Excerpt from Peru of the Twentieth Century I do not wish any expectation to be aroused which cannot be realized; and, therefore, let me at the outset indicate to my readers what they will not find within these pages. Firstly, they will seek in vain for any lengthy reference to Ancient Peru. Other writers, far more capable than I, have dealt with this fas cinating subject, and the list of works upon the Land of the Incas is so ample that the market may be considered as sufficiently, if not over, supplied. Secondly, I have carefully refrained from indulging in political history for two reasons: (1) I am inclined to agree with the dear old pessimist, Voltaire, that history being little else than a picture of human crimes and misfortunes, it would be out of place in a book which is pri marily intended to be useful to the traveller, the merchant, and the financier; (2) I consider it little less than an international impertinence, as Bismarck designated the Monroe Doctrine, for foreigners to discuss and comment upon the internal affairs of the countries in which they may happen to find them selves, either temporarily or permanently, located. I have not hesitated to comment, on the other hand, upon our own politics, so far as they relate to our commercial relations with Peru and other South American countries; because I have found that there are conditions confronting us as a nation which cannot, and should not, be passed by without some reference. I know neither politics nor prejudices; but I have a country - a country of which I am not only very fond, but very proud. I want to see that country maintain her place in the front rank of the com mercial and industrial world; to march always as leader, and not as a humble follower. My anxiety is to awaken some interest among the thinkers in Great Britain, by showing to them - as far as my modest abilities will permit - some of the many diplomatic errors which our responsible rulers, of both political parties alike, have committed, and to assist in urging the demand that these errors be no longer perpetuated. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.