PROM LIMA TO VALPARAISO. 



441 



would be diminished ..IK- hall, and, 1 "Pl'ty seems to be, Peru would act judiciously 



if l.-s-, disposition \\ii-, shown f<> n-ap immediate li.-jji-lits by tin- sale of it to foreigners. .' 

 tin- Cliiiidia .md chemically valuable collections arc at the Lobo* 



islan.ls, in latitude ' -',7' S. ; tin- Hormigas, latitude 11'' ,">S' ; tin- islands n.- ;u Y-lay, latitude 

 17; Ptintu de lloimillos, &c. There u-ie ah-.ni thirty \.>>.ls at anchor at the northern 

 ( 'hinrha as we parsed. 



Within t\vu hours we canie-to off 1'isco, a pretty little town in latitude 13 43', Home ten 

 miles K.S.K. from tin- chinchas. The town is about a mile from the beach, its pagoda-like 

 (lunches giving to it, at this distance, quite an oriental aspect. As the m- of lea, a 



larev town some fourteen leagues distant in the interior, Pisco stood still until the increase of 

 the huano trade created a demand lor additional population. Now, it contains above three 

 thousand souls. A valley extending to the north and east, and watered by a small river of 

 the same name as the town, teems with vegetation, whose surplus is sent to less favored portions 

 of the coast, the huano ships, &c. Sugar, olives, dates, wine, spirits, and fresh fruits are its 

 principal exports. Large quantities of rum and brandy from sugar and grapes are sent annu- 

 ally to the markets of Callao and Chile. Here, also, they distil a very pure spirit of aromatic 

 odor and flavor from the Italian grape, which thence is called Italia de Pisco. It is put up in 

 conical earthen jars, with narrow necks, each holding about three gallons, and is highly 

 esteemed by connoisseur drinkers of liqueur. A pisquito (the jar is so called) of the best quality 

 \vill cost $8 on the spot. 



We remained at the anchorage very little more than an hour. There was scarcely any cargo 

 to discharge ; and the quantities of wine, italia, and fruits brought off were taken rapidly on 

 board. Baskets of fine cherimoyas, oranges, and sweet potatoes were offered at very reasonable 

 prices to the passengers ; and several laid in a stock for themselves, or as presents for friends in 

 Chile. Sweet potatoes form a very regular portion of the freight sent to Valparaiso. 



As we sailed to the southward out of the bay, a remarkable object claimed attention on the 

 sloping face of the high land. As nearly as it could be sketched, when passing at the distance 

 of two or three miles, it is of the annexed form; and is apparently made of white or light- 

 colored stones set in the face of the rock. 



From the base to the top of the central cross the height must be greatly more than two hun- 

 dred feet; but the absence of shrubbery, or other objects of comparison, rendered accurate 

 estimate impossible at such a distance. The proportions between the several parts are pretty 

 well preserved in the sketch. The shadows indicate that each line has been excavated, and that 

 the multitudes of blocks are inserted below the level of the surface. By whom, or for what special 

 object this huge emblem of the Christian faith was constructed on so desolate a shore, there was 

 no one on board who could tell satisfactorily ; and I do not find it mentioned by either of the 

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