I have repeatedly observed, that a negro born in Peru of African parents shews a greater development of the human faculties than is exhibited by either of his parents; nay, even his corporeal agility appears to have increased, and certainly his share of civilized vices is augmented; yet I cannot suppose that these proceed from any other source than an imitation of examples placed before him, without any change in the facial angle!
For an examination of the influence of the configuration of the human face, or of its colour, on the intellectual faculties, no place is more à propos than Lima; and perhaps a few remarks upon this subject will be acceptable to those who feel themselves interested in such speculations.
The annexed table shews the mixture of the different castes, under their common or distinguishing names.
| FATHER. | MOTHER. | CHILDREN. | COLOUR. |
| European | European | Creole | White. |
| Creole | Creole | Creole | White. |
| White | Indian | Mestiso | 6/8 White, 2/8 Indian—Fair. |
| Indian | White | Mestiso | 4/8 White, 4/8 Indian. |
| White | Mestiso | Creole | White—often very Fair. |
| Mestiso | White | Creole | White—but rather Sallow. |
| Mestiso | Mestiso | Creole | Sallow—often light Hair. |
| White | Negro | Mulatto | 7/8 White, 1/8 Negro—often Fair. |
| Negro | White | Zambo | 4/8 White, 4/8 Negro—dark copper. |
| White | Mulatto | Quarteron | 6/8 White, 2/8 Negro—Fair. |
| Mulatto | White | Mulatto | 5/8 White, 3/8 Negro—Tawny. |
| White | Quarteron | Quinteron | 7/8 White, 1/8 Negro—very Fair. |
| Quarteron | White | Quarteron | 6/8 White, 2/8 Negro—Tawny. |
| White | Quinteron | Creole | White—light Eyes, fair Hair. |
| Negro | Indian | Chino | 4/8 Negro, 4/8 Indian. |
| Indian | Negro | Chino | 2/8 Negro, 6/8 Indian. |
| Negro | Mulatto | Zambo | 5/8 Negro, 3/8 White. |
| Mulatto | Negro | Zambo | 4/8 Negro, 4/8 White. |
| Negro | Zambo | Zambo | 15/16 Negro, 1/16 White—Dark. |
| Zambo | Negro | Zambo | 7/8 Negro, 1/8 White. |
| Negro | Chino | Zambo-chino | 15/16 Negro, 1/16 Indian. |
| Chino | Negro | Zambo-chino | 7/8 Negro, 1/8 Indian. |
| Negro | Negro | Negro |
This table, which I have endeavoured to make as correct as possible, from personal observation, must be considered as general, and not including particular cases. I have classed the colours according to their appearance, not according to the mixture of the castes, because I have always remarked, that a child receives more of the colour of the father than of the mother.
It may be correct to state, that the creoles from either European or creole parents, are endowed with more open generosity than the Spaniards, and that they are of a more active and penetrating genius, but not so constant in their pursuits. Much has been said against the creoles, or natives of the colonies by those of the parent states; their descriptions, however, are rather accordant with their wishes than the real character of the people whom they undertake to pourtray. Writers ought not to sully their pages either by affirming untruths or uttering biassed opinions. De Pauw says, "that all the American races are of a degenerated and inferior order;" this is undoubtedly false, for I have known several individuals who have borne down the restrictions of colonial law, and become eminent both in the arts and sciences: Mexia eclipsed many of the most famous Spanish orators in the late Cortes; and Morales was elected president of the Regency. It is well known also, that the contest in the colonies, where the natives have fought for and gained their independence, brought to light the talent and genius of many both in the cabinet and in the field, whose names would have remained unknown, had not their abilities been thus called into action. The coarse and foul caricature of De Pauw, may be contrasted with the over-coloured picture of M. de Bercey, and a medium I think would form a correct outline. "Those whom we are accustomed to call barbarians and savages are infinitely less entitled to these epithets than ourselves, notwithstanding the refinement and civilization we boast. Equally, if not more exempted from prejudice, the Americans neither create factitious wants, nor seek imaginary sources of happiness." I have observed the young men in the colleges of Lima, as well as in other cities of South America, and I must affirm, that their minds are stored with both just and clear ideas; and surely these are the principal indications of good taste, and the characteristics of true genius. But several causes have contributed to damp the career of literature; among others we may reckon a scanty supply of books, a total want of philosophical instruments, the restrictions of the inquisition, and the prohibitory laws. Learning has indeed hitherto been discountenanced, for when some of the collegians of San Carlos harangued the Viceroy Gil de Lemos, he inquired of the rector, what sciences were taught in the college, and being briefly informed, he returned "tu, tu, tu, let them learn to read, write, and say their prayers, for this is as much as any American ought to know!" The college del Principe has produced many indians who have shone both in the pulpit and at the bar; and among the negroes and the mixed castes, several individuals of merit, both in medicine and surgery, have been distinguished. Many also exist who, if they have not been conspicuous in any department of the sciences, undoubtedly owe their failure to the Spanish colonial laws, which have shut all preferments against them. Yet who can read the harangues of Colocolo to the Araucanian senate, without declaring them to be as worthy of the poetical pen of Ercilla, as those of Nestor were of the pen of Homer?
Robertson states the population of Lima in 1764 at 54,000; but in 1810 it was estimated at 87,000, at which time the deputies of the Cortes were elected. Of this number about 20,000 are whites, the remainder negroes, indians, and mixed breeds, or castes. I shall briefly particularize the most striking features in the population, according to my own observations.
Among the inhabitants of this city, there are sixty-three noblemen, who enjoy titles either of count or marquis, the greater part of whom are natives of America, and about forty noblemen, or mayorasgos, without titles; a number of knights of the different Spanish orders of Catalrava, Alcantara, Santiago, Malta, and Charles III. Many of the nobility are descendants of the conquerors. The most ancient families are those of Villafuerte (marquis), Lurigancho (count), and Montemira (marquis). One of the families in Lima traces its descent with undeniable certainty from the Incas. Ampuero the founder married at the time of the conquest a coya, or princess, sister to Atabalipa, and the Kings of Spain granted at different times many distinguishing prerogatives and honours to this family, from which the marquis of Montemira is now the lineal descendant. The manners of the nobility are courteous in the extreme, and their complaisance and affability to strangers know no limits; their general conduct also seems to be as free from haughtiness as from flattery, and their politeness, candour and magnificence must charm every stranger who visits them. These qualities were particularly shewn to the officers of several of H. B. M. ships of war who were at Lima during the time I resided there.
Lima is the birth-place of the only person in the Spanish colonies who has been canonized by the Roman church: Santa Rosa de Santa Maria; she is the patroness of Peru, and her festival is celebrated with great solemnity. It is said by some that she foretold the independence of her country, asserting, that after the domination of the Kings of Spain had lasted as long as that of the Incas, the sceptre would drop from their hands. This prophecy was printed in the first edition of her life in 1662, but was expunged from all the succeeding ones.
Saint Thoribius de Mogroviejo, archbishop, and St. Francis Solano, of the order of Franciscans, flourished here, but both were natives of Spain.