Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1826-02-02
EXTRACT FROM LETTERS,


Ny last letter to you was written from
Lima, and we are now on our voyage
TO Chill; these frequent changes and ra-
pid succession of events, speed on the
weeks and months with such dizzyingl
rapidity that we scarcely take ANY note
of time;' but they pass away SO delight |
fully, and we enjoy so much that Isl
new and interesting, that our happiness
even appears to me almost an illusion.
We lived seven weeks in Lima, most
agreeably. Our mornings we're deVot-
ed to receiving visitors, and we found
the habits of taking siesta very insidi-
Gus, particularly as there were two or
three of those delightful low sofas in
each of our rooms,
About FIVE o'clock it was sufficiently
cool to exercise, and we then went out
chsUal, very agreeably attended, or
walked in the Amanda. There are
three of there public walks as wide as
Broadway, planted on each side with a
double row of trees, between which
constantly runs stream of pure water,
keeping them in continual serdure; in
the centre Of the principal one, there
are several handsome fountains of stone
with bronze figures. Although they
have such beautiful aud refreshing re
treats from the hustle and heat of the
city, yet the inhabitants are too indolent
to enjoy them; but the ladies' sometimes
go in their calesias Just before sunset.
and sit an hour or two to let the cool air
blow over them. On Sunday the Gus
tom is universal, they are then in full
dress, and occasionally step out OF their
carriages and take a seat upon the stone
benches, which are placed at short dis
tances; and upon these occasions they
perform the fan exercise with great dex
terity and grace, and showing their
beautiful formed hands and arms to
great advantage.
There are more agreeable and intel
ligent Foreigners in Lima at this time,
that at AM fsrner period. Many of
Bolivar;s officers are accomplished and
pleasing foreigners who speak English,
and we are never without society; and
the American character is held in such
respect that every one appears anxious
to show us the most ilatterng and polite
attentions.
There were two grand public balls
during the period of our stay: one given
by tue publ. authorities of the city, the
other by the Peruvian merchants, to the
Libertador, and both IN style of spien-
dour and nragmiccuce which had not
been equalled since he Spanish gran
dees were undispu;ed master of Peru.
The morning after our arrival Gene
raj Bolivar sent all his aids to welcome
US to 'the city of the kings,' and pre-
sent as his best respects. The oldest
of them the Marquis of -, boasts of
having sacrificed an 10 manse fortune
with titles and estates enlated upon his
family, in the cause of the Patria: he
said he came in the name Of his Excel
lency, thes Libertador. to welcome US to
Lima, and on his own part, to lay him
self, his family and his house at our feet
He then embraced US most alIe ction-
atelv. to our great amazement; but we
were told we must consider it as the
greatest honor paid to us. His dress
was bright red. and covered over with
gol emb, lery and lace.
lne first congress met the tenth OF
January, and the occasion was so inter
esting that we excepted the invitation of
La sonora P, to accompany her.
She was very much disturbed at the
thought of our going away without a
saga y-manto, and insisted upon bor-
rowing them for the occasional but when
| told her we had long black wells, her
prejudices were in some degree flatter
ed and after arranging them first one
way and then another, she concluded
they were 'bueno' 'uy-bcnite'! One
fact, which most strikingly illustrates
the change which has taken place I'M
this country is, that the building of the
Enquisition is now the place where all
the public assemblies are held, the ball
given, and the Lancastarian school isl
kept. The principal hall was appropri-
ated for the meeting of the Congress-
The building is immensely large, front
ing one of the public squares.
As these people are SO fond of page
ants, great efforts had been made to en-
behsh the square; temple was erected
in the centre, with an equestrian statue
OF Bolivar, and many emblematic paint, !
ings were placed upon the fountains
Six hundred of the Colombian cavalry |
and several commands Of infantry. all !