PAYTA, 



163 



ouy apparently unconscious of my weightc His 

 size is enormous. Pigeons^ goats, dogs^, turkeys, 

 men with white jackets and white leather shoes, 

 compose the motley group. The most pic- 

 turesque and attractive object is the consul's 

 daughter, Mariquita. She was born at Valpa- 

 raiso, and can scarcely lisp English; but her 

 bright eyes are likely to excite a great deal 

 of eloquence in others before she is able to 

 speak much more fluently herself. 



The aspect of the country near Payta is one 

 arid and dreary waste, without any attractions 

 unless for the geologist, who happily finds 

 amusement in the rudest works of nature. 

 I have sauntered about the neighbourhood, 

 which presents at every step the appearance of 

 ground formed by volcanic irruptions. Hillocks 

 of sand, rocks, and large basin-like craters in 

 deep valleys, are to be seen in every direction. 

 Glens which were evidently once watercourses 



