During the administration of the present mayor of Lima, Dr. Federico Elguera, who was recently reëlected for the sixth time, in token of the appreciation of the citizens for his good government, the municipal improvements have been greater and more generally satisfactory than ever before; and each year finds the city more modern in appearance, with better sanitary conditions, and added conveniences of transportation. The electric street car routes now cover the city very thoroughly and connect it with the suburbs by means of a rapid and commodious service. Electricity is also used for lighting, the system being modern and convenient. As a metropolis, Lima provides the usual comforts of city life, in good clubs and hotels; the cab service is excellent, the telephone is found in all public buildings and residences; theatres are open all the year, and a handsome new national theatre is now under construction. Lima has a population of one hundred and fifty thousand inhabitants. The general character of the masses is peaceable and the percentage of crime is not large. The police service has been greatly improved during the present administration, the mounted police being recruited and organized by the army authorities, though serving under the orders of the chief of police, who has charge of the entire force. The penitentiary of Lima, the first of its class to be built in America, is a spacious edifice, equipped with modern conveniences, including a complete system of electric lighting; a good library was recently installed for the use and education of the inmates. For protection against fires, Lima has a volunteer brigade, the companies of which are maintained by personal subscription. There are about five hundred volunteer firemen in the capital, divided into companies, which, by their names, reveal the cosmopolitan character of this service. In addition to the “Lima,” “Salvadora,” and “Cosmopolita” companies, the brigade includes also the “Roma,” “Francia,” “Victoria,” and others. [Illustration: THE BALTA BRIDGE OVER THE RIMAC RIVER.] [Illustration: PASEO COLÓN—THE FAVORITE DRIVEWAY OF LIMA.]