Page:Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition, v. 5.djvu/631

Rh CHILI G19 directorship of General O Higgins, who held it till 1823, when he was compelled to resign in consequence of a popular tumult. For a few weeks, a provisional triumvirate discharged the duties of an executive government. General Freire was next chosen director. During the period of three years in which he held the reins of government, the country was harassed by constant dissensions ; and for the four years subsequent to his resignation it continued in a state of disorder bordering upon anarchy. From 1826 to 1830 the government was administered by six different directors, in addition to a second provisional triumvirate. In 1828, under the administration of General Pinto, a constitution was promulgated, which had the effect of temporarily reconciling political differences and calming party spirit. In 1831, however, when General Prieto was raised to the chief magistracy, a convention was called for the purpose of revising this constitution. The result of its deliberations was the present constitution of Chili, which was promulgated on the 25th of May 1833. From that time Chili has enjoyed remarkable prosperity, and its government has been administered with such firmness and regularity, that it occupies a high rank among nations, and its funds stand well in the Stock Exchange. After holding office for ten years, Prieto retired, and was succeeded by General Bulnes, a distinguished officer of the war of independence. Like his predecessor, he was fortunate in finding in Manuel Montt an able and intelli gent prime minister, who was to him what Portales had been to Prieto. In 1851 an insurrectionary movement broke out, headed by General Urriola, who, during the disturbances in Santiago in the Semana Santa was acci dentally killed. The same party then brought forward as their candidate for the presidency General Jose Maria de la Cruz in opposition to D. Manuel Montt, but the latter was elected, and continued in office for two periods (1851-1861). To him succeeded Jose Joaquin Perez (1 801-1871), who in 1871 was followed by Federico Errazuriz, and he in his turn by Anibal Pinto in 1876. The administration of recent presidents has been conducted with firmness, wisdom, and prudence. They have been ready to use their influence for the reform of abuses and for the advancement of civil and religious liberty, and for the promotion of every thing which could tend to increase the prosperity of the country. Eaces. The greater part of Chili, when Almagro invaded it, was inhabited by the Araucanians, who were, with other Indians, partly exterminated, but more generally absorbed into the Chilian nationality as at present existing. A remnant of independent Araucanians still occupy a province south of the Biobio ; but they scarcely number 24,000, and are on the decrease. These Araucanians are divided into tribes, whose chief, called a cacique, has from two to six wives, or even more, according to his means of supporting them and their progeny. They cultivate maize, rear herds of horses, sheep, and cattle, weave coarse woollens, build comfortable cottages, binding the beams together by the rope creeper Lardizabala biternata, and from the reed Chusquea Coleou make shafts for their lances. They acknowledge a creator god called Pillan, and some inferior divinities, such as Eponeman, the god of war, Moilen, the god of good, and Guecubu, the god of evil. They have neither temples nor priests, their worship con sisting of the sacrificing of some animal under a tree belonging to the Magnolia order, the Drymis chilensis, which is considered sacred by them. This tree was first described by Dr Winter, who accompanied Drake in his expedition round Cape Horn in 1577. The Araucanians believe also in sorcerers and enchantments, and that every natural death, other than by old age, is caused by the evil influence of some one, whose life the friends of the deceased endeavour to take in expiation and revenge. The Patagonians who inhabit the territory of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego, and who may number about 20,000, are not given to polygamy. They worship one god called Coche, and believe in the immortality of the soul. Tho average height of fifty Patagonians taken at random lately was found to be 6 feet 4| inches. The tallest was 6 feet 8^ inches, and the least 6 feet and i inch. The Chilians them selves hold the same position to Spain as the inhabitants of the United States do towards England. Their instincts and language are Spanish, modified by admixture and inter course with other nations. The conventionalities of social life are much the same in Chili as in France, Belgium and Catholic Germany ; and this remark applies to dress, living, amusements, and propensities. Sunday is spent as a holiday, and enlivened by festivals, balls, theatricals, and concerts. Cricket and athletic sports are unknown, but good horsemanship is common. The great extent of seaboard not only induces large numbers of the inhabi tants to visit foreign lands (calculated to average 78,000), but promotes the diffusion of the civilization of the most highly cultivated nations over the whole of Chili. Tho beautiful provinces of Valdivia and Llanquihue are colo nized by Germans and North Americans, who prepare timber, meat, cheese, butter, beer, cider, and leather. The university and the learned professions have ever numbered among their distinguished members Polish, French, German, and English men of science. The North American colonists have been chiefly instrumental in the construction of flour-mills, telegraphs, and railways. At the commercial centres, such as Valparaiso, Concepcion, Copiapo, Coquimbo, and Huasco, many of the leading Chilian citizens are of English, French, and German de scent. There are in the country about 35,000 Europeans, chiefly Germans, French, and English. Constitution. By the constitution adopted on the 25th Const :tu- of May 1833, the sovereignty is declared to reside in the tion - people ; but the exercise of its functions is delegated to three distinct powers the legislative, the executive, and the judicial. The legislative power is committed to the Legislative National Congress, which consists of the Chambers of depart- Deputies and Senators. The Chamber of Deputies com- ment&amp;lt; prises over 100 members, elected for a term of three years, on the principle of equal electoral districts with cumulative voting, and by a suffrage enjoyed by all citizens who are of twenty-one years of age if married, or twenty- five if unmarried, and who are able to read and write, and pay yearly taxes to a certain amount. The senate is composed of fewer members, chosen by Senate, indirect election in each province for a term of nine years. One-third of the house is renewed every three years. The Chamber of Deputies and the Senate have concur- Chambers, rent as well as separate functions. The former body alone can impeach the higher officers of the state before the Senate. It originates all money bills, and measures relating to the military force of the country. The Senate alone has the right of pronouncing judgment on public functionaries impeached by the Chamber of Deputies; it confirms ecclesi astical nominations, and in certain cases gives or withholds its consent to the Acts of the executive. In all other proceedings of the legislature the concurrent voice of the two houses is necessary. Laws may originate with either body, but require to be passed by both houses, sanctioned by the president (after consultation with the Council of State), and promulgated by the minister to whose depart ment the matter relates. The period during which the Congress sits is limited to the three winter months ; but the session may be prolonged by the president for fifty days. On the day before the regular session closes, the senators elect seven of their number to form the conserva-