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374 A HISTORY OF CHILE cial houses are in the hands of the English, the latter sharing mercantile interests with the Germans. The Chileans have high respect for these attainments, for their own character is averse to commercial pursuits. English has been gradually coming into favor with the liberals during the past ten years, until now it holds a place nearly on a level with French in the popular estimation, and the j'oung men and maidens consider it essential to understand both languages, if they would be considered educated. To be educated in South Amer- ica and Mexico, is certainly to speak more than one language. There are advanced thinkers and scholars in Chile; intellect is held in high esteem. There are "dyed in the wool" conservatives, who look askance at popu- lar education as inconsistent with the rule of clericals and aristocrats ; but steadily year by 5'ear liberal sen- timents have grown. When we speak of liberal senti- ments, however, let it be understood that Chile is Cath- olic and wishes to remain Catholic ; she has no desire to become Protestant. The higher classes are very well ed- ucated and delight in politics and arguments; they de- nounce opponents and eulogize progress; they will submit only within certain limits to being fettered in thought or action. The Chilean liberals believe in popular education and in the advancement of the mass- es; they believe in everything modern. They make history for the country; they make big debts, big im- provements and (for Chile) big wars. Political con- tentions make a nation safe, enlightened, strong. In the numerous social clubs of Santiago politics form the never ending theme of conversation. The season in the capital is gay, though the older families there form an aristocratic coterie which is rather exclusive. Every Chilean of wealth feels in duty bound