NOTICES OP PERU. 



297 



"Que fresquito vino usted a Chorillos!" — "You came a 

 little fresh to Chorillos !" observed a gay young lady, and the 

 gentlemen laughed outright. Finding so little sympathy 

 among us, Don Ignacio stalked out of the roo , muttering, be- 

 tween his teeth, vengeance on all salteadores, wishing that the 

 devil might warm them all, and the police in the bargain. 



The evenings in Chorillos are passed at terttalias, where 

 gambling high at monte-dao, and dancing, are the only amuse- 

 ments. All Sunday is passed in this unhallowed manner! 



The ladies bathe twice and three times every day, in the 

 sea; in the morning before breakfast, about one o'clock, and 

 again at sunset. They descend the high and precipitous hill 

 on horseback, or on foot, and dress in little huts made of flag 

 mats, kept on the shore for the purpose by Indians, who charge 

 a real for each bath. They wear long flannel robes, and go 

 into the water with Indians, who are entirely naked, with the 

 exception of a handkerchief tied about the hips. Many of 

 the ladies are quite expert swimmers, and all are passionately 

 fond of sea-bathing. 



Chorillos, in one respect at least, is superior to any of the 

 watering places that I am acquainted with, resorted to in our 

 country ; all formality is thrown aside, and every body thinks 

 only of comfort and amusement. The ladies stroll about with 

 their hair hanging down the back, with grass hats, and the 

 gentlemen are dressed with short white jackets, and are not 

 encumbered with cravats, but substitute a narrow black ribbon. 

 Nothing but dissipation and gambling occupy the time, except 

 the few moments devoted every morning to counting the ro- 

 sary. On Sundays, the pueblo is more lively than on any other 

 day, from the great concourse from the city ; and it is then only 

 that ladies pay attention to the toilet, to appear at the balls or * 

 large terttilias given at night. 



It is a remarkable fact, that even during the winter, when 

 Lima is covered with a dense fog and "gdrua,'' or fine drizzle, 

 and the streets slippery with mud, the sun is shining warm 

 and clear at Chorillos. It is probably owing to the south-west 

 winds blowing the vapors past the Morro Solar against the high 

 hills, where they collect and form clouds, which undergo a 

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