Peru as It Is, Volume 1 (of 2) A Residence in Lima, and Other Parts of the Peruvian Republic, Comprising an Account of the Social and Physical Features of That Country

Spanning a decade of residence, the narrator paints a vivid portrait of Peru that moves beyond the usual travel guide. He walks the bustling streets of Lima, shares meals with miners and farmers, and steps into the grand halls of the colonial elite, gathering insights that feel both intimate and broad. The first chapters set the scene with clear sketches of the country’s borders, its coastal climate, and the striking contrast between the wet and dry seasons, while also noting how Lima’s peculiar weather can affect daily life.

The work then turns its eye to the city’s social fabric, describing how health concerns, dietary habits, and the legacy of slavery shape families and public opinion. Observations on the roles of women, the cadence of conversation, and the colorful religious customs give listeners a textured sense of everyday Peru in the 1830s. Though written in a modest, nineteenth‑century style, the account balances scientific detail with personal anecdotes, offering a thoughtful, if early, window into a nation on the cusp of change.