“The foreign press is beginning to occupy itself with the situation of Valparaiso, and take note of the sad state in which the first port of the Republic finds itself, and in which reigns a deplorable and filthy abandon that helps the devastating work of smallpox that is decimating its population. Valparaiso with its infested streets, sidewalks destroyed, pavements removed and full of holes, with the enormous piles of dirt and mud accumulated in residence districts; Valparaiso, where there is no municipal street sweeping nor watering, or even carrying away of dirt; with infested public buildings (like the prisons), without organization to resist an epidemic, must create the impression in the minds of people in foreign countries, who read of its deplorable condition, that it is not the city of 200,000 inhabitants, described in geography as possessing an advanced and cultivated population and situated in an agreeable climate; as not being the port of so much commercial and maritime movement, which, as a bitter irony has sometimes been called the ‘Jewel of the Pacific.’” Translation from _La Union_, Valparaiso: “Valparaiso is again unfortunately under the weight and opprobrium of the great calamity of every winter. Mud covers all the streets, traffic is interrupted, social life is suspended, and one touches on every side mud and filth. To this is added the calamity of administrative corruption, and life is little more than a fight of a few civilized elements against barbarism, which destroys everything, morally and maternally.” (The foregoing refers to Valparaiso before the earthquake in August, 1906, which destroyed the greater part of the business portion of the city, which has since been practically rebuilt, and the sanitary conditions somewhat improved.) These and similar arraignments by the press of Chile of the management of municipalities, give a better idea of the existing conditions than any criticism that might be offered by a foreigner. THE NATIONAL HYMN The first National Hymn of Chile was written in 1819, by Bernardo Vera, y Pintado. It was well received by the public from the first, and enthusiastically so when sung on September 18th, the anniversary of Republican Independence. The hymn was first sung to the music of the Argentine National Anthem, but in 1820 Manuel Robles, a Chilean composer wrote appropriate music for the patriotic words. His composition was used until 1828, when Ramon Carnicer composed the music since used. The verses as first written expressed the bitter feelings of the Chileans towards the Spaniards, but later when public sentiment became less hostile, the wording of the hymn was modified. In 1847 it was again rewritten. The following is a copy in Spanish, and a translation: THE NATIONAL HYMN (La Cancion Nacional) DULCE PATRIA, RECIBE LOS VOTOS CON QUE CHILE EN TUS ARAS JURO; QUE O LA TUMBA SERA DE LOS LIBRES, O EL ASILO CONTRA LA OPRESION.