New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-21
NETWORK DAILY TRIBUNE FRIDAY OCTOBER 81, 1881

The guano deposits on the coast really proved the
ruin of Peru. These persons were pensioners or
oiice-holders of "a Government that was almost en-
trey supported by tho proceeds lfbm these deposits
which were worked. by Chinese coolies. AS tho
people were not taxed to support this class they
were Indifferent TO official corruption and the whole
people grew up IN idleness and ignorance. Laws
relating 10 the collection Of duties and TO the APP
pontment OF officers tor the newly acquired nitrate
deposits have already occasionol fierce discussions
IN the Chllian Congress, and Seuator very
wisely reminded bus brother legislators that puano
had been the ruin OF Peru and warned them not TO
allow it TO become such an important monopoly OF
the state to cugender like corruption among its
officials.
TRIP AMONG TIE MOUNTAINS
The OrOys Railroad mentioned above extends at
present from Lima to Chcla. The rich mines of
Oroya are the objective po mt, hut it will cos; ten
million soles to complete the road, and there is no
money in the country with which to 10 it.
Several weeks ago I took trip this road
which was most interesting experience. For some
distance beyond the city the most beautiful gardens
skirted tho road and extended far the eye
could reach either side. Occasionally the spark
lhg waters oi the Rmac flashed upon the eye. CIV
ing an additional charm to the Ian Escape AT Santa
Clara we came upon mr fields of sugarcane,
and magnificent mills and warehouses of an English
coinpanys hacienda. The machinery alone of these
lCIils cost million dollars. incluln the railroads
and hand-cars for the sugaracane fields. All were
made ut phila'leplna. TINS very gratifying to
us rs IL Indicated - superiority of American ma
chinery III respects from the fact that the Eng
sh have deep-rooted prejudice against all foreign
machinery.
Chosca is the next town of interest. 1t is q
health resort which the Chillans have since appro
! priated aud abandoned ITuou tbe adjoining NOM
tam slopes are old Inca terraces hat formerly
| bossoming gardens, hut degenerate SpanIards
allowed the irlgat on works TO 80 TO ruin as they
/ ll.sn "a = lfin M nav
slopes ct the CorailleraS are rs barren lose OF
| the Sierra Nevada. The ascent from Chosica be-
comes more rapid and the valley uarrower: at San
! Bartolulni some grass appears upon the races
show ing that We had reached region where occa-
sional rams fall. AT Tins point the mountain slope
Is so steep that it Is asccn ted by means OF switch
back, or v and When near the crest It is tunntlled
partakng OF theV Mt one OF the booths we noticed
several large jars containing req liquid which ap
peattd 20 lie Ill great demand with the natives. and
| was known to them by the name OF chicha. 1t
looked very attractive and we concluded to try It,
put very pleasant t" tie taste. Its mode of manu-
facture IS peou!iar. According TO the ConsuPs de-
come together to gossip aud while engaged in that
| agreeable paStlme chew a species OF rel corn that
deposited in a large tub. Water ami syrup are
| added, and the mixture is allowed to fermenl. 1t
Is needless TO add we Will eschew that kind OF beer
| i'll future.
| Our next stopping place Metucana. Beyond
that the road becomes very steep, and the cuts inn
Intensely deep. At one point large rock ovefhangs
| the road Jutting out IRON the morntaln-slne.
| Switch backs. tunnels and bridges become fire.
Quent three tracks one above tie other often being
visible on the same mountain side. In other aces
the slope being almost perpcndi cular, the rvcr Is
crossed and the road the ascent op-
poslte direction. AT one point the bank OF tue
| river, which was subject to overflow. beng desired
Ior the Ioad-bed, the rocky mountain WAS tunneled
| some distance beyond, and the stream turned
through the tunnel. The 2randesI scene oi all Is at
| feet wide aud nearly geo feet deep, with the rock
| perpendicular each side, and the kiuac, here II
| foamlng mountain torrent, rushing below. Tie
| from IL ~ grand beyond description. on to tho
right IN seen SIee, mountain gorge 1000 feet
| nigh, with foamiug torrent and tower noun
talns on either side. To the lett perpendicular walls
! Oh rock present themselves, placed in IA curve
regular us though land out Ivy gromrt rician. The
| bridge Is approached 10y tunnel from either
stte ana IL Is bulit upon IRON trcstle-work though
| presenting remarkable advantages ior suspen ION
| bridge. la cutting these tunnels mon were lowered
| oY ropes from The top of the prcciplces and many
lives were lost but this di not deter other NOUN
| taineers from taking their places. which they aid
gurges lecomr very narrow and the mountain sides
extremely steep. Being lii lie region Of rainlalls
| they are covered with verdure and ought to sup
port an energetic pppulatinn instea OF ignorant In
dams. At Chita our Journey ended. TIE road has
| been graded and great deal of work has been
done upnn IL all the way to the mines OF Oroya, Iut
The mines are very rich, ANA II once we'll opened
| they would be a profitable Investment
We passed q most uncnm oTtahie night at Chicla,
| and the next morning. having opportunity to
% 10, rather than wait until evening len the
| regular train lett the place. Our experience was
| novel, and the view obtained unparalleled. We
travelled sometimes at the rate oi iOrty miles
hour, and reached Lima in safety but COnsideTL ly
| shaken mp. THIS l. the only expedition we have
| made outside of Lima, and il will PROBABLY be cur
last for time to come. the lawless condition
OF the country renders travelling unsafe.
|