Peru lost the revenues from both guano and nitrate under the same stroke, and during the years that immediately followed, the country passed through the darkest period of its history. But, as this experience served to direct the attention of the nation to the more permanent riches of this great territory, the loss of its most attractive possessions cannot be regarded as an unmixed evil. From an abundance of wealth, Peru was suddenly plunged into great poverty. But, as with individuals, so with nations,—the test of the spirit lies in its strength to meet adversity and overcome the discouragement that follows in its path; and this test the Peruvian people met by resolutely facing the task of building up their shattered fortunes through the development of the national industries. Their territory is rich in agricultural products and minerals; the rubber and hardwoods of the forest are treasures of immense value; and the people have grown to realize the full importance of developing these unlimited resources. As a result, the sun of prosperity has again risen over the land; and in the warmth of his beams, the harvests shed ever-increasing blessings and the hearts of the people expand with content.
A GUANO PORT, CHINCHA ISLANDS
CALLE DE LIMA, CALLAO.
CHAPTER XX
CALLAO, THE CHIEF SEAPORT OF PERU—STEAMSHIP LINES
MONUMENT TO ADMIRAL GRAU, CALLAO.
Callao, the chief seaport of Peru, and one of the most important on the Pacific coast, possesses an especial historical as well as commercial interest. As the City of the Kings was the centre of political and social authority under the viceroyalty, Callao was the headquarters of its trade, the counting-house in which business operations connected with the colonial service were carried on. All ships that traded between Spain and its vast Peruvian provinces were obliged to load and discharge their cargo in this port, where every article was registered and the king’s duties were collected. The first buildings of the port were erected in 1537, two years after Pizarro founded Lima; but it was not until a hundred and thirty-four years later, in 1671, that Callao was dignified with the title of city. In the intervening period, the increasing wealth and prosperity of the viceroyalty and the importance of its trade attracted pirates to the coast, the harbor of Callao being made the chief point of attack, as in the case of Drake and Cavendish, elsewhere referred to, and of the Dutch pirates who came later. These invasions, though they wrought great damage to the city, were forgotten in the flourishing period that followed, when Callao grew to be the richest port of the Pacific and its harbor was constantly thronged with vessels bringing in merchandise of all kinds, or loading precious cargoes of gold and silver for the metropolis.
