The Republican journal., 1904-02-11

THEMSELVES.
Special Correspondence of The Journal.
CONCEPTION, CHILL, January 2, 1904.
4 stranger to this remote corner of
9reation is apt to imagine that the
Chilians are a semi-barbarous nation,
Vretchedly clad, if clad at all, with
little refinement and less education,
superstitious, cruel and blood-thirsty.
When first arrived here-astonished by
the magnifcence of clos Ricos" (the
wealthy class, who, though numerically
few, yet rule both church and state),
rheir splendid casas and numerous
-thools and places of amusement, their
yoStly living and stylish dressing and
.azzling display of jewels, and their
ltaceful and generous hospitality-he
mps at the conclusion that his previ-
is impressions were absolutely and
utlrely erroneous. But as time goes
and he learns how the common
rpple," who make up the bulk of the
opulation. live and move and have
cir being, he reluctantly comes back
his first opinion as concerning a
many conditions of existence in the
ld, and consequently such variety
character, that one may say of these
.nple with equal truth-they are both
-hly civilized and sunk in barbarism,
1foundly educated and denSely igno-
ant; rich as Croes is and poor as job
mentioned turkey: that they live in
t.aces furnished with every modern
Xury. and III mud novels with nothing
ut beans and raw CLANS for daily
gead' and that they are the most
Farm-hearted, genial, hospitable and
Hnroughly delightful people in the
ord. as well as the most treacherOuS,
ryengeful and never-to- be-depended-
Don. Certain national characteristics
ay be clearly traced through all
asSeS of society-Such as the quick,
rnSational and emotional nature,
which makes the CHILEAN soldier a
zoo lay down his life at any moment for
point of honor or the cherished insti-
ltlons of his beloved country; the
lillian lady or gentleman most gen.
r0us and devoted friend: the CHILEAN
Yer, male or female, ardent to an ex-
tvagant degree hardly conceivable by
Il. Anglo-Saxon mind, and inclined to
aalousy as the sparks fly upward.
Il Chill the typical rico rich mani,
Foung or Old, dresses every day i'll fig
gative purple and fine linen. For him
here is no second best" attire in the
Way of rough and ready morning cos
me or business suit, for he has no
eed of such, being like the lilies in
lat he tolls not, neither does he spin.
lis clothes are always the finest. dain-
est aHQ most fashionable that an
tiSt-tailor can create; his polished
air carefully parted in the middle or
rushed straight up la pompadour
IS immaculate shirt cuffs with con-
p.cuouSly jeWeled buttons, extending
ward his knuckles just so far by a
airs breadth; his very small sharp
ed. Aigh-heeled shoes rejecting his
auty as i'll twin mirrors: his mono
3m-embrOidered handkerchief deli
Jlely scented and, in his eyes, the
ndsome diamond ring and scarf-pin
at lie wears are no less essential than
int or trousers. He has been taught
pertinent from his cradle, and mas
ed that science to perfection at an
'ry age. As often as he meets you,
it dozen times a day, he holds his
ender cane daintily in one well-gloved
and while tipping his faultless tile
tth the other, bows gracefully and
W, and shakes you by the hand-with
yer the slightest perceptible varia-
IN in the depth of his obeisance or the
narmth of the shake. unless you happen
be a man and an intimate friend, in
Alch case he may embrace and kiss
III. If, being only a casual acquaint-
nee, you call upon him on an errand
business or pleasure, he will hasten
- inform you that every thing he pos
,esses is unreservedly yours-his house,
mself, his family, his servants all are
Il disposition de usted-''at your dis
osal" His wife, who is generally
eautitul and always well dressed, will
mile on you sweetly through drift Of
powder with a bright touch of
ouge on either side of the nose, and
Ssure you in soft-voweled Spanish of
TIE pleasure she feels in thus forming
YOUR acquaintance-and makes you be-
eve it. too, which is the best part Of
a.. Fellow foreigners tell us that all
his tropical courtesy means little, and
is only Skin deep" But who cares to
20 deeper? 1t is delightful all the same
aud quite deep enough to outlast the
easion. We, who profess to be a
tured people and are inclined to
ettten our necks with Yankee conceit
"nen our ways are compared with
pse of other nations, may learn from
Chllians good many needed les
SONS in common politeness. For ex-