he correct pronunciation of these words is extremely
difficult, and many have assured me that they find it impossible to
omit the _e_ before the _s_. Still more arbitrary is their conversion
of _h_ into _k_ in the words mihi, nihil, &c., which they pronounce
_miki_, _nikil_.

The colored Creoles, who are generally uneducated, speak the Spanish
language much more corruptly than the whites. The Negroes have a very
bad accent. Their tongues seem quite unfitted for the pronunciation of
the Spanish language, which many of them render unintelligible by
transposing letters and lopping off syllables.

FOOTNOTES:

[Footnote 13: Interpretations of the Indian Laws.]

[Footnote 14: His divine genius has produced eternal spring in
Arequipa.]

[Footnote 15: "Guia del Peru." "Observaciones sobre el clima de Lima y
sus influencias en los seres organizados en especial el hombre."]

[Footnote 16: The women of Lima clean their teeth several times a day
with the root called _Raiz de dientes_ (literally _root for the teeth_),
of which they keep a piece constantly in their pocket.]

[Footnote 17: It is related that, during the war of independence, when
Lima was alternately in possession of the Patriots and the Spaniards, a
party of the latter, in order to ascertain the spirit of the Limenos,
disguised themselves as Patriots and marched to the vicinity of the
town. On their approach becoming known, a great number of persons
proceeded from Callao to the Alameda to meet them. Among those who went
forth to welcome the supposed patriots were a number of women dressed in
the narrow _sayas_ above described. When the disguised Spaniards had
advanced within a little distance of the deceived multitude they began
to attack them. The men saved themselves by flight; but the women, whose
sayas impeded their motion, were unable to escape, and were almost all
killed.]

[Footnote 18: A _Tapada_ is a lady closely concealed beneath the folds of
her veil or manto. The term is derived from the verb _tapar_, to cover
or conceal. _Taparse a media ojo_, is said of a lady when she draws her
manto over her face so as to leave only one eye or rather the half of an
eye uncovered.--T.]

[Footnote 19: A preparation of finely-bruised maize mixed with morsels of
pork. It is rolled in maize leaves, and in that manner served up.]

[Footnote 20: Sweet cakes made of maize and raisins.]

[Footnote 21: A syrup made from the pulp of fruit.]

[Footnote 22: Preserved