Narrative of a Journey from Lima to Para, Across the Andes and Down the Amazon

by Smyth, William; Lowe, Frederick

• ISBN13: 9781108033794
• ISBN10: 1108033792
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-10-13
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

During 1834-5 the British naval officer and artist William Smyth (1800-77) and his fellow officer Frederick Lowe (1811-47) went on an expedition to Peru and North-Eastern Brazil. This account of their journey, first published in 1836, combines a travel narrative with anthropological observation. Their objective was to explore the river Pachitea in Peru and investigate its potential as a route from the Andes via the Amazon to the Atlantic Ocean that could reduce journey times and benefit Peruvian exports. The tone of the book is typical of early nineteenth-century European travel literature, in that it shows the authors to have been fascinated by the cultures they encountered while retaining a deep mistrust of the indigenous 'savages' some of whom were held to be 'cannibals'. It is, however, full of fascinating details about the rainforest and its inhabitants, the colonial settlers, and their interactions.

Table of Contents

Preface

Introduction

Commencement of land journey

An account of Cerro Pasco, the district which contains the principal silver mines belonging to Peru

Continuation and difficulties of the land journey

Hospitable reception at Huanuco, and description of that city

Arrival at Pozuzu and desertion of the escort and muleteers, compelling an abandonment of the plan projected

Embarkation in canoes on the Huallaga

Further progress down the river, and visit to the towns of Juan Guerra and Tarapoto

Impetuosity of the river at the Pass of Uraquiyacu, and the passage effected through the trees

Endeavours to persuade the missionary to assist in the ascent of the Ucayali and Pachitea to Mayro

Account of the mission and town of Sarayacu, its inhabitants and their manners

Account of the Indian tribes inhabiting the Pampa and neighbourhood of the Ucayali

Departure from Sarayacu

Arrival at Tabatinga, the frontier town of Brazil

Rio Negro

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