250 



PERU. 



of the day, he shifted his head-quarters to the pa- 

 lace, and in the evening held his first levee in this 

 ancient abode of tlie Spanish Viceroys. It was not 

 crowded, being intended for the heads of depart- 

 ments only. 



The great audience-gallery is lighted by win- 

 dows opening into a long passage, or verandah, 

 overlooking the garden, in the centre of the qua- 

 drangle of the palace. During the levee, these 

 windows were filled with anxious crowds of women 

 straining their eyes to catch a glimpse of San Mar- 

 tin. On passing one of these groups, they peti- 

 tioned me to bring the General, if possible, to- 

 wards their window. Accordingly, having con- 

 sulted with one of the aids-de-camp, we contrived 

 between us to get him into conversation about 

 some despatches I was sending off ; and to draw 

 him, in the meantime, towards our fair friends at 

 the window. When we had nearly reached the 

 spot, he was about to turn round, which obliged 

 us to tell him our plan ; he laughed, and imme- 

 diately went up to the ladies, and having chatted 

 with them for some minutes, left them enchanted 

 with his affability. 



s 



