It is almost become a proverb, that rain never falls in the lower part of Peru.

Yet this can hardly be considered correct; for during almost every day of our visit there was a thick drizzling mist, which was sufficient to make the streets muddy and one's clothes damp: this the people are pleased to call Peruvian dew.

That much rain does not fall is very certain, for the houses are covered only with flat roofs made of hardened mud; and on the mole ship-loads of wheat were piled up, being thus left for weeks together without any shelter.
I cannot say I liked the very little I saw of Peru: in summer, however, it is said that the climate is much pleasanter.

In all seasons, both inhabitants and foreigners suffer from severe attacks of ague.

This disease is common on the whole coast of Peru, but is unknown in the interior.