What I saw on the west coast of South and North America, and at the Hawaiian Islands.: By H. Willis Baxley, M.D.

HARBOR AND CITY OF CALLAO.
down Callao and its defences, and take the Peruvian frigate
"Apurimac," lying alongside, by wvay of reprisal for the seizure by
the Peruvians of two American merchantmen. The controversy
growing out of this act drags its vexatious length along, and is
likely to hang fire indefinitely, false-hearted diplomacy and insolence of office being submitted to rather than risk the possible
inconvenience that might result from a peremptory demand for
redress of grievances. At this moment the "Lancaster" is absurdly pretending international courtesy and friendship not felt,
by belching forth a salute, causing the sea to tremble. It is
truly a magnificent cannonade, making the tall Andes to clap
their hands in joy:
"The glee
Of the loud hills shakes with its mountain mirth,
As if they did rejoice o'er a young earthquake's birth."
Callao has a capacious mole for landing merchandise, and a
smaller one for landing passengers in smooth water within that
used for cargo. A sentinel stands at the head of the stairway.
When we went ashore a large number of loafers of the darker
tints, both sexes, and all degrees of impoverishment, were seen
lounging about. Despite this, however, there was an appearance of business activity near the pier: geteros, keeping their
boats in perpetual motion, seeking employment; and cargadotes, carrying their burdens, bags, boxes, and bundles to the
railroad depot near by, and to which passengers were hurrying
for the next train to Lima. A large quantity of miscellaneous
merchandise was seen in a picket-fenced custom-house storage
lot, designed for articles under temporary official restriction; no
building being necessary for the protection of such from rain,
where none ever falls to damage goods.
Callao is cursed by a hotel. May those who come here be
saved by friends from expiating their sins in such a purgatory!
The population is twenty-five thousand, mostly of the mixed
breeds, who from the frequent occurrence of earthquakes, and
the destruction of life as well as property that has attended
them, are not inclined to indulge extravagant fancies in building large and costly houses. It is considered safer to have them
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