, 1877-05-19
FAMILIAR TALK.
CUXCO, IN PERU.

Ono Ia aurprised with tho singular statement
by Mr. Bquier, TINT Cuzco, the second largest
city In PERT. Is less known to tho Inhabitants Of
Linn than Is l}erltn aud that hundred natives
OF the Capital visit Paris where ono visits this
ancient seat OF the Government OF tho Inca
Empire. Tho reason for these curious facts is
found in tho inaccessible situation Of CuEco. It
IL approached from tho west by the Port Of
1slay, and by tho route forty miles iu length,
leading to Arcquipa, aud thence 200mtles north
warl to tue Valley Of Cuxco. The city ID sttu-
atetl at tho northern eud ot the valley, "on the
lower slopes Of thsco high hills. where ~ many
rtyulets coming together, like the fingers Of an
outspread l,anl, unto 10 form the Cachimayo."
Its sito Ia elevated 1850 feet above tho Sea,
and It Is cncirclcl by lofty, snow.ctad
mountains.
Unlike Linn, Cuzco enjoys healthy climate,
With temperature laka that og the south OF
France. Tug winter, which lasts from May ~
earth Is nearly barron OF vegetation. tbs pro-
ducts Of tho cool temperate xonc rtpen In tho
valley, while in less eluyatcd spots, not moro
tl,an twenty miles distant, thu sem1~tropieal
fruits ntu produced ta abundance.
Mr.. 6qulcr, from whom, most Of these parttc.
ula.s a1a ebtalnedt estimates the population Of
Cuzco at q. .UD, With all equal number scattered
throug! tlo yal!ey sevenseigatha o. ne iohani
Is amost purely indian. Tho city Is tho seat Of
lllshoprtc, university, a prefecture, aud gar
r'so,,. II caataius .h!sty churches snd eleven
conycnts, all of Which are we'll built, md Law
i.Ily decorated IN ,l!o interior will Old paint
ei tasita Hsl ssInes sfS Tno noae1n ey y /. " ehef M
~ Of apantsh ortgit, and !ta edlarca
are substantial and handsome In cdpstF,ic'
ton. Tho arvh'teet4re l. principally Of tls
Moorish type, and "The houses are built around
courts with open corridors, supported by DELI
cate columns, into which open tho apartments
Frontal anu tho Rround-foo51 0ro used Is shops
opening oil the streets.
Tho streets Of the city an nolsome1y filthy,
Of every tort Of offensive garbage. 1n thls lofty
region tho buxzarsl s not found, and his services
% q syaTeNgef ass gfteyouAly ns!agc1. The
| panteot, Or cetnetcry Of Cuzeo, situated out
| aldo tho city. IL surrounded by high whito
wall, through which latga gateway allows ad-
| btdic2 Of tho dead III oyens III tho wall, whcro
| &hey continue fur year Or two, after which tho
remains aFu withdraw, and burned ur buEitd
| without ceremony.
Mr. sqaier says Of, tho style Of living ~
Cu1co, "rhere i* hardly anything that ca,i b.
pltabls and unaffected, md much more frank
and easy In fnRnuer than tho corresponding
] class in tho towns on tho coast, Where native
manners have been aacrtAccd III vain attclnnt "a
Old families live in Considerable style, sud ,hclt
houses arc filled With real elegance. a few oi
| them retain apartments with heavy damask and
| embroidered hangtngs, and thu rich and massive
! furniture and carvings Of eU years ago. when tlt
nobility aud wealth u Peru VA concentrated
thoroughly Frcnch style. With great mirrors,
| lnlaid wasdsobes, aid grand pianos. that have
bten brought up, wtth inAnlte labor and u
almost fabulous eust, from tho coast"