We are still at Lima, waiting for the steamer.

The other day I had a visit from an English lady, residing here now, who has exhibited such heroism and presence of mind as perhaps hardly any one ever displayed before, under such peculiarly trying circumstances. It appears that the ship she came out in was commanded by a very incompetent, inexperienced, and weakminded Captain, quite unfit for the situation, and always intoxicated, till at last he became wholly and utterly incapable of managing the ship. Mrs. S–– was in deep mental affliction at the time, but unhesitatingly (finding there was no one in the vessel who could take the command) assumed the responsibility of navigating the ship herself. Every one knows how difficult the navigation in going round Cape Horn is, yet this skilful and strong-minded lady succeeded in bringing the ship safely to Lima, assisted only by a very youthful nephew.

It might be imagined a person who could act thus would be masculine, and rough, perhaps, in deportment and manner. Nothing of the kind. This lady is eminently feminine, has a very mild and sweet expression of countenance, and is particularly gentle and pleasing. She never alludes to the subject herself; but I could not resist one day asking her a little about it, though fearful of awakening melancholy recollections in her mind.