176 



ENTRANCE TO LIMA. 



Callao, which is a miserable dirty town^ the re- 

 mains of the late siege were plainly visible, by 

 many shot-holes through the houses, fort, and 

 churches, which are not yet repaired. After visit- 

 ing the governor, Rivero, a complete weather- 

 beaten old gentleman, we procured horses, and 

 started for the city of Kings, along a road which 

 looks well to the eye, but miserably bad and 

 stony, being composed of loose sand and stones, 

 running in a direct line for Lima, which is nine 

 miles from Callao. About a mile from the en- 

 trance of the city, we entered the Alameda, or 

 Public Walk, formed by double rows of trees 

 on each side of the road, between which was the 

 promenade, with benches for the accommodation 

 of the public. The first object that met my view 

 on entering, wa^ a lady sitting astride on horse- 

 back, with a beautiful pair of silver spurs on the 

 smallest feet I ever saw. I cannot say that I 

 was shocked, for she sat most gracefully; but 

 turning round, dreadful to behold, I saw two 

 elegant females — how shall I utter it — smoking 



