220 



PERU. 



and towards the close of the week, the terrors 

 of the people assuming the character of despair, 

 it was utterly useless to reason with them, or to 

 attempt impressing upon their minds the value 

 of calmness and patience at such an alarming 

 moment. 



On the 5th of July the Viceroy issued a pro- 

 clamation, announcing his intention of abandon- 

 ing the city, and pointing to Callao as an asylum 

 for those who felt themselves insecure in the ca- 

 pital. This was the signal for immediate flight : a 

 rush was made towards the Castle by multitudes, 

 who, when questioned as to their reasons for leav- 

 ing the city, could give none but that of fear ; 

 and, indeed, the majority acted from mere panic, 

 which spread amongst them in the most extra- 

 ordinary manner. 



I had gone to the ship in the morning, but 

 hearing that the capital was certainly to be de- 

 serted by the Royalists next day, and wishing to 

 be near the British merchants, whom I had re- 

 commended, come what might, to stay by their 

 property in Lima, I landed, and proceeded along 

 the Callao road. It was with no small difficulty 



