214 



THREE YEARS IN THE PACIFIC. 



and above them, an ecclesiastic coat of arms. These are sup- 

 ported by Corinthian cohimns and figures of saints. At each 

 corner is a tower rising nearly two hundred feet from its base, 

 which is forty feet. They are octagonal, ornamented with 

 Corinthian columns, cornices, ovals, socles and mouldings ; 

 the whole is surmounted by a gilt ball, and an iron cross 

 twelve feet high. The towers were thrown down by the 

 earthquake of 1746, and rebuilt in 1800. During 1832 the 

 pyramids and cupolas on their summits were painted, and the 

 balls gilded. In the belfries there are three large, fine toned 

 bells, besides several smaller ones. The largest, called La 

 Cantabria, weighs 310 quintals; the second, La Purisima, 

 155 quintals; and the third. La Antigua, 55 quintals ! 



On the north side of the Cathedral, corresponding to it in 

 architecture, is a small church, surmounted with a low cupola 

 and cross, termed the Sagrario. Adjoining to it is the Arch- 

 bishop's palace. It is two stories high, and the front wall is 

 crowned with a balustrade and urns. Like the dwellings of 

 Lima, it is disfigured by a close jutting balcony. 



Beneath the terrace of the Cathedral are several small shoe- 

 makers' shops, called Los cajones de los cabachuelos. 



The palace occupies the whole north side of the plaza. It 

 presents an irregular, mean, half broken down row, of two 

 stories high. The lower one is occupied by shops, in which 

 are sold hardware, twine, sulphur, wax and books, and almost 

 every one has the same assortment. From no very distant 

 resemblance to huge boxes, this row has acquired the name of 

 Los cajones de la ribera. Coarse unbleached awnings are 

 propped out over them to protect their goods from the sun. 

 The second story is a kind of open gallery, called La Galena 

 de Palacio. A side entrance leads from the plaza into one of 

 the great patios, through which, it is supposed, Almagro's par- 

 ty entered when Pizarro was slain. 



In the centre of the square, on a level table of masonry, 

 forty feet on each side, and raised three feet, having drains 

 around it for carrying off the superabundant water, is placed 

 the great reservoir of the beautiful fountain of Lima. It is 

 twenty-four feet in diameter, and about three feet deep. It is 



