186 



COAST OF PERU. 



[1825. 



lives. The inca granted their request ; and in commemoration of the 

 event, called the conquered territory by the name of Arequipa. 



Arequipa is a large well-built city ; the houses being neatly con- 

 structed of stone, vaulted, and much decorated on the outside. Among 

 its public buildings are a cathedral, a college, an hospital, three nunne- 

 ries, six convents, several churches, &c. &c. In the centre of the 

 great square there is an elegant fountain of bronze, which was the 

 usual appendage to all the cities which Pizarro founded. There is 

 also a handsome bridge over the river. This city is subject to earth- 

 quakes, and has been four or five times laid in ruins by that dreadful 

 scourge of South America. This evil, however, seems to be over- 

 balanced by the mildness of the climate, and the fertility of the coun- 

 try round about it. Behind the city rise three lofty mountains, one of 

 which is called the volcaro of Arequipa, or the Peak of Miste, being 

 One of the most elevated mmmits of the Andes. The population of 

 this place has been variously estimated from twenty-four to forty thou- 

 sand souls. The air is dry, and the climate mild and salubrious. 

 Arequipa is in latitude 16° 20' S., long. 72° 17' W. 



I returned to Quilca on the 14th, and on the following morning, at 

 eight, A. M., we got under way, and again directed the Tartar's course 

 to the north. It may not be useless to mention in this place, that the 

 high land adjacent forms an excellent mark to designate the entrance 

 to Quilca, which lies immediately on the north-west extremity of the 

 high bluff shore at the south-east of the river's mouth. From this 

 place to Hay harbour, at the eastward, the land is high and abrupt, 

 with a bold shore, clear of dangers. 



January \Sth. — We left Quilca on Saturday, the 15th, with a fine 

 breeze from south-south-east, and fine weather ; and on Tuesday, the 

 18th, at six, A. M., we were close in with the island of St. Martin, 

 which lies directly in front of the town and river of Huaura. At this 

 island, and some small ones in its vicinity, we found a few hair-seals. 

 These islets rise immediately out of the sea, with steep bold shores ; 

 and the coast between here and Callao is free from dangers, within 

 half a mile of the beach. There are many salt ponds and pits between 

 Callao and Guarmey River, the latter being in latitude 10° 7' south. 

 You may anchor under the south point of this port, in from ten to five 

 fathoms, mud and sandy bottom, where a vessel will lie tolerably 

 smooth. The town contains about two hundred houses and two 

 churches, and is a fine place to procure refreshments of all kinds. 

 Wood and water, of a good quality, may be had here with little trouble. 



January 20th. — On leaving this place, we continued examining the 

 coast to the north, finding many small rocky islets, most of which 

 contained hair-seals, until Thursday, the 20th, when we arrived at 

 Port Santa, in latitude 8° 56' south. A little to the south of the town 

 is the island of Santa, behind which vessels may anchor, and lie in 

 perfect safety, in from ten to four fathoms of water, muddy bottom, 

 abreast of the river Santa, where fresh water may easily be obtained, 

 together with wood, and refreshments of almost every description, at 

 a very low rate. 



This town is quite populous, and the inhabitants appear to be 



