New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-02-08
PERU.
10 N. Y. Tneu1e.

-.,tarv the first expedition Of Pizarro from rama
ma for discovery and conquest IN south AinericS'
...,orsd a, the mouth of Tumbes river, and visit
"A The ancient town of the same name, the deserted
.a,e At which lies about six miles from the present
village. There recently saw stone ruins OF houses
whose straight walls and excellent masonry are IN
sptely superior to any architectural performances
Of which the present inhabitants of its neighbor-
Aoed are capable. have seen, also, silver orna-
nents Of rude workmanship, and rough specimens
of pottery which had been taken from these rulns'
Irregular mounds rise in the neighborhood, which
might Weld harvest TO the antiquary, but do
not know Of their having been explored.
The old Town of Tumbes was deserted, and tne
present place has grown up in consequence Vi
shapee of current in the river; the old orahcn Is
nov dry. and Tumbes Of to-day lies on the banks
Of a pretty stream, where probably no water was
IN the DAYS of the Incas and such is the nature OF
the ground and tbe currents that / should not DC
surpri,ed. if twenty years hence it should break
cut in new spot and require another clShge III
the location of the village. The present town OIL
Tumbes lies about FIVE miles from the mouth OF
the river as the bee flies, but eight or nine miles by
the river circuit Launches of about 80 tuns can
ascend 10 the town most of the year, and larger
craft could reach nearly 10 the same point cOuld
they but pass the bar at the mouth. The town
consists q from 100 to $50 cane houses and cane
church.
The people who nhabit these houses are, take
them all together, probably the LATEST meaDest,
most rascally, ignorant and corrupt population oil
which il is possible 10 conceive. speak OF them
"a whole and include the agricultural p0Puia-
ton of North Peru and South Ecuador Ihere
are of course exceptions, and l have seen Ia,
stances Of simple honesty among them which ala
honor 10 human nature; but have never seen
nor heard of an industrious person. No improve
ment can be expected in the political condition OF
this wretched republic until its agricultural and
laboring population 10 replaced by more enter
prising and Industrious people. say replaced be,
cause am inclined to believe that the present
race is now so low in physical, intellectual and
moral constitution as TO be incapable OF improve
ment under the existing climate and political ad-
miDistratiOn Of Peru; and the latter they have
neither the disposition nor intelligence to reform
The rustic population of Peru depend upon their
labor and stealing for subsistence (under the term
stealing" include all sorts OF cheaing); butthey
are only petty thieves and very clumsy ones; they
however feel shame in being detected, unless at
the same time the stolen property is recovered. AS
for labor they do not work half the year One fourth
sfall the year is occupied by the church holidays,
(including Sundays), and more than one fourth is
wasted in the days after the feasts. Monday ls
usually counted as equal to hall days work, such
~ their work is, and an lrisbman or slave IN the
United States would count that holiday IN which
his task did not exceed two days work of Peru
Wan peon.
On birth or saints days, of persons whom
they wish to compliment it is usual for the friends
TO club together and purchase quantity OF liquors,
which they send to the house; they generally
meet there in the morning and spend the day some
a, o,,a init atQlV
The host sets the best dinner his means afford, at
about o'clock p. m; then commences the drink
ing; ut dark dancing commences which lasts till
daylight. At these, and all similar gatherings, the
ladies make il point to get as manypeople drunk
AZ possible. The way they do it is as follows:
They ask every man to drink with them; they give
him the strongest liquor and they themselves take
the weakest If the victim is not up to their lodges
they will only touch their lips to the wine, without
tasting; il be insists upon their taking glass f0r
glass, they viii drain the glass but lInmediaVely
wipe the mouth with dark cOlored kerchief, or
IN their sbaws, and discharge every drop OF the
wine into that. l have seen very pretty girl
with her shawl and handkerchief both wringing
wet with wine and sweet cOrdias. They are usu-
ally of cotton or bandans silk, and can therefore
be washed without material damage. Sometimes,
however, the intended victim proves too smart,
and knowing the trick, seizes both the fair tempt
er's hands, holds them until she has swallowed
the liquor and opened her mouth and spoken,
which is the only sure test, and even that is not
always sure.
The population Of Peru, like that of Chill, Bo-
hvia, aud Ecuador consists OF q rery few OF pure
Spanish extraction, a great many of q mixture OF
Spanish and Indian, with quite frequently dash
Of the negro, cross Of the negro aud Indian, and
few pure Indians. The color varies from dark
brunette, through various shades of yellow and
mahogany color, to glossy black In the words Of
one Of our classic lyrics,
=" Some are black and some are bscke,
And come are de color oh e chaw o tebscker|
The morals Of the Peruvian population are Pc
euliar to that country.
A woman does not become an outcast as soon
~ ID is known that sAe can no longer braid her
hair with the virgin snoOd," while she has yet
no right TO the title of wife. An immense number
form connections Of convenience; indeed, l do
not suppose that more than one half OF the couples
who are now living together in the rustic districts
Of Peru are married. A pretty girl prefers such
connection with q man who is well of, and will
give her a comfortable house, pretty dresses and
servants, TO marrying with one of her own class,
although she knows that the former arrangement
will be only temporary. She probably gains caste
by the step. She certainly gains in pecuniary
point of view and is not subject to the awful
drudgery and often cruelty incident TO the married
life Of pson family. She lets hereafter take care
Of itself. The number OF illegitimste children as
compared with the legitimate is incredible. The
former seems to be the rule, the latter the excep
ton. am acquainted with q man whose business
has for many years called him frequently TO four
different towns from 90 to 200 miles apart In each
Of these towns he keeps house the mistress of
which has borne him large family of children.
At the house Of cura where frequently visited.
m one town where tarried, / was introduced TO
two pretty girls as his .e'ces. aiterwsrd learned