Here, then, in the score of mine-camp shanties along the beach and in two broken-down hulks afloat, lived the inhabitants of the capital of Tierra del Fuego. If the town itself was curious, its people and their manner of life were found to be no less curious when one came to get acquainted. Small and wretched as the place was, it had a complete outfit of the officials and assistants needed for the dignity and peace of the most populous territorial capital anywhere. There was a complete list of executive officers, with secretaries and servants; a complete list of judicial officers, with clerks and servants; a complete list of police officials, from a commissioner to a patrolman; a file of soldiers with commissioned and non-commissioned officers; a crew of sailors for the vessels, with the usual officers, a school teacher (male), and a matron for a girls' school. The town had also six citizens--plain, every-day folks, not entitled to wear uniform. All told, the number of inhabitants was less than sixty. I went on shore to learn something more about the local government than what I could see from the steamer. They told me that the Governor was in Buenos Ayres working for an appropriation to make improvements. "Improvements in what?" I asked. "Just improvements about the place." "How much money does he want?" "Who knows? He ought to have $20,000." "What one thing, for instance, would he do with the money?" "Well, there is the shed back of the Capitol, where the sawmill is. That ought to be enclosed to keep the weather off the machinery." "Would that cost $20,000?" "It should do so. You'd make it cost that if you were Governor and had to live here. Nobody gets pay enough to make it worth while staying." "Will the Supreme Court sit to-day?" "I beg pardon." "Will any Judge hold court to-day?" "Oh! Scarcely. What made you think such a thing likely?" "When are courts held, then?" "They aren't held. No cases to be tried." "Not even a police case?" "No. Do the people you have seen look like criminals?" "Certainly not. Where can I find the school-house?" "There is none." "Where do they hold school, then?" "They don't hold any." "Why not?" "There aren't any children here." So the questions and answers ran about all official doings, if that term may be used in connection with the life in the town as a capital.