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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Archives Revels Classifieds Real Estate Menu Guide Wedding Weather Subscribe Contact Us November 9, 2005 Food & History Chilean hero was of Irish background Jeff Cheek Ambrose Bernard O’Higgins was a wandering Irishman from County Sligo who changed Chilean history. He left Ireland to study engineering in Spain, then worked for the colonial government after graduation. In 1764, he was posted to Chile. His administrative skills so impressed the Spanish Crown that he was given many official positions, ending as Viceroy (Royal Governor) of Chile. Ambrose had a passionate affair with an aristocratic lady, Isabel Riquelme, but they were never married — the Spanish king did not permit his colonial officials to marry local women. On Aug. 20, 1778, Isabel gave birth to an illegitimate son, Bernardo. The red-haired baby grew up to become “the George Washington of Chile,” the man who freed Chile from Spanish rule. Ambrose provided financial support for Bernardo and left his estate to his son. Bernardo’s liberal views sent him into exile in Argentina, where he raised and trained an army. He invaded his homeland and on Feb. 12, 1818, General O’Higgins’ army defeated the Spanish at the Battle of Chacabuco. O’Higgins proclaimed Chile’s national independence and was hailed as “the liberator of Chile.” O’Higgins became Chile’s first president, but, like many reformers he moved too fast. He abolished slavery and established a national military academy. This was applauded. He then promulgated laws forbidding gambling and cockfighting, which lost him popular support. He established public schools to replace Catholic schools and threatened to begin land reform, which cost him the support of the ruling class. In 1823, he was removed from office and forced into exile. He died in Peru in 1842. A quarter century passed. Passions cooled, and the Chilean people remembered the great debt the country owed General Bernardo O’Higgins. In 1869, the body of the man who had led Chile’s fight for independence was returned and buried with ceremonial honor in the capital city, Santiago. Like their liberator, the national anthem of the Republic of Chile has seen some revisions. The first version, by Manuel Robles and Bernardo de Vega contained a lyrical, pastoral chorus but vitrolic anti-Spanish verses. It became the national anthem in 1820. Once again, passions cooled and Chileans remembered some of the gifts Spain had brought. Ramon Carnicer was asked to write a new anthem, but keep the lyrical chorus. “Chile, your sky is pure blue, Pure breezes blow across you, And your fields, embroderied with flowers, Is a happy copy of Eden (Chorus) Gentle homeland, accept the vows, Given Chile, on your altar, That you will either be the tomb of the free, Or a refuge from oppression” Two years ago, my granddaughter Elizabeth spent 10 months in Punta Arenas, Chile as an international exchange student. Her Chilean family often served Polenta Cheese Spoonbread. Polenta Cheese Spoonbread 2 cups milk 2 teaspoons butter 1/2 cup polenta 1 1/2 cups shredded medium Cheddar cheese 4 eggs well beaten 1/2 teaspoon each, salt and paprika Heat milk and butter to scalding, add polenta and cook until it begins to thicken, stirring often. Remove from heat, stir in cheese and set aside. Beat eggs, then add spices. Add eggs to polenta, mix well, pour into buttered two quart casserole. Bake at 300 degrees for about one hour, until knife inserted in center comes out clean. Serve warm. DailyTidings.com Home Page Archives | Revels | Classifieds | Real Estate Guide | Weather | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2005 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Deep Muscle Stimulator Ceramic Piggy Banks FREE Entertainment Guide Women's & Men's Slippers Accelerate Weightloss Products Backpacks Generic Viagra Vegas Travel Guide Search Engine Optimization Sportsbook Absinthe Supply Student Loans Hotel & Airline Reservations African Safari Hammocks Helzberg Diamonds Online Casinos Community Bonus Casino King of Spirits ink cartridges Mortgage Calculator Security Systems Mailing Lists Click Here Advertisement .:Advertisements:. Site Search: RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams