STATE OF LIMA. 



223 



intercourse. Had the panic, however, been less 

 general, and not spread itself over all classes, 

 from the highest to the lowest, there might have 

 been some grounds to apprehend a riot, or other 

 mischief, from the mob attacking the houses of 

 obnoxious individuals ; but as all the inhabitants 

 were equally under the influence of terror, there 

 was no one left to take advantage of the moment. 



The Viceroy, on leaving Lima, had nominat- 

 ed the Marquis of Montemire as governor of the 

 city ; and the selection was a judicious one, for 

 this old nobleman, independently of being a na- 

 tive of the place, was so universally esteemed, 

 that his influence was likely to prove most bene- 

 ficial to the city at this juncture. In the course 

 of the day, he sent for such of the principal in- 

 habitants as had not fled to Callao, in order to 

 consult with them on the measures to be taken 

 for securing the peace of the town. Ajs the Bri- 

 tish merchants had no trifling interest in this 

 question, I considered it right to be present at 

 this meeting, where I found a strange assembly 

 of people. 



Some came to learn the news, others to sug- 



