, and now lies buried on the side toward sunset, at the edge of a precipice eight hundred feet above the town. Here is a miniature castle fronted by lovely little chapel; and in the crypt of the latter Mackenna re- poses. ...
 Tradition tells us that the king of the unconquerable Aurancanians had a. stronghold here centuries before the coming of white men; and from as far back as the Spanish invasion in Valdi- via's time, down ao a recent date, 1t eryed as a fortress, commanding the entire valley with it's guns. It was on Santa Lucia that the United States as- tronomical expedition. under Lieuten- ant Giles Gin 1S52), made it's observa- ton. From base to summit are wind ing walks and stairWays, overhanging. balconies, grottoes, statutes, belyideres, kiosks, groves, flower beds and vine draped arbors. The stairway leading to the summit is necessarily very steep and narrow, requiring a tolerably strong head and steady foot to make the ascent; but mercifully the dizzy heights are partially hidden by vines and overlapping branches. Following winding path among dense shrubs and trees, the way grows narrower, wilder and more crooked. Suddenly you come to a craggy grotto, within which per petual twilight reigns and ice-cold wa ter drips, and you are startled to meet the wicked eyes of a horribly life-like serpent, it's head raised as if to strike Along the crooked path giant gerani- aums are growing, some ten feet high, with trunks like saplings; besides roses, in infinite variety, asaleas, honey suc- kle, Indian pinks, pansies and forget me-note--all appartntly clinging to the bare rock, but in reality well grounded in a coating of fertile soil brought up tho valley.
 Ever so far above the city's din and tumult is an obscure corner, which can be reached only by ziz-zag paths, where rustic seats are set under sheltering trees; and it is safe to say that right here "the old, old story" which is as new and sweet to-day as when first told in the Garden or Eden has been repeat ed oftener than anywhere else in Chilli. When the summit is attained one feels well repaid for his time and trou- ble by the magnificent prospect spread out on every side. Directly at ones feet lies Santiago, in It's almost perfect ly level plain, surrounded on every side by the snowy Andes, and on clear days the white cap of giant Aconcagua can be distinctly seen. The air, blowing pure and cool from the mountain tops come. laden with the fragrance of nearby flowers, while strains of music and snatcles of song and laughter float up from below. n ~t FANNIE B. WARD.