At 6 o'clock in the morning of the 2nd of March, we ran into the
port of Valparaiso.
CHAPTER VI. ARRIVAL AND RESIDENCE IN VALPARAISO.
APPEARANCE OF THE TOWN - PUBLIC BUILDINGS - A FEW OBSERVATIONS ON THE
MANNERS AND CUSTOMS OF THE LOWER CLASSES - THE EATING-HOUSES OF
POLANEA - THE CHERUB (ANGELITO) - THE RAILROAD - GOLD AND SILVER MINES.
The appearance of Valparaiso is dull and monotonous. The town is
laid out in two long streets at the foot of dreary hills, which look
like gigantic masses of sand, but which really consist of large
rocks covered with thin layers of earth and sand. On some of these
hills are houses, and on one of them is the churchyard, which,
combined with the wooden church towers, built in the Spanish style,
relieves, in a slight degree, the wearisome uniformity of the
prospect. Not less astounding than the deserted look of the port,
was the miserably wretched landing-place, which is composed of a
high wooden quay, about 100 feet long, stretching out into the sea,
with narrow steps, like ladders, against the side. It was a most
pitiable sight to see a lady attempting to go up or down:
