Feb.] 



RUINS OF A TEMPLE OF THE SUN. 



245 



capitulation, and delivered to the patriots the batteries, cannon, arms, 

 &c. Thus was the finishing stroke given to the fabric of South 

 American independence, reared at the expense of so much suffering, 

 blood, and treasure. May the people prove worthy of the blessing 

 which their valour has achieved. 



Great rejoicings took place in Lima on the day that Callao surren- 

 dered. I visited the city on the following day, and saw the royal 

 troops, " the hardy gleanings of many a hapless fight," as they marched 

 through the town. They were certainly the most miserable, emaciated- 

 looking men that my eyes had ever beheld. Their appearance drew 

 many tears of sympathy from the bright eyes of the fair republican 

 ladies of Lima. 



I called on Mr. Whitmore, of Providence, R. I., who was at that time 

 a commission merchant in Lima, who made me acquainted with the 

 foregoing particulars. I have lately understood that this worthy man 

 has returned to the United States with an ample fortune. I can only 

 say that he richly deserves it, and may he live to enjoy every blessing 

 that honour, virtue, and wealth can bestow. 



My friend Mr. Whitmore told me several anecdotes respecting the 

 irregularities of the ecclesiastics in Lima and other cities of Peru, 

 , which tended to confirm a previous impression I had entertained not 

 very favourable to some individuals of that order.* 



February 1st. — On Wednesday, the 1st day of February, we found 

 ourselves in readiness to put once more to sea ; and accordingly, at six, 

 P. M., we got under way, and steered for the Pachamcamac Islands, 

 which lie in latitude 12° 24' S., between one mile and a half and two 

 miles off-shore. These are several small islands or rocks, ranging in 

 a line, and extending about two miles and a half nearly north-west and 

 south-east. They are separated from each other by narrow channels, 

 which have from fifteen to five fathoms of water ; while close to them 

 on the north there is a depth of thirty-five fathoms. Opposite these 

 islands is the small village of Lurin, and a little beyond it the beautiful 

 and luxuriant valley of Pachamcamac, celebrated for its pleasantness 

 and fertility, and still more for a magnificent temple of the sun, built 

 by the incas to the honour of their deity, the ruins of which are still 

 standing. 



The Temple of Pachamcamac, which is the name of the Peruvian 

 god, was the most costly and magnificent religious edifice in the whole 

 eountry. It contained a golden image, representing, according to their 



* On the 17th of February, 1832, a Peruvian gazette, called the "Mercurio Peruanio," published 

 the following ordonnance of the government, which will show the manner in which the supreme 

 authorities ileal with refractory priests in the city of Lima. It is also curious as an illustration of 

 the state of society in Peru. 



" February llth .— The following ordonnance was issued from the government office on the 10th 

 instant, to M. L. Vidaurre, the ecclesiastical governor of the district : — 



" 1 Senor— The government has been scandalized at finding that the members of the religious 

 brotherhood are abroad at all hours of the night, and that a considerable number even sleep out of 

 their cloisters, and constantly betake themselves to gaming and other improper houses. The gov- 

 ernment feels that those disorders, which they know to be merely the acts of individuals, will still 

 give rise to very injurious impressions against those sacred institutions which have been established 

 by men illustrious for their virtues and learning ; and it has accordingly resolved to suggest to you 

 a regulation which shall forbid any person in a religious habit to sleep outside the cloisters, on any 

 pretence whatever, or to be seen in the streets after seven o'clock in the evening, otherwise they shall 

 be conducted back to their convents by the police.' " 



