The Washington herald., 1912-11-03

number Of chapels dedicated to the
sacred objects OF Peruvian worship, and
from II fell on a series of terraces down
to the river below. forming the famous
Gardens Of the Sun. The inner walls
were plated with gold. and at one end
OF the temple proper (Which occupied
one side of the COURT. was a huge plate
OF gold. representing the sun. On the
other sides were the chapels of the
Moon. Venus. the Pleiades, the Thunder.
the Lightning. and the Rainbow. There
were also apartments for the priests. and
a large room for the supreme pontif.
LarGest Lake In World.
A journey Of about 200 miles southwark
from Cuzco brings the traveller to the
northern shore of one Of the largest
bodies Of fresh water In the world-the
celebrated Lake Titicaca. which. Of a
very irregular oval shape. 10 I'D miles in
length. 1t has eight islands. the largest
Of which Is the sacred island Of ancient
Peru. To II the Incas traced their origin.
For here 1t was that Nance Capac and
Mama Ocllo. children of the Sun, were
commissioned by that luminary to go
forth AMI instruct in arts. religion. and
government the savage tribes which at
that time occupied the country.
On this island are still to be seen the
~
as the ruins OF royal palace and other
once-magnificent buildings. At the north
end 10 rock-the most sacred spot in
all Peru. Upon ii according to the an
cient belief no bird would alight or ami
NAL venture. nor human being dare TO
place his foot. Tradition said that its
hollows gave TO the children Of the Sun
their first shelter after their arrival on
the earth. To-day II bears the aspect
of nothing more than a weather-worm
mass Of red sandstone. but in early days
It was plated all over with gold and
silver, and was covered, except on oc-
casions OF most solemn festival. with a
veil Of cloth of richest color and ma
terial
Six miles distant is the island Of Coati.
sacred to the Moon 1the wife Of the SUM.
on which IL the palace Of the Virgins of
the Sun-one Of the best preserved and
most remarkable remnants Of aboriginal
architecture on this continent. Within
II are two chambers. which contained.
respectively. the golden statue of the
Sun and the silver statue Of the Moon.
which were unveiled on occasions when
the people came to worship. There still
remain the walls of an interior court
wherein the vestals wove garments Of
vicuna wool for Peruvian royalty, for
the high priests. and for themselves. as
well as hangings for the holy temples.
Mecca Of PiIsrims.
Coati was second only to the Island
OF the Sun (already describedJ as a re-
sort for pious pilgrims. who came from
all parts Of the empire. bringing offerings
OF vicuna and a,paca wool. as well as
the feathers Of beautiful birds. to he
worked up by the busy virgins. Also.
for the priests. who attended to the busi-
of fhA
fetched much "chicha"-the national drink
of Peru since time immemorlal. which
was made then. as it is to-day. from
Indian corn. II Is wonderful place.
this Island OF the Moon. In front OF
the Palace of the Virgins extends a
magnificent esplanada. from which a Sc
ries Of terraces 'planted anciently with
howereD descends to the waters edge.
Thence one may behold one of the most
superb Views in all the world. 1llampu.
the Grown of the Andes.'' uIhghting in
the background it's submits covered with
everla sting snow.
South Of Lake Titicaca is a vast plain.
scattered over which are found the re-
mains of what appears to be a civiliZa-
ton antedating even that Of the 1ncas.
From some of the ruins has been obtain
cd the bulk OF the material for the build
ing Of the city of La Paz. the capital OF
ley sixty miles away. .
So ancient was this civilization that it
seems actually TO have disappeared be-
fore that OF the Incas began. The Peru
Wan natives, indeed. told the Spanish in
vaders that it had existed before the
sun shone in the heavens" StranGest Of
all. it was APPARENTLY superior. if any
thing. to the Inca culture that succeed
ed it.
Beyond Modern Engin~crs.
Nowhere else in the world are stones
to be found cut with such mathematical
precision. Some Of them are twenty-five
feet long and fifteen feet wide. and are
fastened together with pins and T-clamps
pf bronze. How they were cut. or by
what means transported and put in place.
Is a mystery. One of the most important
buildings Is known to-day as the Fort
ress. The stones composing the floor Of
it's principal room. known as the Hall of
Justice Cwhatever its real use may have
been). were so massive that modern engi-
neers were unab to remove them bodily.
and so blew them up with gunpowder.
carrying Off many of the elaborately-cut
fragments to pave the cathedral of La
Paz.
Tradition states that beneath The build |
ng are great vaults filled with treasure. |