"I observe in a paper which is now before me, entitled 'The
Introduction of the Steam-Engine in the Peruvian Mines, by Richard
Trevithick, in 1816,' that when Captain Trevithick arrived at Lima
on board the ship 'Asp,' with sundry small engines for the draining
of the mines of Cerro de Pasco, he was immediately presented to the
Marquis de Concordia, then Viceroy of Peru, was most graciously
received by the most flattering attention of the inhabitants, and
subsequently the Viceroy ordered the Lord Warden of the mines to
escort the great man with a guard of honour to the mining district.
In contrasting the two epochs, that of Trevithick in 1816, with this
of Wyman and Harrison in 1871, one is led to exclaim that there were
_gentlemen_ in Peru in 1816, and they gave unto Cæsar that which
belonged to Cæsar."[131]
[Footnote 131: In 'Mining Journal,' W. R. Rutter.]
The same newspaper, on the 9th November, 1870, stated:--
"The 'Bride' sailed from Hayle on Thursday with a portion of the
machinery made by Messrs. Harvey and Co., of Hayle, destined for Cerro
de Pasco, in Peru. The work comprises four 37-inch cylinder pumping
engines; no part to weigh more than 300 lbs."
To enable the parts to be reduced in weight, each steam-cylinder was
made of thirty-seven different pieces. The mechanics of Trevithick's
time could not make a steam-cylinder in parts; therefore his
difficulties in designing and conveying the machinery were ten times
greater than they would be in the present day, and necessitated the
extreme simplicity of his engines. His residence with the Peruvians
from 1816 to 1822 taught them the use of high-pressure steam-engines in
their mines; and indirectly heralded the advent of the steam-horse, now
as familiar to them as to the residents in many English towns.
CHAPTER XXIII.
COSTA RICA.
"MY DEAR SIR,
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