National Republican., 1883-08-15
a TRIP TO PERU.
The Pleasures and Pains Of the Journey
from New York 10 Aspinwnll-The Last
Named CITY and Ita Curious Features.
Spcctcu Letter.

SDcctu Letter.
CALLAo PERU, July 16.--We left New
York June q on the fine steamer City of
Para, and standing on her spacious deck we
watched the familiar shores pass by and
finally fade from our sight. When they had
entirely disappeared our thoughts, which had
been SO sad before, became brighter and Sc
cure in The knowledge that our exile was to
last but few briefyears. We began to study
our companions and surroundings, and find
ing both very agreeable, we soon settled
down to our usual occupation of enjoying the
fleeting hours to the utmost and getting all
possible pleasure out of them.
The sea was smooth, and the days-long,
bright, and warm-passed rapidly by until
the fifth day out, when San Salvador sud
denly appeared, and as we passed quite close
we had an excellent opportunity Of eNamin-
ing this beautiful spot whore Columbus first
landed. No wonder he was enchanted and
saw tho future through golden haze if he
considered this a specimen of the worlds to
conquer that lay waiting for him in the un.
known west.
The sixth day we saw the eastern end of
Cuba, green rs an emerald, with low bluffs
and reaches Of sand on the coast and gradu-
ally rising hills beyond, until the mountains
rose far inland, seeming bar to our inquisi-
tive eyes, which would tain have fingered
longer on the hills and valleys OF the queen
of the Antilles. This was our last sight of
land until we neared Aspinwall, which looked
so white and inviting as it was illumined by
the brilliant sunshine SUR ouuded by waving
palms and dense tropical growth.
Aspinwall is true eXemplifcation of the
saying "All is not gold that glitters," and
when we went ashore to mail our letters and
inspect the town we were disillusioned
There are two streets running the length of
tho town, paved with rubbish aud bottles,
chiefly bottles, fall kinds and sizes, and in all
stages of disrepair, and, it being tho rainy
season, there were frequent puddles which
one crossed on varied pieces OF board. The
houses were of all kinds, but mostly stucco,
and not more than two stories high. Stores
were very numerous, and liquors were dis
pensed Mt fully half of them, yet we saw.no
one under the influence of them, and the peo-
pie seemed quiet and well behaved.
All the short cross streets ended in marsh,
which did not look very inviting in spite of
its being covered with green plants and n
vine in full bloom, having q very sweet white
flower that looked and smelled like an exag-
gerated single jessamine. Near tho beach, to
the left OF the town, stood n monument to As
pinwall and three other men who were asso
clated with him in building tho railway
Then came the church, built of stone and in
teresting especially because of its general air
tageswith little gardens at the back, and way
on beyond was the largo French hospital,
which cost S150,000. 1t is painted gray and
stands well away from the town. Near the
steamboat wharf is quite large garden, prin-
cipally filled with coleus of all varieties grow
ing luxuriantly and shaded by tamarind,
breadfruit tomato, cocoanut and date palm
trees. In other parts of the town we saw sea-
grape and quantities of cocoanut trees The
cocoanuts were in all stages of growth from
the bunch of long yellow blossoms to the per-
fected fruit
We stopped in front of the barracks and
noticed the peculiar outfit of the soldiers
with great amusement. Regular uniform
they had none, yet there was evidently an at
tempt at red Jackets and military caps. The
officer in command was only Oistinguishable
by his cap, which sat well on the back of his
head, displaying n luxuriant growth of curls
and his sword The men were short, swarthy,
sturdy looking fellows, and the clothes were
many sizes too large and long.
| The railway station is on the street in front
Of the Railway office. 1t was very warm and
there were some cases of yellow fever about
so We did not walk up to the French settle
ment at the mouth of Fox river especially as
we were told we could see it all from the car.
the next morning, so we returned to the
steamer and spent the night with the mos.
| quitoes. MARGUERITE DICKINs.