224 ^ HISTORY OF CHILE government with marked ability, but their pelucone policy was as retrograde and illiberal as could well be imagined in a nation professing to be a republic. Still, as the conservatives claim for this administration, many substantial institutions were built up. A constitution, such as it was, they succeeded in establishing. Liter- ature was fostered, and Chile at this time became the home of several celebrated scholars. Such men as de Mora the poet, Bello the writer on international juris- prudence, Claudio Gay the naturalist, and Gorbea the mathematician, are a glory to the nation. Don Jose Joaquin de Mora was a distinguished Span- ish poet and litterateur, who visited various American countries, writing and teaching. President Pinto gave decided assistance and protection to the school de Mora established, the Liceo de Mora. In opposition to de Mora the pelucones founded the college of Santiago, giving it in charge of Don Andres Bello, a Venezuelan patriot and an old friend of Bolivar. He came from Europe in 1829, and established himself in Chile, becom- ing the highest literary authority in Spanish America^ For thirty-six years he lived in Chile, occupied with jurisprudence, philosophy and literature. Until his death he was at the head of the university; he wrote several notable works. Though holding public ofifice at different times he held aloof from party strife. Claudio Gay came from France, having been engaged as professor for the college of Santiago. The young naturalist undertook many scientific excursions, ob- served closely the natural history of Chile, collected insects, birds, plants, etc, and inaugurated a movement which resulted in the establishment of the public mu- seum of natural history. He examined the archives of the nation and, returning to Europe, wrote and pub-
