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PERU. 



ed earnestly, and replied with distinctness and 

 fairness, showing wonderful resources in argu- 

 ment, and a most happy fertility of illustration ; 

 the effect of which was, to make his audience feel 

 they were understood in the sense they wished. 

 Yet there was nothing showy or ingenious in his 

 discourse ; and he certainly seemed, at all times, 

 perfectly in earnest, and deeply possessed with his 

 subject. At times his animation rose to a high 

 pitch ; when the flash of his eye, and the whole 

 turn of his expression, became so exceedingly ener- 

 getic as to rivet the attention of his audience be- 

 yond the possibility of evading his arguments. 

 This was most remarkable when the topic was po- 

 litics ; on which subject, I consider myself fortu- 

 nate in having heard him express himself fre- 

 quently. But his quiet manner was not less strik- 

 ing, and indicative of a mind of no ordinary stamp : 

 he could even be playful and familiar, when such 

 was the tone of the moment ; and whatever effect 

 the subsequent possession of great political power 

 may have had on his mind, I feel confident that 

 his natural disposition is kind and benevolent. 

 ODuring the first visit I paid to San Martin, 



