Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1825-11-10
From the Philadelphia GazstteNs

The following letterfroma gentlemaninP Pc
ru to his friend in this city, has been kindly
communicated for publication
Lima, 25th July, ls25.-I write TO you
from the city Of Kings and the garden
of eternal summer; where rain is I'M
known, but vegetation enjoys uninter-
rupted health cherished by nightly
dews.
Lima is proverbially called, the Flea
ven of Ladies-The Purgatory IF Men
and the Hell of Jack Asses.
The Ladies enjo supreme authority
and unbounded indulgence in every
wish-The men are their humble SER
wants, and in their amours suffer every
pain the most artful coquetry can in
flict. The Jack Asses ought surely to
be rewarded hereafter for their dread
full and unmeritcd suffcrings here
Loaded so they can scarcely stand, they
are spurred, dashed, and stabbed until
they drop dead under The torture. But
this is SO common that no further trou-
bic is taken than to remove the load and
let them lie III the roads which are lined
with their dead bodies.
/ Lima is said to be corruption oil
! Rimac, the Indian name of a small river
which passes through the city. In the
primitive language of the country Ri
mac signifies he ,oho speaks, and tradi-
ton says that the aborigines believed
the steat spirit occasionally visited Pc
ri TO ascertain the number Of his elect,
and that his footsteps rent the noun
tains and made the earth tremble; and
when it happened, their custom was to
run out I'D cry here AMI
The cause of the earth's trembling is
now better understood, and the cry is
changed TO Niserecordia.
There is ceremony observed by Ca
tholics watch has sublime effect
Every day at an appointed hour about
sun setting time, amidst the din and
hustle OF large city, the Cathedral
bell sounds-and instantly all life is
still. The most profound silence
reigns. Passengers stand in the streets
and uncover their heads: Horses and
all animals under control are instantly
stopped: the noisy laugh, the mlrlhiui
Jest and the sober conversation, all
cease; and every countenance assumes
grave appearance--All mankind are
at that moment engaged in prayers of
devotion-The Bell sounds second
time, and "a third; and instantly follows
peal. IT'S then done; and life again
resumes activity.
The walking dress of the Ladies in
Lima is remarkable. 1t consists Of TWO
garments called the saya y manta. The
former is petticoat OF close net work
which fits tight to the form from the
waist down nearly to the-ancles The
manta is q black silk hood tied round
the waist with drawing string, and
carried back over the head, the hands
underneath ele, ated to the cheeks and
clasping the mantle closely around the
fee, which is entirely concealed, sx-
oept one eye that can scarcely be seen
through small opening from which II
peeps.
The Ladies signify their approba-
ton of gentleman by pushing the lit
lie finger through the aperture for the
eye and gracefully curling it towards
The face.
This dressais so complete disguise
that the ladies' in the street can pass
unknown ,qsAhsir most intimate rela-
''' n;n. d H., p,..sD, .sos, co.
600 innabi 2s6ts, sbut the number has
been much'feductd by the departure Of
old spania9Jl5who fed from 'he revo-
/ he cityFexhib:ls the remains OF
much grandeur and must have contain
ed immense wealth. Al This time the
most common utensils of the old inha-
bitants are generally of solid gold and
silver.
The Buildings are generally two sto-
ries high with Pa,ios or conrr yards,
terrace roofs balustraded, all built of
massive stone work, except the doors
and raiters, and yerandas projecting
into the streets. The floors are all of
large bricks or tiles. Every house is
enclosed by heavy stone wall which
includes the garden, and is generally
ornamented outside and inside with
paintings representing Bull fights, Cha
ses, Feasts, &c.
The Churches are built in the Gothic
style, and generally covered on the out
side with roughly carved work which
has rich and very ornamental appear
ance a. little distance but will not
bear close investigation.-They are all
raised with cupolas, and steeples full
of bells, which are rung on every occa-
sion and frequently without occasion,
The insides are decorated with statues
and paintings in every part, and TIE
most costly furniture; which ali the
contributions levied in the late war have
not reduced so much as TO perlni, =