74 



PERU* 



and where the sand, consequently, is so perfectly 

 dry as to cause an absorption of moisture so rapid, 

 that putrefaction does not take place. 



The male figure was sent to England in the 

 Conway, and is now in the British Museum. 



About this time a great sensation was excited 

 among the English, as well as the majority of the 

 inhabitants of Lima, by the arrest and imprison- 

 ment of an old Spaniard, who had possessed for 

 many years the highest influence over every class 

 of society ; a power which he owed, not so much 

 to his extensive wealth, as to his talents and know- 

 ledge, and amiable disposition. As a man of bu- 

 siness, he held the highest reputation for probity, 

 liberality, and perseverance. Of his enterprise it 

 will be sufficient to state, that he was the first 

 man in South America who sent to England for 

 steam-engines ; and he had actually erected them 

 at one of the mines in the interior, at the distance 

 of several hundred miles from the capital. He 

 was a most accomplished traveller, had visited 

 great part of the world, and spoke and wrote 

 English, and several other European languages, 

 with great facility and correctness. Long before 



