Page:The Present State of Peru.djvu/289

Rh scents. He also speaks of Ligurinus, proud of the beauty of his countenance.

I see plainly, dear Leander, that these sketches provoke your laughter and your indignation at the same time: but I think that my ready compliance with your wishes, will give a new energy to our correspondence, and shew the warmth of the affection of your FILALETES.

The above specimens of Peruvian literature, given under the head of Customs and Manners, may be considered as so many views of society in that country. It only remains to add to them a sketch of domestic economy, as it refers to the education of children. This production bears the signature of, and sets out as follows:

Six years ago I was united in wedlock, in this capital, to, a beautiful and virtuous female, but possessed of the prejudices of her sex. Heaven has bestowed on me three girls and a boy. The sight of them, and their company, constitute the whole of my felicity; and their education is the object of all my solicitude. At the beginning of the last year, I was obliged to undertake a journey to Cuzco;—a sacrifice which was required by the state of my affairs, and the narrowness of my fortune. During six months I was separated from my wife and my children. It is necessary to be a good husband, and a good father, to be enabled to appreciate the value of these precious names. God alone knows what my heart suffered during so long an absence!

My pursuits at length enabled me to reach this territory. On