American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-02-07
EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS
Written by Lady in to her Friend IN the
United States.


Rmac, in beautiful valley of the same name' s'x
miles from the port OF Callao and covers great
extent of ground; il is surrounded by wall Blk
miles in circumference the streets are VIDE, and
through all the principal ones runs stream OF
wafer, which is supplied by Inc meNihe OF 'he
SHOWS on the mountains, where the Kimac taxes us
rise, and flows with great rapldity. l ne cahas
which conduct it through the streets are about three
feet wide, and with little industry they might be
kept ia the greatest neatness; but hundreds OF lazy
creatures are seen lying at every corner, while the
dogs and turkey buzzard, are the only scavengers.
The houses in general are built oil mud, bricks
and reeds, plaster ed over with mud, which IS haid.
eDed by the heat OF the sun, and forms lasting coat,
which has the appearance OF dark stone; some OF
them are splendid, and the interior Of many, magnlt-
cent? the street door, which is double and very massy
opens into square or court, around when Inc
house is built in all the houses there are two
COURTS and 10 the best hree ard even iour the view
from the door, across the court through the outer
door, which generally Of glass; set in gilt frame,
is continued through three large glass doors opening
in right line with each other, the last OF which
opens upon the inner court against the walls oil
which is painted device often colonades WIN
fountains and variety of beautiful shrubs and How.
ers and orange trees, which produce charming and
picturesque effect.
The houses are generally of one, and none more
than TWO stories high, the upper ones are called
aars, and only extend IN front; the roots are iia,
and covered with clay the rooms are very Lofty.
seven and eight communit ating by glass doots IN
gilt frames mirrors reach from the top TO the floor;
chandeliers are hung n the centre Of each room,
and when lighted. produce magical and panoramic
effect The floors made OF square brick, covered
IN the middle with rich carpet; all ound The rooms
low sofas oil crimson velvet or satin, and by each
], laid straw mat; and whenever guest OF any dis
tinction enters, otlumans placed Tor the ieet,
and invariably little silver vase in which kind Of
incense OF delightful udour is burning, is brought
and sci upon table.
Wiihin the city, are many extensive gardens,
where the choicest flowers blossom and fruit Of al
most every kind attains the highest perfection !;
hut most Of these gardens belong to and attached
u he cenvents.
It's very interesting to observe how charmingly
nature has supplied The absence Of rain, TO the
beautiful valley Of Rlmac From the base Of
the mountains TO the sea, the land has gradual
descent, and is irrigated al pleasure, in every
direction. with the most trfng labor and although
Lima stands more than 500 feet above the level OF
the sea, yet perfectly inclined is this plain tina,
II gong TO Calao, you actually appear descending
to he city
From June u November, (wnter) the sun is OBJ
scured and during that time at night, the ground is
molstened by heavy mist like that which we call
Scotch mist; '-the temperature OF the climate in
the valley OF Rimac is charming; the heat is never
oppressive in the houses, and at night blanket is
never too warm.
FRUITS peculiar to the country, those Of the TEN
perate well Of the tropical zone, to be found
at all seasons in the Lima market Tor such is the
wonderful variety OF climate within shor, distance,
that when summer prevails in the valiies, winter
rules 10 the mountains, and so sice-versa
The most delicious tiut peculiar TO Peru, is the
cher moynd,f resembling In shape pine apple, OIL
dark green colour, with black spots upon he skin
the pulp is like soft melon, very white, and i:
said to be in favour,like the finest strawberre.
and cream, but | cannot learn to love it, and an
Obliged TO acknowledge even to the Peruyians, tina
! cp not.
We have found the inhabitants very amiable ant
kind hearted; they have uncommon naivete and cour
tesy oil manner, and are really quite captivating bu
they are entirely without intellectual cultivation
although they appear to possess lively and briian
inaginatons, and great natural good sense.
But what could BE- expected from people eithe
moral or intellectual, who have groaned for centuries
under the most cruel and degrading despotism
Nothing is wanted 6u liberal and enlightene,
government, aud the ordeal Of public opinion wou
eject radical change.
A most singular and disgusting dress is worn b.
the females OF Lima in the Streets called the saya
y,nan'o" it is peculiar to. and is worn only b
them; it consists oi peticoat OF silk or bombazint
LAID in 6ne plats and drawn together underneat
with silk they SO thckly laid that the dress
elastic, and defines the figure as nicely as possible
this is confined in binding just large enoug
10 hook round the waist and reach to the ANGLES
they are generally black or brown, but the lowe
classes wear them OF light coors, much ornament
ed with lace and pearls black silk mantle, q
thick elastic gauze is then tied round the waist, an
drawn up behind over The head like hood or trar
csssock, conceallng the arms, aud so held by Ii
hand as to completely hide every part of the fac
except ono eye
II is worn as our pelisses over the ordinary dres
and is not only nelegant, but extremely indelicate
lit forms such perfect mask tina, no man know
his wife or dauphter. and alInrds snch q disnni,