GENERAL IDEA OF PERU. 7 



mine to flourish, but would be beneficial to all the adjacent 

 provinces. 



That of Guarochiri*, the efFe6ls of the abundance of which 

 are more immediately felt in the capital, does not flourish in 

 a degree which should apparently correspond with the richness 

 of its ores, and the abundance of its metallic spots and veins. 

 The adoption of the newly introduced method of amalgama- 

 tion ; the employment of a sufficient number of Indian labour- 

 ers, who may be engaged without difficulty ; and a few re- 

 forms in the pra6tical part of the laborious operations ; these 

 are the only principles on which this mine, as well as all the 

 others in the kingdom, can be brought into a truly flourishing 

 condition. 



The navigation of Peru is limited. Our commerce in corn 

 carries us to the ports of Chile ; with Guayaquil we carry on 

 a traffic in timber, &c. ; and, lastly, we make a few voyages 

 to Chiloe, Juan-Fernandes, Valdivia, and Panama. We na- 

 vigate with economy and with ease ; but are deficient in the 

 scientific part, deriving no aid whatever from astronomy. 

 Those who have the charge of our trading vessels have no skill 

 beyond imitation. The hydrographical charts which are con- 

 sulted, are, on many accounts, defe6live ; and the situation 

 of the coasts is more parallel than it is represented on them. 

 On another hand, the fogs which almost constantly hover over 

 the land, and hide it from the navigator's view, oblige him to 

 make a circuitous course, by which his voyage is considerably 



* This mine extends, in a manner, over the whole of the province bearing its 

 name, the capital ot which is the town of Guarochiri, distant from Lima seven- 

 teen leagues, and from Tarma twenty-eight. It belongs to the intendency of Lima. 



protradled. 



