The Historical Institute is one of the most important scientific institutions of Peru, and one destined to occupy a high place among the societies of America. Its purpose is to cultivate and advance the study of national history, including all that pertains to the ethnology and archæology of the country. This embraces a wide field and opens up illimitable prospects of investigation. The institute has charge of the National Museum, which is the repository for collections of objects of historical value and interest. The work of collecting, deciphering, arranging, annotating, and publishing documents relating to the national history, as well as the responsibility of guarding and preserving the national monuments of archæological and artistic value, is under the direction of the institute, which was created by decree of the government of Peru on the 18th of February, 1905. Dr. Max Uhle has charge of the prehistoric department of the museum, a section full of interest for those who have a curiosity to see the wonderful potteries, textiles, and mummies that have been taken from Peruvian burial mounds. Although the work of classifying and arranging these relics of antiquity was begun only a little more than a year ago, the exhibit is already assuming great importance, and it will undoubtedly be among the famous world collections one of these days. The collection of objects of the colonial and the republican periods is of important historical interest. Here may be seen curious relics of the time of the conquest, even the first baptismal font used in Lima, which was presented to the museum by the church of Santo Domingo. Many and varied articles belonging to the period of the viceroyalty have been collected, among others, the wooden cross that was carried at the head of the procession in the _auto de fé_ as early as the sixteenth century; and the splendid coach, red and gold, with the Torre-Tagle arms emblazoned on its panels, in which the great marquis made his magnificent progresses across the country, in royal style, with outriders and lackeys in attendance. There are trophies of the war of independence, among them Bolivar’s spurs and the bed on which General Sucre is said to have slept the night before Ayacucho; and among the precious treasures of more recent days are preserved the swords of Colonel Bolognesi, the cap and epaulettes of Admiral Grau, a Chilean flag and other souvenirs of the war of the Pacific. Paintings of historical scenes and portraits of great men adorn the walls.