The population consists of two distinct claSscs, Spa niards and Indians. It is a curious fact, that these sepa rate races have at no time intermingled, as in the other provinces. According to the latest accounts from the Archipelago, the total amount of the inhabitants was computed at 26,000, of Avhich 15,000 were Spaniards. At the period of their submission to the Spaniards (1566), the Indian inhabitants amounted to 70,000, In the year 1792, they did not exceed 11,000. Arc we to ascribe this otherwise unaccountable reduction to the murderous tyranny of the Spaniards ? The submissive Chilotes afforded little pretence for open violence ; and if violent means were not employed, how cruelly labori ous and oppressive must be that servitude, which could so exhaust a flourishing population. In their appearance, dress, and customs, the Chilotes differ little from the continental Chilians. Their language was originally the same as the Araucanian or Mohiche, but of late years a remarkable change has taken place in this respect : they have gradually adopted the Spanish vocables in room of the Chilese; while of the latter, they have minutely retained not only the syntax and idioms, but even the inflections and accent. Byron describes these people as
of a robust but not inelegant make, extremely well featured, and remarkably neat in their dress. The poncho is in general use among them. They wear a sort of buskin on their legs, which, however, does not extend to the feet ; these always remaining uncovered, as in such a climate shoes would only serve to retain the moisture, without the possibility of preventing its admis sion. The Chilotes possess a remarkable quickness of apprehension, and learn readily whatever is made the object of their study. They display a strong mechani cal genius, and have attained considerable excellence in carpentry, cabinet-making, and turnery. The disposition most prevalent among them is that of gentleness and timidity ; yet the Chilotes yield to no other people in the firmness with which they encounter the perils of a tem pestuous ocean. They are fearless and active sailors ; and it deserves remark, that a people possessed ap parently of so much physical and moral energy, accus