238 



PERU. 



night before, shouting Viva la Patria ! Viva la 

 Independencia !*" and making a furious riot, which 

 was greatly assisted by the incessant ringing of 

 all the church bells. Several shops were broken 

 open, and one or two people were shot. Some 

 judicious persons at last obtained an order that 

 the bells should cease ringing; after which the 

 mob soon retired to rest. In the midst of the 

 confusion a violent shock of an earthquake was 

 felt, but I missed this by having gone on board 

 my ship in the evening. 



Wth of July, — The patroles did their duty so 

 effectually last night, that, after it was dark, there 

 was hardly a soul in the streets, and not a door was 

 open, except here and there, where a single drink- 

 ing-house was allowed by the patrole ; the solitary 

 mirth from which proved the real repose of the city 

 more than if every house had been rigorously 

 blocked up. I walked, in company with a gentle- 

 man, over great part of the town, without meeting 

 any one except the patrole. As we were return- 

 ing through the Plaza, or great square, the deep 

 silence was suddenly broken by the clank of a 

 hand-bell rung in front of the cathedral. Present- 



