58 LIMA. 



1600, by Don Garcia Sarmiento Sotomayer, the then Vice- 

 roy, and Captain-General of Peru. 



In this plaza, the Saya y Manta, or the peculiar dress of 

 the Lima ladies, is seen to the best advantage. It is cer- 

 tainly a very bewitching attire, for it betrays the whole 

 outline of the female figure ; neither does it conceal the 

 foot and ankle, which, when prettily shaped, (and those of 

 the Liminean ladies are rarely otherwise,) are a charming 

 sight, especially to bachelors ; but, on the other hand, the 

 Saya y Manta offers strong inducements to carry on a love- 

 intrigue, and for that reason was once put under the ban 

 of a legislative statute. It still survives, however, and is 

 worn by the ladies of the best families. It consists of a 

 kind of hood and a petticoat, both usually made of black 

 satin, with numerous vertical folds. The manta, or upper 

 garment, is fastened at the waist, and is so gathered over 

 the head and shoulders as to conceal every thing but the 

 right eye and the right hand. The disguise is so complete 

 that a husband may meet his wife in the streets, or any of 

 the public places, without being able to recognize her ; 

 and it is, no doubt, too true, that it has been the means 

 of destroying the peace and happiness of many a Limi- 

 nean family. It is asserted that the original intention ot 

 this singular costume, was to enable a lady to go out in the 

 morning to mass, or shopping, before she made her toilet. 



The Almeda is extensive and handsomely laid out. The 

 walks are lined with rows of w r illows on each side ; its 

 centre is ornamented with fountains, and artificial streams 

 of water run parallel with the walks. Towards evening it 

 is very much resorted to by the ladies and gentlemen, and 

 I have seen there some of the former, who were really 

 beautiful. The women of Lima are usually handsome, but 



