The same language also abounds with harmonious and sonorous syllables, which give it much sweetness and variety; this is, however, injured by the frequent recurrence of the u, a defect from which the Latin is by no means exempt. In this respect the latter has, however, been fortunately corrected in its derivatives, particularly the Italian, which has studied to avoid, especially in the finals, the unpleasant sound resulting from the use of that vowel.

The Chilian differs from every other American language, not less in its words than its construction, with the exception of from eighteen to twenty of Peruvian origin, which, considering the contiguity of the two countries, is not to be wondered at.

But what may appear much more singular is, that it contains words apparently of Greek and Latin derivation, and of a similar signification in both languages ;* I am inclined, however, to think this merely an accidental resemblance.

* If this is not, as our author supposes, merely a casual resemblance of a few words, which frequently occurs in languages radically different, it certainly affords much ground for curious speculation; and we may, perhaps, be led to consider the tradition of a Phenician or Carthaginian colony in America, as not altogether so destitute of probability, especially as the language of the Chilians, so different from that of any other of the American tribes, appears to indicate a different origin.-Amer. Trans.

CHAP. II.

Conquest of the Peruvians in Chili.

THE history of the Chilians does not precede the middle of the fifteenth century of our era; before that period, for want of records, it is lost in the obscurity of time. The first accounts of them are contained in the Peruvian annals; that nation, as they were more civilized, being more careful to preserve the memory of remarkable events.

About that time the Peruvians had extended their dominion from the equator to the tropic of Capricorn. Chili, bordering upon that tropic, was too important an acquisition not to attract the ambitious views of those conquerors. This country, which extends for 1260 miles upon the Pacific Ocean, enjoys a delightful and salutary climate. The vast chain of the Cordilleras bordering it upon the east, supplies it with an abundance of rivers, which increase its natural fertility. The face of the country, which is mountainous towards the sea, and level near the Andes, is well suited to every kind of vegetable production, and abounds with mines of gold, silver, and other useful metals.

Favoured by the pleasantness of the country and salubrity of the climate, the population at this period may be readily imagined to have been very numerous. The inhabitants were divided into fifteen tribes, or communities, independent of each other, but subject to certain chiefs, called Ulmenes. These tribes, beginning at the north and proceeding to the south, were called Copiapins, Coquimbanes, Quillotanes, Mapochinians, Promaucians, Curés, Cauques, Pencones, Araucanians, Cunches, Chilotes, Chiquilanians, Pehuenches, Puelches, and Huilliches.

The Inca Yupanqui, who reigned in Peru about the year 1450, being informed of the natural advantages possessed by Chili, resolved to attempt the conquest of it. With this intent he marched with a powerful army to the frontiers of that kingdom; but, either through apprehension of his personal safety, or with the view of being in a more favourable situation to furnish the means of effecting his designs, he established himself with his court in the neighbouring province of Attacama, and entrusted the command of the expedition to Sinchiruca, a prince of the blood royal.

Preceded, according to the specious custom of the Peruvians, by several ambassadors, and fol lowed by a large body of troops, this general subjected to the Peruvian government, more by persuasion than by force, the Copiapins, Coquim

banes, Quillotanes, and Mapochinians. After this, having passed the river Rapel, he proceeded to attack the Promaucians, who could not be induced by the persuasions of the ambassadors to submit themselves. This nation, whose name signifies the free dancers, from their being much attached to that diversion, inhabited the delightful country lying between the rivers Rapel and Maule, and were distinguished from all the other tribes by their fondness for every species of amusement. The love of pleasure had not, however, rendered them effeminate: they opposed the Peruvian army with the most heroic valour, and entirely defeated it in a battle, which, according to Garcilasso the historian, was continued for three days in succession, in consequence of the continued reinforcements of both parties.

The Inca, on learning the ill success of his arms, and the invincible valour of the Promaucians, gave orders, that in future the river Rapel should serve as the boundary of his dominion on that side. Garcilasso says, that it was the river Maúle, but it is by no means probable, that the conquerors should be comprehended within the territories of the vanquished. In fact, not far from the river Cachapoal, which, together with the Tinguiririca, forms the Rapel, are still to be seen upon a steep hill, the remains of a fort of Peruvian construction, which was

undoubtedly built to protect that part of the frontier against the attacks of the unconquered Promaucians.

Thus Chili became divided into two parts, the one free, and the other subject to foreign domination. The tribes, who had so readily submitted to the Peruvians, were subjected to an annual tribute in gold, an imposition which they had never before experienced. But the conquerors, whether they dared not hazard the attempt, er were not able to effect it, never introduced their form of government into these provinces. Of course, the subjected Chilians as well as the free, preserved until the arrival of the Spaniards, their original manners, which were by no means so rude as many are led to imagine.