106 



PERU. 



to US respecting the news from Europe. In the 

 course of this conversation, my malicious compa- 

 nion, in order to plague his reverend friend, whis- 

 pered to me to say the Inquisition had been re- 

 estabhshed in Spain. Accordingly, taking the 

 first opportunity, I said something bearing this 

 interpretation. The effect was amusing enough, 

 for the old father, who it seems had been the 

 chief inquisitor, clapped his hands, and, with a 

 sparkling eye, shouted, " Bravo ! I thought it 

 must be so !" but perceiving his young friend 

 smiling, he first looked angry, and then laughed, 

 calling him a sad " picaro.*" — " Nevertheless,**^ 

 added he, in a lower tone, with his fist clenched, 

 and his teeth closed, " though it be not yet re- 

 established, it soon will." 



Every thing connected with the recently abo- 

 lished Inquisition is viewed at Lima with a degree 

 of scorn and hatred, very remarkable in a city so 

 crowded with clerical establishments ; and where 

 the observances of the church form so great a 

 part of the business of the people. But whatever 

 be the cause of this unmeasured detestation, no- 

 thing can be more determined than it is ; and our 



