Chap. XVIIl. DR. VIGIL. 299 



of Congress who, in 1824, firmly opposed and defeated tlie 

 ambitious designs of Bolivar ; and lie has since almost 

 constantly served as sub-prefect or prefect, or as a member 

 of Congress. Another minister was Don Jose Fabio Melgar, 

 a brother of the famous poet of Arequipa, whose melancholy 

 death I have already mentioned. He has served as chief 

 clerk in one or other of the public offices since 1833, is an 

 amiable man, well read, and intelligent, but with only 

 moderate abilities, and no originaUty or force of will. The 

 minister of Foreign Affau-s was Don Miguel del Carpio, a 

 veteran statesman, born in 1795, and who, having joined the 

 patriots and been taken prisoner by the Spaniards in 1822, 

 was long kept in prison, and heavily chained. Since the 

 independence he has held important offices both in Bolivia 

 and Peru. 



But old Castilla requires obedient clerks around him, not 

 independent ministers, and the more able and active-minded 

 Peruvians are not to be found filling high political posts. 

 The best specimens of the natives of Peru are either to be 

 met with leading unobtrusive literary lives, and preparing 

 for better times ; or on then* estates actively and energetically 

 developing the resources of then- country. Such men are 

 Mariategui, Felipe Pardo, Vigil, Paz Soldan, and Elias, 

 whose patriotism and great ability would do honour to any 

 country. 



Dr. Vigil is one of Peru's most distinguished sons. In 

 early life he was an active and eloquent member of Congress ; 

 subsequently he was engaged on one of the most learned, as 

 well as the most liberal works that a Eoman Catholic clergy- 

 man has ever ventured to publish on the Papacy ; and now 

 in his old age he continues to advocate, in his forcible 

 Avi-itings, every cause and every measm'e which is intended 

 to advance religious freedom, or the moral well-being of his 

 countrymen. Dr. Vigil fears that liberal views on religious 



