Intervieto with the President — Political Degeneracy. 401 



should have succeeded in getting himself declared President 

 for life of the Republic,* are the best proofs of the political 

 and moral degradation of the Republic of Peru. All the 

 splendid territories from Peru to Mexico have, after three 

 centuries of Spanish rule, sunk into a state of demoralization 

 and degeneracy, owing to the listless, labour-hating, sluggish 

 mestizo races that inhabit it, such as only the immigration of 

 one of the hardy northern races can ever adequately remedy. 

 In a previous visit to Central America, I have wandered 

 through its rich scenery, clad in the hues of perpetual sum- 

 mer, and smiling in exuberance of fertility, and everywhere 

 the same impression was made upon me. Almost the only 

 effect this wealth of natui-e seems to exercise uj^on the Indian 

 or negro mestizo is to incapacitate him from mastering by any 

 effort of his own the lethargy that preys upon him. Where 

 a few rare exceptions occur, as, for instance, in Costa Rica, 



* Once diiring my stay in Lima I had an opportunity of conversing with Don 

 Ramon. He had come up from his country-seat, or rather from the roulette-table 

 of Chorillos, to the capital, and was courteous enough to accord me a reception at his 

 house. After passing a couple of sentinels, I was ushered through a large bare room 

 into a small ill-lighted apartment on the ground-floor, when I found myself suddenly 

 face to face with the President of the Peruvian Republic. I was presented by a 

 friend settled in Lima. The General is a mestizo with a strongly-marked brown 

 Indian visage, projecting cheek bones, and an arched nose, wiry grey hair kept close 

 cropped, and energetic, but withal coarse features. He is so far entitled to gratitude, 

 that during the few years he has swayed the destinies of the Republic, he has main- 

 tained internal tranquillity. But there still remains the saddening feeling, borne out 

 by the actual state of matters, that a territory over which Spanish grandees and 

 viceroys once held sway, is at present ruled by an Indian half-breed, who can scarcely 

 read and write. In manners and general appearance, Don Ramon Castilla strongly 

 reminded me of his dusky confrere. General Rafael Carrera, President of Guatemala, 

 with whose despotic tendencies he may be said fully to sympathize. 



VOL. Ill ■ 2D 



