298 THE MINISTERS. Chap. XVIII. 



while he insists on keeping ujd an enormous standing army, 

 and on spending untold sums on a costly navy, thus squan- 

 dering the public money, and continuing a pernicious and 

 ruinous system. The brave old man has been a necessity. 

 He alone has been able to keep the peace, and give time 

 to the Peruvians slowly to develop the resources of their 

 country ; and through this period of tranquillity, when he 

 shall have passed away, interests and influences may have 

 insensibly risen up, which will prevent the recurrence of such 

 periods of anarchy as preceded Castilla's first accession to 

 power. 



Juan Manuel del Mar, the first Vice-President, a tall, 

 sallow, earnest-looking man, is a native of Cuzco, the old 

 capital of the Incas. He has held office for some years, and 

 has more than once been in sujDreme command during the 

 absence of Castilla. This statesman was called to the bar 

 in 1830, and has led an active public life as deputy to 

 Congress, judge, or minister ever since. He is thoroughly 

 honest, possessed of enlightened views and some ability, 

 very popular, and universally and deservedly respected. 



The second Vice-President, elected under the provisions of 

 the reformed constitution of 1860, is General Pezet, the son 

 of a physician of French extraction, who died in Callao Castle 

 when it was held by the Spaniards, and stood a long siege. 

 General Pezet, a native of Lima, joined the patriot ranks 

 when they landed in Peru in 1821, then only eleven years 

 of age ; and was at once sent on active service. Thus he 

 was present at the battles of Junin and Ayacucho, which 

 destroyed the Spanish power, and was mixed up in the sub- 

 sequent civil wars. 



Castilla's ministers, at the time of my visit, were far from 

 representing the most able and distinguished class of Peru- 

 vians. Colonel Salcedo, the Minister of Finance, a native of 

 Lampa, was born in 1801. He was one of the few members 



