Rollin, who accompanied La Perouse as surgeon major, describes the Indians whom he saw at Conception, as of lower stature than Europeans, their faces as larger and more rounded, the features more strongly marked, the eves small, black, and deep seated, the Iorchead low, the eye-brows black and shaggy, the nose short and flatted, the cheek bones high, the lip thick, the mouth wide. and the chin diminutiNe. Very few of the native Chilians have almost any beard, being accustomed to pluck it out with pincers.
They all speak the same language ; a language re markable for its regularity, softness, and power of ex pression. The Chilian is in no respect connected with the other American languages, and differs essentially from them all, both in its words and construction. The rules of its composition arc simple and precise, and the theory of the language may be acquired N1 ith the great est facility. There is not in its whole vocabulary one ir regular verb or noun. It contains a great number of radical words ; but the genius of the language con sists in the formation of compounds, which are extremely numerous. Except the x, which is wanting, the Chilian alphabet is the same with that of the Latin. Like the Latin, also, its harmony is somewhat injured by a too frequent recurrence of the letter u. It does not, how ever, possess a single guttural letter or vocal aspirate.
The population of Spanish Chili, as we have before noticed, has been considerably augmented since the re moval of certain impolitic and oppressive restrictions upon maritime commerce. The wealthier inhabitants are in general fond of splendour and magnificence, which appears in their dress and equipage. The fashions are directed by those of Liina. Byron, who resided for some time in the country, gives the following description of the manners and customs of St Jago. " In their assem blies many intrigues are carried on, for they think of nothing else throughout the year. Their fandangoes are very agreeable. The women dance inimitably, most of them have delightful voices, and all play upon the guitar and harp : on the harp they excel every other nation. They are extremely polite ; and when asked either to play, dance, or sing, they do it without a moment's hesi tation, and that with an exceeding good grace. They have many figure dances ; but what they take most de light in arc more like our hornpipes than any thing I can compare them to, and upon these occasions they show surprising agility. The women arc remarkably hand some, and very extravagant in their dress. Their hair, is as thick as can be conceived, they wear of a vast length, without any other ornament upon the head than a few flowers. They plait it behind in four plaits,
and twist it round a bodkin, at each end of which is a diamond rose. In winter they have an upper waistcoat of cloth of gold or silver, and, in summer, of the finest linen covered w ith the finest Flanders lace. When they go abroad, they wear a veil, which is so contrived that one e3 c only is seen. Their feet are very small, and they value themselves as much upon it as the Chinese do.* Their breasts and shoulders are very naked, and indeed eu may easily discover the whole shape from their man ner of dress. They have fine sparkling eyes, ready wit, a great deal of good nature, and a strong disposition to gallantry. Paragua tea, which they call matte, is always drunk twice a day. They drink it through the convey ance of a long silver tube, at the end of which is a round strainer to prevent the herb getting through. And hero it is reckoned a piece of politeness in the lady, to suck the tube two or three times first, and then give it to the strangee without wiping it. They cat every thing so highly seasoned with red pepper, that those who are not used to it, upon the first mouthful would imagine their throats on fire for an hour afterwards. The ladies sit cross-legged, after the Moorish fashion, upon the estra do, which is a platform raised about live or six inches above the floor, and covered with carpets and velvet cushions. The common vehicle is a calash or vis-a-vis, drawn by one mule only. Bull feasts are a common di version here, and surpass any thing of that kind 1 ever saw at Lisbon or any where else." The peasants are a healthy and robust race of men, chiefly consisting of Creoles. They are bold and dex trous horsemen, fond of riding, and almost ever on the saddle. They are amazingly expert, also, in the use of the laqui,I which is their principal weapon, employing it on all occasions, both in hunting and in their private quarrels. The Spanish Creoles possess all the estima ble and engaging qualities which characterize those of English and French descent. '['hey are brave, active, and enterprising, frank in their manners, and of the strictest honour. Their prejudices are few and easily eradicated. Their temper is generous and unsuspecting, but at the same time ardent and impetuous in the pursuit of pleasure, and too frequently transpor is them beyond the strict bounds of moderation. They are fond of learn ing, and possess a degree of penetration, sagacity, and correctness of thought, that might ensure success in al most any study.