NOTICES OF PERU. 



307 



rung merrily, both at the cathedral and the convent of Santo 

 Domingo. 



When the anda reached the south-west corner of the por- 

 tdles, the calesas that were drawn up along the west side of 

 the plaza, drove over, and drew up on the south side, to gain 

 a second view of the saint. After about an hour, the anda 

 arrived at the side of the cathedral, and as it passed along, 

 a shower of roses fell over Santa Rosa from a silken balloon, 

 which had been purposely suspended over the street. At the 

 moment the flowers fell, two or three pigeons, which had been 

 confined in the balloon, flew out, to the great amusement of the 

 crowd, who set up a long shout of admiration. The bells rang 

 merrily, and a hundred rockets and squibs were set off' from 

 the steps and towers of the church, and a salute of musketry 

 was fired in the plaza as the saint entered. 



After Te Deum had been chanted, the procession moved 

 slowly along another street, and returned back to the convent 

 whence it started. 



So soon as the saint had entered the church, the venders of 

 lottery tickets were seen wending their way through the 

 crowd, with book and ink-horn ; and the venders of confec- 

 tionary of various kinds also made themselves heard. 



All the ladies in Lima named Rosa, are prepared on this day 

 to receive visits from their friends, who call to congratulate 

 them on the anniversary of their birth day. Bouquets are sent 

 as presents, with complimentary notes from the young gentle- 

 men to the young ladies. In every house where there is a 

 Rosita — the kinder term for Rosa — a table is set out loaded 

 with fruits, flowers, and sweets of all kinds, and cordials and 

 wines, to regale the numerous visiters. Those who are unable 

 to call, send their cards. Thus the whole day is passed in 

 gaiety and visiting, and the evening in tertulia and dancing. 



The saint's day is generally the birth day, for when a child 

 is born, it is usual to look into the almanack, and name it after 

 the saint on whose day the event may happen ; and when this 

 is not the case, the saint's day is generally kept as the birth 

 day, and is celebrated much after the manner'above described, 

 Santa Rosa was born on the very spot where her altar now 



