72 
INHABITANTS OF PERU. 
under by mildness and moderation ; it would besides be difficult by 
rigorous means to reduce them to perfect obedience ; their wild 4nd 
frightful mountains, the tops of which are always covered with snow, 
even in July, would afford them places of shelter, from which they 
could never be driven by force. 
The customs of these mountaineers are totally different from those 
of the Chinese. It is, for example, an act of great politeness among 
them to present a white handkerchief of taffeta or linen, when they 
accost any person whom they are desirous of honouring. AH their' 
religion consists in their adoration of the god Fo, to whom they have 
a singular attachment ; their superstitious veneration extending even to 
his ministers, on whom they have considered it as their duty to con- 
fer supreme honour and the government of the nation. 
Inhabitants of Peru. 
Peru is a country of South America, w'hich abounds more in wo- 
men than in men, and the women enjoy a better state of health, 
owing to the earlier intemperance of men. The Creoles are well 
made, of a proper stature, and of a lively and agreeable countenance. 
The Mestizos are also in general weJl made, often taller than the 
ordinary size, and very robust. The Indians are conjmonly low in 
stature, though strong and well-proportioned. Some are remarkably 
short. Their hair is thick and long, and worn loose ; but the Indian 
women plait theirs behind with a ribbon, and cut that before, above 
the eye-brows. The greatest disgrace that can be offered to an Indian 
of either sex is to cut off their hair ; any other punishment they bear 
with patience, but this they never forgive. The colour of their hair 
is. a deep black, lank, harsh, ami coarse as that of a horse. 
The male Mestizos, to distinguish themselves from the Indians, cut 
off their hair ; but the females do not. The Mestizos wear a blue 
cloth, manufactured in Europe. The Mestizo women affect to dress 
in the same manner as the Spanish. The dress of the Indians con- 
sists of white cotton drawers down to the calf of the leg, loose; and 
edged with a lace. The shirt is supplied by a black cotton frock 
in the form of a sack, with three openings, one for the head and two 
others for the arms. Over this is a serge cloak, and a hat. This is 
a general dress, which they never lay aside, even while they sleep. 
The Indians who have acquired some fortune, particularly the 
barbers and phlebotomists, distinguish themselves from the country- 
men by the fineness of their drawers, and a shirt with lace four or 
five fingers broad, fastened round like a ruff . or band. They wear 
• silver or gold buckles in their shoes, though they wear no stock- 
ings ; and have a cloak of fine cloth, often adorned with gold or 
silver lace. Rum and brandy are drank by persons of all ranks; but 
the excessive use of spirituous Jiquors chiefly prevails among the 
Mestizos. Another liquor much used in this , country is. made of an 
herb called Paraguay. Gaming is carried to an extravagant height. 
The common people and the Indians are greatly addicted to stealing, 
-but highway robberies are seldom heard of. 
