234 



CUSTOMS AND MANNERS. 



We will now take a view of the reverse of the medallion, 

 which I shall describe with all possible fidelity. This same 

 nymph, so gracious, and gifted with so many choice and ex- 

 alted qualities, is the cause of my principal' torments. I have 

 a settled annual income of little more than a thousand piastres, 

 to which certain perquisites, usually denominated by evil- 

 disposed persons manos puejras (illicit profits), being added, my 

 revenue may be estimated at two thousand. I sincerely wish 

 that I had millions to lay at the feet of my spouse ; but I can 

 assure you that I have not more than I have mentioned. 

 Now to proceed to a recital of my troubles. She never misses 

 a play ; and at the bull feasts she must have her gallery pro- 

 vided. In the w^inter season* come the excursions, and the 

 extra-excursions, to the mountains ; the promenades, and the 

 extra-promenades, to the banks of the Amancaes river ; and, 

 to crown the whole, she must set out to see the tower of Ato- 

 congo, otherwise the house would be thrown into disorder. 

 In the summer, the evenings are passed at the promenade of 

 /a Piedra Lisa. She regularly bathes with a female com- 

 panion, and after having quitted the bath, takes a store of 

 the refreshments and fruits that are hawked about. The 

 regular meals within doors are not on that account a jot 

 diminished. 



Frdm time to time, we keep the festivals of Lurin, that of 

 San Pedro De Chorrillo, the one which is celebrated at Bella- 

 vista, those of San Christoval, Santiago Del Cercado, and 



* In this part of Peru, the winter begins at the latter end of the month of June, 

 or at the commencement of July. It Is then that the abatement of the before in- 

 tense heats, enables the inhabitants of Lima to make their rural excursions. 



the 



