Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1853-10-05

aperfect cncampment Of the vendors Of sweet
meats, &C., the conversation turned upon h.
dies, and after some curious arguments, and
natuically expressed opinions, we came to
the conclusion that we would certainly be
very much in danger Of falling desperately
in love with some Of our Yankee girls at Grst
sight for truly we know not how charming
lly beautiful and Intellectually superior our
American ladies are, till we visit those ports,
and compare them. Both here and in Val
paraiso female beauty appears more slriking
on account Of the universal LONELINESS Of the
men, who are usually thin, spare-buils, con-
sumptive-looking, mostachiod, revenesfnl,
animals, who puff away brief existence
with cigarritas. We see not shade Of our
native fraukness, except we meet lusty far
mer at his own house.
Formerly the road from Callao to Lama,
was broad, well-paved, and beautiful one
and from within one mile Of the Capitol, was
bordered with fruit groves, and we'll cultiva-
ted flower gardens, while long rows Of wide
spreading trees, shading the whole road
numbers Of the feathered songstsrs pouring
forth their gay carols and the huge, an
tique, stone seats, which At every twenty or
thirty yards were placed, alike for the &C.
comodation Of the weary traveller, and those
whom the soft shades of evening would tempt
to enjoy promenade rendered the alamo
da del Cdllao, the most inviting retreat Of
which this magnificent Capital could boast.
Nor, the progressive spirit of the age has
obliterated almost every trace Of this lovely
pasea, and the Iron Horse has usurped the
place Of the Omnibus Nearer to, and be-
tween, Callao and the Tdmbo, or La Legua,
las it is oftener called, from being distant but
league from either city, the country is
divided into small fields, by fencing of a
species Of stunted willow, and there the trop-
ical fruits grow most luxuriantly, intersper-
sed with various vegetables, amongst which
the Camote, or sweet potato, is most album
dant. Vegetation, as on the lovely island Of
Madeira, varies according to the elevation
for instance, in the lowest grounds, oranges,
lemons, and citrons are found further up,
pomegranites, figs and bananas flourish /;
still higher, our temperate fruits are grown;
while the potato will not condescend to rear
it's verdant head unless it occupies a posi-
ton higher than all While observing these
things, we were attracted by sounds of what
we deemed mourning, towards rough bam-
boo casa, over which the Peruvian tricolor,
at half-mast, revealed in tho braning noun
tain breeze curious to know what the en-
blem was, in such place, we crossed the
field, and soon were at the door. Here we
beheld, instead of spiritual exercises for the
dead, as lively party as ever cracked a
champagne bottle, making sad havoc among
sundry piles of fruits, and dirers bottles Of
Vino Mosta, while in an adjoining saloon,
sundry dipers, were removing from their FL
thy little carcases, sundry patches ofmother
earth, which had accumulated thro' the de-
iciency of the emblem of truth In plain
English, it was bathing establishment, and
picnic party were shielding their revcls''
therein. Being very pressingly invited ia
join them, we were forced to partake of some
wine and fruit, but respectfully declined fur
Their participation; and having satisfied oul
curiosity, and chatted short time with them
We held on our way towards Bella Vista, a
little bamboo town where the hogs and dogs
were only exceeded in number and filth BY
the buzzards and children. Making .
lengthy detour, in which we crossed several
small bridges made of the horns of cattle, We
entered the city by the forts and noticing
some very fine paintings in public house
we entered to examine them and certainly
they were chess d'ouvres one was Pharoal
and his host destroyed in the Red Sea, tn,
other the Deluge. On inquiring the prices
we were told fifty ounces, f$S50.OO) each
We declined investing so much in such stock
vamosed, and returned on board sufficiently
amused.
The following day the st. Mary's got I'M
derway, in obedience to the orders of oul
Commodore, communicated thro' the bunt
ing signals, and under q fresh topsail breeze
stood away for San Francisco, homcwart
bound, via the East Indies, amid the cheers
Of every man-of-war in the harbor! Almos
ere she had made an offing, little Hamburg
brig ran ashore on the Whales Back, oppo-
site the Camo'tal a long, shallow ravine
and just abreast Of Ell Frontoa, while OF
her passage to the Chinces she too, was sold
That gloomy relic oftho terrific earthquake o
TAG, San Lorenzo, that evening, hid hel
gloomy summit behind light veil of Aeecy
clouds, contrasting strongly with the dismal
base, which seemed to be in mourning fo