the metropolis of Peru, contains 209 squares of buildings, which comprise 8222 doors of dwelling houses and shops, and these are branched out into 355 streets. In order to maintain peace and tranquility among among the inhabitants, and for the accommodation of the police, the city is divided into four quarters, containing 35 districts, over each of which there presides an alcaid, who is always elected from among the people of the most distinguished rank. The population, according to estimate made at different periods, is as follows.
<table> <tr> <th>In</th> <th>1600,</th> <th>14,262</th> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>1614,</td> <td>25,455</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>1700,</td> <td>37,239</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>1746,</td> <td>60,000</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>1755,</td> <td>54,000</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>1781,</td> <td>60,000</td> </tr> <tr> <td></td> <td>1790,</td> <td>52,627</td> </tr> </table>
By this table it appears, that from 1746 to 1755, the population suffered a diminution of 6000, which was owing to an earthquake that happened at the former period;—a calamity with which that city is often visited. Were it not for this circumstance, Lima would be a perfect paradise, as the adjacent country abounds with corn, wine, oil, sugar, fruits, and flax. Such abundance of wealth do the inhabitants enjoy, that when the duke of Palata was sent from Spain as viceroy to Peru, they paved the streets through which he was to pass with ingots of silver. Libertinism and debauchery are the distinguishing characteristics of the people of Lima, for which even the nuns are as notorious as the rest of the females, seldom being free from venereal complaints.
In the month of March 1543, the emperor Charles V. established an audience at Lima, in consequence of which the inhabitants were freed from the painful necessity of seeking a redress of their grievances at so great a distance as Panama. Among the excellent institutions by which the Peruvian capital is distinguished, we may rank the provincial councils, which shew the constant zeal of the sovereigns of Spain for the defence of religion and preservation of discipline. The prelates, by their pastoral vigilance, spare neither pains nor labour to promote their views, to accomplish their sacred and interesting purposes.
By a decree of the Spanish emperor, which reached Lima in 1553, a university was begun in a central spot of the capital, called the university of St Mark, which is now in a most flourishing condition. Don Francisco Toledo assigned 20,312 piastres as a fund for the maintenance of the professors, arising from the tributes paid by the Indians. Two lectures are given daily on grammar, one on the Indian language, three on philosophy, three on theology, three on law, two on canons, and two on medicine. In the year 1790 an amphitheatre was erected for the use of the anatomical students.
The college for female orphans was founded by Mateo Pastor de Velasco, not at the hour of death, which often gives to charitable endowments an air of suspicion, but when he was in the full possession of perfect health. In 1597 a pious philosopher founded a charitable institution for the support of such helpless children as were laid down in the streets by their unfeeling parents. This building was destroyed by the earthquake of 1687; which laid in ruins the greater part of the city. It was afterwards rebuilt, and is at present in a flourishing condition. In 1559 an hospital was erected for the relief of the unfortunate sick, who might otherwise have perished for want of medical aid, and obtained the name of the Fellowship of Charity and Compassion. A general hospital for the poor was begun about 1758, but not completed till 1770, which in 1790 afforded a comfortable asylum to 29 poor people. The asylum for penitent females was founded in 1669. It has been said that there is not a city in the world in which so many alms are distributed as in Lima.
In the centre of the great square there is a fountain of bronze, the ornaments of which are conformable to the rules of the composite order. It has an elevation of 157 yards to the helmet of Fame, from which deducting 1 1/2 yards for the height of that figure, the remainder gives the part to which the water rises in order to diffuse itself. This production of art, combining magnificence in every part of it with fine architectural taste, is surrounded by 24 pieces of artillery, and 16 iron chains, a narrow space being left for access to the inhabitants.
Coffee-houses were not known in Lima till the year 1771, when one was opened in the street of Santo Domingo, and another the year following. A third was established in 1775, a fourth in 1782, and a fifth in 1788, in each of which there is a billiard table for the amusement of the inhabitants. We are sorry to say that the barbarous practice of cock-fighting obtains in Lima, for which purpose a building was erected in the year 1762. The tennis court is open to the public, and affords the spectator an agreeable hour of relaxation from more serious pursuits. Lima is situated in W. Long. 76. 44. S. Lat. 12. 1.