The herald., 1918-08-22

~oMPARATlVELY few foreign
I'll erS see interior regions of Peru
today: but a majority Of those
who voyage up and down the
Pacific pay brief visits To Lima, the
City of the Kings. 1t is located in an
undulating valley which extends in
land from the ocean for 80 miles or
more to the foothills of the Andes, al
though numerous mountain spurs rise
here and there about the valley, two
Of which, San CristObal and San JerOn-
limo, dominate the city of Lima.
Through this valley the River Rimac
winds its way to the sea at Callao.
starting from rivulets at least 1900
feet high amid the eternal SHOWS of
the mountains. Nearly four centuries
have passed since PizarrO laid the
foundation stones of the cathedral on
central plaza known today as Plaza
Mayor. Around and in the vicinity Of
this level area the new capital began
TO grow. PiZarrO's idea, according TO
historians, was to found a capital more
easily accessible than the cities con-
structed by the Incas and their pre-
decessors, who builded far inland and
In localities difficult TO reach.
The Rimac flows directly through
Lima, the larger city development be-
Ing on the southern side of the stream,
writes William A. Reid in the Bulletin
Of the Pan-American Union. The lat
ter is spanned by several bridges over
which passes a constant traffic. Lima,
with its 100000 population today, has
been a long time growing to present
proportions. In shape the city was
originally more or less that of a giant
triangle, the hypotenuse of which was
formed by the Rimac. Pizarro be-
slowed the name of City of the Kings
upon the place as token of honor on
behalf of his royal benefactors; but
gradually the native title seems to
have become more and more popular.
The name Lima is derived from that
Of the river, the legendary word Rimac
meaning zone who speaks"
Historical Plaza Mayor.
II you go sightseeing in Lima the
start should be made from the Plaza
Mayor, a section of the city from
which every kind of activity radiates
taiay as in the past This popular
meeting ground comprises several
acres, and 50 historical If not hallowed
Is every foot of space that one is lost
in meditation in endeavoring to picture
the countless epoch-making scenes
that have transpired there. On one
side of this plaza stands the massive
cathedral with its twin towers, the
foundation stones of which PiZarro
himself is credited with laying. Near by
is the site of the house in which the
conquerOr bresthed his last as the as
sassin struck the death blow. Within
the cathedral today the mummy of
Pizarro lies, a shriveled but well-pre-
served figure, the sight of which causes
silent reverence, whatever may have
been the character Of the man or the
causes he espOused.
Occupying the entire north side OF
this Plaza Mayor Is the historical pal
ace, a massive but typically low struc-
ture with various courts, halls, and
many rooms, which formerly housed
the viceroys and their official families.
Today this edifice is used for govern
ment purposes. With its uniformed
sentinels always on duty it bears a
military aspect, the daily guard mount
being especially interesting TO the
stranger. The other sides of the Plaza
Mayor are occupied today by the city
hall and by business edifices, the lower
floors of which serve as shops, restau-
rants, etc. while the upper stories are
utilized by clubs or as private apart
ments.
The Plaza Mayor Is one of Lima's
most animated SIGHTS day and night.
From here the electric cars radiate to
every part of the city; here one finds
carriages and motor cars for pleasure
or for business; amid the beautiful
flowers and foliage those who have lei
sure sit and read the news of the day
or listen to the music of the bands
which often enliven the evenings; the
cathedral and the post Office near by
draw the citizens by thousands, and
all are passing and repassing over a
plaza so ancient and yet so modern; 1t
Is also the site from which the proc
lamation Of Peruvian independence
was read to the throng on July %, 1921,
the anniversary Of which is celebrated
each year.
A short distance away standing on
another attractive plaza know as Boli-