DELIBERATION. 



225 



perceive, by the flash of his eye, and the sarcas- 

 tic turn of his expression, a promise of intellect 

 far beyond that of the people about him. He 

 had been formerly pointed out to me in the 

 streets as a furious republican, who had been with 

 difficulty restrained by his friends from breaking 

 out too soon : his active intrigues, it was also said, 

 had essentially contributed to that revolution in 

 public sentiment which had been gradually ac- 

 complished in Lima. 



Among Spaniards no business is ever done on 

 such occasions without much talk ; the tendency 

 of which generally is to avoid meeting the ques- 

 tion. Accordingly, the state of the times was 

 canvassed and recanvassed, but the main point at 

 issue, namely, what was to be done, was perverse- 

 ly kept on one side. By an unanimous vote, 

 however, the late rulers of the city were stig- 

 matized, in no very measured terms, as having 

 proved themselves traitors to their country. 



In the midst of this universal confusion and 

 doubt, the minutest points of etiquette were not 

 forgotten : the new Governor had to receive a visit 

 of ceremony from the Cabildo, or town-council;— 



VOL. I. p 



