132 POPULAR AMUSEMENTS. [1839 



which glistens the eye of the wearer, like a diamond set in 

 *ts. Sometimes a rich shawl is thrown over the shoulders, 

 eneath the mdnto. The folds of the veil are confined by a 

 mall hand, always neatly gloved ; in the other hand is car- 

 ied a richly embroidered handkerchief, or a pretty nosegay. 



Those who wear this strange costume are called tapddas. 

 Its original design, it is said, was to secure privacy and pre- 

 vent intrusion; but, of late, it has been sadly perverted, and 

 is now a convenient shield and cover for the demirep and 

 intrigant. Many are the tales related, in the gay capital of 

 Peru, of jealous lovers and husbands outwitted, — and of frail 

 friars, and frailer nuns, forgetting the solemn vows which 

 they had taken, and soiling forever the vestal purity and per- 

 fectness of their high calling. 



All classes in Peru are passionately fond of amusements 

 of every kind, — of dancing, theatrical performances, and musi- 

 cal entertainments. Religious processions may likewise be 

 classed in the same category, as many seem to regard them 

 in that light. The festivals of Corpus Christi, Santo Do- 

 mingo, and San Francisco, are celebrated, in the cities, with 

 great pomp and ceremony ; and from the highest to the low- 

 est, the brilliant pageant is enjoyed with unusual zest. On 

 St. John's day, (24th of June,) a grand festival is held by the 

 lower classes in Lima — and not, as Captain Wilkes, perhaps 

 hastily, conjectured, by the population generally* — in the 

 valley, or plain, of Amancaes, which is about half a mile 

 northwest of the city, and derives its name from a beautiful 

 yellow lily, whose blossoms are liberally sprinkled over its 

 surface at the time of the fete. It is merely a drunken bout, 

 however ; drinking, gaming, gormandism, and dancing the 

 obscene samacueca, constituting the principal attractions of 

 this Peruvian Floralia. 



As has heretofore been stated, the white Creole in Peru, is 

 not much addicted to the use of intoxicating drinks. When 

 he takes wine, it is usually some sweet and light kind, e.'id 

 is partaken of sparingly. But the mixed races, and the peo- 



* Narrative of the Exploring Expedition, Vol. I, p. 241. 



