NOTICES OP PERU. 



225 



exercise of charity, who are termed "beatas." They wear 

 dresses of white worsted, with capes and hoods of the same. 



Later in the day, pass priests and friars of several orders. 

 The Mercedarian appears in a loose robe of white worsted, 

 with a black cape and hood lined with white. His head is bare, 

 showing the tonsure and mathematical cut of his straightly 

 combed hair, or it is covered with a clerical bonnet of white. 

 The followers of San Augustin and St. Francis wear an entire- 

 ly blue dress. The Dominican is distinguished from the Mer- 

 cedarian by the black cape being cut in a long point before and 

 behind. Both carry long rosaries and crosses suspended about 

 the neck. The Descalzos, or barefooted, of the order of St. 

 Francis, wear a sackcloth robe, with pointed capes, girt round 

 the body with a leather belt, a broad brimmed hat, and san- 

 dals. They carry a tin box for receiving alms, and a long staff. 

 The brotherhood or order of Buenamuerte are robed in black, 

 with a cross of red cloth stitched upon the breast. 



The military, in gay uniforms, are seen walking and riding 

 at all times. The collegians strut in black suits and cocked 

 hats, and judges are decorated with ribbons and medals. 



Then come pedlars, crying their goods and low prices, and 

 staggering under a load of calicoes, strung over a stick, which 

 is supported at the side by a strap over the shoulder. The ven- 

 der of lottery tickets is seen sauntering along, with a book filled 

 with sheets of tickets in one hand, and an ink-horn in the other, 

 bawling out, su — — te, and pausing at each syllable, and be- 

 fore every gentleman he may find standing, to importune him 

 to purchase a ticket. If disappointed, he turns away, and for 

 consolation, shouts su — er — te as loud as ever. 



From one to two o'clock, the streets are alive with venders 

 of the various messes eaten by families of the middling class, 

 who seldom cook in their houses, but purchase their food at 

 the door, ready for mastication. Negro wenches, with trays 

 on the head, crying ^' tamal," which is a mixture of boiled 

 corn and beans, with a small piece of pork, put up in a plan- 

 tain leaf, perambulate every street. Others carry various stews, 

 in tin cases, piled one above the other, which they sell by their 

 appropriate names. 



