The progress of the press in Peru has been most notable during the past few years. _El Comercio_, which has been a faithful chronicler of the political and social events of the country for nearly three-quarters of a century, still stands at the head as a representative of Peruvian journalistic ethics and enterprise. The same policy which made the paper the exponent of liberty half a century ago,—when it fought a noble campaign in favor of the abolition of slavery, first of the negroes and later of the Indians,—makes it to-day the leader in promoting the highest principles of humanity, advocating the most necessary reforms, and encouraging the best citizenship. Modern methods are employed in its extensive news service and the latest material improvements have been inaugurated in every department. The proprietor and editor-in-chief of _El Comercio_, Don José Antonio Miró Quesada, is the Nestor of journalism in Peru and is esteemed as the exponent of its most worthy ideals. The press of the republic is represented by about two hundred newspapers, the principal dailies being _El Comercio_, _El Diario_, and _La Prensa_ of Lima; _La Bolsa_ and _El Deber_ of Arequipa; _El Comercio_ and _El Sol_ of Cuzco; _La Razón_ and _La Industria_ of Trujillo; though every city and town has its newspaper, and in the larger centres an illustrated weekly is also issued. Many of the leading editors and journalists are prominent in politics and hold important offices in the government. Dr. Felix Castro, the owner and editor of _El Comercio_, in Cuzco, was secretary of the presidency in the administration of President Serapio Calderon and served his country as propagandist in the United States, where his journalistic talents were of great value in advancing his mission through the _New York Herald_, _Sun_, and other dailies.