The Republican journal., 1903-11-26
THE GILLIAN CAPITAL.
QUAINT SIGHTS IN A PARKWAY
SOUTHERN CITY.

Pllllul oIlC CdHlioU wv DCClCI ViNI USSIii
with the central square, named La
1ala de la Independencia; because
tpm it all things radiate, even the
tmmway lines and hackney coaches,
and in the streets Immediately sur
o5nuding it are found the principal in
religious, social and political
X 5 an imposing place, with hand
some marble fountain in the middle,
3.H environed by a beautiful garden
tanning trees, flowers, statues, stone
.5lrd walks and marble benches. Near
III the west side of this great plaza
coupled by the cathedral, which is
..-i 10 be the largest in South America,
81. + is certainly one of the oldest
nalIy erected by the conqueror,
.r.,o de Valdivia, it has been several
.urs partially destroyed by earth
leS, and was reconstructed on its
sent plan by Garcia de Mendoza,
where about the year 1850, or
- Fl. it was carried as near to COM
Ion as seems to be consistent with
principles of economy. 1t has
yer been quite finished, and probably
ser will be, becauSe-like the licensed
lars of these southern countries
rs nperfections are a fruitful source
eryenue. Though millions of dollars
been collected from pious parish
almost enough to veneer the
..o'e vast pile with coating of gold
IRE is still standing call for funds
.. anish the cathedral;" and year
..-r- year, as generations come and go,
Contribution box, posted in a conspic-
.us position and frequently handed
uud. presents its gaping mouth like
3rrpetual mendicant crying give,
..t-,"'
re cathedral is large enough to shell
.el 1000 people, yet has no striking
.rature except that of size. 1t is built
a coarse kind of porphyry, with a
r-Ie tower of rough brick, and a tall
.a cross over the main entrance.
augh looking like monument of
lty, its earthquake cracked walls
IT. long been condemned and the citi-
repeatedly warned that another
-ltest terrimote may tumble it down
nit their ears.
Va Chilian-high or low, whether clad
,.anty rags or tiguratively robed in
e4l purple-ever passes the beloved
edral or any other church for that
ter. without lifting the hat, making
IGN of the cross or mutterlng an
t Marie This popular Difference to
-ious shrines is shown on every oc-
IN. In the front wall of one of
lagos handsomest residences, near
main entrance, is deep niche.
lich stands an image of the Blessed
-.n. clothed in sky blue, with pink
mantle embroidered with gold and
5espangled, crowned with halo
as lets. An iron grating protects
CURE from the street; but every
bouquets and Wreaths of flowers,
gifts and widows mites, and votive
rings of various sorts are shoWered
u it by people in bodily and mental
--ress. who believe that trustful APP
to the Holy Mother will bring
-.iy mitigation of their intirmities.
story is that some years ago the
ia of the casa, lady of wealth,
very i'll, made a vow to the Wiz
That if her health was restored she
nd show her gratitude in this mali
IF. and there stands the more and
lie vene1ated image, an effective IL
,tration of the power of prayer and
senora's piety. 1t is said that
NV miraculous faith cures have re-
,ed-and all good Santiagoans lift
II hats and cross themselves in pass
a. by.
( prettier custom among these ex-
dinghy polite people is that of dof-
the hat at sight of funeral pro-
r,sion. The funeral pageant is not
ELY to be particularly solemn, as
re is no black about the hearse, nor
,-rping women following it-only a
e~ men, and the horses being driven
tull speed as if at a race; but to see
yerybody in the street, in the horse
ars, in their carriages, on the pave
Arnt or III their balconies, paying a
asst token of courtesy to the passing
ranger who is on the way to his long
ONE, robs grim death of some of its
loom.
Besides being the seat of govern
lent, the legislature and the courts
I law, Santiago is an Archbishop's
see, and is, therefore, blessed with nu-
ferrous churches and monastic institu-
I9ns. Among the finest are those of
AN Augustin, erected in the year 1894;
"a MERGED, Santo Domingo and San
rancisco-all built nearly three cen
ries ago; the San Augustine nun
cry. founded in 1915; the Carmen Alto,
church of the Carmelite nunnery,
III elegant little Gothic structure,
here most of the fashionable we'd
Ilngs take place; the stately church of
q Reformed Dominicans, rich In