POLICY OF SAN MARTIN. 



had, in his opinion, great influence in continuing 

 that state of ignorance so favourable to the mis- 

 taken policy of the Spaniards ; long after the 

 other countries of South America had awakened 

 from their apathy. Buenos Ayres, from its vici- 

 nity to the Cape of Good Hope, and the facility 

 of intercourse between it and Europe, had many 

 years before acquired the means of gaining infor- 

 mation, which had not yet reached Peru. Chili 

 originally derived her knowledge through Buenos 

 Ayres, but more recently by direct communica- 

 tion from England and North America. Co- 

 lumbia, although the scene of terrible wars, had 

 the advantage of being near the West Indies and 

 North America ; and Mexico was also in constant 

 communication with those places, as well as Eu- 

 rope. Thus they had all more or less enjoyed 

 opportunities of obtaining much useful knowledge, 

 during times little favourable, it is true, to its 

 culture, but which did not, indeed could not, pre- 

 vent its influence from being salutary. In Peru, 

 however, cut off* unfortunately by nature from di- 

 rect communication with the more enlightened 

 countries of the earth, it was only very recently 



