And it is to be forgiven not merely "seven times," according to a worldly dispensation, but "seventy times seven," in obedience to the precepts of heavenly truth, and in fulfilment of that "charity which never faileth; but suffereth long, and is kind." In human affliction, the withholding of relief would often destroy, but rarely reclaim; for the lamp of life is then too flickering to shed even a ray of hope ere it goes out in the darkness of death. The shadows of coming gloom increased by the heartlessness of man, deepen the despair that welcomes oblivion. We are commanded to imitate our Father in heaven, and to be perfect even as He is. This is undoubtedly difficult, and to some may seem impossible. Yet having been enjoined upon us by Himself, and contemplating His comprehension of our capacities, and that He is too just and merciful to require aught that we have not the ability to perform, the effort of obedience, far from being presumptuous, is but a proof of that faith which removeth mountains, and brings the blessings of goodness within reach of human attainment. And this capacity of resemblance must be conceded, in view of the illustration of Divine inculcation of love and duty: "He maketh His sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust." Throned in mystery, as God may seem to a finite comprehension, His great essence is thus revealed to those who seek the light of heaven, and would become warmed with the glow in their own hearts of its immortal love. And this "love, the fulfilment of the law," must go forth on its benign mission with healing on its wings, lifting up the broken-hearted, and causing the wondering multitude who have lingered in error, to glorify the Omnipotent Source of such goodness, when they see "the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see," whether they be "evil or good, just or unjust." This application of benevolence is especially due to this continent; for if it be true that even in older communities, where the social organization has had a longer time to adapt itself to the requirements of necessity, civilization increases human disparities, and that the more the wealth and luxury of the few, the greater the poverty and wants of the many, then are the people of this country, of deteriorated race, who compose by far the larger part of its population, entitled in a marked degree to the considerate care and assistance of those through whom such evils have come upon them. The more powerful, enterprising, energetic, and intellectually-exalted Spaniard, in the struggle for mastery, whether in dominion, government, commerce, mines, or landed estate, has achieved triumph and possession. Hence the general indigence and ignorance of the mixed race are even greater than found in homogeneous nations; and the sense of these is the more galling, from the contrast with surrounding opulence. Better for the unhappy victims of oppression and depravity had they enjoyed conscious equality and competence, even with the imputation of barbarism. The Spaniard further entailed upon the descendants of the aborigines, through force as well as example, unnatural relations, vices, and diseases, to which those primitive natives were strangers. Apart, then, from general considerations of humanity, there is justly devolved upon the affluent representatives of the Spanish race, a special trust to minister to the necessities and sufferings of those whose "vices" are the offspring of a "higher law" of civilization— accursed in this as in some other phases of human relation— rather than the product of their own simple, and, in comparison with the pioneers of Spanish dominion in America, purer natures. No additional force can be added to the obligations of humanity and religion by the consideration, but still it should not be overlooked that the day is not distant when, unless largely strengthened by immigration, the European element of Chilean population will be merged in the degenerate mixed race; or its gradually weakening power be wrenched from its grasp by rapidly-increasing social antagonism. The cherishing of kindly sympathies, and exercise of enlarged philanthropy, may serve then to perpetuate blessings to a posterity who, whatever may be the pangs of misfortune, will yet find alleviation in the memory and fruits of the good deeds of their ancestry. CHAPTER XIV. ASYLUM-MEDICAL SCHOOL DESCRIPTION OF SANTIAGO CONTINUED-LUNATIC SANTIAGO-RAILROADS. THE remark was made to me in Lima by a member of the Beneficentia, that the only asylum on the west coast of South America for the rational treatment of insanity, was the one in that city. He was in error. At Santiago a Lunatic Asylum is found of large size, excellent arrangement, and admirable government. A lot of ground three hundred and sixty-five yards long by from one hundred to two hundred yards in width, is enclosed by a substantial wall fifteen feet high. A building of two hundred and fifty feet, forming the centre of the front wall, contains the administrative offices; while within, running lengthwise the enclosure, is an alley, with many long one-story buildings extending from it on both sides, arranged parallel to each other, having patios between them for exercise and garden cultivation, and from which the rooms are entered. The main walls of the building are forty inches, and the partition walls of the rooms for separate occupancy are twenty-five inches thick, both built of adobes. The strongly-framed roof, of cane and mud, as a good non-conductor of heat in summer, is further covered with tiles saturated with soap and alum, which is said to make them water-proof. Thirty-two of the cells, several of them of oval shape, are dark, and lined with quilted India rubber to prevent personal injury, for the confinement exclusively of madmen. And for further protection, some of these have oak bedsteads built in the wall. Warm and cold baths are liberally provided, both plunge and shower; also a swimming pond, walled and cemented, which is found an excellent hygienic means from the amusement and exercise it affords. The number of inmates at present is one hundred and seventeen. A very full proportion of cures is reported; and the advantages of the modern system of treatment, a gentle and tranquil deportment, and consistent firmness, with rational amusement, entertainment, exercise, occupation, and appropriate medical prescription, as contradistinguished to the old and barbarous system of unvarying severity and seclusion, are fully sustained by the experience of this institution. The Santiago Lunatic Asylum was built and is supported by the national govern ment. Chile possesses the means of educating medical attendants for these numerous hospitals. A university established in 1842, being the reorganization of one chartered more than two hundred years before, embraces the faculties of philosophy and humanities, physical and mathematical science, medicine, law, political science, and theology. The medical school, consisting of a full corps of professors, is in operation; the course of instruction aiming to meet as far as practicable, in the infancy of the institution, the wants of the country. To foreigners aspiring to practise medicine, surgery, or pharmacy, in Chile, the privilege is extended upon presentation of a diploma from a respectable university, and being found competent after a strict examination, both theoretical and practical, by question and answer, attack or maintenance of proposed doctrines; beside diagnosis, prognosis, and prescription; and surgical operations on the cadaver. The fees amount to $120—the travelling and incidental expenses to as much more. Owing to the delay incident to examination, the detention at Santiago grows irksome to the candidate. Usually five or six weeks are occupied in ridiculous formalities, which should not consume more than two or three days. If unsuccessful, the candidate may present himself for examination again after the lapse of six months. In pharmacy the examination is well suited to test the qualifications of candidates for license to compound and vend medicines. Ignorance and presumption, either in prescribing or administering medicine, meet with no favor in Chile. In this respect she is in advance of many of the States MILITARY AND MECHANIC INSTITUTES. 247 of North America, the lives of whose citizens are considered by no means as precious as individual right to do in all things as one pleases, for the brief time that malady or malpractice may permit him to exercise it. Besides several excellent academies, for private instruction of the children of wealthy parentage at high charges, Government has provided a National Institute, normal school, and many primary institutions for public instruction; which, although not up to the standard of merit of similar institutions in some other countries, are yet creditable to this young republic. A Military Institute is also provided for the education of naval and army officers. Boys of twelve years are admitted and instructed during five years of study in the various branches of mathematics, elementary and profound, history, geography, navigation, the French and English languages, drawing field fortifications, artillery and infantry tactics, gymnastics, and sword exercises. There are sixty cadets in the Institute; but the building, which is in admirable order, and the grounds, are ample for the accommodation of many more. Still another admirable institution supported by Government is that for instructing boys, of whom there are now five hundred in the school, in the useful mechanic arts. They are also taught the usual branches of scholastic education. This will prove one of the most useful institutions of Chile. It is nearly selfsupportive. Santiago has a National Library of 39,000 volumes, to which the public has access; a reading-room with suitable furniture being likewise provided. And in the same building is the National Museum, in the formation of which a French naturalist, M. Gay, had the chief agency. The ornithological and botanical departments, embracing the birds and plants of Chile, are nearly complete; as is also its zoology. Some fine specimens of Chilean minerals are in the cases; but the shells of the country are few, and present but little attraction. Altogether the collection, as representing the natural history of this country, is highly creditable. The Museum is opened to the public on one day of each week. Strangers are admitted at any time. |