Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1872-06-22
LETTERS OF A TRAVELLER,
NJ VI BkR ~.


LIMA, May .. 1872.
Ed. STANDARD: Peru is reac he'd. We
stand upon Pizarro's land of silver and
gold.
don't see much Of these, however, but
a great deal Of copper aud paper money
In fact went to fruit woman, directly
sfter landing, to purchase a few bananas !;
l presented a four dollar bill in payment
aud she nearly loaded me down with COP.
pers. l told her wanted silver change.
bat she replied no intenda. l supposed
then she meant that she did not intend
to give it to me, 50 ! went away with
heavy heart and heavier pockets. Since
then have learned that no ;ntenda means
Il don't understand You" How VIC
live and learn" in this progressive age.
But Peru l suppose is rich country.
We cannot think otherwise when we see
the great progress of railroads on every
side, the enormous amount of shipping
that is carried on to and from her ports,
asd that her paper money is "just as good
as gold" though torn apart or one-third
gone. Peruvians will receive bill that is
mutilated 10 this manner when they will
refuse gold or silver piece with hole in
it the size Of button. hole. Another proof
of her wealth aud stability is that she has
lately negotiated new loan in Europe for
thirty-6ve million pounds sterling, with
the very best security. But to Peruvians
belong no credit for her present popularity
and thrift. The construction of railroads
has made Peru what she is, and foreigners
built the railroads. Take away this for.
eign enterprise aud Peru is several centu.
ries behind the present. age. In the valleys
there are beautiful roads, but not even a
freight wagon to transport the produce to
market. Donkeys by thousands, old aud
gray, 90 trudging along loaded with every
conceivable kind of freight. Even lumber
that comes from your Puget Sound, l have
seen lashed upon the backs of these little
ancients, aud packed for miles. There arc
many large sugar and cotton plantations
here, but instead Of the steam or gang
pillow or the " Boston Clipper" or " Prairie
Schooner" arc the old wooden "gougers,"
that we only SEQ 10 representation of inple-
ments belonging to ages that are behind in
time. There is no machinery with the
exception Of what has been iutrod uced in
the last few years, and that in connection
with the railroads. In Lima, u city Of
25O, 900 inhabitants, and with beautiful
natural water power, there is not factory
Of any kind. Even the Peruvian money
is Of foreign coinage. But the
CITY OF LIMA,
What is it? Though q city of over
three hundred years of age, here we find
no crumbling or moss covered walls, no
creeping vines over lattices of stone, no
neglected tenements. Everything is new,
at least it looks so. The buildings, am
told are all painted, at least once year.
There are many beautiful and tasty residen.
ces, but all Of pure Spanish style. In front
of each one is kind Of private plaza, paved
with cobble stone and often ornamented
with other kinds Of stone, or bones of fishes
and shells. At the rear Of this about fifty
feet from the street is the residence. 1t has
a balcony on every side If possible and ono
for each story above the ground -four
The walls are thick, so as to be damag ed
as little as possible by the earthquakes
The buildings are seldom over two stories
and never over three.
Among tho antiquities of Lima is the
cathedral, and the bridge across the Rio
Rimac. The former is said to be three
hundred years old. On the tombstones
inside are very ancient dates, but saw
none to prove its reputcd age. Below the
ground floor are vast catecombs, containing
the bones and ashes of many thousands
We are shown around here, for We can not
trust ourselves in these labyrinths without
a guide. We halt by the side of large
skeleton and ask our guide who it is.
Pizarro," he replies. and asks if we
dou't want piece Of the shroud-can
have q little piece for four reils (40 cts).
But We did not care for four reils, worth of
that shroud we knew that Pizarro was too
much hated by the Peruvians to rest qui.
city in the cathedral, and besides we had
been reminded the trick. The bridge was
built by Pisarro, aud is continuation of
the main street of Lima which leads to the
gardens, and the arena. 1t is au arched
and pier stone structure, and is provided
with foot walk on each sido. 1t lie agreat
public resort and every evening hundreds
Of the people Of Lima can he seen prome-
nadiug on its walks, or taking their ease
on the seats, which I suppose that Pizarro
provided too for the comfort Of these
people that declare their hatred against
him. Last Thursday, the I'd Of May, was
the anniversary Of Peruvian independence.
% that day Congress assembled, and on
Sunday the election Of President took
place. The acting President says he shall
retain the seat and has the military to sup
port him. The President elect, backed by
the masses Of the people, also claims the
position. Who will be successful 10 oh.
tanning the place will probably be decided
by force of arms. In my next may be
able to give you the result. j. H.
| HUNTING ExTRAORDTNARY.-A San
| Erancisco dispatch of the 18th savs that a